Scheveningen

Scheveningen's landmark pier, reaching out over the North Sea with terraces, food stalls, a Ferris wheel and panoramic views back to shore. Leashed dogs are allowed on the pier deck, making it a fine walk even when the beach is closed to dogs in summer; the fairground rides and indoor venues are not for pets.

The kilometre-long seafront boulevard, lined with restaurants, beach clubs and sculptures, with the sea and the Pier as a backdrop. Leashed dogs are welcome here year-round, making it the ideal fallback stroll during the summer beach ban. It is the lively heart of the resort, linked to the rest of The Hague by trams 1, 9 and 11.

A rolling coastal dune park between Scheveningen and Kijkduin of open sand, marram grass and low woodland, protected as a Natura 2000 area (Westduinpark & Wapendal). It is one of the finest dog walks in The Hague, with sea views from the high dunes. Dogs must stay on the lead across most of the reserve to protect nesting birds and grazing sheep.

A sheltered pocket of dune woodland in the Vogelwijk district, dotted with pine and oak, forming part of the wider Westduinpark. The municipality has designated it an official off-leash area, so this is where local dogs come to run freely close to Scheveningen. Off-leash freedom pauses during the bird-breeding season (roughly mid-March to mid-July).

At the southern end of the coast, the Zuiderstrand from strandopgang 2 southwards to Monster is the most dog-welcoming beach in The Hague, where dogs may run off the lead all year with no seasonal restriction. Backed by the Westduinpark dunes, it is quieter than central Scheveningen and becomes the go-to choice in high summer when the resort beaches close to dogs.

The working fishing harbour, the historic heart of the old village, with trawlers, quaysides and fish restaurants along the Dr. Lelykade, a complete change of scene from the beach boulevard. The quays make a pleasant leashed stroll, with the smell of the sea and the bustle of the fleet. Many harbour restaurants have outdoor terraces where a leashed dog is welcome.