The 12 things to do in Delft

Living along the water for a weekend, do you think? To visit Delft at best, here is a guide of the 12 must-see in Delft!

It floats like a sensation of dolce vita with our Dutch friends. Visiting Delft is probably the proof! Life along its channels seems to flow peacefully, immutable despite the passing time. Its houses with ocher bricks invite to contemplation while its shaded avenues and squares are places of choice for the stroll.

The first city of the Netherlands in the 16th and 17th centuries, Delft still bears the traces of this glorious past and remains forever the birthplace of the painter of light Johannes Vermeer. Visiting Delft is necessarily having in mind those fragments of life suspended, immortalized in the rays of the sun by the artist’s brushes. But it is also discovering a student city with real dynamism and its time! And for nothing to miss what the city has to offer, here are the 12 things to visit Delft.

1. Bike ride

You are in the Netherlands, there are channels, unthinkable not to put a bike in its conditions, especially since it is the best way to visit Delft.

• You can start your walk by markt. Indeed, every Thursday is a market that dates from the Middle Ages.
• Then continue along the canals, especially the Oude Delft. It is the oldest in the city.
• Don't miss, either. Trompetstraat which is Delft's cutest alley with its colorful houses.
• And finally, go pedal on the side the Oostport, the last door that remains of the 15th century old enclosure. So, in summary, a superb picture with the mobile bridge in the foreground.

2. Circuit Vermeer

The city is still globally known to be the place of birth and life of the famous painter Johannes Vermeer . Unfortunately, there are no more paintings of the master to see in Delft.

• There is. Vermeer Centrum Delft which offers real-sized reproductions of his works as well as a presentation of his life, but the best thing is to walk on his steps.
• The center has set up the « Vermeer’s cube walk », a circuit that makes you discover the iconic places related to the painter, from his native house to that where he lived through the streets where he painted.

3. Nieuwe Kerk

It is one of the emblematic monuments to visit Delft! The "new church" is located on the central square of the city, the market square. In Gothic style, it is known to house the caves of the Princes of Orange including the surprising mausoleum, all of black stone, of Guillaume d’Orange Nassau.

Moreover, the other attraction of the church is its tower which offers a superb panoramic view of the city. In contrast, it is necessary to climb not far from 400 steps.

4. Oude Kerk

There is not one but two churches to visit in Delft. After the ‘new’, therefore place at the ‘old church’, and no, you don’t have the cradle, it sacredly leans this tower! Built in the thirteenth century on the foundations of an old building, the church has always leaned because of the excessively furnished ground on which it is built, the architects decided to do with it.

Apart from this architectural curiosity, the building houses the tomb of Vermeer, among other famous characters, and very beautiful stained glass.

5. Royal Delft Experience

It is impossible to visit Delft without hearing about his famous faience, born of a desire to copy China’s porcelain. And to learn more about this, visit the Royal Delft Experience. It allows to see the last original manufacture of the 17th century. It is the last to make this porcelain with the color so characteristic.

In addition to discovering its history, you can see a master-paint at work because all motifs are made by hand. And, of course, to finish, you can find some memories to bring back. In case of small hollow, the 1653 brewery coffee stretches your arms, you will not regret the view on the inner courtyard.

6. Prinsenhof Museum

Visiting Delft is also, a bit, back time. The beautiful building, located on the pretty square Agathaplein, was originally a convent reserved for women until the 16th century. Then Guillaume d’Orange, at the origin of the independence and creation of the Dutch Republic, redesigned a part to make it his residence.

Otherwise, the Prinsenhof gathers collections that tell the history of the independence of the Netherlands, Delft’s faience and the golden age of the country in the seventeenth century.

7. Voor de kunst

To be small, it is small, from the size of a telephone cabin. On the Oude Delft , the oldest canal in the city, look for the famous cab Voor de kunst opposite the Café du Centre.

Every month, an artist is invited to exhibit his works. Obviously, given the small size, there is not a great diversity so it may not please everyone but, who knows?

8. Beestenmarkt

Delft is renowned for its technology university which is the largest public faculty in the Netherlands. Who says university, says student·e paid and says students said lively city. And the place to visit Delft and go out in the evening is Beestenmarkt.

This is the ancient city’s bestial market, a ceramic bull reminds him, but the place is charming, some even find him a Provencal air with his platanes. There are many cafes and breweries bordering it and attracting delftoise youth. In winter, the terraces are even replaced by a large open-air ice rink.

9. Tasting of Hollandse haring

It is now time to sacrifice to a local tradition! It is necessary to know how to open up to foreign cultures so direction the Camaretten square and the fish shop De Visbanken, an institution known to locals and tourists.

When you arrive there, get back your sleeves and it’s gone for a tasting of hollandse haring . Are you wondering what it is? Come on, look for a little! We're just giving you a hint, we'll have to rinse your hands after it and certainly make a toothpaste, too.

10. Botanical gardens

The technological university is considered one of the best in the world, it is regularly ranked in the top 20. One of the reasons for this success is the quality of the equipment available to students for their experiences.

Among these are the botanical gardens that you can visit in Delft, although they are used for student research. The greenhouses house tropical and subtropical plants and there are even routes for children.

11. City hotel

Let's end with Delft's most emblematic building, but it's not happening, unfortunately.

It was the architect Hendrick de Keyser who made it in the pure Renaissance style. It takes time to stop to admire all the details of its façade. At the back you can see the ancient Gothic Tower of the 13th century which served as a prison but you have to make an appointment if you want to visit it. Also take the time to observe the houses around the square, including number 11. It was the old weighing place where the goods passed before becoming the house of the guilds. In addition, the facade stones still testify to this last activity.

12. Other must-see places

Visiting Delft is not just about historical monuments, far from there.

• Amateurs of street art will not be disappointed. Go for a tour at Irene Tunnel, a free area where graffiti can express themselves as much as they want, works often change. There is also selfie wall at Sup-R restaurant or the giant sculpture in table lamp on Doelenplein.
• Just like it is Amsterdam, you can also visit Delft over the water with boat rides on the canals. Careful, clutches in perspective, some bridges are so low that you have to lie down in the boat to pass below.

How to get to Delft?

By train

The Netherlands is served by the Thalys you take Gare du Nord to Paris . We have to get down to Rotterdam Central and take a train to go to Delft which is located in Rotterdam Central 15min about a ride.

By car

You can rally Holland by the A1, you cross the Belgium following the direction of Rotterdam before taking the A20 then the A13 which has a special release for Delft.

However, be careful, parking prices are high in the city. Otherwise, you also have the bus option that takes you to Rotterdam.

By plane

To visit Delft, the nearest and best-served airport from Paris is Schiphol Amsterdam. From the airport, you can take an intercity train that will lead you to Delft. To choose the most suitable flight according to your needs, we recommend using a typical flight comparison Ulysses .

Where to stay in Delft?

The city is both a tourist destination and a student center. As a result, you can find all types of accommodation to visit Delft, from hotel to hotel AirBnB passing through the guest room or the inhabitant.

That said, it is the number that is limited and in times of high attendance, it is sometimes better loger on Rotterdam which is only 15 minutes by train. To find the best solution depending on your desires, go on a Compare hotels which will present all available options.

Good stay in Delft!