Visit Delft — A Scenic City of the Dutch Golden Age
The rustic, mystical, and charmingly vintage Dutch city of Delft is one of Europe’s true scenic gems, with a rich history and culture that dates back to the Dutch Golden Age.
The picturesque city of Delft, located between Rotterdam and The Hague on the banks of the Schie River in the southern Netherlands, irresistibly resembles Amsterdam in both appearance and ambiance, earning it the nickname “Mini Amsterdam.”
With its striking, rustic architecture and narrow streets lined by canals and bridges, this town still jealously preserves the memory of long-gone times, even after ten centuries since its creation.
At its peak in the 17th century, during the Dutch Golden Age, Delft was the largest city in the country. Today, it boasts about 100,000 inhabitants and remains a treasure trove of significant historical buildings and cultural landmarks.
Whether you’re drawn to timeless art or eager to uncover new adventures, Delft invites you to explore its rich cultural tapestry and vibrant atmosphere. From museums and sacred buildings, to authentic architecture with a palette of styles from the Middle Ages and the Golden Age (which, in the Netherlands, refers to the 17th century), as well as picturesque squares and streets teeming with tourists — everything makes it a popular tourist destination all year round.
Here are some highlights that make Delft a must-visit destination for travelers seeking art, history, and a touch of adventure.
1. Discover 400 Years of Art at the Royal Delft Museum
The city of Delft is known for its beautiful Delft pottery and excellent artists, who, for almost four centuries, have nurtured the tradition of making blue and white artworks. Made of ceramics and porcelain, they are decorated with lovely motifs of nature, striking religious scenes, and images from everyday life, which makes them especially appealing to customers. It’s about an old, authentic dyeing technique whose recipe has not changed even to this day.
Art connoisseurs with a refined sense of beauty can also visit the Royal Museum showcasing various collections of the fascinating legacy of the Dutch Delftware arts of inestimable value. In surrounding souvenir shops, there is a large selection of works of art that tourists are happy to buy as gifts for their friends and relatives.
For those eager to get to know Delft pottery production techniques there is an old Delftware Factory open to all visitors from 1653 until today, inside the same building. Thus, Delft became synonymous with European porcelain, which once upon a time was a serious competitor to China.
The museum collection is full of works of art from different periods of production, and in one room, there are sculptures by contemporary artists who combine classical and modern techniques. The replica of Rembrandt’s Night Watch made with ceramic tiles is particularly engaging.
2. Explore the Museum Prinsenhof Delft
The Museum Prinsenhof Delft, located in a former 15th-century monastery, is a prominent cultural institution where the rich culture, tradition, and history of the Netherlands intertwine before your eyes. The museum’s premises adorn fascinating paintings from the 17th century, which belong to the period known as the Golden Age when Delft was a gathering place for many talented artists.
Many important representatives of the Dutch Golden Age of painting lived and worked in this town. The most significant figure of the so-called Delft school was Johannes Vermeer, who was born right here. Among others who also contributed to the city’s impressive artistic scene are Pieter de Hooch, Frans Hals, Jan van Goyen, Carel Fabritius, and Nicolaes Maes. They are known for their “genre” paintings that portray everyday scenes of working people and women with children in their daily activities.
In the museum, art lovers can enjoy beautiful tapestries, Delft pottery, stylish furniture, and gold and silver decorative objects, captivating with the spirit of aristocracy.
In the 16th century, the premises of today’s museum also served as the residence of Prince William I of Orange, with the nickname Silent (1533- 1584), who played a significant role in the formation of the Dutch Republic. One can see here scenes from his life as well as important events from Dutch history, such as pictures of the Dutch Uprising (1566/1568) against the Spanish Habsburgs. The Museum Prinsenhof Delft is also known as the place where William I of Orange was assassinated in 1584. Bullet holes from this incident are still visible on the main staircase.
The museum has permanent exhibitions of textiles, ceramics, and silverware from the city’s glorious period. A large part of the collection is dedicated to the origin and history of Delftware art.
3. Stroll through the Market Square
Market Square, Delft’s largest and most iconic plaza, represents the city’s vibrant hub, bustling with tourists, and capturing its essence. All roads lead to this square, so if you happen to get lost and cannot find your way around, you won’t go wrong if you go in its direction.
The entire life of the city unfolds on this square, rich in history and home to significant landmarks. The square is situated in the heart of the city's historic core, reaching its cultural peak in the 17th century. The ambiance itself and surrounding buildings have not changed much since then. Strolling through the square, you get the feeling that time has stopped.
The square is dominated by the New church from the 14th century and the Town Hall, built in the Renaissance style. Very close is the 13th-century Old Medieval Church, built in the Gothic coastal style that was the generally accepted architectural direction in Northern Europe. Next to the New Church, a statue dedicated to Hugo Grotius (1583–1645), an outstanding Dutch poet, playwright, humanist, and jurist, was erected.
The Market Square is the city’s main gathering place where you can buy everything you need. Thursday is market day, and then the whole environment comes alive. On at least 150 covered stalls, you can buy flowers, vegetables, delicious cheeses, handmade souvenirs, fresh bread, antiques, books, and jewelry.
If you get tired of shopping, stop by one of the nearby cafes and restaurants to refresh and rest, and gather strength for further surprises that await you.
4. Old Church (Oude Kerk) : An exciting encounter with the ancient past
The Old Church of Delft is the oldest in the town, a significant religious landmark you must visit if you want to know something about the history of Delft, which, in the historical and cultural sense, is a truly special town, a unique open-air museum in this part of Europe. So here are a few words about this church.
Once a wooden church from 1050, the Old Church is today a building located near Delft’s most famous city square, adorned with a 75-meter-high Gothic tower. A little crooked under the weight of the almost 7-ton bell set in 1570, it gives this church a particular charm.
Because of the vibrations, the bell rarely rings — only on special occasions. In the Old Church, there are also several mausoleums and graves of prominent figures. Here is also buried the famous painter Vermeer.
5. Climb New Church (Nieuwe Kerk)
The 14th-century New Church, built in the Gothic style with a tower 108 meters high, represents a must-see tourist attraction. It is an unforgettable experience to climb its high tower, one of the highest in the country. From there, there is a wonderful view of the city and its surroundings. Numerous stairs lead to the top, and if you don’t feel like climbing, there is also an elevator that will take you to the top in a second.
The church has stood proudly on the spacious central square for centuries, dominating the city and its surroundings. Its crypts contain the remains of 46 members of the Dutch royal family. The church also hosts the mausoleum of Prince William of Orange, the founder of the Netherlands. Inside the church, you can learn about the history of Delft and its connection with the royal family.
A special atmosphere is given by the bells echoing around the square from the bell tower that originates from the 17th century, and then the whole environment acquires a fairy-tale touch of the long past.
6. Admire the Renaissance Beauty of City Hall
On the west side of Market Square, opposite the New Church, there is the Main City Hall, a gorgeous Renaissance building with a striking structure. A municipality building from the 13th century used to stand on this site and was renovated in the 17th century into the building it is today.
A municipality building from the 13th century once stood on this site and was renovated in the 17th century into the structure we see today.
Apart from the impressive exterior, with its stone tower (Het Steen), pilasters, and sculptures, this building contains numerous beautifully furnished rooms decorated with paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries. The old medieval prison inside the building also attracts attention. The murderer of William I of Orange was imprisoned in it.
The municipal building can only be visited with a prior reservation and with a tour guide.
7. Follow in Vermeer’s footsteps at the Vermeer Center in Delft
All art lovers and all those who want to get acquainted with the work of Delft’s most famous painter Johannes Vermeer (1632- 1675), a prominent member of the Dutch Golden Age painting school (1588 to 1672), have the opportunity to do so at the Vermeer Center. The Golden Age is the period of prosperity of the Dutch Republic, when this country experienced an enormous rise in all fields, starting with science, trade, art, and the army, and became one of the most respected in Europe.
At that time, a wave of progress could also be noticed in the field of art, which did not bypass painting. The Golden Age produced many Dutch painters whose work was worthy of respect, but Johannes Vermeer stood out with his obvious talent and sense of beauty.
In the Vermeer Center, you will introduce his fruitful work and life. His high-quality paintings are on display in full size, and here you can take a peek into the artist’s studio where works such as “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” “View of Delft,” or “The Milkmaid” were created.
The space of the Werner Center offers visitors the opportunity to go back to the 17th century displaying the luxury and wealth of the Golden Age of the Netherlands and the beauty of Delft through the most diverse colors and lights, the just exact way the famous painter saw it.
The center is located in the building of the former St. Lucas Guild, the place where Vermeer worked as a painting teacher and dean.
8. Eastern gate-The most photographed Delft attraction
High walls encircling cities are a typical architectural expression valid for all European cities in the Middle Ages, so the city of Delft is no exception in this sense. The original walls that protected the city from the attacks of numerous enemies were built in the 15th century, and one could enter through eight gates. Today, only one -the Eastern Gate- remains as a remembrance of that epoch.
Regardless of the centuries that have passed, the stunning still well-preserved East Gate, with its mysterious ambiance, reminiscent of a medieval castle from a fairy tale, is the place most photographed by tourists.
9. Explore the Rose windmill inside
The Netherlands is a country known for its windmills. The City of Delft had 18 windmills once, and now there is only one, called Rose Windmill (Delft Windmill de Roos), built in 1679 on the site of the old mill from the 14th century.
It is an attractive multi-story building overlooking the city and its most important cultural and historical landmarks. Inside the windmill, there is a museum where the guide can give you all the necessary information about the history of windmills, both in Delft and those existing in other parts of the country.
On Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, you can have a look at the mill’s inside and get acquainted with the tools for grinding different types of cereals, and the very method of flour production.
Here you can buy organic flour and many other products that Delft is known for, such as honey and elderberry syrup.
10. Experience Delft by foot, bike, or boat
Walking through the streets of Delft is a memorable experience. Old buildings of unique northern European architecture with colorful details, the streets separated by canals and connected by numerous bridges, old shops, street stalls, greenery, and flowers are scenes that make Delft a unique place. In all this, you will be surprised by some small, hidden square, and the whole experience becomes an exciting adventure.
Those who don’t like walking can always rent a bicycle, the favorite means of transport of each Dutch, and ride around the city. Delft is located on the River Schie with canals that run through the entire city, so you can enjoy a romantic atmosphere overlooking the river.
Numerous canals provide the opportunity to tour the city by boat, where Delft can be seen from the water and from a slightly different perspective. Traditional food and drinks are offered on some boats with prior reservation, and food lovers can indulge in an enchanting nature and gastronomic delights to remember!
