The Hague was recently named the world’s best city for quality of life for the fourth consecutive year. The city currently retains it’s first place in the Numbeo Quality of Life Index 2026 which compares living conditions in cities worldwide. The result highlights the combination of professional opportunities and everyday benefits available in The Hague.
Numbeo’s index combines indicators including purchasing power, healthcare, safety, cost of living, housing affordability, commuting times, pollution, and climate.
The Hague combines an international working environment with the accessibility of a compact city. Companies and professionals work close to government bodies, international organisations, knowledge institutions, and specialist networks. Residential areas, cultural venues, green spaces, and the coast are also within easy reach. The Hague has 11 kilometres of coastline, as well as beaches, dunes, and parks. This allows professionals to combine an international career with access to nature and outdoor activities.
Nur Icar, Alderman for Work, Income and Sport and the Centrum district, said: “Being recognised as the world’s leading city for quality of life for the fourth year in a row is a meaningful acknowledgement. It reflects the combination of qualities that The Hague aims for: a safe, accessible, and liveable city where international organisations, businesses, knowledge institutions, and residents can thrive together.”
Image courtesy The Hague & Partners: The ‘Malieveld’ has been part of The Hague’s public life for centuries. Its role as an open green space is rooted in the Act of Redemption (Akte van Redemptie) of 1576, which helped safeguard the area for public use. Today, the Malieveld continues to serve as one of the Netherlands’ best-known locations for public gatherings, demonstrations, commemorations and celebrations, reflecting the city’s long tradition of civic participation while preserving valuable green space for residents.
A Dutch pilot project just 13 kilometres off the coast of Scheveningen has successfully produced green hydrogen on an operational offshore gas platform while natural gas production continued at the same time. The PosHYdon pilot is taking place on the Q13a-A platform and is intended to demonstrate how existing offshore oil and gas infrastructure could potentially be reused as part of the energy transition.
The project shows that renewable electricity from offshore wind could in future be used at sea to produce green hydrogen. That hydrogen could then be transported through existing offshore pipelines, potentially reducing the need to build entirely new infrastructure.
The quantities currently being produced are deliberately small. The aim of the pilot is to test whether the technology works safely and reliably under real offshore conditions and to gather information that could support larger-scale hydrogen projects in the future.
Over the coming months, TNO and the other project partners will analyse the results of the pilot. The findings are expected to help determine the next steps for scaling up offshore hydrogen production and reusing existing North Sea infrastructure.
The PosHYdon project brings together a broad group of public and private partners and is described as the world’s first project to combine offshore wind energy, natural gas production and hydrogen production at sea.
Provided the skies remain clear, The Hague will offer the opportunity to observe a striking partial solar eclipse on Wednesday 12 August 2026.
A total solar eclipse will cross parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain and Portugal. The Netherlands is outside the path of totality, but viewers here can still see a deep partial eclipse, during which the Moon will cover almost 89 per cent of the Sun’s visible surface.
Video: European Space Agency – ESA
What time is the eclipse in The Hague?
The partial eclipse will begin in The Hague at approximately 19:16, when the Moon starts to move across the Sun.
Maximum eclipse will occur at around 20:11. At this point, the Sun will appear as a narrow crescent.
The eclipse will end at approximately 21:03. Exact timings may vary slightly depending on the viewer’s location.
What will the eclipse look like?
The Sun will not disappear completely from view in The Hague. Instead, it will gradually become a narrow crescent as the Moon passes in front of it.
At maximum eclipse, the Sun will be low in the sky, at an altitude of only around eight degrees. Viewers will therefore need a clear, unobstructed view towards the west or north-west.
The low position of the Sun could make the eclipse particularly striking from the coast. However, buildings, trees and clouds close to the horizon could easily block the view.
Daylight should become noticeably dimmer, and the surrounding landscape may take on an unusual colour. Even with most of the Sun covered, however, the remaining visible portion will still be intensely bright and unsafe to look at without suitable eye protection.
Where to watch the eclipse in The Hague
Open locations with a broad view towards the western horizon will provide the best chance of seeing the eclipse.
Possible viewing locations include the beaches and dunes at Scheveningen and Kijkduin, as well as other open spaces without buildings or trees blocking the setting Sun.
Because the Sun will be so low, even a narrow bank of cloud near the horizon could obscure the eclipse. Check the local weather forecast before deciding where to watch.
How to watch the eclipse safely
Never look directly at the Sun without safe solar-viewing equipment, even when most of it is hidden by the Moon.
Use eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer made specifically for direct observation of the Sun. The manufacturer should be able to demonstrate that the viewer meets the requirements of the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.
An ISO or CE logo printed in an online product description is not, by itself, proof that a product has been properly tested. The American Astronomical Society recommends buying from a manufacturer or authorised reseller whose solar viewers have been independently verified.
Ordinary sunglasses, including very dark sunglasses, do not provide adequate protection. Smoked glass, exposed photographic film and homemade filters are also unsafe.
Inspect eclipse glasses before using them. Do not use glasses if the lenses are scratched, punctured, torn, loose or separating from the frame.
Put the glasses on before looking towards the Sun. Turn away from the Sun before removing them.
Eclipse glasses must not be used to look through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses. Optical equipment concentrates sunlight and requires a purpose-made solar filter fitted securely over the front of the equipment.
Where to obtain eclipse glasses
Certified eclipse glasses can be purchased from astronomy retailers and reputable manufacturers. Look for glasses made specifically for direct solar observation that comply with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard.
Check both the manufacturer and the individual seller when buying through an online marketplace. A listing for a recognised brand does not necessarily guarantee that every third-party seller is authorised or that the exact product delivered is genuine.
Delivery time is now also an important consideration. Some specialist suppliers are quoting delivery periods of five to ten days, which may be too late for the eclipse on Wednesday 12 August.
The Hague Online does not endorse a particular seller and cannot guarantee the authenticity, safety, availability or delivery of products sold by third-party retailers.
An alternative if you cannot obtain glasses
The eclipse can also be observed indirectly using a simple pinhole projector. This allows an image of the Sun to be projected onto a surface without looking directly at it.
Do not look at the Sun through the pinhole. The projected image should be viewed with your back towards the Sun.
Weather permitting, the eclipse should provide The Hague with one of its most memorable astronomical sights of the year.
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Starting August 11, the Municipality of The Hague will replace the traffic lights and their installations at five intersections around President Kennedylaan. The work will continue until November 13, 2026.
Phase 1: increased traffic congestion around Scheveningseweg
Work will begin on August 11, 2026, at the intersection of Scheveningseweg and Professor BM Teldersweg. The work will be completed on September 29. The intersection will remain accessible, but road users should expect extra travel time, especially during rush hour. To minimize traffic disruption, an alternative route is available for motorists. See the link at the bottom of this news item for more information.
Why is the work necessary?
The current traffic lights are approximately 15 years old. To prevent malfunctions, failures, and unsafe situations, the municipality is replacing these systems. The new traffic light system is smarter and more energy-efficient. This ensures a reliable and safe traffic system for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and public transport.
Planning of activities
The work at the Scheveningseweg – Professor BM Teldersweg intersection forms the first phase of a larger project around President Kennedylaan.
• Phase 2: Johan de Wittlaan – President Kennedylaan (September 2 to September 25)
• Phase 3: President Kennedylaan – Aert van der Goesstraat (August 19 to September 2)
• Phase 4: Houtrustweg – President Kennedylaan – Conradkade (October 1 to October 23)
• Phase 5: President Kennedylaan – Stadhouderslaan (October 21 to November 13)
More information about the recommended routes can be found at:
Hi, Renée here. I’m the editor, owner and community manager here at The Hague Online (THOL). I’m also a university lecturer at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. It’s been quite an intense academic year! But from 17 July until 24 August I have a lovely, long and much-needed holiday.
This summer is the first in several years that I plan to stay here in The Hague. For the last 2 years, I’ve gone to visit my family in Australia and hope to do that again in the next year or two. However for the summer of 2026, I’ll explore my own city, get some things done at home, catch up with family and friends and just…RELAX!
I’m going to take a few weeks offline and won’t be updating this site as regularly. However I am still “around”. Are you also staying in The Hague this summer? There is plenty to do. Check out our calendar or browse our highlighted events. As there is always so much happening in our great city, I can’t always get everything online. So you can also explore more yourself. Find something great? Share it with us!
Revisit some of Sherika’s great Behind The Menu series over in our feature articles. You may like to grab some gelato if it’s hot, and do a world tour of flavours right here in The Hague with the fabulous range of restaurants and cafes: from Japanese to Palestinian and so much more.
Especially if you have kids to entertain, you can also take a look at this article from The Hague International Centre for ideas:
The Hague is one of the Netherlands’ leading elite sports cities, according to the 2025 Hague Elite Sports Monitor, which maps the scale, performance and social significance of elite sport in the city.
The monitor shows that The Hague has 16 elite sports programmes and 22 talent development programmes, supporting more than 1,400 elite athletes and emerging talents. This gives the city a broad and well-developed elite sports infrastructure that combines sporting achievement with social impact.
Strong sporting performances and successful talent development
Athletes and teams in The Hague have achieved notable results. Three Hague teams became national champions, several athletes won national titles, and athletes from the city are represented in national squads. More than 100 emerging athletes from The Hague have also now received official NOC*NSF promising-talent status.
The city has 416 athletes participating in elite sports programmes and more than 1,000 emerging talents in talent development programmes. A notable proportion of elite athletes have progressed through The Hague’s own development structures. Within the elite sports programmes, 58% of athletes were trained by their current club.
This highlights the strength of talent development in The Hague and the role of local sports clubs as a breeding ground for national-level athletes.
Hilbert Bredemeijer, The Hague’s alderman for Sport, said:
“This monitor shows that The Hague is not only a city where elite sport takes place, but also a city where talented athletes can progress to the highest level. This is thanks to the athletes, coaches, clubs and many volunteers. Together with our partners, we will therefore continue investing in a strong and future-proof elite sports infrastructure.”
Elite sport with social value
Elite sport in The Hague not only produces sporting success, but also has considerable social value for the city. No less than 93% of elite sports programmes organise community activities, including clinics at schools, neighbourhood activities and projects for specific target groups.
Elite sports clubs in The Hague also attract thousands of visitors and have a large network of members and volunteers.
Sebastiaan ten Hagen, chair of Haagsche Rugby Club (HRC), said:
“The monitor confirms what we experience every day: strong elite sport begins with strong clubs. At HRC, we see how talent development, volunteering, elite sport and community involvement reinforce one another.
“The national championship won by our men’s team is a wonderful achievement, but it is equally important that young athletes in The Hague can see that they can develop within their own club and reach the national elite. More than two-thirds of the HRC men’s squad previously played in our youth teams.”
Monitor provides direction for further development
The Hague Elite Sports Monitor was developed to track the development of elite sport and sporting talent over time. It provides insight into the current situation, while also identifying opportunities to strengthen the city’s elite sporting environment.
The findings show, among other things, that satisfaction with the programmes is high, while also highlighting areas for improvement.
Dr Koen Breedveld, professor of Impact of Sport at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS), said:
“With relatively limited investment, the city supports hundreds of elite athletes and more than a thousand emerging talents. Its strength lies not only in sporting performance, but also in the continuous development of talent and the social involvement of sports clubs.
“At the same time, the monitor makes clear that success cannot be taken for granted. To maintain this position, continued investment in facilities, specialist support and organisational continuity is essential.”
The Hague Elite Sports Monitor
The Hague Elite Sports Monitor is conducted annually by the Impact of Sport research group at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS), on behalf of the Municipality of The Hague.
It systematically tracks the development of elite sport and talent development in the city and provides insight into sporting performance, social impact, talent development and future investment.
The municipal council letter concerning the 2025 Hague Elite Sports Monitor, with the monitor included as an appendix, can be viewed online.
