Het Oude Centrum

The character of the Old Centre

Het Oude Centrum is The Hague at its busiest and liveliest: the historic inner city where shops, hospitality, culture and living all run into one another. From the Grote Marktstraat and the Spuistraat to Chinatown around the Wagenstraat and the Grote Markt nightlife square — this is where it happens. You live in the middle of that energy, usually in an apartment above the city.

It is a distinctly urban, young and international area, with many singles and couples who value having everything close by: work, shops, culture and both stations within walking distance.

Location and atmosphere

The Old Centre forms the core of the city, wedged between the seat of government around the Binnenhof, the Zeeheldenkwartier, the Stationsbuurt and the big shopping axes. It is low-car and compact: almost everything is done on foot or by bike.

The atmosphere shifts from street to street — from stately little canals and historic courtyards to bustling shopping streets and buzzing nightlife. Greenery is scarce and concentrated on a few squares and along the water.

A brief history

Here lies the historic origin of The Hague, with a street pattern that in places goes back to the Middle Ages. Over the centuries it grew into the trading and nightlife heart of the city. Many buildings date from the nineteenth century, complemented by post-war new-build and recent urban renewal around the big shopping streets.

Living and architecture

The housing consists almost entirely of apartments and maisonettes, often above shops or hospitality, with historic buildings and modern new-build in between. It’s a genuine rental area: the vast majority is rented and there are relatively many singles and couples. Owner-occupied supply is limited, but precisely for that reason sought-after by those set on living in the buzzing heart.

The property market in the Old Centre

The market is driven by location: right in the middle of the city, with everything within walking distance. Compact apartments are popular with first-time buyers and urban professionals, which supports the price per square metre, while total purchase prices stay more accessible thanks to the smaller floor areas.

The market figures in this guide are indicative. A home’s value depends heavily on location, floor level, noise and condition. Curious what your home in the Old Centre is worth? Request a no-obligation valuation.

Who is the Old Centre right for?

The Old Centre is made for those who want full city life: first-time buyers, couples, singles and lovers of culture, shops and hospitality within walking distance. If you want peace, space and greenery, you’ll be better off in a residential area outside the centre — but if you draw energy from the city, this is the beating heart of The Hague.