Hidden Gems and Secret Spots in Delft

Last Updated on 15th October 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

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Delft is a beautiful Dutch city that is characterised by its gently flowing canals, historic brick houses, and abundance of churches. Perfect for a slow-paced weekend getaway, there’s certainly more than meets this eye in this delightful destination, particularly if you know where to look. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best hidden gems and secret spots in Delft.

The city of Delft is a must-see on any trip through the Netherlands. And while the Dutch city can be visited as a day trip from Amsterdam, it’s really a place that merits a longer stint, especially because if you opt to stay overnight then you’ll get to enjoy the streets without the day trippers.

Since Delft is rather compact, with many of the main attractions in town located close to one another, you can easily get around on foot.

This small nature means that some places can get particularly busy (we truly noticed this when we ascended the new church bell tower!) and so sometimes it’s nice to get a little off the beaten path.

If you’re planning a longer trip to the Netherlands, be sure to check out our suggested one week in the Netherlands itinerary to help you plan your trip.

Hidden gems of Delft

Hofje van Pauw

One of the quieter and more secluded places to visit in Delft is Hofje van Pauw, which is nestled on the fringes of central Delft and is only accessible via a simple doorway. This is one of only four remaining almshouses in Delft (originally there were seven).

The hofje was constructed in 1707 at the behest of Elisbath Pauw, a daughter of former Delft mayor, Jacob Pauw. Almshouses were originally constructed as dwellings for the poor and those in need.

Today, the eight dwellings are used for assisted adult living and you can visit the courtyard for free from Monday through to Friday, between 10 AM and 5 PM. When visiting, be sure to be as quiet as possible and respectful of the people who live in the surrounding area.

Hofje van Gratie

Close to Hofje van Pauw, you’ll find a little side street that is particularly pleasant to visit in late spring thanks to the presence of sweet smelling wisteria vines (that also make for a great photo opportunity)!

The Hofje van Gratie is another of the four remaining almshouses in Delft and dates back to 1575 when it was established by Pieter Sasbout. The original location of the almshouses, which were meant to serve as accommodation for couples over 50 without children, was at Korte Gee.

This was changed after city renovations to the current location. The façade you see today appears much as it would have done during the 1700s thanks to intensive renovation works done in 1968.

Bierhuis de Klomp

Of all the hidden gems of Delft, my personal favourite place is without a doubt Bierhuis de Klomp, which is alleged to be the oldest bar in the city and dates back to the 17th-century.

Although the building dates back much earlier, to 1538, the café itself has been open for all manner of drinks since 1652. Up until the 1980s, beer was only sold from jugs as the taps were not installed until this time.

De Klomp is one of the best places in the city to test out jenever, a kind of liqueur that’s similar to whisky. De Klomp is quite literally translated into English as ‘the clog,’ and of course, along with the windmills, the wooden shoe is one of the most iconic symbols of the Netherlands.

Windmill de Roos

One of the more unusual finds right in the 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.

Giant lamp

When strolling around the historic heart of Delft, one of the more unusual sculptures that you’re likely to come across is the presence of a giant lamp on Doelenplein! This art installation was the brainchild of Chinese artist Wan Liya and its official name is ‘National Treasure’.

However, as its form is a giant lamp, locals fondly refer to the artwork as ‘the vase,’ ‘table lamp’ or ‘the vase lamp’. Although the lamp has only been in situ for a few years (since 2013 to be precise), it has seen a few incidents over its short lifetime.

Back in 2019, a van accidentally reversed into the lamp and it was severely damaged to the point where it had to be sent back to China for reparations. These reparation works took a little bit longer than expected and then lamp was reinstalled in its rightful place in the spring of 2021.

Koffie & Zo

The beautifully appointed eatery Koffie & Zo is a delightful little café set alongside the Koornmarkt. As well as speciality coffees and snacks (such as toasted sandwiches) the café doubles up as a shop selling all sorts of handmade, quirky gifts, and vintage products.

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