With pretty streets, historic churches and world-famous pottery, the city of Delft is a firm favourite among travellers to the Netherlands.
Indeed, if you are staying in Rotterdam or Amsterdam, Delft is a brilliant choice for a day trip by train. This is exactly what we did when we stayed in Rotterdam – Delft is just a 15-minute train from the central station.
From the moment we arrived, we were charmed by Delft’s laid-back atmosphere, postcard-worthy canals and array of traditional townhouses.
Whilst one day in Delft is enough to see most of the old town, we recommend spending at least two days to get to know the city properly. From historic factories to leaning spires, here are our recommendations for the best things to do during 48 hours in Delft.
1) Begin your day at the Markt square
Markt, Delft’s main square, is the historic heart of the city’s picturesque Old Town. The wide-open space has been used as a marketplace for hundreds of years, with sellers and buyers travelling from far and wide on market days.
Today, the square still retains a sense of timelessness. As you wander through Markt, dozens of cyclists and pedestrians crisscross the cobbles, going about their business as they have done for centuries.
If you’re lucky enough to be cycling around Delft, you can leave your bicycle at the bike racks next to the Stadhuis (Town Hall). There are hundreds of bikes parked here – a testimony to the Netherlands’ love of travelling on two wheels.
At the heart of the square is the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), which ranks at number two on our list. In front of the church stands the statue of Hugo de Groot, a celebrated Dutch lawyer and philosopher who was born in Delft.
If you need to refuel, either with food or caffeine, Markt boasts plenty of cafés and restaurants. We enjoyed delicious bagels and generous portions of coffee from Bagels and Beans, which is just a stone’s throw from the church.
Don’t miss: Thursday is market day – if you can time your 48 hours in Delft to overlap, it’s the best day to visit. From delicious cheeses to freshly baked bread, Markt becomes a hive of activity, with over 100 stalls popping up across the square.
Location: Markt square is at the centre of Delft.
Cost: Free to enter
2) Admire the New Church (and climb the tower if you’re brave!)
The Nieuwe Kerk – or New Church – dominates the skyline at Markt square. It took 100 years to build this striking church, with construction finally finishing in 1496.
At over 500 years old, the church can hardly qualify as “new”. However, New Church got its name because it was the second church in Delft after the Oude Kerk (Old Church)
From the outside, this impressive Gothic building is breathtaking. The tower is particularly impressive. Ornately carved, it instantly catches the eye and is a worthy centrepiece for the city.
As you look more closely at the spire, you can’t help but notice that it is a curious blend of light and black stone. Whilst this might, at first glance, look like fire damage, it is simply the result of acid rain damaging a portion of the spire built from sandstone.
For those who want to enjoy the best views of Delft, you can buy tickets to climb the tower. 376 steps lead to a small outdoor terrace, which offers a splendid vista of the Old Town and beyond.
Meanwhile, the church’s interior is suitably ornate, with tall stained glass windows and a magnificent monument to William of Orange among the highlights. The New Church is still an active place of worship, with services held on Sundays at 12:30pm.
Location: Delft’s New Church stands on Markt square in the city centre.
Cost: A combined adult ticket for the New Church and Old Church costs €8.00. A ticket to climb the tower of the New Church costs an extra €5.50. If you only have 48 hours in Delft, a climb up the tower is an unmissable thing to do.
3) Visit the Vermeer Centrum
Tucked away down a small side street next to the main square, the Vermeer Centrum is one of Delft’s top attractions. The Museum celebrates the life of Johannes Vermeer, a 17th-century Dutch artist who is widely regarded as one of the greatest painters of all time.
Inside the museum, you can find three floors dedicated to Vermeer’s work and his life in Delft. Many of the artist’s famous paintings are reproduced inside the museum, although there are currently no originals to admire.
Nonetheless, the exhibitions provide a fascinating insight into the techniques and inspiration behind Vermeer’s iconic works.
As the Vermeer Centrum is one of Delft’s most popular things to do, you should expect it to be busy. At weekends, tourists from the Netherlands and beyond form the bulk of the visitors. During the week, school groups often take trips to the museum to learn the story of this Dutch master.
Location: The Vermeer Centrum stands on Voldersgracht, just off the Markt square.
Cost: Adult tickets to the Vermeer Centrum cost €12. You can buy tickets online.
4) Stroll the pretty Oude Delft canal
Waterways run all over the city of Delft, slicing through neighbourhoods and creating ideal walking routes. Our favourite canal in Delft was Oude Delft – walking up and down the water’s edge was one of our favourite things to do during our 48 hours in Delft.
Known in English as the Old Canal, Oude Delft runs north to south through the historic city centre. Flanked on both sides by gorgeous townhouses built in the typical Dutch style, the canal offers a glimpse into the Netherlands that is peeled straight from a postcard.
Notable sights along the canal include the ornate facade of the Gemeenlandshuis, which dates back to 1505. Other highlights – such as the Old Church and the Van Meerten Museum – appear further down this list.
For those who want a bite to eat, the canalside Stads-Koffyhuis café serves excellent pancakes.
Finally, as you stroll along the Oude Delft canal, you cannot help but admire the parking skills of the locals. From small hatchbacks to large Land Rovers, all manner of vehicles line the edge of the canal. Wheels perch impossibly close to the drop – there’s some serious skill involved.
Location: The western flank of Delft’s Old Town.
Cost: Free to walk.
5) Learn the history of Delft Blue at the Royal Delft Museum
Delft isn’t just famous for its painters. Delft’s pottery is arguably the city’s most famous export. Instantly recognisable for its iconic blue and white style, the city has produced its much-celebrated Delft Blue for almost 400 years.
To see how Delft Blue is made today, and to learn the stories of its rise to fame over the centuries, head to the Royal Delft Museum.
Royal Delft has a history stretching back to 1653. Today, it is the last remaining original Delftware factory from that era to still produce Delft Blue in the traditional ways.
A visit to the Royal Delft Museum allows you to take a glimpse behind the scenes of the factory, and to discover the history of this world-famous brand. For anyone interested in art, the museum is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Delft.
Location: The Royal Delft Museum is just south of the city centre.
Cost: Adult tickets to the Royal Delft Museum cost €15. You can buy tickets online.
6) Walk to the historic Oostpoort gate – one of the oldest buildings in Delft
One of Delft’s most historic buildings stands tucked away on the eastern fringes of the Old Town. The Oostport is a well-preserved entrance gate to the old city, with a history stretching back to 1400
On the edge of the old town, cyclists and pedestrians alike pass underneath Oostpoort’s twin gothic towers in a regular flow. Occasionally, boats pass alongside the gate, causing a bike-heavy traffic jam as the nearby swing bridge moves to one side to make way.
Next to the Oostpoort gate, a small mound of grass offers a popular spot to sit and enjoy a sunny afternoon. When we visited, a scattering of people were making the most of the pleasant, late summer weather. It’s certainly worth a detour from the busy city centre, particularly if you’re looking for a free thing to do during your time in Delft.
Location: Oostpoort’s historic spires stand on the eastern corner of Delft’s Old Town.
Cost: Free to visit.
7) Take in a show at the charming microtheatre
Hidden down a small side street next to the Nieuwe Kerk, this unassuming microtheatre offers an intriguing alternative to the traditional things to do in Delft.
The theatre is home to de Flits, an amateur dramatics company that has put on products in Delft since 1939. The group usually puts on two shows each year in the theatre, which also hosts ad-hoc performances and workshops.
Note: It is almost certain that the shows will be in Dutch.
Location: The microtheatre is next to the Nieuwe Kerk on Kerkstraat.
Cost: Ticket prices for the shows vary depending on the production.
8) Visit Delft’s gravity-defining Old Church
The Nieuwe Kerk may be Delft’s most famous church, but it’s not the only one that’s worth a visit. As you enter the old town from the train station, you will cross over the Oude Delft canal.
As you’re making your way over the bridge, take a look to your left. At the end of the canal, framed on either side by classic Dutch townhouses, stands the leaning spire of Oude Kerk – Old Church.
Dating back to the 13th century, Oude Kerk is – as the name suggests – the oldest church in Delft. The tower, which was added to the church in 1325, stands on the site of a former canal. During the construction process, the tower of the Old Church began to subside due to weak foundations – the results of which can still be seen today.
Inside the church, sunlight streams through a series of stained glass windows which were installed in the 20th century. The original windows, which date back to the early 1400s, were sadly destroyed through a combination of fire and a devastating gunpowder explosion in 1654 known as the Delft Thunderclap.
For another view of the church, make your way to Bagijnhofbrug bridge.
Location: You can find Oude Kerk between the Oude Delft and Nieuwe Delft canals.
Cost: A combined adult ticket for the New Church and Old Church costs €8.00.
9) Discover the charming Van Meerten Museum
Lambert Van Meerten was a 19th-century industrialist and art collector. As his collection of priceless art and antiques grew, he needed somewhere to house it all.
Eventually, Van Meerten bought this canalside townhouse, which now stands as a museum to showcase his collection.
Unlike many museums in historic houses, visitors to the Van Meerten Museum are encouraged to interact with the furnishings. You can open draws, peek into wardrobes and take a seat on the old chairs.
The staff at the museum are on hand to explain the history of the house and its place in the story of Delft.
On a sunny day, the charming garden is a beautiful place to relax, hidden away from the busy main streets. If you’re looking for one of the best alternative things to do in Delft, we can highly recommend the Van Meerten Museum.
Location: The Van Meerten Museum stands at Oude Delft 199.
Cost: Tickets cost €9.00 for an adult. You can buy tickets for the Van Meerten Museum online.
10) Learn the history of William of Orange at the Prinsenhof Museum
Opposite the Old Church, the Prinsenhof Museum is one of the most popular things to do in Delft. Frequently ranked among Delft’s best visitor attractions, the Prinsenhof Museum draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
The museum shines a light on the life of William of Orange – also known as William the Silent. William is known as the ‘Father of the Nation’ and holds a special place in the history of the Netherlands.
Prisenhof is the site of William’s murder at the hands of Frenchman Balthasar Gerards. Inside the building, you can still see two bullet holes from the assassination.
As well as William’s story, the museum is also home to a range of high-quality exhibitions documenting the history of Delft.
Location: The Prisenhof Museum is at Sint Agathaplein.
Cost: An adult ticket to the Prinsenhof Museum costs €13.50. You can buy tickets online.
11) Enjoy the many cute cafés of Delft
Delft has a strong café culture. As you stroll the city’s cobbled streets, you will pass countless tempting coffee shops, each packed to the rafters with a blend of locals and visitors.
Many of these enticing cafés boast large windows looking directly over the canals. Every day, Delft’s students set up with their laptop or a book, taking in the view whilst reading or writing an essay.
During the summer months, floating terraces make for a popular feature of Delft’s cafés. We enjoyed a lovely stop at Stads-Koffyhuis, whilst other popular options include Koffie & Zo and Kek.
Location: Brilliant coffee shops can be found across Delft.
12) Buy a souvenir from a traditional pottery shop
Wrap up your 48 hours in Delft by bagging yourself a traditional souvenir from one of the city’s many craft shops. Catering for everything from budget travellers to multimillionaires, most of these stores are packed full of Delft pottery.
Note that not all of the pottery in these shops is authentic. A good rule of thumb is to check the price – if it’s cheap, it’s likely to be mass-produced outside of Delft. If in doubt, ask the shop’s owner.
We recommend: De Blauwe Tulp (The Blue Tulip) produces traditional Delftware, which it sells in its beautiful store next to the Nieuwe Kerk. The shop is staffed by the artists, who are friendly and happy to answer questions about the techniques and stories behind the items for sale.
The best things to do during 48 hours in Delft: our final thoughts
Delft was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of our time in the Netherlands. This charming city had been on Lucy’s radar for years, and it certainly lived up to expectations.
Our personal highlights were:
- The Blue Tulip pottery shop, where we were greeted so warmly.
- The Oostpoort city gate, for its quiet location and storied past.
- Simply strolling around the streets and enjoying the atmosphere. Delft seemed like a very livable city, full of charm and atmosphere – a lovely place for a short break.
Whilst 48 hours is long enough to get a good feel for Delft, particularly the Old Town, we hope to return for longer next time. Who knows what sort of pottery we might return home with…