Are you thinking of visiting Delft? Located between Rotterdam and The Hague, it is an easy day trip from either city or Amsterdam.
My Delft day trip from lovely Leiden was one of the most rewarding parts of my Netherlands itinerary.
One day in Delft is all you need to explore its cultural and historic sites and soak up its beauty and ambience. Hit the ground running with my pick of the best things to do in this quintessentially Dutch city.
Why I Loved Delft
Delft is 100% worth visiting.
Its compact historic centre is laced with tranquil canals that could have come straight out of a painting by Vermeer, the city’s favourite son. It is as exquisite as the porcelain that takes its name.
As home to one of the Netherlands’ most prestigious universities, Delft doesn’t feel like it has been preserved in aspic purely for the delight of visitors. With a youthful vibe, this is no Dutch Disneyland.
What to See in Delft in One Day
It is easy to hit the highlights of Delft in a day. Walking from one end of its Old Town to the other takes no more than 15 minutes, making it a breeze to explore on foot.
I recommend getting there early (or, better still, staying overnight). When I arrived around 9.30 am, it was wonderfully tranquil. An hour later, the coach groups started to arrive.
Whilst it didn’t feel mobbed, exploring Delft with fewer people around was better, particularly for capturing photographs minus selfie stick-wielding tourists.
The Markt
Delft’s main square, or Markt, is the city’s beating heart.
Delft’s Markt is encircled by over 50 historic buildings and is bookended by the City Hall in the southwest and the New Church at the northeast end. In 1536, lightning struck the spire of the New Church resulting in a fire that razed two-thirds of the city to the ground. Therefore, the buildings that you see today were built after this date.
After another fire in 1618, all that remained of Delft’s City Hall was its tower and some walls. This was rebuilt in 1620 in the Renaissance style of the time, with its highly structured columns and arches.
If you want to take a good look at this building, try to avoid market day (Thursday & Saturday) as the market stalls will obscure your view.
the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk)
For a bird’s eye view of Delft and to get your Gothic architectural fix, visit Delft’s 14th Century New Church.
But first, let me introduce you to William I, Prince of Orange, more commonly known as William of Orange.
Not to be confused with William III, also known as William of Orange, the founder of the House of Orange was assassinated in Delft 1584. To the Dutch he is the father of the Netherlands, leading the country to independence from Spain.
He is buried in an elaborate, canopied tomb inside the New Church. Most of his descendants are also buried in the New Church which is now the resting place for members of the Dutch royal family.
Are you feeling in good shape? If so, climb the 376 steps of the New Church’s 85-meter-high tower for a panoramic view of Delft. On a clear day can see as far as Rotterdam and The Hague.
Delft’s canals
One of the best things to do on a day trip to Delft is to simply walk along its canals.
In the summer months, the Oude Delft Canal is lined with barges that were used to transport goods into the city. Today, they are great places for a spot of al-fresco eating and drinking.
If you fancy seeing Delft from its waterways, take a 45-minute boat tour of the Old Town from the Koornmarkt canal Electric boats and pedal boats are also available for rental.
The Old Church (Oude Kerk)
The Old Church flanks the Oude Delft canal.
And no; this image does not need straightening. Also known as Scheve Jan (“Skewed John”), the tower of Delft’s Old Church leans at a jaunty two meters from the vertical. I guess a filled-in canal isn’t the most stable foundation for a large stone structure.
Although less impressive than the New Church, it does have an elaborately carved pulpit. Johannes Vermeer is buried here, his resting place marked by a stone plaque on the floor.
The Vermeer Centre (Vermeercentrum)
I confess that I didn’t visit the Vermeer Centre on my day trip to Delft as its collection does not include any originals by the artist. However, if you want to know more about Vermeer’s painting and his life in Delft, you might find it interesting.
Prisenhof Museum
Remember William of Orange from the New Church? The Prisenhof Museum is housed in the former convent where he sought refuge and was killed by a French assassin’s bullet.
The museum focuses on his life but its collection also includes an impressive collection of Delftware. It is located at Sint Agathaplein 1.
The Royal Delft
Are you interested in learning more about how Delftware is produced? If so, head to the Royal Delft. This is the city’s biggest tourist attraction and one of the best things to do in Delft.
The first pottery factory in Delft was established in the 16th Century and, at the industry’s peak, there were 32 porcelain factories in Delft. Ultimately competition from overseas, particularly from the UK, forced many Delftware factories out of business.
Today, only a few factories continue to hand-paint their porcelain in Delft. Much is now mass-produced in China. This is ironic, considering Dutch artists were first inspired to produce Delftware by the Chinese porcelain that they saw.
The Royal Delft is located just outside Delft’s Old Town. You can get there by canal boat or via the Delft City Shuttle.
How to Get to Delft
Thank you for reading my Delft day trip guide
Delft is proof that there is more to the Netherlands than Amsterdam. And thanks to the efficient Dutch railway system, this and other historic towns such as Leiden, Gouda, Haarlem and Utrecht, are all easy day trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam.
During my stay in the Netherlands, Delft was my favourite city. It is an effortlessly low-key city, made for wandering, daydreaming and munching waffles.
Lastly, is visiting the Keukenhof Gardens and the Dutch tulip fields on your travel bucket list? If so, why not base yourself in Delft for the greatest flower show on earth?
Happy travels!
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About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.