What to see in Delft?
Delft is a very old city and there are definitely lots of things to see. Of course, you can always do a canal cruise or just walk around the city and see the sights. There’s also the possibility of talking to the locals as most of them tend to have more information on the history of the city. Renting a bike and riding around the city is advised. The use of a bike makes it easier to get to all interesting spots because some streets are quite narrow.

Nieuwe Kerk (New Church)
Located on the Delft Market Square, the Nieuwe Kerk is a Protestant church which was built in 1496. A popular tourist attraction in Delft and known for being the royal burial chamber, although this section of the church isn’t accessible. Prince William the Silent was the first to be buried here, and ever since, the members of the House of Oranje-Nassau have been buried there. The latest to be buried in the church are Queen Juliana and her husband Prince Bernhard. One fun thing you can do is climb the 108,75 m tower to get an impressive view of Delft and surroundings. It’s the second highest church tower, after the Domtoren church of Utrecht.
Oude Kerk (Old Church)
Often called “Oude Jan” (Old John), the Oude Kerk is Delft’s oldest church and was built in 1246. Founded as St. Bartholomew’s Church in 1246, the Old Church is one of the Netherlands’ most beautiful churches with a magnificent interior to match. Known to be the final resting place of a lot of famous Dutchmen like Piet Hein, Maerten Tromp and Johannes Vermeer, the church is home to some old Protestant relics that’s definitely worth seeing. The most massive bell in the tower (cast in 1570) called Trinitasklok, weighs nearly nine tonnes. Due to its powerful and almost damaging vibrations, the bell is only rung during disasters or during the burial of a member of the royal family.

Royal Delft Experience (aka, Porceleyne Fles)
It is not possible to visit Delft and not paying a visit to the Royal Delft Experience. Of the 32 earthenware factories that were established in the 17th century after the VOC brought back the first porcelain wares from China, this is the only one remaining. It is definitely worth a visit because it has been around for more than 350 years. Imagine the history! It is possible to visit the factory or to participate in a workshop. The Royal Delft earthenware factory also features a museum & guided tours.
Watch the talented craftsmen at work and see how they do the painting of the earthenwares. Do you know that the Delft Blue (Delfts blauw) earthenware is actually painted in black? It only turns blue when fired!
Order your tickets and find out more about the Royal Delft Blue.
Note: Tickets come with an audio guide and cancellations are not possible!
De Prinsenhof
This is definitely one you’d want to visit. The Prinsenhof in Delft is a former monastery that served as a palace for William the Silent. Now an urban palace and houses a municipal museum which was established in 1911, it was in this same building that William the Silent was murdered in 1584. Nowadays the museum displays some Golden Age Dutch paintings.
City Hall
Designed by Henrik de Keyser after the first one was destroyed by a fire in 1618, Delft’s City Hall is a magnificent work of art and an excellent piece of architecture. Although the City Hall has changed over the years, it was finally restored to its former glory at the end of the 19th century. There are some old works of art in the town hall and a walk around reveals a lot about the way the Dutch used to live. Nowadays, it’s the ideal venue for civic weddings and tourists who love Dutch architecture and history.
Delft Historic Tobacco Museum
You can also visit the Delft Historic Museum and see tools and other wares used for packaging cigars, cigarettes, snuff, chewing tobacco and pipe tobacco. The museum is located in the old cigar shop of the firm ‘t Mannetje started by Rein and Nel ‘t Mannetje.
Vermeer Centrum (Vermeer Center)
The Vermeer Center is an information centre dedicated to the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer and his contemporaries. The centre works with local archaeologists and other heritage organisations to disseminate information about the city of Delft during the lifetime of Vermeer. The centre is home to an exquisite reproduction of all of his 37 works in chronological order. Also, witness his working methods and learn as much as you can about the man and his paintings.
Don’t forget to order your tickets with the blue button below!