The green guide to visiting the Hague

The international city of peace and justice is the greenest in the Netherlands. While 460 public gardens and parks naturally offer soothing green space in the traditional sense of the word, it’s hard to think of another city – although the village-like Hague has never officially gained city status – driving so hard for sustainability.

With 11km of coastline, The Hague’s ambitious climate-neutral by 2030 commitment – 10 years ahead of the Dutch national goal – looks to clean energy solutions, diversifying freshwater supplies and natural or high-tech ways to guard against rising sea levels.

It’s refreshingly easy to be a ‘green tourist’ here, among the tree-lined boulevards, art-nouveau architecture and sandy North Sea coast. The Hague ranks second in the Netherlands in terms of the highest number of vegetarian and vegan restaurants; there are forward-thinking, sustainable hotels to stay in; and plenty of places to shop where the focus is on second-hand, vintage, recycled or locally made products.

Here’s how to plan a responsible, eco-inspired break here.

Stay

It’s a mouthful to say out loud, but the Leonardo Royal Hotel Den Haag Promenade is easy to stay in. A mile from coastal Scheveningen, this sharp new-build backs onto the wooded Scheveningse Bosjes park; some of the pared back rooms offer soothing views through a wall of windows. Find further relaxation at the health club’s pool, saunas and treatment rooms. Multiple reasons the hotel has Green Key Gold status (the leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry) include the grass roof, mainly LED lighting, water-saving toilets and showers, electric charging points, food-waste reduction and eco-cleaning products. Even your evening tipple is local, with Dutch gin served at the glitzy bar. Tram 1 stops in front of the hotel. leonardo-hotels.com/the-hague