District of Centrum · The Hague

Kortenbos

Small, central quarter between history and the Zeeheldenkwartier.

  • Central
  • Small-scale
  • Historic
  • Urban

Kortenbos is a small, central quarter in the heart of The Hague, wedged between the historic centre and the Zeeheldenkwartier. A quieter, residential pocket within walking distance of shops, hospitality and culture — with a mix of 19th-century buildings and new-build.

The character of Kortenbos

Kortenbos is one of those surprising little quarters you only know if you live there or cycle through it: centrally located in the heart of The Hague, yet just a touch quieter and more residential than the busy shopping and nightlife streets around it. Wedged between the historic centre and the Zeeheldenkwartier, around the street of the same name and the Prinsegracht, it combines urban life with a human scale.

You live right in the middle of the city — shops, hospitality and culture within walking distance — but in a pocket of town that feels just a little more restrained than the Grote Markt around the corner.

Location and surroundings

Kortenbos sits centrally, with the big shopping streets, the Prinsestraat and the Denneweg, and the nightlife of the Grote Markt all a short distance away. Both The Hague Central and Hollands Spoor are walkable, and tram and bus run close by.

It is a compact, urban quarter: greenery and large gardens are scarce, but everything of city life is within reach.

Living and the property market

The housing consists mostly of apartments and 19th-century maisonettes, complemented by new-build and a few historic buildings. It is a central quarter that suits anyone wanting to live compactly in the middle of the city — from first-time buyers to urban movers.

Please note: the statistics on this page apply to the whole CBS district of Centrum, of which Kortenbos is a part — there are no separate CBS figures for the quarter itself. The market prices quoted are indicative; for a specific home, request a valuation.

Who is Kortenbos right for?

Kortenbos is ideal for city-dwellers who want to live as centrally as possible, but just outside the busiest bustle: first-time buyers, couples and singles who value shops, hospitality and culture within walking distance. Anyone seeking peace, space and a garden will look sooner to a residential area outside the centre.

Facts & figures

Kortenbos in figures

Objective key figures for Kortenbos, straight from the open data of Statistics Netherlands (CBS). A quick snapshot of the population, housing and amenities.

Please note: CBS does not publish separate figures for Kortenbos. The figures below apply to the CBS district of Centrum (Het Oude Centrum), of which Kortenbos is a part.

21,920 Residents
11,067/km² Density
13,910 Households
1.6 People per household

Age distribution

0–15 yrs 9%
15–25 yrs 13%
25–45 yrs 42%
45–65 yrs 22%
65+ yrs 13%

63% single-person households · 14% with children

Housing & market

Average property value (WOZ)
€ 375,000
Housing stock
13,893
Owner-occupied
21%
Rental homes
78%
Flats/apartments
93%
Single-family homes
7%

Nearby amenities

Average distance to the nearest…

Large supermarket
0.5 km
GP practice
0.6 km
School
0.6 km
Day care
0.5 km

Safety

Registered crimes in this neighbourhood

Total crimes (2025)
5,498
Per 1,000 residents
250.8
Home burglaries
34
Bicycle theft
920
Vandalism
480

Sources: CBS (Statistics Netherlands), Key figures for districts and neighbourhoods 2025 (CBS district WK051828), retrieved on 1 July 2026. Safety figures: Dutch Police, registered crimes (annual figures 2025), retrieved on1 July 2026. Registered crimes at CBS-district level. Not every crime is reported; the figures indicate registered crime only. Figures at CBS-district level. CBS groups some districts together; grouped districts share the same figures.

Amenities in Kortenbos

Shopping & hospitality

  • Grote Marktstraat within walking distance
  • Prinsestraat & Denneweg nearby
  • Supermarkets and specialist shops

Culture

  • Theatres and cinemas in the centre
  • Grote Markt (nightlife) close by

Daily

  • GPs and pharmacy
  • Inner city around the corner

Accessibility

  • Tram and bus at the door
  • The Hague Central and HS within walking distance

Frequently asked questions about Kortenbos

Where exactly is Kortenbos?

Kortenbos is a small quarter in the centre of The Hague, between the historic city heart and the Zeeheldenkwartier, around the street of the same name and the Prinsegracht. You live centrally but in a slightly quieter, residential part of the inner city.

Why do the figures apply to a larger district?

CBS does not publish separate figures for Kortenbos itself; the quarter falls under the larger CBS district of Centrum (Het Oude Centrum). The statistics on this page therefore apply to that whole district, not specifically to Kortenbos.

What kinds of homes will you find in Kortenbos?

Mostly apartments and 19th-century maisonettes, interspersed with new-build and a few historic buildings. It is a central, predominantly urban quarter — ideal for anyone wanting to live compactly in the middle of the city.

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