Delft is a small Dutch town best known to visitors for its Delftware (Delft blue pottery). However, beyond its beautiful blue-and-white glazed earthenware, the city is also rich in history. Delft is the city of Dutch Royal family, was practically the first capital of the Netherlands, and was the home of the renowned Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. Visit Delft – a must see destination when travelling in the Netherlands.
Delft is located between The Hague and Rotterdam and easily accessible by public transport. It makes a perfect day trip from any major city in the Netherlands.
Delft
If you’ve ever visited a souvenir shop in the Netherlands, you’ve likely noticed the blue-and-white pottery made in Holland. The famous Dutch pottery is called Delftware for a reason – since the 17th century, the majority of it has been produced in Delft. So, when we visited Delft, the first thing we wanted to see was how the Delftware is being made. In Delft, you can visit one of the factories to learn about the history and process of the delftware production.
Visiting a Delftware factory is just one of the many things you can do in Delft. As I mentioned, Delft is rich in history – you will find the charming old town, a museum dedicated to the artwork of Johannes Vermeer, a 15th-century church with the tomb of William of Orange, and many other things. So, hop on the train and visit Delft to explore the sights and experiences this small Dutch town has to offer.
Here’s what to see and do in Delft in a day.
VVE Oostpoort te Delft
VVE Oostpoort is the 15th century eastern gate to Delft. The only remaining city gate in Delft is built from brick, it’s just a 10 minute walk from the city center.
Canals extend in all directions from the Eastern Gate, making for a pleasant walk along any of them. When we visited Delft in summer, the canals were filled with blooming water lilies – really beautiful.
Visit Delft for its Delftware
Known by different names – Delftware, Delft earthenware, and Delft blue – this iconic Dutch blue-and-white glazed earthenware includes china, pottery, tiles, vases, and more. Inspired by Chinese porcelain, it has been produced in the Netherlands since the 17th century.
I fell in love with Delftware at first sight. Every time we visit a gallery or a souvenir shop I spend time admiring the various pieces of blue-and-white Delftware.
I still remember visiting Nymphenburg Palace in Munich where we saw a kitchen with walls covered in blue-and-white Dutch tiles. Delft earthenware has been popular for centuries, and in the 17-18th centuries, only wealthy people could afford it.
Thankfully, that has changed over time, and now you can buy a piece of Holland to take home in the form of Delftware from your travels in the Netherlands.
If you want to learn more about the history of Delftware and see how it’s made, visit one of the factories in Delft. There are few of them – Royal Delft, Delftse Pauw, De Candelaer and De Blauw Tulp.
We visited Royal Delft, one of the oldest and most famous Delftware factories and museums. I’m sure visiting any other Delftware factory or gallery would be just as great. At the Royal Delft Museum, we saw lots of beautiful old and modern pieces of Delftware, learned about the process of making Delft china, watched a master painting a vase, and wandered inside the actual factory.
Nieuwe Kerk and the tomb of William of Orange
Delft was not always a small Dutch town. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it was one of the largest and major cities in the country. William of Orange, leader of the Dutch resistance against Spanish occupation and later Prince of Orange in the newly independent Netherlands, resided in Delft. At the time, Delft was practically the capital of the Netherlands when the country gained independence in the 16th century.
William of Orange was assassinated in Delft, and his tomb is housed in the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church). Since then, the Nieuwe Kerk has become the traditional burial site for the princes of Orange and their family.
Nieuwe Kerk is located in Delft Market Square and is the second tallest church tower in the Netherlands (the tallest being Domtoren in Utrecht).
Oude Kerk
Where there is a New Church (Nieuwe Kerk), there must also be an Old Church (Oude Kerk).
Oude Kerk is the oldest church in Delft, dating back to the 13th century. Visitors can visit the church (for a fee) to admire its beautiful stained glass windows, historic organs, the burial site marked with a memorial stone for the famous Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, and the original 16th century pulpit with wooden carvings.
Market square and Stadhuis Delft
At the center of Delft lies the Market square, surrounded by historic buildings, souvenir shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Directly across from the Nieuwe Kerk in Market Square stands Delft’s City Hall – Stadhuis Delft – a beautiful Renaissance style building.
Behind the Stadhuis, you will find another historic building – De Waag (Weight House) – which dates back to the 16th century. In the past, it was a public building used for weighing various goods, but today, it houses a cafe.
Museum Prinsenhof Delft
Het Prinsenhof (‘The court of the prince’ in English) was the residence of Willian of Orange (the Prince of Orange), and the place where he was assassinated. Apparently, the bullet holes from the attack are still visible on the staircase where he was shot.
The Prinsenhof now houses a museum, where visitors can admire paintings by renowned Dutch artists, including Johannes Vermeer, learn about the history and development of the Netherlands, and discover collections of Dutch delftware, silver, and other masterpieces.
Vermeer Center Delft
The renowned Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer was born in Delft, where he lived and worked his entire life. You’d know him by such famous paintings as The Milkmaid (displayed in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam) and Girl with a Pearl Earring (displayed in the Mauritius Museum in The Hague).
Visit the Vermeer Center in Delft, located right next to Market square, to learn about the life and work of Johannes Vermeer.
Is Delft worth visiting?
It definitely is! Even if you only have a few hours, go for it! The center of Delft is very compact, allowing you to visit the main sights and points of interest within half a day or less. However, I would recommend giving yourself more time to explore such interesting and unique places like the Vermeer Center, the Royal Delft factory, or the Prinsenhof Museum.
Delft has so much to offer, and you won’t regret spending a few hours or a full day in this charming Dutch town.
Read next: Visit Gouda – a Charming Dutch Town.
Delft looks like a beautiful Dutch town and worth visiting. I have a small pair of China clogs that I bought in the Netherlands as a souvenir that are blue and white. Wonder if they were made in Delft?
I used to visit the Netherlands all the time, but never made it to Delft. Honestly, it looks more charming than Amsterdam. Maybe it’s me, because I enjoy small towns than big cities more!
Is Delft worth visiting ? Based on this for sure. Looks a really quaint town and plenty to do too. You’re a good ambassador for the Netherlands
We’re really enjoying your articles on The Netherlands and Delft is one of those small towns that tops our list. Absolutely love the city gate so I would want to see this first. It matches some of our European buildings we have for our train set. When we visit we’ll use your articles as a reference!
Thank you guys! Happy to hear that 🙂
Informative article, totally what I needed.