This article is part of “Discover the Netherlands” project. You can read all the articles from this project here: The Complete Guide to the Dutch Provinces.

Only one hour by train from Amsterdam, Delft is a great choice for a day-trip. Well known for its blue porcelain, which indeed can be found in numerous shops around the city, it has much more to offer to its visitors. It’s a charming, compact and cosy city, with beautiful architecture, old buildings and impressive churches, canals and shopping streets. Delft breathes history through all its pores — I almost felt like I went back in time during my visit (thanks to the small cobbled streets, the antique shops, the houses, and probably the autumn rain!)

An interesting fact: Delft is the birthplace of the famous painter Johannes Vermeer. You can follow his footsteps around the city, visit the Vermeer Center to learn about his life and work, and find his grave in the Oude Kerk (Old Church). Something else that stood out for me was how friendly the people are, eager to practice their English and tell you stories about the city. I didn’t have time to see everything in one day, of course, but I’m lucky to live so close and I will return to see the city again, maybe this time in spring.

What to see and do in Delft:

• Discover Delft on foot. Walk around as much as you can, admire the cobbled streets and the historical houses — there’s no need to take any public transportation from the railway station, the centre is easily reached on foot. Don’t miss the Old Canal (Oude Delft), a beautiful canal in the city, lined with old houses and offering a great view over the Oude Kerk. Walking in Delft is akin to stepping into a Vermeer painting, with every corner bathed in that distinctive Dutch Light (or Dutch Rain, depending on your luck). You’ll love it!

• The Vermeer Centrum: an information centre dedicated to Johannes Vermeer, the famous Dutch painter from the 17th century. This place isn’t your typical museum. Instead of original paintings, it has life-sized replicas of Vermeer’s works, and stations where you can learn how he made his colours and set up scenes. Ever been curious about how artists lived back in the day? Here, you can step into Vermeer’s shoes and see the world through his eyes. The highlight is the studio with its magical camera obscura from where you can look outside on the surrounding streets – it’s like stepping into one of Vermeer’s paintings!

• Museum Prinsenhof: This place is more than a museum — it’s a journey back in time! The building was once a monastery and the court of William of Orange. Its collections are rich with artefacts, from beautiful Delftware pottery to historical paintings. Be sure not to miss the bullet holes in the wall where William himself was assassinated – a chilling reminder of the turbulent past. But hey, it’s not all somber history. The building itself is a beauty, complete with delightful gardens that are perfect for a peaceful stroll. So whether you’re a seasoned history buff or just fancy a peek at some royal splendour, the Museum Prinsenhof is definitely worth a visit.

• The Lambert van Meerten Museum — an important collection of applied art, as well as period furniture, paintings, and an extensive display of Delftware.

• Oude Kerk and Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) — you must see these beautiful churches. Don’t miss the blue heart next to the Nieuwe Kerk, a very instagrammable spot in Delft.

• Visit Royal Delft . For all pottery enthusiasts out there, the Royal Delft is a must-see. It’s the last standing factory of the 32 earthenware factories that were original to the 17th century. Take a tour and watch as raw clay is transformed into beautiful Delft Blue creations. You’ll be amazed at the steady hands and precision required. And oh, don’t forget their showroom. You can even try painting your own piece of pottery!

• Hortus Botanicus Delft, the botanical garden run by University of Delft. This botanical garden is a green gem tucked away in Delft. With plants from all over the world, it’s like taking a mini global tour without leaving the city.

• Hunt for special shops or for antique ceramic shops (these were my favourites).

• The Stadhuis (City Hall) — a beautiful building rebuilt in the 17th century, on the site of the original 13th century city hall.

• The Oostport (the Eastern Gate), part of the old city defences, it’s the only one one that remains from the eight city gates of Delft.

• A canal boat trip: booking a canal boat trip in Delft is your ticket to experiencing the city’s historic charm and idyllic beauty from a completely unique perspective – it’s like stepping into a living, moving postcard.

• Have a beer at the Beestenmarkt — a beautiful square packed with restaurants.

This page includes affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra costs to you.

What to see around Delft

• The Hague — you can combine a visit to Delft with one to The Hague, but I would make sure to have a full day for each of these cities.

• Cycle around Delft, in the Abtswoudse Bos — an area covered in forests and swamps, water and cycling routes.

• Gouda. This pretty old town can be a great day-trip from Delft. Renowned for the cheese with the same name, Gouda is an important historical city and a very beautiful one to visit.

There are many things to do in this small city and around it. You will have to decide which ones are for you. Maybe you’ll stay over night, to have more time to visit. In any case, put Delft on your list, if it’s not there already!

Here are some photos to show you how beautiful Delft is on an autumn day:

Stay tuned for more and follow Amsterdamian on Instagram and Facebook for daily stories about life in the Netherlands. Please share this post if you liked it!
Don’t forget to check out my photo book: Amsterdam Through the Seasons!