Delft
Discover Delft
Delft is a mid-sized city in the west of the Netherlands. It's a beautiful, unspoiled town with traditional architecture, canals and bikes. It's also home to the world famous blue and white ceramics. Delft makes a great destination for a day-trip or can serve as a base to explore the region. And if the bustling crowds of Amsterdam are not really your thing, Delft is a lovely alternative, offering an equally interesting insight into the cultural wealth of old "Holland", on a far more intimate scale. Delft was founded as a town in 1075. Its name is derived from the Dutch word 'delven' which means delve or digging. Delft's oldest canal is called The Old Delft (de Oude Delft). Delft expanded around it; later on many other city-canals were dug as life lines through the city. These grachten are still the pride of Delft.
What to Experience in Delft
Taste of Delft...
Restaurants on the central marketplace can be more expensive than those in back-streets. On Thursday (at the Grote Markt and brabantse Turfmarkt) and Saturday (at the Brabantse Turfmarkt only) a market is held in Delft centre. Fresh produce, fish and flowers and non-food at bargain prices. Services like watch repair and mobile phone unlocking are also available. Try the sweet smelling freshly made "Stroopwafels" (syrup waffles). Try a herring or "Kibbeling" deep-fried battered fish. Every Tuesday a market is also held at the Papsouwselaan. If you are on a really tight budget, many student societies provide food, for a modest price (around €4). To check what is on offer look here. The city centre of Delft is full of small bars, finding seating is sometimes a challenge. In summer the grote markt, Beestenmarkt and Brabantse turfmarkt are filled with terraces, other bars have terrace barges out front. The great beer history is alive and well again in Delft. Many bars feature an extensive beer menu, and one can try a beer from the local brewery (De Koperen Kat) or the historic brew 'Delftse Mueselare Bier' Use of cannabis, weed or hashish is legal in small amounts (5 grams or less) in the Netherlands. Dutch law enforcement tolerates its use in so-called coffeeshops. There are 5 coffeeshops in Delft. The Future in the Peperstraat 8, de Vlouw on the Vlouw 27, The Game on the Breestraat 30, 't Keldertje on the Kromstraat 22a and De Boeddha on the Achterom 19a.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Delft.
Especially during summer there are several annual events to visit, most of them are in the open air and free to visit. For a list of upcoming events, you can check out the Event calendar: . An incomplete list of annual events: The shopping area in the city spreads roughly from the "Zuidwal" on the south to the "Choorstraat" on the north. The national and international stores like C&A, H&M and McDonald's concentrate on the southern part of the city, while the more alternative small stores and gift shops can be found more to the north. Apart from some supermarkets, shops are usually closed on Sundays and on Monday mornings. Delfts Blauw (Delft Blue) is a traditional Delft pottery. In the 18th century the city was famous for its porcelain. Around 1750, 32 earthenware factories were located in Delft. Avoid anything that says "Holland" on it, or depicts windmills. Check out the antique stores if you want something really traditional.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsAmsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is 45 min away by direct connection train. If you prearrange a taxi to pick you up at Schiphol, expect to pay at least €60 to Delft. As such, the train is the best option. Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) is only a few kilometres away but since there is no direct public transport connection it takes around 45 minutes. Travel via Rotterdam Centraal station, where you can take a train. Either take bus 33 directly to Rotterdam Centraal, or the other direction to Meijersplein Metro where you can take metro line E to Rotterdam Centraal (direction Slinge). When taking an airport taxi from Rotterdam The Hague Airport, expect to pay about €35 for the trip. Other, cheaper, options are prearranged taxis from Delft. On the trams you must use the OV-chipkaart or day-pass. Delft is a short tram ride from The Hague by tram. Tram 1 runs from Scheveningen, through the middle of The Hague and Den Haag HS to Delft....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Local public transport in the town is a part of the public transport system of the Hague. The historical centre of Delft is small enough to be explored on foot, but local public transport could be used to reach the Hague and come back. HTM travel cards are also valid here. There are two frequent tram routes that run north of the city center, although there are several suburban/regional bus routes operated by EBS as well. These are better suited to travelling between towns not directly connected by rail. Walking: the centre is small enough to walk across in ten minutes. Most streets in the city centre are pedestrianized. But do take care: taxis are allowed to use these streets. Especially at night they drive at inappropriate speeds. When walking through town make sure you leave room for traffic on bikes. The locals are zooming around going about on their daily business.
Where to Stay
There are several international websites offering canal houses for rent. Mostly these rentals need to be organised some time in advance. Because they are only slightly more expensive than a hotel room, they can work out to be cheaper for families with children who want their own room. Add the privacy and the facilities and they can be a very good alternative to a hotel or B&B. The three mayor websites competing are: , and Most estate agents in the Netherlands are a working together. This means real estate for sale and rent are pooled on a website covering nearly everything on the market. The advantage is that one website has most properties. The disadvantages of a near monopoly are also obvious. Long term stay houses for expatiates and PhD students can be found here. The European telephone number for emergencies is 112. Fire, ambulance or police can be called out on this number. Mobile phones without caller credit can still call this number.
Money & Budget
The shopping area in the city spreads roughly from the "Zuidwal" on the south to the "Choorstraat" on the north. The national and international stores like C&A, H&M and McDonald's concentrate on the southern part of the city, while the more alternative small stores and gift shops can be found more to the north. Apart from some supermarkets, shops are usually closed on Sundays and on Monday mornings. Delfts Blauw (Delft Blue) is a traditional Delft pottery. In the 18th century the city was famous for its porcelain. Around 1750, 32 earthenware factories were located in Delft. Avoid anything that says "Holland" on it, or depicts windmills. Check out the antique stores if you want something really traditional.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Delft
Delft marketplace
Touch down to the Netherlands
Beautiful church // Instagram: @tonizaat
Delft
a river running through a city next to tall buildings
Sunrise at Delft
The old city hall of Delft on the Markt square in the center of the city.
Delft, home of Vermeer
a street lined with tall brick buildings next to each other
man in black jacket riding bicycle on road during daytime
Delft marketplace
Touch down to the Netherlands
Beautiful church // Instagram: @tonizaat