Scheveningen Cruise Port Guide: Things to Do, Getting Around & Practical Tips

Quick Take

Port Type

Beach Resort & City Hybrid

Best For

Cruisers who want a North Sea beach walk combined with a quick tram ride into The Hague for Dutch history and museums

Avoid If

You need a full day of sightseeing — Amsterdam is not easy to reach, and Scheveningen itself is compact

Walkability

Good along the seafront promenade; moderate into residential Scheveningen village; excellent once in The Hague city center

Budget Fit

Moderate — food and trams are affordable, museum entry can add up, beach itself is free

Good For Short Calls?

Yes, well-suited — beach, pier, and tram into The Hague can comfortably fill four to five hours

Port Overview

Cruise ships calling at Scheveningen dock at the Scheveningen Haven pier, a working harbour on the North Sea coast of the Netherlands, about 3 km from the beach resort strip and roughly 6 km from The Hague city center. It is not a purpose-built cruise terminal, so expect a functional, no-frills pier with basic facilities rather than a polished welcome hall.

Scheveningen itself is the beach suburb of The Hague — the Netherlands' seat of government and third-largest city. The boulevard is wide, the beach is long and accessible, and the tram network connecting Scheveningen to The Hague runs frequently and cheaply. This combination makes it one of the more versatile Northern European port stops: you can stay beachside, go urban, or do both in a single day.

The port does not draw big crowds in the way Amsterdam or Rotterdam do, which works in your favour. Queues are short, the town is manageable, and you are unlikely to feel overwhelmed. That said, Scheveningen is not a destination that demands a full eight hours — four to six well-planned hours covers its highlights comfortably, leaving you relaxed rather than exhausted at sail-away.

Is It Safe?

Scheveningen and The Hague are generally safe for tourists. Standard urban precautions apply — watch your pockets in busy tram stops and tourist areas near the Binnenhof. The beach area is family-friendly and well-patrolled during summer months.

The North Sea can produce strong winds even in summer; if you plan to swim, check beach flags — a yellow flag means caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents can occur. The boulevard itself poses no unusual risks.

Accessibility & Walkability

The Scheveningen boulevard and beach promenade are flat and well-surfaced, making them accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. Beach access ramps exist in several locations, though the sand itself presents the usual challenges. The trams have step-free boarding at most stops, and The Hague's main cultural sites including the Mauritshuis have lift access. The pier involves some steps and may be less suitable for wheelchairs in sections.

Outside the Terminal

Leaving the pier you will find yourself in the working harbour area — expect fishing boats, industrial sheds, and a short walk or shuttle ride before you reach the more visitor-friendly boulevard. Some cruise lines run a shuttle to the main beach strip; if yours does not, a taxi or 15-minute walk gets you there. Once on the boulevard, the atmosphere shifts immediately: cafes, beach clubs, the pier, and the seafront open up in front of you.

Beaches Near the Port

Local Food & Drink

The Scheveningen boulevard has plenty of options but the quality is uneven — it is a tourist strip and prices reflect that. Your best value eat on the seafront is fresh North Sea herring from a street stall, eaten the Dutch way with raw onion. Stroopwafels and Dutch fries (frieten) with mayo are cheap and authentic snack options. For a proper sit-down meal, the restaurants one block back from the boulevard or in Scheveningen village are cheaper and better than the beachfront terraces.

In The Hague, the area around the Grote Markt and Denneweg street has independent cafes and Dutch brasseries that are a step above port-town tourist food. A two-course Dutch lunch in a mid-range cafe runs roughly $20-30 USD per person. If you want the quintessential Dutch fast food experience, find a FEBO automat wall or a local snackbar for bitterballen — fried beef ragout bites that go perfectly with a cold Heineken.

Shopping

Shopping on the Scheveningen boulevard is tourist-grade — think Delftware magnets, tulip bulbs in nets, and branded windmill trinkets. Fine if you need a quick souvenir, but do not expect authenticity or value. For better shopping, head into The Hague: Noordeinde street has independent boutiques, antiques, and decent Dutch design shops. The Passage, a 19th-century glass shopping arcade in The Hague city center, is worth a look even if you do not buy anything.

Money & Currency

Currency

Euro (EUR)

USD Accepted?

No

Card Payments

Very high — the Netherlands is largely cashless. Most cafes, trams, and shops accept contactless payment. Trams do not accept cash at all.

ATMs

ATMs available on the boulevard and throughout The Hague city center. Use bank ATMs over standalone machines to avoid high fees.

Tipping

Not mandatory but appreciated. Rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is the local norm in restaurants. Not expected at cafes or fast food.

Notes

Carry a contactless card as your primary payment method. Cash is increasingly refused in the Netherlands even in markets.

Weather & Best Time

Best months

June, July, August

Avoid

November through February — cold, windy, and frequently wet with short daylight hours

Temperature

12-22°C (54-72°F) from May to September; expect wind off the North Sea at all times

Notes

North Sea weather is changeable even in summer. Always pack a light waterproof layer regardless of forecast. Wind can make the beach feel colder than the air temperature suggests.

Airport Information

Airport

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)

Distance

Approximately 35-40 km

Getting there

Train from The Hague Central Station to Schiphol takes 20-30 minutes and runs frequently. Taxi or private transfer from Scheveningen runs $60-90 USD depending on traffic.

Notes

Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) is closer at around 25 km but has fewer international routes. For most fly-cruise passengers, Schiphol is the practical choice.