One Day in Delft: Unmissable Things to Do & See

Delft might be small, but it has everything you want in a dreamy Dutch day trip—whether you’re coming from The Hague, Rotterdam, or even Amsterdam.

It’s super easy to reach by train, and while it’s best known for its gorgeous blue-and-white pottery, there’s way more to Delft than just picking up a pretty souvenir.

Think charming canals, historic spots, plenty of photo ops, and a slow-paced vibe that’s hard to beat. It also happens to be the birthplace of Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer and where William of Orange was assassinated. Both are buried in Delft’s famous churches—though not the same ones!

If you’re like me and love having a physical map when you’re exploring a new place, keep an eye out for the blue tourist info boxes around town. You can grab a free city map from them! I picked mine up just outside the Phoenix Parking Garage.

Here’s my guide to spending one perfect day in Delft, plus all the best things to do while you’re there.

What to Do in Delft in A Day

Walk Along The Oude Delft

You wouldn’t be in the Netherlands without a scenic canal to stroll along! And in my opinion, the most picturesque one in Delft is the Oude Delft. 

It’s lined with beautiful historic buildings and winds past several of the city’s key landmarks. One that really stands out? A tower that’s clearly not standing straight! That’s the Old Church, by the way—but more on that in a bit.

As you walk along the canal, keep an eye out for a striking building with an ornate stone facade, decorated with colorful coats of arms and classic wooden shutters. You can’t miss it—it’s the only one like it on this street. I first spotted it from across the canal and was so intrigued, I had to check it out.

This is the Het Huyterhuis (also known as the Gemeenlandshuis). Built in 1505, it was actually the first residential building in Delft to have a stone facade—a feature previously reserved only for churches. These days, it’s the headquarters of the Delfland Water Authority. While you can’t go inside (unless it’s Open Monuments Day, usually in September), it’s still well worth admiring from the outside.

See the Oude Kerk

The Oude Kerk—or the Old Church—is, well, just what it sounds like: the oldest church in Delft. It’s been around since 1246 and is not just famous for its age.

You’ve probably seen the Dancing Houses in Amsterdam—well, the Oude Kerk is even more crooked. That’s because like many historic buildings in the Netherlands, it was built on soft, marshy soil that wasn’t exactly stable. While the structure has since been reinforced, locals still refer to it as “Scheve Jan” (or Leaning John).

If you’re up for it, definitely take a look inside—I highly recommend it. It’s worth it not just for the gorgeous interior and stained glass windows, but also because it’s the final resting place of some pretty iconic figures. Johannes Vermeer (the Dutch Golden Age painter) is buried here, along with Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (the father of microbiology).

Tickets cost €8.50. Don’t lose yours! It gives you entry to both the Old and New Church.

Lunch at ‘t Postkantoor

If you didn’t go for that apple pie I mentioned earlier, now’s the perfect time to give in—or just enjoy a relaxing lunch.

My top pick? ‘t Postkantoor—a beautifully decorated café with colorful interiors and a casual, welcoming vibe. It’s a pretty big place, with plenty of seating both inside and out, so you don’t necessarily need to book a table in advance. We just showed up, and since the sun was out, we had to sit on the terrace. 

The menu is pretty diverse, too, with a mix of Dutch and European-style dishes. I had apple pie (who can resist, right?), and the future hubs had a club sandwich. Both were absolutely amazing! 

Admire the Stadhuis & Markt Square

Another must-see in Delft is the Stadhuis (Town Hall). It sits on the edge of the lively Markt Square, surrounded by shops and cafés.

The original building dates back to the 1200s. In 1618, a massive fire destroyed most of it. Only the tower survived. It once served as a prison, and Balthasar Gérard—the man who killed William of Orange—was held there.

Later, Hendrick de Keyser rebuilt the rest of the building. He’s the same architect who designed William of Orange’s mausoleum, which you can see at the next stop.

Visit the Nieuwe Kerk 

The town hall isn’t the only impressive sight in Delft’s Markt Square. 

Right across from it, you’ll see the Nieuwe Kerk (or New Church). It was built in 1351 and is actually the second tallest church tower in the Netherlands, after the Dom Tower in Utrecht.

But that’s not the only reason to visit.

This church also holds the tombs of the royal family, including the William of Orange, the founding father of the Netherlands. 

The crypts aren’t open to the public, but around 46 people are buried here. Inside, you can follow a self-guided route to learn more about the tombs and exhibits. You’ll find William and ten of his closest family members resting in the elaborate mausoleum near the front of the church. 

If the weather’s good, you can climb to the top of the tower for a gorgeous view over the city (€ 6.00 extra). 

Het Blauwe Hart & Delft is Gold Alley

Just next to the New Church is one of the city’s cutest outdoor art installations—a giant blue heart! It’s a fun little photo spot, although I didn’t exactly capture it from the best angle! Oops! 

Right across from the Blue Heart statue, on Oude Langendijk, you’ll see the back of the Maria van Jessekerk. If you look closely, you’ll spot a small plaque on the wall—Johannes Vermeer’s home once stood on this very corner. 

Another fun little find right next to the chapel is Delft is Goud—a narrow alley filled with golden cobblestones, each engraved with a name. It’s part of a public art project that celebrates people in the community. 

Shop for Delft Blue

There’s a lot of history in Delft, but one of its biggest tourist draws is its stunning blue-and-white pottery. 

You’ll find dozens of shops selling these iconic pieces, and honestly, you could spend hours hunting for the perfect souvenir. We popped into several, but I especially loved the pieces at Heinen Delfts Blauw, Blauwe Roos Antiek, and the Royal Delft Brandstore. 

If you’re curious about the history behind these famous ceramics or learn how they’re made, visit the Royal Delft Museum and Factory. It’s about a 20-minute walk from the Markt Square and the only remaining original Delftware factory here. If you’re feeling creative, you even join a workshop and paint your very own Delft-inspired tile.

How to Get There

Delft is just a quick train ride away: 11 minutes from The Hague (€3.10), 13 minutes from Rotterdam (€4.10), and about an hour from Amsterdam (€16.30). 

Trains run several times an hour and are super easy to use—just check the NS website for the latest schedules. You can also download the app to your phone—it’s one of my most-used travel apps! The station is a 10-minute walk to the main square.

We drove to Delft and parked at Phoenix Garage, though there are a few other garages around town too. Like most places in the Netherlands, parking isn’t always the easiest to find or cheap. If you plan to drive, you can check the current parking rates here.

Final Thoughts

Our day trip to Delft was lovely and slow-paced—just how we like it. But if you still have time, there are a few other attractions you might want to check out that we didn’t get to. 

There’s the Oostpoort, the only city gate still standing. The Prinsenhof Museum, where William of Orange was assassinated, is another highlight. (Although last I checked, both the website and Google Maps showed it as temporarily closed. If it’s open when you go, do let me know. I’d love to check it out next time!)

And if you didn’t make it to the famous windmills outside Amsterdam, Windmill De Roos is a great backup. It’s the only remaining mill in Delft and is still operating today.