Things To Do in Scheveningen

Stroll on dunes, splash in the waves, go deep-sea fishing in the North Sea, and more. The beach zone is called Scheveningen Bad -- but it looks pretty good. A 3km (2-mile) promenade borders the wide, sandy beach and has as its highlight the Scheveningen Pier (tel. 070/306-5500; www.pier.nl; tram: 1 or 9), jutting out onto the North Sea. It first opened in 1901 and was rebuilt in 1961 after being destroyed in World War II. There's plenty to do here, from a casino, many cafes and shops, and 60m-high (200-ft.) observation tower, to a "play island" for kids, and a bungee-jump that throws you into the air on an industrial-size rubber band. At the end of the pier, the enormous Skyview Ferris wheel (www.skyviewdepier.nl; tel. 0880/223-333) juts out over the sea, with 36 luxurious enclosed cabins where you can take a 15-minute ride or reserve a full lunch, dinner, or high tea with panoramic views. Skyview is open Monday to Thursday 11am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday until 10pm and Sunday until 9pm. Admission is 9€ for adults and 7€ for children 12 and under.

Other attractions include Sea Life Scheveningen, Strandweg 13 (www.visitsealife.com; tel. 070/354-2100) where denizens of the deep, including sharks, swim above visitors’ heads in a walk-through underwater tunnel. The aquarium is open Apr–June and Sept and Oct daily 10am to 7pm; July and Aug  daily 10am to 8pm; and Nov–Mar 10am to 6pm. Closed Dec 25. When booked in advance online, admission is 15.25€ for adults (17.25€ in person) and 11.25€ for children 3 to 11 (13.25€ in person).

Museum Beelden aan Zee (Sculptures on the Seafront), Harteveltstraat 1 (www.beeldenaanzee.nl; tel. 070/358-5857) is an off-beat museum built into the sand dunes steps from Scheveningen’s busy boardwalk. Most of the sculptures take the human form and many are portraits, including an installation featuring the Dutch Royal Family. Terraces overlooking the sea are strewn with sculptures, and on the promenade outside the museum you’ll find “Fairytale Sculptures by the Sea,” a permanent installation that’s free of charge, comprised of cartoonlike figures by New Yorker Tom Otterness. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm. Admission is 15€ adults, 7.50€ children 13 to 18. Closed Jan 1, Apr 27, and Dec 25.

Scheveningen's southern neighboring beach resort, Kijkduin, is quieter and more family-oriented. Its main attractions are the sea and dunes.