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Den Haag is the seat of the Dutch Government, home to the Royal family and the capital of the Province of Zuid-Holland. The official name of the city is 's-Gravenhage but the common name is Den Haag. The Dutch Parliament and the Office of the Prime Minister are situated at the Binnenhof ("Inner court"). Queen Beatrix and her family live at the Palace Huis ten Bosch (in the park zone of Haagse Bos) and her offices are at the Palace Noordeinde, in the city centre. At Noordeinde she welcomes official guests like foreign heads of state. The city centre is undergoing a major facelift. World famous architects are changing the skyline of the city, aiming to make Den Haag a cultural and economic centre of international stature. The city council is also stimulating the attractiveness of its seaside resort Scheveningen.

Nature & Parks

Parks and woodlands
Den Haag is a green city. There are many parks, forests and leafy lanes with colourful gardens (such as the Lange Voorhout in spring). There is still a green belt separating the city centre and Scheveningen; here the former dune land has been transformed into parks like the Scheveningse Bosjes (92 ha). The Haagse Bos (48 ha, also including the Palace Huis ten Bosch) is another green lung connecting the city centre to the green estates and forests of Wassenaar towards the northeast. Another accessible park is the Zuiderpark ("south park") to the south of the city centre.

Dune landscapes
The dunes surrounding the city give an impression of the original landscape locally:
Meijendel dunes (2000 ha, towards the north) are among the most important Dutch coastal areas combining open dune with scrubs, woodland and lakes; Meijendel can best be reached at the northern side of Scheveningen. It is worth renting a bike at a railway station and make a cycle tour to the heart of Meijendel which has a visitor centre and a pancake restaurant.
Westduinpark (250 ha, towards the west) is more managed as a city dune park.

Access
Most parks as well as the dune areas have free access during daylight hours.