Delft is a gorgeous town located between The Hague and Rotterdam, roughly an hour by train from Amsterdam. Despite its small size, Delft is an important historic and cultural centre in the Netherlands. The birthplace of Johannes Vermeer, one of the Dutch masters, Delft is also the final resting place of the Dutch Royal Family. There are many things to see and do in Delft and the best way to explore the town is on foot – the town centre is very compact and most of the important sights are located here. Here’s a self-guided walking tour that covers the top attractions in Delft:

The best way to experience Delft is to go on a leisurely stroll around the town centre. This will take you past beautiful lily-filled canals, quaint squares, magnificent churches, manors and other historic monuments.

Delft

This walking tour starts and ends at the Delft train station. However, if you’re visiting Delft by car, I recommend parking at the Phoenix Garage (also pinned on the map). Start this walking route from the Delft train station or the Phoenix Garage and make your way down the beautiful Oude Delft canal.

Oude Delft with the tower of the Oude Kerk

1. Oude Delft canal

This charming canal is one of the oldest in Delft and is lined by numerous important monuments. As you stroll along the canal, look out for the St. Hippolytus Chapel, a 14th century chapel. Further down the canal, you’ll undoubtedly spot the imposing façade of the Gemeenlandshuis, a 16th century Gothic house that’s the oldest stone house in Delft. The offices of the Delfland Water Authority have been based here since 1645.

Gemeenlandshuis

2. Prinsenhof

A historic attraction in Delft that is closely tied to the history of the Netherlands is the Prinsenhof. Originally built in the Middle Ages as a monastery, Prinsenhof later served as the palace of William I, the Prince of Orange (or William the Silent), who is considered the founder and ‘father’ of the Netherlands. William I was assassinated here in 1584 and the holes made in a wall by the bullets can still be seen. The Prinsenhof is now a museum with, amongst others, a collection of Vermeer paintings.

Prinsenhof (image courtesy of Wikimedia Creative Commons)

3. Oude Kerk (Old Church)

A short walk from the Prinsenhof is the 13th century Oude Kerk (Old Church), the oldest church in Delft. Many prominent citizens of Delft were buried here, including Johannes Vermeer. The entrance ticket also includes the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church).

Oude Kerk Vermeer tomb in the Oude Kerk

4. Lambert van Meerten Museum

Just across from the Oude Kerk you’ll find the Lambert van Meerten Museum, a stately 19th century manor house with a fascinating collection of furniture from the Dutch Golden Age. 

Continue this walking route along the Hippolytusbuurt canal. A great place for lunch is ‘t Postkantoor, a lovely café with canal-side seating and a garden terrace in the back.

‘t Postkantoor

 

5. Voldersgracht

Then continue along Voldersgracht, a gorgeous canal with numerous shops and cafés. There are various antique and art shops along the Voldersgracht to browse around.

Voldersgracht

6. Vermeer Centre

Our next stop is the Vermeer Centre. Delft is the birthplace of Johannes Vermeer, a Dutch painter who lived during the country’s Golden Age in the 17th century. Perhaps most famous for his painting, ‘Girl with the Pearl Ear Ring’, Vermeer used the town and surrounding countryside as the backdrop in many of his paintings. A visit to Delft wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Vermeer Centre! Purchase your entrance tickets here.

Vermeer Centre

7. Markt

Delft’s main square, Markt (‘Market’), houses two of the town’s most important buildings: the Nieuwe Kerk (‘New Church’) on one end and the Stadhuis (‘Town Hall’) on the other end. The Nieuwe Kerk was completed in 1496 and its bell-tower is an impressive 109 meters tall! You can climb the bell-tower for beautiful views of Delft and even the skyline of Rotterdam.

Nieuwe Kerk Stadhuis (City Hall)

The Nieuwe Kerk has an important place in the history of the Dutch monarchy as this is where the royal family’s burial vault is located. The entrance to the vault is covered by a 5,000 kg rock slab!

A big slab marks the entrance to the burial vault of the Dutch royal family.

Another important person who was laid to rest in this church was Hugo Grotius (or Hugo de Groot), a lawyer and theologist who played an influential role in shaping current international and maritime law. A famous story that Dutch children are told is the daring escape of Hugo de Groot from the dungeons of Slot Loevestein, where he was held as a political prisoner.

The stunning ceiling of the Nieuwe Kerk

8. Maria van Jessekerk

From Markt, continue your Delft sightseeing walk to the Maria van Jessekerk (Maria van Jesse Church). This 19th century neo-Gothic church has a beautiful nave, pulpit and stained-glass windows.

Maria van Jessekerk

9. Beestenmarkt

A short walk from the Maria van Jessekerk is the large and shady Beestenmarkt (square). From the 16th century right up to to the 1970’s, this square was the market place for cattle. These days, it’s packed with cafés and restaurants. I recommend dropping by at Kobus Kuch for delicious apple pie.

Beesten Markt square Apple pie at Kobus Buch

10. Oostpoort

From Beestenmarkt, walk along the atmospheric Molslaan and Oosteinde canals to the Oostpoort. This beautiful 14th century city gate is the only one of eight medieval gates that still stands.

A view of the Delft skyline from the Oosteinde canal. Oostpoort

11. Royal Delft

Delft is famous the world over for its blue ceramics aptly called Delft Blue. This particular style was inspired by the arrival of Chinese porcelain, which was imported to Europe by the Dutch East India Company in the 17th century. Delft Blue ceramics in the form of plates, jugs, salt and pepper shakers, fridge magnets, clogs, miniature windmills and vases are some of the most popular souvenirs for visitors to the Netherlands.

Store selling Delft Blue.

From the Oostpoort, follow the route past the Hortus Botanicus (Botanical Gardens, which can also be visited) to the Royal Delft Factory & Museum. This is the best place to learn about Delft Blue ceramics.

In addition to the many shops selling Delft Blue items, there are also various museums which house private collections of antique Delft Blue and Chinese porcelain, such as the Paul Tetar van Elven Museum.

12. Other things to do in Delft

One great thing to do in Delft is to go on a canal cruise. This is a fun way to learn more about the city and see the most important sights from the water.

Join a canal cruise

Another thing I love about Delft are its antique markets. There are numerous antique markets, especially in the summer months. The biggest Antique Market is held every Saturday between mid-April and late-September. On these Saturdays, hundreds of stalls line the canals and offer a colorful and varied collection, ranging from ancient porcelain pieces to slightly more contemporary record collections!

Antique market in Delft.

I also love visiting the Book and Art Market that’s held every Thursday in the Hippolytusbuurt (in the town centre) between early-April and late-October.

Getting to Delft

Delft is easily accessible by train from the major cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. If you have a long layover at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, consider visiting Delft as it is only about 30 minutes by train from the airport. If you’re driving, Delft is just off the main A13 highway between The Hague and Rotterdam. I recommend parking your car in the Phoenix Garage at the edge of the old town.

Delft makes for a terrific day trip from Amsterdam but if you have time, I recommend staying a night or two. Hotels I can recommend include Hotel Royal Bridges and Hotel Arsenaal Delft.

 

Search for hotels in Delft (Booking.com).

Read about other places to visit in The Netherlands

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