Things to Do in Delft: Canals, Delfware and Historic Charm

Delft is one of those Dutch cities that feels like you’ve stepped into a postcard. Just ten minutes by train from The Hague and Rotterdam and under an hour from Amsterdam, it makes an easy day trip but has enough charm to keep you longer. The pace is slower than the bigger cities, the Markt is always alive with bikes, café tables and people crossing the square and the canals give it a storybook look.

We always spend a day here with friends and family when they come to visit. Delft is compact and easy to walk, but between the churches, pottery workshops, markets and quiet canals, you can easily fill a day without rushing.

Markt and Nieuwe Kerk

The Markt is the main square in Delft and it feels like the heart of the city. There is always something happening, from markets to weddings to people meeting under the church tower. It is the kind of square where you can sit down for a drink and end up staying for hours just watching the rhythm of the city.

At one end of the square is the Nieuwe Kerk (new church). Climb the tower if you want a view across Delft and out to Rotterdam or The Hague on a clear day. Inside the church you can see the tomb of William of Orange, which makes it one of the most important historic sites in the Netherlands.

    • Oude Kerk

    The Oude Kerk is smaller but feels older and more atmospheric. The leaning tower stands out the moment you see it and inside there are stained glass windows and monuments that make the history of the city feel close. Delft’s most famous painter, Johannes Vermeer, is buried here, and walking through the church gives you a sense of how much of Dutch history is tied into this small city.

    Royal Delft and Painting Your Own Tile

    Delft is known for its blue and white pottery. The last remaining factory from the 1600s is Royal Delft, and the museum there shows how everything is still made by hand. You can walk through the workshops and see the giant vases and tiled walls.But our favorite activity is painting our own tile.

    We have done this several time with guests, and it is always one of their highlights of the Netherlands. The tiles take about a week to be ready for pick up, but they ship to the US for a great price. The tiles Lisa and I have done are permanent fixtures on our table.

    • Canals and Side Streets

    Part of Delft’s charm is in the exploration. The canals here are smaller than Amsterdam’s, and the streets are lined with brick houses and bridges that look like they’ve haven’t changed in centuries. We’ve taken small tuk-tuk tours that wind through the narrow streets, but most of the time we just walk without a plan.

    The city center is compact, so you can cover a lot in a short time. There are plenty of cafés to stop for a drink and little shops selling antiques or cheese. On weekends it feels livelier, but even then it doesn’t lose that small-town atmosphere.

    Know Before You Go

    Getting There: Delft is easy to reach by train from Rotterdam, The Hague or Amsterdam. The train station is a short walk from the historic center.
    Best Time to Visit: Spring for tulips or fall for fewer crowds. Saturdays are lively with markets, while weekdays feel calmer.
    Getting Around: The city center is compact and walkable. You won’t need public transport once you arrive.
    Tickets: Book church tower climbs and Royal Delft workshops online in advance, especially in peak season.
    Local Tip: Stop at one of the smaller cafés tucked along the canals for a quieter break away from the Markt.

    If you are visiting the Netherlands, you might also like:

    Things to Do in Amsterdam – Canals, museums and historic neighborhoods
    Things to Do in Rotterdam – Modern architecture and food halls
    Things to Do in Haarlem – A smaller city with charm and easy beach access

    Delft gives you that classic postcard feel, but there’s a lot more to see around the Netherlands. We put it all together in one place. Read our full Netherlands Travel Guide here.