Visiting Delft is like stepping into a Vermeer painting. This town of quiet canals is an easy 1 hour by train from Amsterdam, and it feels like a miniature version of the capital. With magnificent churches and a world-famous pottery factory, Delft is a Dutch city you should add to your Netherlands itinerary.
Overview of Delft
Delft is a university town with a healthy amount of tourism, but often skipped over by international travelers. While it doesn’t have the big museums or nightlife of Amsterdam, it also doesn’t have big crowds.
Delft is famous for three things: Royal Delft ceramics, the painter Johannes Vermeer, and the church where Dutch monarchs have been buried since 1584. But the real charm of Delft is that it’s a relaxed, beautiful, and highly walkable city.
I stayed in Delft for a few nights. I think it’s a city that really invites you to slow down your itinerary, especially if you’re using it as a home base to explore nearby places like The Hague. But Delft also makes an easy and worthwhile day trip from Amsterdam (check out my 1-day itinerary below).
Reasons You Need to Visit Delft
Nieuwe Kerk
Delft’s Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) dates from the 1400s and towers over the city’s main square. You can climb the impressive bell tower, then step inside the church to learn a bit about the history of the Netherlands and its royal family.
Tower Climb
The Nieuwe Kerk’s bell tower is 357 feet tall, the second tallest in the Netherlands. And the views from the tower are breathtaking! It’s a steep 376 steps to the tower’s highest viewing gallery (278 ft.), where you can see buildings as far as The Hague and Rotterdam. I could have spent hours just watching all the scenes of Delft unfolding below.
Leave any bags in the free lockers downstairs before your ascent. Claustrophobics beware of the lengthy spiral staircase–it’s a bit dizzying.
The Royal Church
Inside, the Nieuwe Kerk gives insight to Dutch history as you roam the spacious and mostly unadorned interior. A few highlights:
Tomb of William of Orange – William of Orange (AKA William the Silent) was the stadholder who led the Dutch rebellion against Spain. He is considered the founding father of the Netherlands, though he was assassinated in 1584 before he saw independence. Due to necessity, William was buried in a simple grave in the Nieuwe Kerk. In 1622, a grand monument was placed in the church to honor him.
Interpretive displays and model of crypt – After William’s time, it became a tradition for members of the Dutch royal family to be buried below the Nieuwe Kerk. You’ll find a model of the crypt on display (the area is not open to the public). You can also learn about the Delft Thuderclap of 1645, a blast of a huge store of gunpowder that destroyed part of the city including the roof and windows of the church.
Stained glass windows – Speaking of windows, you can also enjoy the church’s fine collection of stained glass widows. Many of the windows were created by Willem Adriaan van Konijnenburg in the 20th century, though the style is mostly medieval.
Royal Delft Factory and Museum
The characteristic blue and white designs of Delft ceramics are a symbol of the Netherlands and a must-see when you visit. The Royal Delft Factory and Museum was founded in 1653 and is the last 17th-century ceramics factory remaining in Delft. Known in Dutch as the Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles, Royal Delft produces designs that were inspired by Chinese porcelain during the Dutch Golden Age. Vases, plates, tiles and more are all decorated by hand.
Today, you can visit the Royal Delft Museum to learn about the history of Delft ceramics and see some amazing pieces. You’ll see historical examples and modern ones too, like the custom designs created for the King and Queen. I really enjoyed the murals created with painted tiles, including a full-size recreation of Rembrandt’s The Night Watch (all in shades of blue, of course).
At the end of the tour, you’ll get to walk through the actual factory floor and see works in progress. Fortunately or unfortunately, Royal Delft also has a well-stocked gift shop. You’ll find everything from souvenir-sized tiles to huge vases to decorate your mansion with. I got a Christmas ornament.
Admission to the Royal Delft Museum is €17.50. The location is slightly outside the city center. You can reach it by bus, bicycle, or a 20 min walk. Or book a combination trip with the canal boat operator Rondvaart Delft (€28.50).
Oude Kerk
Delft’s Oude Kerk (Old Church) was first built 1246 and expanded several times. The most notable addition was a belltower that leans 2 meters from vertical. The lean began during construction, but architects were never able to correct it.
Inside, the church is a beautiful space with the typical austere look of a post-Reformation church. My favorite detail is the carved wooden pulpit, which features a set of 3D-effect panels and is supported by a quartet of devils.
You also find the graves of some of Delft’s famous residents: painter Johannes Vermeer, inventor of the microscope Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, and naval heroes of the Dutch Golden Age like Piet Hein.
Admission is €10.00 for a combined visit with the New Church (€15.00 with New Church tower climb).
De Markt (Delft Market Square)
Delft’s main square is known simply as the Markt. It’s punctuated by the Nieuwe Kerk on one side and Delft’s impressive Stadhuis (city hall) on the other. In between, you’ll find a hub of shops and restaurants to explore.
The Markt is a great place to enjoy a coffee and people-watch. Shop for souvenirs or stop by the Henri Willig cheese shop. You’ll also find the venerable Heinen Delfts Blauw, which sells Delft blue pottery and other housewares.
If you can, visit the Markt for the weekly market on Thursdays. The square comes alive with dozens of merchants selling everything you can think of: cheese, baked goods, produce, clothes, even books. It’s mostly a market for locals, so it’s a great way to see another side of Delft. Nearby on the Brabantse Turkmarkt there’s also lovely flower market.
Delft’s Historic Architecture
One of the main reason to visit Delft is just that it looks cool. Delft’s architecture shares a lot in common with Amsterdam and other Dutch cities, but the city center is a wonderfully manageable size.
Certainly the Nieuwe Kerk and Oude Kerk are highlights, but there’s much more. Take a lap around the old city hall (Stadhuis) and see the old weighing house (Waag). All around this area are buildings that were part of Delft’s commercial heart.
And you can’t help but enjoy Delft’s sleepy canals crossed by little bridges. They used to be a highly advance network for delivering goods, but today they’re mostly used by families of ducks. For a different perspective, take a canal boat cruise with Rondvaart Delft.
Delft’s Food Scene
Delft’s food scene is a mix of traditional Dutch food and wide variety of international cuisines. I was impressed at the sheer number of restaurants that seemed to be thriving on every street corner. There are lots of eateries around the Markt, but stroll over to the nearby Beestenmarkt (literally, “cattle market”) to enjoy a particularly lively square.
Here are a few specific recommendations:
- Stads-Koffyhuis – A Delft institution and ideal spot for lunch, the Stads-Koffyhuis serves up top-notch sandwiches and salads, as well as tempting Dutch treats. Try to grab a table on their outdoor terrace perched atop a canal boat.
- De Botanie – A creative and delicious restaurant that serves small plates inspired by fresh flavors. Lots of options for dietary restrictions and a great cocktail menu as well.
- Kek – A cozy place for breakfast or a coffee, Kek’s casual vibe belies their epically delicious menu. I seriously considered coming back here for lunch.
- Mr. Falafel – If you like falafel, look no further than this little restaurant. It’s a fantastic value and open late too.
- RUIT Stroopwafels – RUIT is a gelato shop hiding in plain sight and serving up authentic Italian flavors alongside their artisanal stroopwafels.
Side Trip to The Hague
The Hague is the center of government for the Netherlands and an important cultural city. And it’s really close to Delft–less than 10 minutes by train. If you’re staying in Delft for a few days, I highly recommend checking out The Hague also.
My favorite activity in The Hague was visiting a wonderful art museum called the Mauritshuis (pronounced like “mow-rits house”). The Mauritshuis has an amazing collection of paintings by the masters of the Dutch Golden Age like Vermeer and Rembrandt. The star of the show is Vermeer’s iconic and enigmatic Girl with a Pearl Earring. Even if you’re not a huge art fan, the luxurious halls of the Mauritshuis are wonderful to explore for a couple hours.
I also enjoyed checking out the Binnenhof, which houses the Dutch parliament and the prime minister’s offices. The complex is under extensive rennovations and is currently closed to tours, but it’s still a cool building to see from the outside.
Other things you can do in the Hague are head to the beach in Scheveningen or check out the miniatures park Madurodam.
Delft Day Trip Itinerary
With convenient train connections, Delft is an excellent day trip from Amsterdam. Though it’s a lovely town to spend a few days in, I did most of my local sightseeing in a single day. Here’s how I would speed run the best of Delft as a one-day itinerary:
9:00am Arrive at Delft Station
9:30am Have breakfast (with excellent coffee) at Kek
10:30am Climb the tower of the Niuewe Kerk and tour inside
11:30am Explore the Markt and visit the Oude Kerk
1:00pm Eat lunch on a canal boat at Stads-Koffyhuis
2:00pm Take the canal boat or walk to Royal Delft Factory and take the tour
4:00pm Return to the city center, stop by RUIT Stroopwafels, and relax by a canal
5:00pm Leave via Delft Station
Optional: Head to the Beestenmarket for drinks and dinner before leaving Delft
Getting to Delft
Getting to Delft from Amsterdam is super convenient. There are regular intercity trains from Amsterdam that bring to directly to Delft in 1 hour. Tickets are €17.30 or €13.84 if you go during off-peak hours. You can buy tickets using a contactless credit card, but I recommend getting the NS trains app. It helps with trip planning and can show you cheaper fares.
If you’re coming from Belgium or other points south, you may have to change trains in Rotterdam. Again, the NS trains app is a good place to figure this out.
Once you’re in Delft the city is very walkable. There isn’t an obvious main road from the train station to the city center, but wandering the streets and canals is part of the charm. The Royal Delft Museum is slightly outside the historic center, but there are a few good options to reach it: canal boat, bus, or just walk the 22-ish minutes there.
Honestly, a bicycle would be a perfect option for getting around Delft. I didn’t end up using a bike, but in hindsight, I probably should have.
Tips for Visiting Delft
- Beware of fake Delftware – There are lots of shops selling cheap knockoff stoneware. But if you traveled all the way to Delft, make sure you get the real thing! You can find small pieces like Christmas ornaments that make a perfect souvenir.
- Bag storage – Many museums and historic sites throughout the Netherlands have free storage lockers for backpacks and small bags. In Delft, you’ll find these at the Nieuwe Kerk and the Royal Delft Museum. Just don’t bring your big luggage!
- Albert Heijn – These ubiquitous grocery stores are your friend for getting drinks, snacks, and any random items you may need. Look for the blue “ah” logo. In Delft there’s one on the Brabantse Turfmarkt, one to the north on Choorstraat, and a mini “To Go” location at the train station.
