Scheveningen Pier

TL;DR: Scheveningen Pier (De Pier) is the Netherlands‘ most famous pleasure pier, jutting 300 metres out over the North Sea near The Hague. Free to enter, open year-round, and stacked with a Ferris wheel 50 metres above the water, bungee jumping, a zipline, food stalls, shops, and killer sunset views. It’s an easy half-day escape from Amsterdam or a full day out from The Hague itself. Bring a jacket. Yes, even in July.

Know Before You Go

So, What Even Is Scheveningen Pier?

Picture this: you’re walking on a structure that reaches out over open sea, seagulls wheeling overhead, the salt wind doing things to your hair, and a giant Ferris wheel spinning slowly to your left while someone plunges 60 metres towards the North Sea to your right. That’s a Tuesday at De Pier.

The current pier opened in 1961 — but its story goes back much further. The first Scheveningen Pier, romantically named Wandelhoofd Koningin Wilhelmina, opened on 6 May 1901 and quickly became a glamorous seaside destination for well-heeled Europeans. It was destroyed during World War II, when the Germans incorporated Scheveningen into the Atlantic Wall defence system — they stripped the promenade and even turned part of the pavilion into an ammunition store before it burned down in 1943.

The rebuilt version is less grand, more fun — and unapologetically good at being a pleasure pier. It stretches 300 metres into the North Sea, draws over two million visitors per year, and has been a centrepiece of Dutch coastal culture for generations.

Scheveningen itself is technically one of The Hague’s eight districts — though it has always punched well above its weight in terms of identity. Its name, hilariously, was historically used as a wartime shibboleth: Dutch Resistance members could identify German spies because they couldn’t correctly pronounce “Scheveningen.” (Go on, try it: roughly “Skhay-ven-ing-en.”)

Main Attractions: The Big Ticket Stuff

SkyView De Pier — The Ferris Wheel The undisputed star of the show. This 42-metre-high (roughly 50 metres above the water) Ferris wheel is the only one in the Netherlands positioned directly over the sea. It has 36 enclosed, air-conditioned gondolas — and one VIP cabin with a glass floor, if you fancy staring straight down at the North Sea. A full rotation takes around 20 minutes, during which you get panoramic views stretching across Scheveningen beach, The Hague skyline, and on clear days, far out to sea. Go at sunset. You’ll never forget it.

Bungee Jump & Zipline The pier’s 45-metre tower at the far end is home to one of the most memorable bungee setups in Western Europe — you’re jumping 60 metres, not towards ground, but towards open water. The high-speed zipline is a slightly less terrifying alternative that launches you across the length of the pier above everyone’s heads.

The Foodhallen An indoor food hall curating international street food with an easygoing, modern vibe. Think bold flavours from various corners of the world, rather than a parade of chips and candy floss. It’s clean, colourful, and a great shout if you want something more substantial mid-pier.

Mini Golf & More Yep, there’s a mini golf course too. Because some days you just want to gently tap a ball through a windmill while the North Sea crashes below you.

The Promenade Itself Don’t underestimate a simple walk to the end and back. The views from both decks — upper and lower — are genuinely spectacular, and the enclosed interior keeps you shielded from what can be seriously brisk wind.

Interesting Facts & Vibes

• The pier attracts more than 2 million visitors annually — making it one of the most visited paid-entry attractions in the Netherlands (even though entry to the pier itself is free).
• Scheveningen’s name goes back to around 1280 AD. The village may have been founded by Anglo-Saxons or Scandinavians — historians still debate this.
• The Battle of Scheveningen was fought just offshore on 10 August 1653, between English and Dutch naval fleets. Locals watched from the beach.
• The International Skating Union was founded in Scheveningen in 1892.
• The Rolling Stones and Tina Turner both had their Netherlands debuts at the nearby Kurhaus — now a luxury hotel visible from the pier.
• The iconic New Year’s Dive (Nieuwjaarsduik) on 1 January sees thousands of people charge into the freezing North Sea here. It’s wonderfully, bafflingly Dutch.
• The Vlaggetjesdag (Flag Day) celebration, held annually in June, marks the arrival of the season’s first fresh herring at Scheveningen harbour.

The Vibe: De Pier is cheerfully unpretentious. It’s not the sleekest spot in Europe, and some corners show their age — but that’s part of its coastal charm. It’s a place where grandparents stroll, teenagers dare each other to bungee, families share poffertjes, and couples nurse cocktails on the upper deck watching the sun melt into the North Sea. Come with the right expectations and it genuinely delivers.

Things to Do On & Around the Pier

On the pier itself:

• Ride the SkyView Ferris Wheel (non-negotiable)
• Dare yourself to bungee jump or take the zipline
• Graze through the Foodhallen
• Grab drinks on the upper deck terrace as the sun drops
• Play mini golf with one of the more interesting backdrops you’ll ever have
• Let the kids loose at the indoor playground

Within walking distance:

• Scheveningen Beach — 11 km of sandy coast, great for a stroll or a session at one of the beach bars. Surf schools (Hart Beach, Aloha, Surf’s Cool) offer lessons from around €38 per adult.
• SEA LIFE Scheveningen — 45 aquariums, sharks, rays, an otter named Max, and an underwater tunnel. Great for families and ocean nerds alike.
• LEGOLAND Discovery Centre — directly adjacent to the pier. A 4D cinema, LEGO city train ride, and a MINILAND of The Hague in bricks. Kids love it; adults secretly love it too.
• Museum Beelden aan Zee — a striking modern sculpture museum built into the dunes. Worth an hour of anyone’s time.
• Oud Scheveningen (Old Village) — a five-minute walk from the pier. Cobbled streets, old fishermen’s houses, blooming flowers, and a quiet authenticity that the boulevard doesn’t have. The Fisherman’s Wife statue (Vissersvrouw van Scheveningen) marks the entrance.
• The Kurhaus Hotel — even if you’re not staying, pop in for a drink in the lavish bar of this 19th-century landmark. It’s pure old-world Dutch grandeur.
• Atlantikwall Museum — remnants of the German WWII coastal defence, now a fascinating open-air and indoor museum (from €8 adults).

Food & Signature Dishes: Eat Like a Local

Scheveningen is a fishing town at its heart, and the food reflects that proudly.

Don’t leave without trying:

Haring (Dutch Raw Herring) — The big one. Raw herring served with diced onion and pickles, available from fish stalls all along the boulevard. The traditional way to eat it: hold it by the tail above your head and lower it into your mouth. Yes, really. It sounds alarming; it tastes incredible. If you’re visiting in June, catch it ultra-fresh at the Vlaggetjesdag festival.

Kibbeling — Deep-fried battered chunks of white fish, usually served with garlic or tartar sauce. It’s the Dutch equivalent of seaside fish and chips — salty, satisfying, completely addictive.

Poffertjes — Mini Dutch pancakes, fluffy and light, dusted with powdered sugar. You’ll find them at stalls along the beach and on the pier.

Freshly smoked eel — A Scheveningen speciality that seafood lovers shouldn’t miss.

Fresh mussels — Seasonal, served with fries and a dipping sauce.

Indonesian rijsttafel — The Netherlands’ colonial history with Indonesia left a delicious culinary legacy. Scheveningen has excellent Indonesian restaurants (try Keraton Damai for the full experience).

On the pier: The Foodhallen offers international street food beyond the Dutch classics — burgers, craft beers, pancakes, and cocktails on the terrace. Consensus favourite? The apple pie on the Ferris wheel. Wild but correct.

Nearby restaurants worth knowing: Catch by Simonis and The Harbour Club are both popular dining spots close to the action. For coffee and atmosphere away from the tourist drag, seek out Tigershark Coffee on Badhuisstraat — a local gem that rewards those who venture five minutes off the boulevard.

Family-Friendly? Absolutely.

Scheveningen Pier is excellent with children of most ages. Here’s what works well for families:

• On the pier: The indoor playground keeps younger kids entertained when sea winds pick up; the mini golf suits all ages; the Ferris wheel is family-rated (gondolas are enclosed and stable).
• LEGOLAND Discovery Centre sits right next to the pier — plan at least a couple of hours here.
• SEA LIFE is a reliable hit for kids who love marine life; there are interactive touch pools with starfish and rays.
• Madurodam — a short tram ride away, this is a miniature model of the entire Netherlands. Kids are enchanted; adults get weirdly emotional about tiny windmills.
• The beach itself is very family-friendly. Boulevard trampolines, beach bars with kid menus, and plenty of space to run around.
• Surf lessons for kids from around €20 at several schools near the pier.

Where to Stay: Accommodation Options

Luxury / Splurge:

• Grand Hotel Amrâth Kurhaus — the most iconic hotel on the Dutch coast, directly opposite the pier. Five-star, dripping in history, and a stay here is genuinely special.
• De Pier Suites — rooms on the pier itself, some with open sea views. Wake up to the North Sea on your doorstep. Hard to beat for novelty.

Mid-Range:

• Carlton Beach Hotel — solid seafront option with good amenities.
• Inntel Hotels Den Haag Marina Beach — well-reviewed, good location relative to the pier.
• Leonardo Hotel Scheveningen — directly on the beach, four minutes from the pier, reliably comfortable.
• Ibis Styles Den Haag Scheveningen — dependable and centrally placed.

Budget:

• Jorplace Beach Hostel — the go-to budget option in the area, comfortable and social.
• Airbnb / holiday apartments — genuinely recommended by locals for a more authentic, neighbourhood feel. Several walkable options around Oud Scheveningen.

Pro tip: Staying in central The Hague (Den Haag) and tram-ing in daily is another solid budget strategy — the tram takes about 15 minutes and runs frequently.

Shopping

The pier has a few shops selling the usual seaside fare — souvenirs, beachwear, novelties. More interesting shopping happens just off the pier:

• Strandweg (the boulevard) has a mix of surf shops, beach boutiques, and gift stores.
• Oud Scheveningen’s Keizerstraat is a compact little shopping street with independent cafes, local stores, and a more authentic feel than the main tourist drag.
• Palace Promenade shopping centre is close by for any practical needs.
• The weekly market at De Savornin Lohmanplein is worth a visit for artisan products and fresh local produce.

Budget Considerations

Money-saving tips:

• Book Ferris wheel and attraction tickets online in advance where possible — prices are slightly better and you skip queues.
• Visit off-peak (late September through April) for significantly cheaper accommodation.
• The pier entry is free, so even a tight-budget visit can include the views, the atmosphere, and the food stalls without spending much at all.
• The Park+Beach scheme lets you park further into The Hague and take public transport to the beach — saves considerably on parking fees.

The Recap

Scheveningen Pier isn’t trying to be Disneyland, and it’s all the better for it. It’s a proper Dutch seaside institution — salty, breezy, welcoming, and surprisingly varied in what it offers. You can spend £0 wandering the promenade and watching the North Sea, or splash out on gondola cocktails 50 metres in the air. You can come with toddlers, with a bungee-jump-hungry group of mates, or for a solo walk with a kibbeling and your thoughts. The pier accommodates all of it without fuss.

Combine it with an afternoon in Oud Scheveningen, a herring from the harbour, and the tram back to The Hague for a museum evening, and you’ve got a near-perfect Dutch day out. The wind will mess up your hair. You won’t care one bit.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Address: Strandweg 150–154, 2586 Scheveningen, The Hague
• Website: pier.nl | skyviewdepier.nl
• Open: Daily from 10:00, year-round
• Entry to pier: Free
• Best for: Families, couples, solo travellers, day-trippers from Amsterdam or The Hague
• Don’t miss: SkyView Ferris Wheel at sunset, fresh herring from a harbour stall, Oud Scheveningen village

Disclaimer: Prices, opening hours, and availability listed in this guide are accurate to the best of our knowledge as of early 2026 but are subject to change, especially seasonally. Always check official websites before your visit. Ride and attraction availability may vary by weather conditions and season. The author has no commercial relationship with any attraction, hotel, or restaurant mentioned.