This afternoon, I arrived in Scheveningen Bad and was surprised by how built up the area around the impressive Kurhaus is. A casino, restaurants, shops, and flats are scattered around this Italian Renaissance building. It may not have been the most fortunate decision at the time, but as they say, ‘money must flow, right?’ As we immerse ourselves in the many things to do in swinging Scheveningen, Vlaggetjesdag is just around the corner. Next up!
I met Myriam Dijck, the press and PR manager of The Hague, on a cloudy Sunday morning. She is my guide and companion for the afternoon. We walk along the famous Boulevard towards the North Sea. The central part, between the Pier and the Beelden aan Zee museum, is being renovated. By the end of summer 2025, when the renovation is complete, the boulevard will have a new layout: it will be wider and greener, with a central square for the Kurhaus and a staircase to the beach. Myriam points out to me that there are no beach cabins like in Flanders, but instead, there are beach tents – oh, Hollandia. All the beach tents are open late (and in the summer, there are beach parties at various beach restaurants into the night). Myriam explains to me, in Wikipedia fashion, that the beach in Scheveningen is over 11 kilometers long, from Wassenaarseslag to Kijkduin. Each stretch of beach has its own lively or lazy Sunday vibe.
The combination of ‘water & fire’ is particularly fitting in Scheveningen, as two massive fires have significantly shaped the history and appearance of this seaside town. An all-consuming fire destroyed the Kurhaus in 1886. The hotel was completely rebuilt, this time with an impressive pier. The history of Scheveningen was repeated over half a century later. The pier underwent the same fate as the historic bathhouse in 1943 and was completely burnt down. Years later, a new design was built because Scheveningen simply wouldn’t be Scheveningen without a pier. With this bucket of knowledge in hand, I head to the inviting beach.
Through the shopping promenade – with a view of the North Sea – we reach the actual boulevard. I pass by The Fat Mermaid, Barbarossa, Solbeach, Xiringuito, and Culpepper: these are the spots and beach tents that vie for the most beautiful names. A curtain of sunlight is suddenly cast upon me. Scheveningen-Bad boasts no less than 49 pavilions, from Havenhoofd to Wassenaar. Here in Scheveningen, impressive restaurants lean against the boulevard, where majestic sunbeds, an extensive menu, and a varied music selection provide the typical Dutch beach life. They are real meeting places for a hip and flirtatious crowd who spend a whole day or evening there. If the late mayor Lippens of Knokke hadn’t invented the concept of ‘ma tu vu,’ it would definitely have been born here in Scheveningen.
Tell me, why would you settle for sand on a flimsy hotel towel when you could luxuriously lounge on a soft cushion of a sunbed? None of that sparkling water with a satay. The fridge is running at full speed in the various beach bars, and Veuve Clicquot awaits thirst quenching throats. A German, with the sex appeal of a dried corn cob, tries to win over some Dutch girls with spastic dance moves. Meanwhile, I look over the varied music program. On June 21st, there’s HipFest, the free pop festival in the heart of Scheveningen with music from well-known acts, emerging bands, and young talents that you must see. On June 29th, Westwood Festival follows in honor of the oldest club in the Netherlands. This promises to be a spectacle with a great lineup of DJs spread over three stages. On July 5th, you have the Parade. Every summer, Westbroekpark is transformed into a temporary cultural street with theater tents, fountain tents, and even a nostalgic swing ride. Just to say: beer and champagne time on Saturday night seamlessly transitions into beer and champagne time on Sunday morning on those dates.
I decide to make a culinary stop at the Kurhaus. The hotel has been part of the exclusive Steigenberger group for several years, and wealthy Europeans often come for a coffee or tea. I feel a bit like a Japanese tourist and quickly snap photos everywhere. I leaf through the famous guestbook and discover illustrious predecessors such as Igor Stravinsky, Herbert von Karajan, Marlene Dietrich, Joan Crawford, Emperor Hirohito of Japan, Henry Kissinger, and even the full 1.86 meters of Mick Jagger has stayed here. I slightly give in to a High Tea. According to connoisseurs, this is also the best place to have a fresh fish served on your plate. With an exquisite sparkling wine on the side.
No visit to Scheveningen is complete without a visit to Madurodam. We take tram 9 and in 20 minutes, we are at the entrance to small Netherlands. We are overwhelmed by the spectacular attractions and the most fun activities in miniature form. I discover Lilliputters straight out of an old BBC series. Delightful! As a new Tinker Bell enthusiast, I ask you: where else can you save our country from water in a day, climb through the creative masterpieces of the Dutch Masters, become a famous DJ, and see castles and palaces? Spot the fastest trains, put out a fire in the Rotterdam harbor, and sail to New Amsterdam? Also on the agenda: a visit to the king and flying in a real airplane, The Flying Dutchman. In the evening at the hotel, it feels awkward to dine at an adult table and sleep in a big bed like a dwarf bunny…
A contest is being held where you can win an overnight stay with breakfast for two in a Schevenings hotel plus duo tickets for a visit to Madurodam, thanks to The Hague Info Store. Send us the answers to the following questions by Friday evening, June 21, 2024:
– When is Vlaggetjesdag in Scheveningen this year?
– Provide five attractions you can enjoy in Madurodam.
– What is the length of the beach in Scheveningen’s territory?
Email your answers to tips4tripsreisreportages@gmail.com with the title ‘Swinging Scheveningen.’ Please note: one answer per household and include your full name and address.