A 10-Minute Walk from The Hague Central Station
Right in the heart of The Hague stands the city hall: an impressive, snow-white building. With its modern appearance, enormous glass walls, and abundance of natural light, it is much more than just a place to renew your passport. It is also an architectural landmark, a meeting place, and a building where the everyday life of the city comes together.
Whether you need to take care of something at the municipality, are curious about remarkable architecture, or simply want to have a look inside, the city hall has plenty to offer.
Where Can You Find the City Hall?
Spui 70, 2511 BT The Hague
The city hall is located in the heart of the city centre, on Spui. It is easy to reach by tram or on foot from the city centre. Parking nearby can be a little more difficult, so public transport is a convenient option.
Telephone: Official website of the Municipality of The Hague
Opening Hours
It is useful to distinguish between the opening hours of the building itself and those of the municipal service counters. The Atrium is accessible for longer hours than the counters for services such as passports and driving licences.
Atrium – General Opening Hours
| Day | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 7:00 a.m.–9:30 p.m. |
| Friday | 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | Closed |
Municipal Public Service Counters
| Day | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Wednesday | 8:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Thursday | 8:45 a.m.–8:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 8:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Saturday and Sunday | Closed |
Please note: many municipal services require an appointment in advance. Before setting off, check the latest opening hours and the requirements for your application on the municipality’s website.
A Building with a Nickname: The Ice Palace
Anyone seeing the city hall for the first time will immediately understand why it is such a striking sight. The building was designed by American architect Richard Meier and was officially opened by Queen Beatrix on 8 September 1995.
Its white façades, clean lines, and large glass panels give the city hall a fresh, almost futuristic appearance. Residents of The Hague soon gave it a nickname: the Ice Palace. It is certainly a name you won’t forget!
The design did not come about without controversy. In the 1980s, plans emerged to bring more municipal services together in the city centre. Following a design competition, Meier’s striking proposal was selected. The new complex also gave the area around Spui a considerable boost.
The new City Hall
The Atrium: The Beating Heart of the City Hall
When you step inside, you enter the impressive Atrium: an enormous covered hall filled with light, space, and activity. The municipality describes it as the largest atrium in the Netherlands. It is a place where residents meet, visitors find their way around, and events and exhibitions take place.
And the best part? You don’t always need an official appointment to visit. The Atrium is also a public meeting place where there is often something new to discover. Think exhibitions, cultural activities, and presentations that bring the city to life.
What Can You Find Inside the City Hall?
The city hall is much more than just a collection of service counters. Under one roof, you will find a variety of facilities for residents, visitors, and people who live or work in The Hague.
Municipal Public Service Counters
Here, you can take care of various municipal matters, such as applying for or collecting travel documents and driving licences, as well as arranging other official matters. An appointment is required for many services.
The Hague Public Library
The Central Library is also located within the same complex. It is a pleasant place to borrow books, study, or simply browse at your leisure. In this way, the building combines administrative functions with knowledge and culture.
The Hague Municipal Archives
Curious about what The Hague looked like in the past? The municipal archives preserve historical documents, photographs, and other sources that tell the story of the city.
The Hague International Centre and The Hague Information Centre
International residents and visitors can also come here for information and support. The building also houses the council chamber, where the municipal council holds its meetings.
A Brief History: From Old to Modern
From historic façades to the white Ice Palace
The Hague has not always had such a modern city hall. The historic Old City Hall still stands on Dagelijkse Groenmarkt and dates back in part to the sixteenth century. It served as the city’s administrative centre for centuries and is now used, among other things, for wedding ceremonies.
In the twentieth century, the municipal administration moved to a larger building on Burgemeester de Monchyplein. When that building no longer met the city’s plans and needs, the current complex on Spui came into view. The new city hall opened its doors in 1995.
Why Is It Worth Visiting?
The city hall reveals a surprising side of The Hague. It is not just a place for government and administration; it also brings together architecture, culture, history, and the everyday bustle of city life. It is where someone comes to collect their first passport, a visitor explores an exhibition, and the municipal council makes decisions about the city’s future.
It is precisely this combination that makes the building special. The Ice Palace may look sleek and businesslike from the outside, but inside it is a lively place where the city comes together.
Our tip: If you’re exploring the city centre of The Hague, take a moment to visit the Atrium. Even if you don’t need to arrange anything with the municipality, it is a beautiful place to step inside and admire the remarkable architecture up close.
Practical information and historical details have been checked against the official website of the Municipality of The Hague, The Hague Municipal Archives, and Atrium City Hall..
