Madurodam is the Netherlands in miniature: a park of models at 1:25 scale showing the country’s most famous buildings and landscapes — Amsterdam’s canal houses, the Rijksmuseum, Rotterdam’s port and Erasmus Bridge, windmills and bulb fields, Schiphol airport, the Delta Works and, of course, the Binnenhof and the Mauritshuis.
It opened in 1952 and is named after George Maduro, a law student from Curaçao who fought against the German invasion in 1940, joined the resistance and died in Dachau concentration camp in 1945. His parents helped found the park in his memory, and Madurodam has supported charitable causes since.
Today the models are increasingly interactive: you can load container ships, open locks or set things moving. Allow two or three hours — longer with children.
Top things to do: Madurodam
Spot the landmarks
See how many Dutch cities you can recognise — then compare the miniature Mauritshuis and Binnenhof with the real ones in the centre.
Try the interactive models
Many attractions respond to buttons or tickets: ships, trains, cheese markets and water management that show how the country works.
Learn about George Maduro
A small display tells the story of the young resistance hero behind the park’s name.
Book ahead
Online tickets are convenient in summer and school holidays.
How to get to Madurodam
- By tram: lines between the centre and Scheveningen stop near Madurodam; about 10–15 minutes from Den Haag Centraal.
- By car: there is paid parking nearby; check before you go.
Insider tips
- Go early in the day in summer to avoid the busiest hours.
- The park is outdoors — a dry day is best, though it is open in most weather.
- Combine with the Kunstmuseum or an afternoon at Scheveningen beach.
Best activities for Madurodam
These well-reviewed experiences pair well with a visit to Madurodam:
Theme park ticket The Hague: Madurodam Miniature Park Entry Ticket
Entry to the famous miniature city, where the canals of Amsterdam, the port of Rotterdam, windmills, Schiphol and the Binnenhof are rebuilt in exquisite detail.
- The Netherlands’ landmarks at 1:25 scale
- Interactive models and games
- Between the centre and Scheveningen by tram
Hop-on hop-off The Hague: Hop-on Hop-off Heritage Tram Tour
A day ticket for a heritage tram that loops past the main sights, from the centre to the Peace Palace and the Kurhaus at Scheveningen. Check the listing for the season, timetable and the current list of stops.
- A vintage tram with audio commentary in many languages
- Stops near the main sights and Scheveningen
- Departures roughly every 30 minutes in season
Aquarium ticket Scheveningen, The Hague: Sea Life Entry Ticket
Entry to the Sea Life aquarium on the Scheveningen boulevard. According to the listing, you must reserve a time slot on the attraction’s own website after booking — follow the instructions on your voucher.
- Aquarium on the seafront
- Sea creatures from the North Sea and beyond
- A good plan for a rainy beach day
