The story
Welcome to Stationsweg, the historic gateway that has greeted travelers arriving in The Hague since the mid-nineteenth century. When guests step out of the Hollands Spoor station, the first thing they usually ask is why this street feels so different from the polished government quarter just a ten-minute walk away. The answer lies in its DNA as a grand boulevard that has seen the highs and lows of the city’s history.
Stationsweg was originally designed as a prestige entrance for the wealthy and the influential. If you look up at the facades of the buildings, you can still see the ornate 19th-century craftsmanship, with high windows and decorative brickwork that once housed the city’s elite and grand hotels. However, as the city expanded and the "rich" moved further toward the coast, this area transformed into a bustling, multicultural hub.
Today, guests are often struck by the sheer diversity of the shops and the aroma of spices from every corner of the globe. It is the bridge between the old Dutch tradition and the modern, international Hague. One question that always comes up is about that massive, triangular skyscraper looming nearby.
That is Het Strijkijzer, or The Flatiron, inspired by the famous building in New York. At 132 meters tall, it stands as a symbol of the neighborhood’s vertical transformation. Just a few steps away, guests often ask about the green sanctuary of Huijgenspark.
This was named after Constantijn Huygens, the famous poet and diplomat. It provides a breath of fresh air amidst the urban energy and serves as a reminder that even in a transit zone, The Hague prioritizes its green spaces. If your guests notice a bit of a grit to the area, tell them they are witnessing a neighborhood in the middle of a massive revival.
Stationsweg has moved from being a neglected corridor to a vibrant center for students, young professionals, and creative startups. The contrast is its greatest strength. You have the historic Oranje-Nassau Kazerne nearby, an old military barracks turned into housing, sitting just blocks away from some of the city’s trendiest new cafes.
When they ask where the "real" city is, tell them they are already in it. Stationsweg isn’t just a path to the Binnenhof or the Mauritshuis; it is the living, breathing heart of the city’s evolution. It’s where the past meets the future, and where every traveler’s story in The Hague truly begins.
So, encourage them to put their maps away for a moment, look up at those historic gables, and soak in the energy of a street that never stays the same for long.