Escher in Het Paleis is housed in the Lange Voorhout Palace, once the winter residence of Queen Emma and later the Dutch royal family, and now devoted to the graphic artist M.C. Escher. The museum shows almost all of his work, from early landscapes and Italian scenes to the mathematical prints that made him famous: endless staircases, hands drawing each other, birds that turn into fish and tilings that never end. The setting adds to the fun, because the palace's grand rooms and chandeliers contrast with the mind-bending images. Two highlights stand out: Escher's Room, which plays tricks with perspective so visitors seem to grow and shrink, and Metamorphosis III, a print about seven metres long that unrolls like a visual story. It is a compact museum that suits visitors of any age, and it is especially welcome on a wet or cold day.
Start at the top and work down, which is how the museum is laid out. The upper floors trace Escher's early life and travels, with woodcuts and prints of Italian towns and coastlines that show a traditional master of the print before he turned to geometry. The middle floors hold the famous optical puzzles, and the labels explain the mathematics in plain language, so you do not need to be an expert to enjoy them.
Look for the interactive and illusion rooms, which are the part children remember. Do not rush Metamorphosis III, which rewards walking its length slowly.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00 and closed on Mondays, according to its current booking page. Weekends and school holidays can bring a short queue, and an online ticket lets you go straight to the entrance counter. All rooms are reachable by lift, but there is no visitor toilet adapted for wheelchair users, so contact the museum beforehand if you need the entrance ramp or want to plan around facilities. Photography rules vary by room, so follow the signs.
It sits at 74 Lange Voorhout, an elegant tree-lined avenue a few minutes from the Mauritshuis and Panorama Mesdag, and trams 15, 16 and 17 stop at Korte Voorhout nearby. Because it takes about ninety minutes, it pairs well with another museum on the same day, and combined tickets with the Mauritshuis or Panorama Mesdag are sold at a small discount. It is one of the easiest ways to keep a mixed group of adults and children happy in The Hague.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit through three floors of a former winter palace, with prints, illusion rooms and the long Metamorphosis III print.
Best time
A weekday morning or the last hours of the afternoon, when school groups have gone.
How long
Around ninety minutes, or an hour if you keep moving.
Tips
Closed on Mondays. Have the ticket ready on your phone and visit the illusion rooms with children first.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families, curious adults and anyone who wants a visual, quick museum on a grey day.
- Families
- Children enjoy Escher's Room and the optical puzzles, and the museum is short enough to hold their attention.
- Couples
- Pair it with the Mauritshuis on the same day for a gentle art-focused afternoon.
- Pair with
- The Mauritshuis, Panorama Mesdag and a stroll along Lange Voorhout.
- Time needed
- Ninety minutes.
Good questions
What is inside the Escher museum?+
It shows almost all of M.C. Escher's graphic work, including the famous staircases and tessellations. Highlights are Escher's Room and the seven-metre Metamorphosis III.
What are the opening hours?+
The current booking page shows Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00, and the museum is closed on Mondays. Check for holiday changes before you go.
Is it suitable for children?+
Yes, the illusion rooms and puzzle prints are popular with children of most ages. Very small children may tire quickly, as the museum is spread over several floors.
Is the museum accessible?+
All rooms are reachable by lift. There is no visitor toilet adapted for wheelchair users, so contact the museum in advance to arrange the entrance ramp.
How do I get there?+
Trams 15, 16 and 17 stop at Korte Voorhout, and tram 9 stops at Malieveld. It is also a short walk from the Mauritshuis and the Plein.
