There are cities that faithfully represent the essence of a country, and Delft is one of them. Known for its famous blue pottery, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of this country and its culture in its streets. There are many things to do in Delft in Holland. Impressive churches that have stood the test of time, museums of stately design and the memories in the form of art left by the renowned Dutch painter Vermeer. Read on, and we’ll tell you all about what to see.
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Things to see and to do in Delft
The Old Church or Oude Kerk
Delft is home to monuments with many years of history and one of the oldest is the Old Church (or as the locals call it, Oude Kerk)
This is not the original building, however, as it has undergone several alterations and reconstructions, due to historical events that have left it in a state of disrepair.
It is of special singularity in its inclination. Due to its proximity to the river, the ground is unstable and this has made the tower of the church to be slightly inclined. This has made it an even more famous monument, and it receives many visitors as a result.
In addition, inside are the remains of important figures in the country’s history, such as the great painter Johannes Vermeer.
The Grote Markt: a square to see in Delft in the Netherlands
One of the places that most represents the essence of Holland and the city of Delft is the Grote Markt, Delft’s market square.
This is because it is one of the largest market squares in Europe, with beautiful buildings in the purest Dutch style. The square is also the site of monuments such as the New Church and the Stadhuis, Delft’s town hall.
Historically, this square was the site of all executions that took place in the city, and important figures in history have been executed here.
As the nerve centre of the city and for its lively marketplace, the Grote Markt is one of the things you must see in Delft in the Netherlands.
The New Church or Neuwe Kerk
Without straying too far from the market square, you’ll catch a glimpse of the New Church (or Neuwe Kerk, as the Dutch call it). A monument from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of everything you can see in Delft in Holland.
It was built in 1381, according to plans by Van Der Bosch, and its impressive bell tower is one of the tallest in Holland.
Its Gothic style is a real delight. Inside you can find the remains of important members of the Dutch royal family. The tower is open from 9am to 6pm, and you can enter for just €4.5. There is also a combined ticket to see both the Oude Kerk and Neuwe Kerk for a slightly higher price.
The Mill at Roos
Mills are part of the Dutch townscape, and Delft is no exception.
To this day this is the last mill to be seen in Delft in the Netherlands, as the rest have disappeared over time as other methods of grinding corn and other materials have appeared.
It was built in 1679 and, as we pointed out, its function was to grind corn and produce different products. It has been refurbished for public visits. So, you can come and see this beautiful building and recognize an iconic element of Delft and Dutch culture.
Stadhuis, the city hall of Delft
Another monument you can visit on the Grote Markt square is the Stadhuis, the town hall of the city of Delft.
This is one of the symbols of the city and, like other Delft landmarks, it has been remodelled several times. Today, its detailed Renaissance style and Gothic tower are unmistakable, making it a must-see building on your tour of Delft.
The tower was once a prison and now houses the Delft Torture Museum. It is a place that gathers very interesting historical information.
Oostport, the Gateway to the East
‘The East Gate’ is one of the most interesting and impressive architectural remains to see in Delft in the Netherlands.
There were other gates in the past, but the Oostport was the only one to survive the fire that ravaged the city centuries ago, in which some of Delft’s other significant monuments were burnt down.
That is why it is all the more interesting to visit this gate and witness the good condition of its two towers, which served as a watchtower over the city.
Walking along the canals of Delft and witnessing this building is a great way to discover the city and all that lies outside the historic centre.
The Prinsenhof
Also known as the “prince’s court”, this museum was once the place of residence of William of Orange and was originally a convent that was redesigned.
In the present-day museum within its walls, the various exploits of the famous William are commemorated and how, among other things, he stood up to Spanish troops. It is interesting to note that the nobleman died in the museum complex. So, there is a space dedicated to that moment.
It is open every day from 11am to 4pm and the entrance fee for adults is €12.
The blue ceramic factory in Delft
Delft has a particular craft: blue pottery. Centuries ago, the city earned its recognition through this pottery, which was very popular among the wealthy.
The city used to be full of factories producing this pottery, but today only one remains, which was founded centuries ago and can still be visited.
If you visit the factory, you can see the detailed process of making blue pottery. It’s fascinating and one of the must-see things to do in Delft, Holland.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see in Delft and its surroundings
Utrecht
Like Amsterdam, but in miniature and with a slower pace of tourists, Utrecht is one of those cities you have to see in Holland.
Vital to the Romans, Utrecht has a lot of history behind it. It boasts such iconic buildings as St. Martin’s Cathedral and the Dom Tower, a building that towers above all others as the tallest church tower in the Netherlands.
It will take you about an hour to get to Utrecht from the train from Delft station.
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands
Amsterdam is one of the most visited cities in the world, something it has rightly earned. That’s why, if you’re visiting Delft, we recommend you spend a day in Amsterdam, as you won’t regret it.
It’s full of art, criss-crossed by its many canals with houseboats and beautiful monuments, making Amsterdam a city you have to visit at least once in your life. It’s also famous for its coffee shops and all the art that adorns the city walls.
Getting there from Delft will take you about 1 hour and is as easy as taking a train from the city’s central station.
What to see in Delft in 1 day
Of all that Delft has to offer, in this short list of things to see in 1 day, we have selected what we consider to be the must-see items.
If you have more time to visit the city, you can always add to the list or swap some of the places on the list for others.
- Grote Markt
- New Church
- Stadhuis, Delft’s town hall
- Old Church
- Oostport
Places to eat in Delft Netherlands
Below, we have prepared some of the many options you have for sampling the local gastronomic offerings:
- Thuis by Ladera: A restaurant with a homely atmosphere where you can enjoy Dutch cuisine at its best. The price ranges from €10 to €20, making it very affordable.
- Vaderloos Eten & Drinken: Combining elements of Italian and French cuisine, this restaurant is one of Delft’s best haute cuisine offerings. The price per person is around €30
- Kobus Buch: The cakes, the coffee and the whole ambience of the place are a delight. It’s a great place to have a snack after a walk around the city
Where do I stay in Delft?
As such a major city, Delft has many, many accommodation options and here is a list of some of the options:
- The Student Hotel Delft: A charming hotel, with modern style and comprehensive facilities. The price is around €70 per night in May.
- Hotel Bridges House, Delft: A hotel with history, as it was the former residence of the painter Jan Steen. Its style is unique, with nautical elements, and the price is around €100 per night. Its location is excellent.
- Casa Julia: A hotel with minimalist decoration and complete facilities, located in the centre. The price is around €80 per night.
How to get to Delft, the Netherlands
As it does not have its own airport, it is easiest and most advisable to take a flight to Amsterdam.
There are flights for around €130 from major cities in Spain to the city of Amsterdam, and from there you have several options to get to Delft.
From Amsterdam Airport, there are trains that will take you to the city of Delft in the Netherlands. This journey will take you about 45 minutes.
You can also take the train from Amsterdam city centre if you are in Amsterdam. This will take you about 1 hour.
Tips on a trip to Delft Netherlands
- The currency in Delft is the euro.
- If you are travelling from a country with another currency, we recommend that you exchange currency in advance.
- We recommend that you travel in spring, because of the temperatures and the vegetation that grows at that time: it’s really beautiful.
- The city is safe, but as with any tourist destination, it’s best to be careful with your belongings.
- Be prepared for medical emergencies: travel with insurance.
How to organize what to see on a trip to Delft, the Netherlands
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travellers what to see in Delft, Netherlands.
If you have questions on how to do this, you can check out our post: How to create a travel itinerary on Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Delft
Our recommendation is to fly to Amsterdam and take a train or bus from there to Delft.
We recommend that you visit Delft in the spring months, between April and June. Summer is also a good time to enjoy the beaches close to the city.
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