Things to do in Delft, Netherlands: A One-Day Itinerary
- Sreedevi Menon
- Aug 12
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 20
Since moving to The Hague, my husband kept telling me I had to visit Delft. "It's twenty minutes away, you'll love it." I'd built up this mental picture of a small city with canals and flowers everywhere, cobbled streets, the kind of place you visit on a sunny afternoon.
When we did visit, it turned out to be everything I had imagined. It was small, it was pretty, and you could easily get lost there for a day.
There were canals lined with crooked bikes, church spires poking through the rooftops, and stores that were drawing me in with blue and white pottery in every window.
I know a lot of you must be just as drawn to small tucked-away places as I am, so here's my one-day itinerary for you to visit Delft. I have also written about how to arrive here, and what everything actually costs, at the very bottom.
The Itinerary: One Day in Delft
1) Morning: The Markt & Nieuwe Kerk
Start your day by making your way to the Markt, it is Delft's main square and one of the largest historic market squares in the Netherlands. European cities are characterised by their old town squares, and the Delft town square is a charming one.
Small boutiques line either side, while at opposite ends of the square, you’ll find two of Delft’s most impressive historic buildings.
On one end, stands the Stadhuis (the City Hall), a Renaissance building with red shutters and gold details. It is the seat of the city's government as well as a popular venue for civic wedding ceremonies. Fun fact: the famous painter Johannes Vermeer (Girl with a Pearl Earring) got engaged there.
On the other end: the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), which despite the name, is from 1496.
You can climb the tower of the Nieuwe Kerk. It's 376 steps to the top, and on a clear day you can see Rotterdam's skyline to the south and The Hague to the north. It is the second-highest church tower in the Netherlands. Go early as by midday the queue gets longer and the climbing feels hotter. Skip if you are not a fan of climbing stairs.
Practical info:
Opening hours: Mon–Sat, 10:00–17:00 (Feb–Oct), 11:00–16:00 (Nov–Jan)
Tower closes one hour before the church
Combination ticket (Entry to 2 churches + tower): €15; Tower only : €7.5; Churches only : €10. Latest Prices here.
Historic Markt square in Delft's old town centre, Netherlands Historic Markt square in Delft's old town centre, Netherlands
After the climb, grab a coffee at one of the terraces on the Markt. The square is buzzing on sunny days - students, tourists, locals with shopping bags. Affogato is a prize-winning espresso bar which also serves delicious gelatos and has an outdoor terrace with a direct view of both the Nieuwe Kerk and Stadhuis.
Late Morning: Canals & The Vermeer Quarter (11:30–13:00)
Walk off the Markt along the canals heading east. Delft is the famous artist - Vermeer's city. He was born here in 1632, worked here his entire life, and is buried here. You'll notice Vermeer references everywhere: plaques, reproductions, the Vermeer Centre.
The walking is the point here. Delft's canal streets are narrow, tree-lined, and very photogenic. Bikes leaning against white railings, brick facades with climbing vines, those green-and-white striped awnings over shop fronts. Bring a camera with you!
Stop into the small independent shops along the way. Groen & Zo at De Emauspoort is a plant and homeware shop that's worth a look - beautiful window displays and a "Just Like Home" vibe.
Pick up something in Delft Blue. Not from the tourist shops on the Markt - walk a few streets deeper for smaller studios and stores selling handmade pottery. I grabbed a piece wrapped in that classic blue-and-white tile paper and held it over the canal for a cute photo. Sometimes the wrapper is as good as what's inside.
Lunch (13:00–14:00)
Eat somewhere around the Beestenmarkt or the smaller squares just off the Markt. The Beestenmarkt is more local, less tourist-priced, and has outdoor seating when the sun cooperates.
A few guidelines:
Texels beer is widely available and worth ordering - it's a craft wheat beer from the island of Texel. You'll find it on most terraces.
For lunch, look for places serving uitsmijter (open-faced egg sandwich), bitterballen, or a proper broodje. Nothing fancy needed.
Budget roughly €15–20 for lunch with a drink on a terrace.
Afternoon: Oude Kerk & Eastern Canals (14:00–16:00)
Walk to the Oude Kerk (Old Church), Delft's oldest church dating from the 13th century. You'll recognise it by the tower that visibly leans - 1.96 metres off-centre.
This is where Johannes Vermeer is buried, along with other prominent Delft citizens.
Your combination ticket from the Nieuwe Kerk covers entry here too.
From the Oude Kerk, keep walking east along the canals toward the edge of the old town. This part of Delft feels quieter - fewer tourists, more locals, more charm. Watch for:
The beautiful Gemeenlandshuis on Oude Delft, an ornate late-Gothic building from 1505 with carved coats of arms on the facade and a canal out front where tulips bloom in spring
Doorways dated in the brickwork - "1903" tiles, arched windows, wrought-iron balconies
Swans. There are always swans in the canals and they will absolutely come up to you if you crouch at the water's edge
Late Afternoon: The Oostpoort (16:00–17:00)
End your day at the Oostpoort (Eastern Gate) - the only surviving medieval city gate out of eight that Delft originally had. It was built around 1400 and has twin spired towers connected by a drawbridge. The dates "1867" and "1903" on the bridge mark renovations, with "2022" being the most recent restoration.
The Oostpoort is best in late afternoon light. Walk out on the bridge, look back at the towers, then loop around to see the canal running underneath - there's a small arched bridge attached to the tower base where the water passes through.
This is one of the most photographed spots in Delft for good reason. But it's also weirdly peaceful. Just a 600-year-old gate sitting at the edge of town.
Walk back to the station via the canal - you'll pass the Oude Kerk's leaning tower reflected in the water, bikes parked on every bridge, and the kind of quiet side streets where someone's sitting on a bench writing or reading a book.
How to Get to Delft
From The Hague: 7 minutes by direct train from Den Haag Centraal. Trains run every 10 minutes. Cost: approximately €3.50 one way with an OV-chipkaart (or €2–5 if booking through the NS app). No reservation needed - just tap in and go.
From Amsterdam: 55 minutes by direct Intercity train from Amsterdam Centraal. Trains depart multiple times per hour. €17.30 one way (second class, full price). Return same day: €34.60. No reservation needed - just tap in and go.
From Rotterdam: 12 minutes by direct train from Rotterdam Centraal.
From Schiphol Airport: 30 minutes direct. If you have a long layover, this is genuinely doable.
Once you arrive at Delft station, the entire historic centre is a 5-minute walk away. You don't need a car, a bike, or a bus. Everything in this itinerary is within walking distance.
What It Actually Costs (Per Person)
Item | Cost |
Train from Amsterdam (return) | ~€34 |
Nieuwe Kerk + Oude Kerk + Tower | ~€11 |
Coffee on the Markt | ~€4 |
Lunch with a beer | ~€18 |
Delft Blue souvenir (optional) | €10–30 |
Total | €70–100 |
You could do Delft for under €50 if you skip the churches and bring your own lunch. You could also spend more at Royal Delft or a nicer restaurant. But €70 is a comfortable day.
Practical Tips
Best day to visit: Saturday mornings have a market on the Markt (organic produce, flowers, cheese). Thursdays have a general market. Weekday mornings are quietest for the tower climb.
How long do you need? One full day (6–8 hours) covers everything in this itinerary comfortably. Half a day works if you skip the tower climb or one of the churches. Two days lets you add Royal Delft, Museum Prinsenhof (check reopening status - renovation through 2027), and a canal boat tour.
Best time of year: April–May for tulips and spring light along the canals. September–October for quieter streets and golden afternoon light. Winter is charming but some outdoor terraces close.
Accessibility: The old town is flat and mostly paved, but cobblestones are common. Both churches are wheelchair accessible (floors may be uneven). The tower is 376 steps with no lift - only for people comfortable with heights and narrow stairs.
Photography tip: The canal view of the Oude Kerk leaning tower (looking south from the bridge on Voldersgracht) is one of the most classic Delft shots. Late afternoon sun lights up the tower and the canal reflections are sharpest on windless days.
Is Delft Worth a Day Trip?
Yes. Without hesitation. It's one of those places where the "just walking around" is the whole point. You don't need a guidebook telling you to enter seventeen museums. You need three hours of wandering canal streets, one tower climb for perspective, and a beer on the square when your feet get tired.
If you're based in South Holland, it's so close it almost feels like cheating to call it a day trip. Half an hour on the train and you're in a completely different world - slower, prettier, and older.
Go on a sunny day. And bring a camera.
FAQ
Is one day enough for Delft? Yes. The historic centre is compact enough to walk in 20 minutes end to end. One well-planned day covers the Markt, both churches, the tower climb, canal walking, and the Oostpoort without rushing.
What is Delft famous for? Delft Blue pottery (the distinctive blue-and-white ceramics), Johannes Vermeer (the painter lived and worked here his entire life), the Dutch Royal Family's burial site (Nieuwe Kerk), and its beautifully preserved canal-lined old town.
Is Delft suitable for families with children? Yes, though the tower climb requires children to be at least 6 years old. The canals, swans, and open squares are naturally engaging for kids, and the flat terrain makes pushchairs manageable.
Can I visit Delft from Amsterdam as a day trip? Absolutely. Direct trains from Amsterdam Centraal take 55 minutes. You can comfortably see everything in this itinerary and be back in Amsterdam for dinner.
Last updated: August 2026. Prices and opening hours are subject to change - always check the official Oude en Nieuwe Kerk website before visiting.
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