Markt
First-timersThe main square between the two great churches.
Delft city guide
Things To Do In Delft
Blue-and-white pottery, a canal-ringed centre, a leaning church tower and Vermeer's town, ten minutes from The Hague and fifteen from Rotterdam.
1584
William of Orange assassinated here
1653
Royal Delft founded
10 min
To The Hague
Vermeer's town
Delft is a small, beautiful canal city between The Hague and Rotterdam. It is the town where William of Orange, the father of the nation, was assassinated in 1584, and the Dutch royal family is still buried in its Nieuwe Kerk.
It is also the town of Johannes Vermeer, who painted it in his View of Delft, and of Delftware, the blue-and-white pottery made here since the seventeenth century.
The technical university keeps it lively. It is small enough to see in a day from Rotterdam or The Hague, but lovely to stay in.
Where to stay
The centre is tiny and ringed by canals. Stay anywhere inside it.
Oude Delft
AtmosphereThe oldest canal, lined with old houses.
Beestenmarkt
NightlifeA square of bars and terraces.
Map © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Delft
Start on the Markt, between the Nieuwe Kerk and the town hall. The Nieuwe Kerk holds the tomb of William of Orange and the royal crypt, and its tower has one of the best views in the country.
The Oude Kerk, with its leaning tower, is where Vermeer is buried. The Prinsenhof, the former convent where William of Orange was shot, is now a museum; the bullet holes are still in the wall.
The Vermeer Centrum tells the story of the painter and his town. Royal Delft, the last surviving earthenware factory from the seventeenth century, has a museum and shows how Delftware is still painted by hand.
Walk the canals, especially the Oude Delft, the oldest.
Free things
Free things to do in Delft
The canals, the Markt and the old streets are free, and they are the main attraction.
The Thursday market on the Markt is free to browse.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Delft
Delft has cafés and restaurants around the Markt and along the canals. The Thursday market sells herring, cheese and stroopwafels.
The student population keeps some prices low. A meal is €14 to €22.
Nightlife
Going out in Delft
Delft is a student town, and the bars around the Markt and the Beestenmarkt are busy in the evening, especially on terraces in summer.
For bigger nights, Rotterdam and The Hague are close.
A beer is €3.50 to €5.
Getting around
Getting around Delft
Delft is small and walkable.
Trains reach The Hague in about ten minutes, Rotterdam in about fifteen and Amsterdam in about an hour. Trams run to The Hague.
Tap a contactless bank card in and out.
Costs
What Delft costs
Delft is cheaper than Amsterdam, and good value as a base between The Hague and Rotterdam. A careful day is €50 to €65.
Many places are card only, and some do not take credit cards.
Safety
Staying safe in Delft
Delft is very safe.
The canals have no railings; take care at night.
Cycle lanes are for bikes, and bikes have priority. Do not walk in them, and look both ways before stepping off the pavement.
Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Delft
The Hague, Rotterdam and Leiden are all close.
The Hague
The Mauritshuis and Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring.
Rotterdam
The modern city.
Leiden
The oldest university city, with canals.
Kinderdijk
The UNESCO windmills.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The market on Thursdays is the weekly event.
2–3 October
Imagine: This Weekend Is All About the Organ
Imagine is a music festival centered on the organ, taking place in the Oude and Nieuwe Kerk. During the day, you can freely explore…
15 Oct – 18 Mar
Derek Ogilvie
Derek Ogilvie is a Scottish medium and television personality known for his live psychic demonstrations. He’s built a following with his emotional readings and…
When to go
April to September is best.
Jan
Cold, dark, cheapest beds of the year
Feb
Quiet
Mar
Tulip season opens at the end of the month
Apr
Tulips and Kingsday on the 27th
May
The best month
Jun
Long evenings, terraces full
Jul
Peak season
Aug
Still peak
Sep
Excellent and quieter
Oct
Cool, wet. Museum weather
Nov
Grey and cheap
Dec
Sinterklaas and Christmas markets
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Transport assumes walking and local trains.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Delft travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Delft worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the prettiest towns in the country, with Vermeer, Delftware and the royal tombs.
Can I visit Delft as a day trip?
Yes, easily from Rotterdam or The Hague.
Where is Vermeer buried?
In the Oude Kerk.
Can I see Delftware being made?
Yes, at Royal Delft, where it is still painted by hand.
How many days do you need?
A day, or two to stay.
How far is Amsterdam?
About an hour by train.
When is the best time to visit?
April to September.
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