With its peaceful canals, gabled townhouses and historic churches, Delft is one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands. It’s also just an hour from Amsterdam, meaning you can easily jump on the train to spend one day in Delft.
It could be the story of Vermeer, the history of Delft Blue Ceramics, or just the charm of the quiet streets that draw you to Delft, but you’re all but guaranteed to have a great day here regardless of your interests! With museums, canal cruises, cosy cafés and plenty of history and beauty, here’s exactly how to take a day trip to Delft from Amsterdam.
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Is Delft worth visiting?
The short answer is yes, Delft is definitely worth visiting. It’s one of the best and easiest day trips from Amsterdam and will allow you to explore more of the Netherlands on your trip. Delft is steeped in history, iconically known for its Delft Blue pottery, and as the birthplace of Johannes Vermeer.
And although Delft and Amsterdam both have canals and typical Dutch architecture, they’re worlds apart – Delft has a quiet, small-town charm, with a much more laid-back feel. You won’t find the same crowds here, but you will find pretty cobbled streets and cheery cafés lining the canals.
Is one day in Delft enough?
Delft is a small city, so one day here is more than enough to see all the main sights. In one day in Delft, you can learn about Delft pottery, wander around the canals (and even take a canal cruise), see the Old Town, and visit the most important churches and buildings in the city.
Pressed for time? Check out these multi-city Netherlands day trips that include Delft.
How to get to Delft from Amsterdam
To start your day trip from Amsterdam to Delft, you’ll need to get there! Luckily, the two cities are easily connected by train. Hop on an intercity train at Amsterdam Centraal and you’ll find yourself in Delft in just over an hour. Trains between Amsterdam and Delft run roughly every 30 minutes and cost less than €20 each way.
The best things to do in Delft in one day
Even though Delft is a small city, there are still plenty of attractions to fill your day. Here are the best things to do in Delft in one day.
Delft Stadhuis (City Hall)
Delft’s city hall, or Stadhuis, is found in the main Markt square, in the heart of the Old Town. The ornate Renaissance façade standing today dates back to the 17th century, but the original city hall was built in medieval times. If you look closely, you can spot the architectural differences between the main building and the tower, which has survived since the 1200s!
In its heyday, the Delft Stadhuis was where the city’s most important decisions were made – it was a court, a prison, and even the site of public executions. You can walk all the way around the Stadhuis to admire the architecture, or even grab a seat at a nearby café to take it all in.
Nieuwe Kerk
Sharing the Markt square with Delft’s city hall is Nieuwe Kerk (New Church). Opened in the late 1400s, the church is anything but new, but it is one of the most important buildings in the city. William of Orange is entombed here, and members of the House of Orange, the Dutch royal family, have followed suit since.
As well as a visit to the church, you can climb to the top of Nieuwe Kerk for views over the city (and even further afield on a clear day!). It’s the second-highest church tower in the Netherlands and the tallest point in Delft, so expect a climb. In fact, it will take almost 400 steps to reach the 108 tower spire.
Oude Kerk
Unlike the Nieuwe Kerk, Oude Kerk (Old Church) is aptly named. As Delft’s oldest church, it dates all the way back to 1240, before Delft even became a city. The church is lovingly nicknamed “Scheve Jan” (crooked John), thanks to its slightly leaning tower that came about during building.
The Gothic church sits along a quiet canal, which you’ll cross to enter the church. And although it wanes in importance compared to the Nieuwe Kerk, there are still many famous Dutch names entombed here, including Johannes Vermeer.
Delft Old Town
Delft’s Old Town is the heart and charm of the city. It’s where you’ll find almost all of the main attractions in Delft, including the churches and City Hall already mentioned. Plus, you’ll find many quiet corners and hidden gems by wandering around the canal-side streets.
Let yourself get a little bit lost in the postcard-perfect scenery, walking between picturesque canals, cute bridges and gabled townhouses. Or, if you’re keen to dive into the history and culture of Delft, book a guided tour of the Old Town and learn some of the city’s secrets.
Royal Delft Museum
You can’t come on a day trip to Delft without seeing its most famous export – Delft Blue pottery. You’ll see nods to it all over the city, especially at souvenir shops, but the best way to learn about Delft Blue is at the Royal Delft Museum. It’s the only remaining factory in Delft that’s still producing hand-painted Delftware and dates back to the 17th century.
At the museum, you’ll take a journey through the history of Delft Blue Pottery – from how it came to be all the way through to contemporary production. And of course, you’ll see plenty of pottery, including pieces from the Royal Collection donated by King William III in the 1800s. Take a peek at the craftsmanship as you tour the working factory, and don’t miss the quiet courtyard at the end of the museum tour.
Vermeer Centrum
Johannes Vermeer is one of the most widely-renowned Dutch painters and is famous for his work during the Dutch Golden Age, including Girl with a Pearl Earring. Delft, his hometown, has a museum dedicated to his life and work, and it’s one of the best spots to visit on your Delft day trip.
It’s worth noting off the bat that there are no original Vermeer works at the Vermeer Centrum – you’ll need to check out the museums in Amsterdam to see those. Instead, you can take a detailed look at Vermeer’s story, the influence he took from the city of Delft, and how he mastered his craft.
Book your Delft day trip activities in advance for a more seamless trip.
Oostpoort
Once a key part of Delft’s city defences, Oostpoort is the only remaining original city gate in Delft and marks the old eastern entrance to the city. Dating back to the 15th century, the Brick Gothic structure stands out with its tall, twin spires and pretty canal-side setting – it’s easily one of the most photogenic spots in the city.
Head along the quieter streets as you leave the Old Town to check out the last remnants of Delft’s fortress walls. Make sure you look out for the small guard statue, a nod to the gate’s history, above the gate as you pass through and cross the little Oostpoortbrug.
Canal cruise
Even with just one day in Delft, you’ll get well acquainted with the canals around the city. But to really experience them, hop on a canal cruise around Delft. Perfect for the afternoon when your legs don’t want to move anymore, you can spend a relaxing hour seeing the city from the water and learn about Delft at the same time.
You’ll pass under arched bridges, glide past houseboats, and get a fresh perspective on the Old Town’s beautiful architecture. Cruises usually last 45 minutes to an hour, and some boats are covered so you can enjoy yourself come rain or shine!
Check out these canal cruises in Delft!
Molen de Roos
In case you need a reminder that you’re in the heart of the Netherlands, Delft has a functioning windmill on its city streets. On the outskirts of the Old Town, the Molen de Roos (Rose Mill) stands proudly among the surrounding houses. The current building dates back to around 1760, and they’re still grinding grain for bakers and citizens as they did back then.
You can visit Molen de Roos (free admission) on select days to learn about the mill and its production. There’s also a viewing platform and a shop where you can buy sourdough and other treats made in the Mill Bakery.
Suggested Delft day trip itinerary
Now, I know that’s a pretty long list of things to do in Delft, but don’t worry, you can fit them all into your day trip and still have time to relax with a beer by the canals! Here’s the perfect Delft day trip itinerary.
When you arrive in Delft from Amsterdam, head first to the Royal Delft Museum. You’ll get an introduction to the city with a pleasant walk along the canals. After your tour around the museum, you can head into the centre and discover Delft’s Old Town, passing through Oostpoort along the way. You’ll probably want a bite to eat at this point, so check out The Good Egg or Stads-Koffyhuis for brunch, or Koffie & Zo for a quick coffee and pastry on the go.
Now it’s time to explore the Old Town. Pay a quick visit to Molen de Roos before swinging back to the main centre, where you’ll discover Delft Stadhuis, Nieuwe Kerk and Oude Kerk. Make sure you take some time to walk the quiet, hidden corners of the Old Town too, and stop at any cosy cafés you come across. And don’t forget to pick up some souvenirs, like a piece of Delft Blue pottery.
Next, you’ll see Delft through Vermeer’s eyes. You can visit the Vermeer Centrum, or opt for the Vermeer Cube Walk around the city (if you’re keen, you’ll likely have time to do both). Grab a spot of lunch – ‘t Postkantoor is a great canal-side spot, and you could even grab a drink at Delfts Brouwhuis, an independent brewery, across the canal.
Round out your day trip to Delft with an afternoon canal cruise. It’s the perfect way to finish the day, seeing your favourite sights again from the water, and learning about Delft as you go. After the cruise, you could take one last wander through the canal streets, catching anything you missed earlier. And then head back to the train station to return to Amsterdam for the evening.
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