Christmas Markets in The Hague

The Hague has a history unlike most European capitals, having grown not from a medieval trading town but from a 13th-century hunting lodge built by the Counts of Holland. By the 17th century it had become the seat of government for the Dutch Republic, attracting diplomats, lawyers, and artists and earning a reputation as a city of power and culture rather than commerce. That identity has endured: today The Hague is home to the International Court of Justice and numerous international organisations, giving it a cosmopolitan, quietly authoritative atmosphere. Its grand 19th-century boulevards, neoclassical architecture, and well-preserved historic core lend the city particular elegance. The Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas, celebrated in early December, adds a distinctly local festive character to the season, rooted in centuries of national custom.