Picture a small city where the canals are narrow, the bridges are low, and the main square has a church tower at one end and a town hall at the other. That is Delft, and it is why the things to do in Delft are mostly about slow walking and good looking. It is a short train ride from The Hague and Rotterdam, and many visitors treat it as a half-day escape from busier cities.
Are the things to do in Delft worth a trip?
Short answer: yes, if you like old streets, pottery, painting history and a pace that does not make you feel rushed. If you want big attractions, nightlife or shopping malls, no. Delft is small enough that the centre can be crossed on foot in about fifteen minutes, which is its charm and its limit.
The Markt and the two churches
The Markt is the stage on which everything else happens. At one end stands the Stadhuis, the town hall, with its renaissance front. At the other stands the Nieuwe Kerk, the New Church, which despite the name dates from the fourteenth century. Inside lies the tomb of William of Orange, the leader of the Dutch revolt against Spain, and the burial place of many members of the royal family. If you are comfortable with heights, you can climb the tower for a good view of the red roofs and the straight canals. Check current opening times and ticket details before you go.
A few minutes away stands the Oude Kerk, the Old Church, famous for its leaning tower, which tilts noticeably. The painter Johannes Vermeer is buried here, and it is a quieter stop than the Nieuwe Kerk, good for a short, calm break.
Vermeer and the art side
Vermeer lived and worked in Delft in the seventeenth century, and the city has not forgotten him. The Vermeer Centre tells the story of his life and techniques, with reproductions of his paintings, since the originals are mostly in museums elsewhere. It is more of an explanation than a gallery, which suits people who like to understand how a painting was made. For the real thing, you would head to The Hague, where the Mauritshuis shows The Girl with a Pearl Earring, only a short ride away.
Delft Blue, the real and the fake
Delft is known worldwide for its blue-and-white pottery. The craft began in the seventeenth century as a local answer to imported Chinese porcelain, and it still carries the city’s name. You can visit Royal Delft, the long-running factory and museum, to see how pieces are painted by hand and to look at historic examples. Shops across town sell cheaper souvenirs, and not all of them are made locally, so look at the base of any piece and ask where it came from if authenticity matters to you.
Museum Prinsenhof and the story of William
The Museum Prinsenhof Delft is housed in a former convent where William of Orange was assassinated in 1584. You can still see the bullet holes in the wall, which is a rather unusual reminder of how political Delft once was. The museum also covers the city’s history and art, and it is a good rainy-day option.
Walk the water
The pleasure of the city lies in its canals. Follow the Oude Delft, the oldest canal, past old merchants’ houses, and wander through the lanes near the Beestenmarkt, where cafes and small restaurants gather. The Koornmarkt has a nice view across the water, and a short boat ride can show you the city from below the bridges if you prefer to sit down. In the evening the lights reflect in the water, and the streets quieten as the day trippers leave.
A practical half-day plan
- Arrive by train and walk into the centre; it takes around ten minutes.
- Start at the Markt, visit the Nieuwe Kerk, and climb the tower if the weather is clear.
- Lunch on one of the cafe terraces, and try a stroopwafel or a local pastry afterwards.
- Visit Royal Delft or the Prinsenhof, depending on your interest.
- Spend the afternoon wandering the canals and looking in small shops.
- Dinner in the old town before an easy train back.
Practical details
- From Amsterdam: trains take about an hour with a change, and usually less from Rotterdam.
- From The Hague: only a few minutes by train or a tram ride, so it works as an easy add-on.
- Weather: pack a rain jacket, since the climate is changeable and the streets have little shelter.
- Cycling: hiring a bike is possible, but the centre is small and most people walk.
Most things to do in Delft are best on a weekday morning when the streets are calm, or in the evening after the tour groups leave. Give it half a day if you are short on time, or a full day if you want to visit every museum without hurrying. Either way, it tends to be a favourite memory for visitors who thought they were only passing through.
More from us: Den Haag & Delft.
