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Kijkduin or Scheveningen?
The Hague has two seaside districts. One got a pier and a crowd. The other got left alone: on purpose or not, depending who you ask.
- Around 1900, Kijkduin was not much smaller than Scheveningen.
- Scheveningen then grew explosively; Kijkduin never followed that path.
- Kijkduin is about 7 km from The Hague's centre, in the Loosduinen district.
- Neither beach is "better": they suit different kinds of days out.
What's the actual difference between Kijkduin and Scheveningen?
Kijkduin is The Hague's second and smallest seaside district, in the Loosduinen area, about 7 km from the city centre. Scheveningen is the larger, better-known one, with a bigger boulevard, more hotels and more going on. The practical difference for a visitor is scale and pace: Kijkduin's boulevard and beach are noticeably smaller and quieter.
Why did Scheveningen grow so much bigger than Kijkduin?
Around 1900, Kijkduin was not much smaller than Scheveningen; both had a handful of hotels and a similar starting point as seaside resorts. The explosive growth Scheveningen went through afterwards simply never happened in Kijkduin, which stayed a small, low-rise village on top of its dune while Scheveningen expanded into a full-scale resort.
That's the short version of "why Kijkduin feels different": not decline, but a growth spurt that passed it by. It's also why Kijkduin markets itself today as the quiet alternative rather than a smaller copy of Scheveningen.
Which one should families pick?
Kijkduin suits families who want a shorter, calmer beach day: fewer people, a compact boulevard, and dune paths right behind the sand. Scheveningen suits families who want more going on in one place: a bigger boulevard with more choice of food and activity, at the cost of more crowds, especially in summer.
Which one should you pick for nightlife or a bigger boulevard scene?
Scheveningen is the clear choice if you want a livelier evening: more restaurants, more bars, and a bigger seafront to walk along after dark. Kijkduin's boulevard is small and residential in feel; it is not the place to go looking for nightlife. Anyone staying in Kijkduin is choosing quiet over nightlife.
How do you get to each one?
Kijkduin is reached from central The Hague by HTM bus lines 23 (summer only), 24 and 26; check current routes and times with HTM or 9292 before you travel. Scheveningen is well connected by tram from the city centre. Both are also reachable by bike via the dune coastline connecting them.
Can you visit both in one day?
Kijkduin and Scheveningen sit on the same stretch of coast, connected by Westduinpark, and are an easy cycle or a short public-transport hop apart. A common pattern is a quiet morning walk in Kijkduin or the dunes, followed by an afternoon or evening in Scheveningen for more choice of food and activity.
Kijkduin vs. Scheveningen at a glance
| Kijkduin | Scheveningen | |
|---|---|---|
| Role in The Hague | Second, smaller seaside district | Main, larger seaside district |
| Distance from city centre | ~7 km | Closer, well served by tram |
| Character today | Quiet, low-rise boulevard | Busy, larger boulevard and pier |
| Historical turning point | Growth Scheveningen saw after ~1900 never happened here | Explosive growth after ~1900 |