Benoordenhout

The character of Benoordenhout

Benoordenhout is perhaps the district that captures the classic Hague ideal most purely: refined, green and orderly, yet never in a hurry. The name says it all — the area lies be-noorden (to the north of) the Haagse Bos, in the north-east of the city. Broad, tree-lined avenues, generous front gardens and a coherent pre-war architecture give Benoordenhout a recognisable, almost village-like grandeur within the boundaries of the big city.

Where many urban districts thrive on bustle, Benoordenhout draws its appeal from calm and space. Even so, it is no dormitory suburb: around the Bankastraat there’s a lively heart with good shops, delicatessens and terraces, and the international community lends the area a cosmopolitan undertone.

Location and sub-areas

The district is bordered on three sides by greenery: the Haagse Bos to the south, the Clingendael estate to the east and the Oostduinen to the north, towards Wassenaar. As a result, nature feels close from almost every street.

Several sub-areas can be distinguished, each with its own atmosphere:

• Around the Wassenaarseweg and Van Alkemadelaan — the stately main arteries with large townhouses and villas, and many international institutions.
• Het Uilennest and Duinzigt — a little more compact and family-friendly, with family homes and apartments.
• Around the Bankastraat — the lively shopping heart of the area.
• The dune edge towards Waalsdorp — quiet and green, a stone’s throw from the dunes.

A brief history

Benoordenhout largely took shape during the interbellum, the years between the two world wars. As The Hague grew rapidly, demand rose for spacious, comfortable homes for the well-to-do middle class, civil servants and diplomats. Architects designed entire street fronts in coherent styles — from the Amsterdam School to functionalist expressionism and early country-house styles.

That planned approach is still tangible today: Benoordenhout is not a district that grew organically dense, but a deliberately designed garden suburb with plenty of public greenery and a clear hierarchy of avenues and streets. It explains why, nearly a century on, the area remains so desirable.

Living and architecture

Walk through Benoordenhout and you see craftsmanship. Most homes date from the 1920s and ’30s and were built with an eye for detail: brick façades, bay windows, stained glass, high ceilings and generous layouts. The range runs from imposing townhouses and detached villas to spacious maisonettes and well-kept apartments.

That diversity makes the area more interesting than its chic reputation suggests. Alongside the grand homes on the main avenues there is a healthy supply of maisonettes and apartments, so first-time buyers in the higher segment and empty-nesters looking to downsize can find a place too. Many homes have been modernised over the years while keeping their authentic character — a key reason why homes here hold their value well.

The property market in Benoordenhout

Benoordenhout consistently ranks among the more expensive districts of The Hague. The combination of scarcity, quality and location makes for stable, above-average prices. Large townhouses and villas reach the top of the Hague market, while apartments and maisonettes offer a more accessible entry point.

The market figures in this guide are indicative and meant to give a sense of the market. A home’s real value depends heavily on its position within the area, its condition, size and outdoor space. Curious what your home in Benoordenhout is worth? Request a no-obligation valuation.

For sellers, Benoordenhout is a rewarding market: the housing type is popular and the buyer pool — families, expats and movers — is well-resourced and quality-focused. Good presentation and a sharp, well-founded asking price often make the difference between a swift sale and a home that lingers.

Green space, parks and the coast

Few Hague districts sit so favourably in relation to nature. The Clingendael estate with its famous Japanese Garden is around the corner, the Haagse Bos links the area to the centre, and the dunes towards Wassenaar and Scheveningen begin at the very edge of the district. Runners, dog owners and families find endless space here.

The sporting infrastructure is strong too: in and around the area you’ll find renowned tennis, hockey and cricket clubs, and Scheveningen beach is less than ten minutes away by bike.

Shopping and daily life

The beating heart of Benoordenhout is around the Bankastraat and the adjoining Javastraat, with further shopping clusters along the Breitnerlaan and Weissenbruchstraat. Here you’ll find a pleasant mix of fresh-food specialists, delicatessens, boutiques, bakers, florists and welcoming cafés, plus supermarkets for the larger shop.

It is exactly this kind of amenity within walking distance that makes Benoordenhout so liveable: you barely need to leave the area for daily life, while the centre of The Hague is still close by.

Who is Benoordenhout right for?

Benoordenhout is at its best for those seeking space, greenery and calm without wanting to miss the city. Families value the schools, the room to play and the safe, orderly streets; expats feel at home in the international atmosphere; and lovers of characterful, pre-war architecture find homes here you’d struggle to find elsewhere in The Hague.

Anyone after buzzing nightlife into the small hours might look sooner to the Centre or the Zeeheldenkwartier. But for a lasting home base with enduring value, Benoordenhout is one of the most convincing choices The Hague has to offer.