12 Best Bookstores in The Hague (Chosen by a Local)

Guest written by Thomas Plaatsman of Cultural Reads

The Hague is an underrated destination for book lovers in Europe!

As someone who grew up near The Hague, I’ve always seen the city as more than just the political heart of the Netherlands. Yes, it’s where the Dutch government resides (not Amsterdam!), and it’s known globally as the international city of peace and justice, home to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. But The Hague also has a quieter charm that draws in readers and culture lovers alike.

Wander through its classic neighborhoods and you’ll find hidden gems: cozy cafes tucked inside historic buildings, and bookstores in The Hague that invite you to stay a little longer. From charming independent bookshops to multilingual spots that reflect the city’s international identity, there’s something here for every kind of reader.

Looking for the best bookshop in The Hague? Or an English bookstore in The Hague to stock up on travel reads? Whether you’re a visitor or a local, the city’s bookish side is one of its best-kept secrets.

Let’s dive into some of my favorite literary spots around The Hague, along with a few insider recommendations of other places to check out nearby.

Whenever possible, I recommend buying books at local bookshops or through Bookshop.org, because shopping there puts the profits right into the hands of indie bookstores all over the country.

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The Bookstor Café

Find it at: Noordeinde 39, 2514 GC Den Haag, Netherlands

Nowadays, bookstores are more than just places to browse for books. There’s bookstores of all varieties, from bookstore bars to bookstore cafés to even bookstore bakeries. Bookstor Café in The Hague is a great place to browse for books and enjoy some delicious coffee.

The interior of this bookshop features classic bookshelves, the conservatory’s stained-glass windows, and narrow display cases showing second-hand books and other little treasures. You’ll find many classics and contemporary novels. 

Other Interesting Places To Check Out In The Area:

• Paleistuin (or Palace Garden) is a serene oasis behind the Noordeinde Palace. It has a unique hidden gate that leads to the city center. Whenever you visit Paleistuin, just ring the bell, and the door will open, opening a charming passage into the city.  
• KUA Mexican Kitchen is one of the best Mexican restaurants near the Paleistuin. Many of my Mexican friends in the Netherlands rate it highly. 

• Huppel de Pub is a lovely little pub. On the first Monday of every month, you can bring your vinyl, and the pub will play it on a record player in the bar. 
• Haagse Broeder Brouwer Bar Haagsche Broeder is associated with the Haagse Broeder brand beer but doesn’t brew the beer itself. While the brothers originally started brewing, production is now outsourced to professional breweries to ensure quality and scalability.

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Related: If you love bookstore cafés, check out some of my favorite bookstore cafés in Berlin, Germany

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Stanza Bookshop

Find it at: Noordeinde 98, 2514 GM Den Haag, Netherlands

Stanza Bookshop is one of the best bookstores in the Hague on the central street of Noordeinde. And it’s just a few doors down from the city’s Noordeinde Palace, as well as the working palace of King Willem-Alexander.

Stanza is an international bookshop, as many booksellers from different countries run this business. The bookstore specializes in English titles, Spanish books, Italian literature, & Eastern European fiction. 

They are a bunch of fabulous booksellers who speak fluent English. They are also the kindest, most considerate, and most inclusive people you will meet in The Hague.

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Paagman Frederik Hendrik

Find it at: Frederik Hendriklaan 217, 2582 CB Den Haag, Netherlands

Paagman is one of the best-known bookstores in The Hague. I grew up with one branch close to my house, and my school was close to the one on the Frederik Hendrik Laan. There’s another Paagman bookstore in the city center, with a few other nearby bookstores, such as American Book Center and Mayflower.

Paagman is a family-run bookstore that has been in operation for three generations. Initially, it was an office supply store, but Paagman Jr. merged it with a bookstore. Now, it is one of the best bookstores in The Hague.

Don’t forget to check the beautiful children’s book section, Villa Paagman.

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Related: The Boekhandel Dominicanen in Maastricht, Netherlands, is one of the most unique and impressive bookstores I’ve ever seen in all my travels — it’s inside a 14th century gothic cathedral!

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Mayflower Bookshop

Find it at: Lange Poten 35, 2511 CM Den Haag, Netherlands

Mayflower Bookshop is just a few steps away from Paagman on Lange Poten. It is an interesting bookstore with two large sections: on the right side are Dutch-language books, and on the left side are English-language books. 

The Mayflower bookshop also sells a selection of used books. My experience tells me that you always find a hidden treasure if you dig enough. I remember coming across a copy of Madonna in a Fur Coat by Sabahattin Ali, one of my favourite Turkish authors.

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Related: Did you know that the world’s largest Charles Dickens Festival takes place not in England, but the Netherlands? The Deventer Dickens Festival is a massive affair each December. Check out my guide for visiting.

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American Book Center 

Find it at: Lange Poten 23, 2511 CM Den Haag, Netherlands

The American Book Centre in the Hague is between the Paagman and the Mayflower Bookshop on Lange Poten. It is one of the best bookshops in the Hague due to its vast and impressive book collection.

This is a family-owned shop that has been in operation since 1972. It specializes in selling English books that Dutch schools prefer. In addition to books, you’ll also find greeting cards, diaries, notebooks, and merchandise.

American Book Center’s Amsterdam branch is the coolest, where a tree trunk bookshelf shoots up from the ground floor.

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English Bookstore den Haag

Find it at: Passage 24, 2511 AD Den Haag, Netherlands

The English Bookstore in the Hague (also known as English Bookstore den Haag) is in the heart of the city center, inside De Passage.

(De Passage is one of the most beautiful, covered shopping galleries in the city, just like the famous shopping galleries in Paris, where you can visit Librairie du Passage, one of the best Paris bookstores. De Passage also has a shop-in-shop Bagels & Beans to enjoy books with a coffee.

The English Bookstore den Haag stocks all new books in the English language, ranging from the classics to the latest popular Booktok books. The interior of the shop is a vibe all its own, from the deep green walls to white spiral staircase and the vintage-inspired chandeliers.

You’ll find that for the most part, books are priced slightly below MSRP, which is always great when you want to shop from a local indie bookstore over a (less ethical) online source.

If you are looking for more than books in the English language, make sure to check out its nearby sister store, De Vries Van Stockum. This branch is a family-owned bookstore that has been operating since 1833. In the 19th century, the Royal Family also frequently visited the bookshop.

Tip: Once you have bought the books, don’t miss the English high tea at Scallywags, just down the street.  

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Boekhandel Douwes and Stanley & Livingstone Travel Bookstore

Find it at: Herengracht 60, 2511 EJ Den Haag, Netherlands

Boekhandel Douwes is one of the oldest bookstores in The Hague, with over 120 years of history. It is near The Hague’s Central Station in the corner of Herengracht and Prinsessegracht. First came Boekhandel Verwijs, then Van Stockum, and now Douwes/New Legal Bookstore continues the tradition in this historic spot.

Boekhandel Douwes is an interesting bookstore with separate areas for different categories. For example, it sells legal and business books but also has a separate area for travel books (Stanley & Livingstone Travel Bookstore). Stanley & Livingstone used to be a separate bookstore, but Douwes took it over several years ago. The travel books include many travel guides, maps, and globes.

It is one of those bookshops you visit when planning a trip to the Netherlands or anywhere else in the world!

Other Places To Visit Nearby 

• Xi’an Delicious Foods is a great spot to enjoy Chinese food. Don’t forget to try Sichuan boiled fish, steamed buns, or beef noodle soup. Although the food is terrific, the service is not so excellent.
• T&C House is a great place to enjoy Taiwanese food. It is on the opposite side of Den Haag Central Station.
  

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Colette & Co Boekhandel 

Find it at: Reinkenstraat 45, 2517 CP Den Haag, Netherlands

You’ll immediately fall in love with this local iconic bookstore on Reinkenstraat! Colette & Co is a secondhand bookshop laid out like a maze of books. Everywhere you look has towering piles of books stacked on chairs and in crates and boxes. So help yourself out and get ready to dig (literally) to find some gems!

“Our bookstore… is a place where books find you, rather than the other way around.”

Colette & Co, the hague

I remember once finding The Book of Forgiving by Desmond Tutu, one of my favorite spiritual books. 

This indie bookstore has a great story behind it, too. It was facing closure some time ago, but the community banded together to save it. Eight book lovers in particular have turned things around, but it’s due to the efforts of many volunteers that this remains one of the best bookshops in The Hague.

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De Haagse Boekerij 

Find it at: Frederikstraat 24, 2514 LK Den Haag, Netherlands

In Frederikstraat, the De Haagse Boekerij is easily spotted by its bright orange sun canopy. It’s an independent bookshop with neatly organized shelves, great titles, and lots of color. This is a great place to find books in any genre, but in particular, philosophy, spirituality, and literature.

The interesting thing about this bookshop is its extensive collection of card drawers. You can browse through themed greeting cards and art cards and postcards.

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De Haagse Kinderboekhandel Alice in Wonderland

Find it at: Piet Heinstraat 2, 2518 CH Den Haag, Netherlands

In the beautiful neighborhood of Zeeheldenkwartier, you can’t miss one of the most unique bookstores in The Hague, De Haagse Kinderboekhandel Alice in Wonderland. This is an imaginative children’s bookstore, and the passion of its owners is evident from the moment you step through its doors.

And speaking of the owners — ask them for a recommendation! Their knowledge of children’s books is encyclopedic, and they are always happy to chat.

The Alice in Wonderland theme with yellow façade, brightly colored window decorations, and whimsical displays is sure to inspire a smile. There’s also puppetry and a children’s theatre on a small stage in the shop.

As you would expect, they sell a vast collection of Dutch-language children’s books but have plenty of English books as well. This is a parent’s dream, with lots of picture books and toys for children to play with while you browse.

Tip: this bookshop does not take credit card payment, so come prepared with cash!

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Bonus: Rijswijkse Boekenmarkt – Kerkstraat 7A

If you are in the mood for something exciting, take a short tram ride from The Hague to Rijswijk. It’s older than the Hague, has a pretty old town, and has a Saturday local market with cheese, fish, candy, flowers, and so much more. 

The local Rotary Club also set up a bookstore (only on Saturdays!). Each book costs 2 euros, and three books cost 5 euros. They have a fantastic selection of Dutch books and a room full of English books. It’s a guarantee that you will find many interesting reads there. 

Tips: 

• Remember to visit the Museum Rijswijk. It’s a 17th-century historic building named after the Dutch poet Hendrik Tollens. The museum holds exhibitions on textile art, paper, and contemporary crafts. 
• Bistro Le Petit Chef is a French restaurant just a few minutes’ walk from the Museum Rijswijk. Many people love its pastries and desserts. I have visited this restaurant many times because it’s close to me! 

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Which bookshop in the Hague are you most excited to visit? Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter so you never miss out on any bookish travel content!

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