The Peace Palace (Vredespaleis) is the building that made The Hague the “international city of peace and justice”. It was built after the Hague Peace Conferences of 1899 and 1907 with money from the American industrialist Andrew Carnegie, designed by the French architect Louis Cordonnier, and opened in 1913.
Today it is home to the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial body of the United Nations, and the Permanent Court of Arbitration, as well as the Hague Academy of International Law and one of the world’s great libraries of international law. Countries donated materials and works of art for its interiors.
Because it is a working court, the building itself is not usually open. A free visitor centre at the gate explains its history and work with exhibits and an audio tour, and guided tours of the interior are offered only occasionally, mainly at weekends, and must be booked well in advance.
Top things to do: Peace Palace
Visit the visitor centre
Free entry, with an exhibition and audio tour about the Peace Palace, the courts and international law. Check opening days before you go.
See the palace from the gates
The view of the red-brick façade and its clock tower from Carnegieplein is the classic photo. Look for the World Peace Flame and the stones from many countries along the path.
Join a rare guided tour
Tours of the courtrooms and halls are offered on a limited number of dates when the courts are not sitting; booking through the official site is essential.
Combine it with Panorama Mesdag
Panorama Mesdag is a short walk away, and a guided bike tour often includes the Peace Palace.
How to get to Peace Palace
- By tram: lines towards Scheveningen stop near the Peace Palace; it is roughly 10 minutes from the centre.
- On foot: about 20 minutes from the Binnenhof via Noordeinde and the Zeestraat.
Insider tips
- Bring ID if you book a guided tour inside, and arrive early for security checks.
- The visitor centre is small — 30 to 45 minutes is enough.
- Courts sometimes hold public hearings; check the official calendars if you are interested.
Best activities for Peace Palace
These well-reviewed experiences pair well with a visit to Peace Palace:
Guided bike tour The Hague: Highlights Bike Tour
A guided ride past the city’s landmarks — the Binnenhof, palaces, embassies and parks — at an easy pace on flat cycle paths. Check the listing for the exact route and meeting point.
- The main sights by bike with a local guide
- Learn the Dutch rules of the cycle lane
- Bike included
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
Guided day tour From Amsterdam: Day Tour to Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague
A guided day trip from Amsterdam taking in modern Rotterdam, historic Delft and The Hague’s Peace Palace and Binnenhof area, with an entry ticket included.
- Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague in one day
- Transport and a guide from Amsterdam
- Madurodam or Royal Delft entry, depending on the option
