An Insider’s Guide to the 10+ Best Things to do in Delft

Last Updated on 29th January 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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Delft is the old Dutch word for canal/ river/ stream and this is the perfect word to describe a city which feels, at times, as if it has quite literally been built atop of the water. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best things to do in Delft, as well as what to know before you go.

Delft is a stunning city in the Netherlands which is perhaps best-known for its Delft blue, a local ceramic which has been produced since the 17th-century. Today, the small settlement is a delightful maze of cobbled lanes and historic brick houses punctuated by numerous gently flowing canals.

I love Delft and it’s easily one of my favourite cities in the Netherlands. On my most recent trip to the city, it was during the spring when the Holland region was filled with tulip flowers and the weather was starting to warm up. Away from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam, perhaps what I love most about this city is its relaxed pace of life and wealth of restaurants.

What is Delft known for?

As mentioned, Delft is most famous for its Delft blue, a type of fired ceramic that got its name because the most traditional form is in white and blue (which is referred to as Delfts Blauw in Dutch). However, if should be noted that this pottery can be purchased in multicolours as well.

The city’s most famous resident is undoubtedly Johannes Vermeer, who painted ‘Girl With a Pearl Earring’ in the latter half of the 17th-century. Today, there is an entire museum dedicated to the iconic Dutch painter.

Where is Delft?

Delft is located in the region of the Netherlands known as Holland (it’s important to note that all of Holland is in the Netherlands, but not all of the Netherlands counts as Holland). The city lies to the southwest of Amsterdam and is just over an hour away from the Dutch capital by train.

Getting around Delft

Truth be told, like many Dutch cities, the best way to get around Delft, particularly its historic city centre, is on your own two feet. Cobbled lanes can be found in abundance and so be sure to leave the high heels at home and stick to comfortable walking shoes such as sneakers or other flats.

If you want to head further out of town, then you could consider a bicycle rental. I personally recommend avoiding bringing a car to Delft as it can be difficult to find parking, and most of the centre is pretty pedestrianised, meaning that you won’t be able to see much by car anyway.

How long do you need in Delft?

Delft is a fairly small city, with all of the main attractions grouped pretty close together, meaning that you can easily walk between all of them. It is often considered as a perfect destination for a day trip from Amsterdam.

You only need a day or so to explore the whole of the city, but you’ll want to set aside two or three days if you’re the kind of traveller who prefers to explore at a slower pace or if you’re looking for a quiet weekend getaway.

Things to do in Delft

Wander around the town

Thanks to its abundance of gorgeous canals and historic canalside houses, one of the greatest joys in Delft is simply to stroll around and allow the city to reveal itself to you.

The city was founded as early as 1075 and was chartered in 1246 (which is when it gained city rights). Unfortunately, large swathes of Delft were destroyed in the 16th-century and then again in the 17th-century when it was damaged by an accidentally gunpowder explosion.

Much of what you see today dates back to just after this period. If you would prefer to learn more about the town with a local guide, then consider booking a private walking tour like this one.

Old Church

As its name suggests, the old church (known as Oude Kerk in Dutch) is one of the oldest churches in Delft and fittingly sits right above one of the most important canals in the city.

You have to pay to visit the church, but you can buy a combi ticket (buy your combi ticket here in advance– must purchase the tower access additionally) which allows access to both the New and Old Churches.

The main peculiarity about this church is that it’s steeple is actually leaning, so much so that local residents fondly refer to it as ‘crooked Jan’. If you look at the church from a distance, you can see just how far the  75-meter-high brick tower is leaning (about two metres from the vertical).

New Church

Of course, if you have purchased access to both churches, then your next port of call should be to walk towards the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk in Dutch), which was constructed over the course of a century between 1396 and 1496.

For an extra fee, you can pay to climb the belfry, which is actually the second tallest tower in the Netherlands. The climb up to the top comprises of 376 wooden steps and allows for 360-degree panoramic views over the city. 

However, I should warn you that the climb to the top is certainly not for the faint of heart owing to the spiral staircase and the numerous people using the stairs to go both up and down. There are two viewing platforms, one halfway up to the top, and one at the very top.

Shop for Delft Pottery

If you’re looking for an extra special souvenir from your time in Delft, you’ll want to look no further than Royal Delft, where you can pick up fine examples of Dutch porcelain in the most traditional shapes and colours.

The ceramics are definitely on the pricier end of things but are a joy for those who are interested in all things pottery-related owing to their fine details and extensive craftsmanship. If you want to learn even more about Royal Delft, then you can visit the Delft Blue factory. Purchase your ticket here in advance.

Markt

The bustling heart of Delft is undoubtedly Markt, a pedestrianised market square which is filled with shops, cafés, and restaurants. On one end you can spy the illustrious town hall (known as stadhuis in Dutch), while the other end boasts the impossibly high New Church and its famed tower.

One of the main highlights for many visitors to Delft is that a market is still held in the market square every Thursday morning.

Visit during this time and you can expect to find plenty of local produce, including cheeses, jams, fresh vegetables, and more. The Market Square is also where the annual Delft Christmas Market is held.

Statue in Market Square

Aside from the town hall and new church one of the defining features of Markt (Market Square) is a statue of Hugo de Groot.

Also known as Hugo Grotius, this 16th- 17th-century Dutch scholar is widely regarded to be one of the greatest thinkers and scholars in Dutch history and he was one of the fore-thinkers in Dutch enlightenment.

Sample local food

Delft has no shortage of small restaurants, independent boutiques, and lesser-known cafés. As such, one of the best things to do in Delft is to sample some of the local food. There’s even a Henri Willig on the Market Square where you can try some traditional Dutch cheese!

If you would like to learn more about the local food and drink scene together with a local guide, as well as sample some tastings, then you can book a city tour like this one. If you would prefer to sample some craft beers, then book this craft beer tasting in a medieval cellar.

Visit a flea market

If you’re on the lookout for a vintage treasure or unique souvenir from your time in the Netherlands, then you’ll want to check out the Delft flea market.

This weekly event is held every Saturday from April through to October and sees vendors popping up along the inner canals of the city. If you want to buy a print, unique object, etc, be sure to bring cash along as not all vendors accept card payments!

Visit a windmill

One of the more unusual finds right in Delft city centre is the presence of a windmill. In times gone by, the mill would have been used to ground flour and it still functions to this day. Free to visit, the mill now has several functions.

There’s a café where you can buy snacks and drinks and enjoy them in a cosy room or alternatively outside in the shadow of the sails, there’s a shop where you can purchase local coffee and flour, and there are guided visits of the mill if you want to learn more about the workings of a windmill.

Museums of Delft

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys checking out museums (or if you’re looking for an interesting way to spend a rainy day in Delft), then there are a collection of over 10 different museums to check out while in the city:

• Museum Prinsenhof Delft: One of the main museums in Delft, this museum is a former palace constructed during the Middle Ages, which later served as a residence for William the Silent. There’s plenty of historical exhibits to read and art works to enjoy. Book your ticket and audio guide here in advance.
• Vermeer Centrum: As I mentioned, Delft was the birthplace of iconic Dutch painter Vermeer, and so now there is a museum in the very heart of the town dedicated to Vermeer. The museum was established in the very heart of Delft in 2007 and can now be visited on a daily basis. Book your tickets here in advance.
• Museum J.C.J van Speijk: This museum showcases the life of J.C.J. van Speijk, a Dutch Naval Lieutenant who became a hero when he opposed the Belgian Revolution in the early 19th-century.
• Gereedschap Museum Mensert: One of the more unusual museums in the city, this space exhibits displays on hand tools for every sort of trade imaginable. The museum is only open every first Saturday or the month or by appointment.
• Lambert van Meerten Museum: This house museum is the former home of a 19th-century wealthy collector who became bankrupt. Many visitors report particularly enjoying the garden and being given a coffee during their visit!
• Museum Paul Tétar van Elven: Set within a beautifully appointed historic brick building, the former home of Paul Tétar van Elven houses antiques, porcelain, paintings, and exhibits detailing the life of the artist.
• Medisch-Farmaceutisch Museum “de Griffioen”: this pint-sized museum is located close to market square and is a small museum containing an old collection of old medical, nursing, dental and pharmaceutical instruments. You can visit the museum on the first Sunday of the month or request a special visit if you’re between 5 – 25 people visiting.

Canals of Delft

There are several canals in Delft, which form rings around the city centre, and with the first being dug all the way back in 1100. The Nieuwe Delft canal was constructed at the end of the 12th-century and further canals were created in the 13th and 14th-centuries.

At the turn of the 15th-century a series of defensive walls and city gates were constructed, but only one such gate, the Eastern Gate (Oostpoort), remains standing to this day. If you want to view the canals from another perspective, consider booking a canal cruise like this one.

Where to eat in Delft

Bierhuis de Klomp: First founded as a café and beer house back in the 17th-century, the Bierhuis now touts itself as the oldest beer bar and café in Delft. Although the building dates back much earlier, to 1538, the café itself has been open for all manner of drinks since 1652.

San Marco: If you’re looking for traditional Italian food, then I recommend checking out this restaurant. There are pizza, pasta, and salads on the menu. You’ll want to book in advance if you want to guarantee a spot (especially on the weekends).

Koffie & Zo: My personal favourite spot to eat in Delft is none other than the well-located Koffie & Zo. Step inside and you’ll find plenty of plant inspired decor, a gorgeous view of the canal houses, and gifts for sale. The menu has plenty of hot drinks, cakes, and toasties.

Where to stay in Delft

We personally stayed at the four-star Hotel Royal Bridges. The best part about the hotel was that it was on the Koornmarkt, just a few minutes walk away from the most important attractions in town. The hotel was on the pricier end of things but was clean and comfortable and our room for three people was pretty spacious. Check prices and availability here.

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