Fun Tips for a Day Trip to Delft

Canals with little bridges, leaning church towers, Delft Blue, and a terrace on every square: Delft is a city where you can easily spend an entire day. The city is compact, so you can easily walk everywhere and don’t have to rush anywhere. Whether you’re going with a friend, your partner, or the whole family, we’ve put together a list of the best spots for a day in Delft, from your first cup of coffee to your last bite. Plan your day your way. You don’t have to do everything—just pick the tips that suit you best.

How to get to Delft

By train, get off at Delft Station and walk into the city center in just a few minutes. If you’re coming by car, the Phoenixgarage on Phoenixstraat is a convenient base for exploring the center. Even easier: come by bike—you can park it wherever you like.

Enjoy the morning in Delft

Start with coffee by the canal

For many people, a good day starts with a good cup of coffee. At Kek on Voldersgracht, you can enjoy your cappuccino by the water, with a view of the tower of the Nieuwe Kerk. They serve breakfast all day long, and the little shop has some fun little trinkets. Prefer a true classic? Then head to the Stads-Koffyhuis on the Oude Delft, the city’s oldest canal. Here, you can even take a seat on the terrace boat moored right outside the door.

On the Markt

The Markt is the beating heart of Delft. On one side stands the beautiful city hall, where couples get married year-round; on the other side is the Nieuwe Kerk, home to the tomb of William of Orange. With a single ticket for the Oude and Nieuwe Kerk, you can visit both churches. The Oude Kerk, known to Delft residents as “Scheve Jan,” is the final resting place of Johannes Vermeer, among others. Are you up for a climb? Then climb the tower of the Nieuwe Kerk. You’ll need to buy a separate ticket, but the view of the city is more than worth it. On Thursdays, there’s also a lively weekly market on the square.

Step into the world of Vermeer

From the Markt, it’s just a short walk to the Vermeer Center Delft on the Voldersgracht. While there are no original paintings on display here, you’ll find life-size reproductions of all his works. You’ll learn everything about his life, his artistic process, and the city that inspired him so deeply.

Or opt for a spooky city walk

In the mood for a city walk with a bit of a twist? With the DIY Horrorwalk from The Little Walk of Horrors, you’ll discover the dark side of Delft, entirely at your own pace. The route starts at the Markt and takes you past both familiar and surprising spots. You don’t even need your phone for it. Read about our experience with the dark city walk. Looking for more sights? You’ll find them in our blog post “11 Must-See Sights in Delft.”

Lunch

Time for a break! Restaurant ’t Postkantoor in the Hippolytusbuurt is located in Delft’s former post office. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, drinks, and dinner there, and in the summer, the spacious terrace with swings is a wonderful spot. At the Stads-Koffyhuis, you can order one of their award-winning sandwiches or a traditional Dutch pancake. Craving something sweet? A visit to Delft isn’t complete without a slice of apple pie from Kobus Kuch on the Beestenmarkt. They serve about 60,000 slices of it every year, so you’re definitely not the only fan.

Afternoon Activities

Delft from the Water

You can really appreciate Delft’s canals best from the water. At Rondvaart Delft on the Koornmarkt, you can hop on for a roughly 50-minute tour, with a skipper who’ll tell you all about Delft Blue, the Royal Family, and Vermeer along the way. The boating season runs from April 1 through October 31, and boats depart every hour.

All About Delft Blue

At the Royal Delft Museum on Rotterdamseweg, you can see how the world-famous pottery is still hand-painted. Even better: paint your own tile during a workshop. You’ll paint with black paint, which turns into the famous blue when fired in the kiln. Your tile will then be fired and mailed to you. Finish off with a high tea at Delfts Blauw in Brasserie1653 in the courtyard; reservations are required for groups of two or more.

Green and Creative

Want to escape the hustle and bustle for a bit? At the TU Delft Hortus Botanicus, you can stroll among unique plants and trees while enjoying a cup of coffee and a treat. The best part: the Hearts & Crafts studio is right next to the entrance. Here, you can take creative workshops such as Jesmonite casting, painting a vase, or making a bottle garden. Perfect for an afternoon with friends, your mom, or your sister. Need more inspiration? Read our blog post “5 Fun Creative Workshops in Delft.”

Drinks

At the end of the afternoon, settle down at the Beestenmarkt, Delft’s coziest square. In the summer, the outdoor patios line up side by side under the large trees. Order a Belgian beer at Belgisch Bier Café Belvédère, a cocktail at Plein 11, or a nice glass of wine at the brasserie and wine bar Monastère. Looking for a somewhat hidden spot? Then walk on to the charming Doelenplein on the edge of downtown. At HANNO, you can sit on a colorful terrace and sample dishes from all kinds of cuisines. You’ll find all our terrace recommendations in our blog post “The Best Terraces in Delft.”

Dining

For a truly culinary evening, reserve a table at Le Vieux Jean, at the foot of the Oude Kerk. This romantic restaurant has been serving classic French cuisine since 1974 and is listed in the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand. Prefer something a bit more casual? At Brasserie Monastère on Beestenmarkt, you can enjoy French classics with a good glass of wine, and at ’t Postkantoor, you can simply linger after your drinks. Can’t decide? In our blog “11 Cozy Dining Spots in Delft, ” you’ll find many more restaurant recommendations, from Italian to Asian.

With the kids or when it’s raining

Going with the whole family? At Stadsboerderij BuytenDelft, the kids can pet the animals, and from late April through October, they can splash around in the water playground next door. The Royal Delft Museum is also highly recommended for kids: during school breaks, there are special children’s workshops and a scavenger hunt through the museum.

Is the weather putting a damper on your plans? Then head to Bounce Valley Delft on Kleveringweg. Here, you can jump, climb, and slide through a giant inflatable park, and afterward, play 18 holes of neon mini-golf at GlowGolf Delft. It’s a blast for adults, too, and parking is free. You can find more tips for kids in “12 Fun Outings in Delft with the Kids.”

Have fun in Delft!

Whether you’re looking for culture, creativity, or just a day hopping from one outdoor café to the next, Delft never gets boring. And keep an eye out as you walk around: almost everywhere you look, you’ll see one of the two church towers rising above the rooftops.

Photo credits: OpstapmetLisa.nl