One Day In Delft: A Family-Friendly Day Trip
The first time we visited Delft, Netherlands, we were looking at houses and squeezed in a visit to the must-see Royal Delft Museum. For our second trip, we were on the hunt for our own piece of Royal Delft and an adventure along the Delft Ceramics Route to learn more about the history of William of Orange.
A Delft itinerary that has both history and fun is what we’re all about. If you’ve got kids, here are the best things to do in Delft from the food stops to enjoy to the scavenger hunt to walk along. Get ready for an adventure in the Netherlands complete with royalty and the iconic blue and white pottery.
Get ready to explore Delft, Netherlands. It makes for a great day trip from Amsterdam and here’s what you should see there:
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What To Know About Delft
Delft was founded 1075 and was a major center of trade for the famous tin-glazed pottery. The birthplace of the painter Johannes Vermeer and home of William of Orange, there’s a mixture of history, culture, and arts in Delft.
Don’t be surprised by the young vibes of the area though, Delft is home to one of the most prestigious universities in the Netherlands so on the train to and from, you’ll see a lot of students coming and going. The first time we visited Delft, we also ate lunch at the university because it was near the Royal Delft Museum.
Delft has a lot to offer in terms of history, doesn’t necessarily feel old with so much youth in the area.
Things To Do In Delft
When you first arrive at the Delft Centraal train station, make sure to stop into the tourist office right inside. You can pick up a map of the area as well as a guide to the Delft Ceramics Route and get some great tips from the staff. You won’t have to walk far to see anything, but it’s good to get off on the right foot. I love stopping into tourist offices. Don’t overlook them!
Delft Ceramics Route
If you have kids that like a little scavenger hunt style traveling, the Delft Ceramics Route will be great fun. The Delft Ceramics Route takes you past public artworks with the iconic blue and white ceramics style throughout the city of Delft.
The route also takes you past the major museums, food spots, and gardens you should see while you’re in Delft. It’s the perfect walking tour of the area.
Stads-Koffyhuis
Cross from the train station over the rainbow bridge and across the street to find Oude Delft where you can walk along a beautiful canal toward Museum Prinsenhof. Before you get there though, stop into Stads-Koffyhuis.
We arrived hungry so had lunch. If you’re not quite so hungry, at least order some coffee and the Delfse Donder, or Delft Thunder, a chocolate cake filled with chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache and then covered in a layer of dark chocolate and served with whipped cream. You won’t be sorry. One was enough for the three of us to share.
- Address: Oude Delft 133, Delft, Netherlands
- Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm; Sunday: 11:00am ~ 4:00pm
Gemeenlandshuis Delft
As you walk up the canal, keep an eye out for the oldest stone-built house in Delft. The coats of arms above the entrance date back to 1652 and were designed by Pieter Post, a Dutch Golden Age architect and painter.
The Delfland Water Authority has been based in this building since 1645 and the Water Authorities are the oldest government institutions in the Netherlands. They are responsible for flood protection, good water quality, surface water level management and sewage treatment.
- Address: Oude Delft 167, Delft, Netherlands
Museum Prinsenhof Delft
One of the 100 most important monuments in the Netherlands, Museum Prinsenhof Delft is a fantastic museum to learn about five centuries of Dutch history and Delft’s role in it. Housed in a former monastery that temporarily served as William of Orange’s court in the 16th century, this is where you can get all of the historical info to the area so you know what you’re looking at later in the day.
If you’re visiting with children, be sure to ask for a children’s activity in the shop. There’s a bingo option for children that can’t read/speak Dutch or younger children, a whole detective kit for older kids that want to deduce who killed William of Orange, and more. We did the detective kit and it was fantastic!
- Address: Sint Agathaplein 1, Delft, Netherlands
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 11:00am ~ 5:00pm
- Admission: Adults: €14, Teenagers 13-18: €4; Children 7-12: €4: Children 3 and under are Free
- Free with Museumkaart, Rembrandt Card, Delft Pass, Rotterdam Pass, and ICOMcard
- Buy Tickets Online: You can get tickets in advance on Get Your Guide.
Oude Kerk
We have seen our fair share of churches and cathedrals at this point in our European travels and weren’t really interested in going inside, but what is probably most interesting for people is the outside anyway. Oude Kerk leans about two meters.
Built along the Oude Canal, when the tower was erected, the canal was in the way and the architects filled in the canal to make room for the tower. Unfortunately, that wasn’t a great choice and the foundation has shifted. Go inside if you want, but most definitely check out the lean from the outside.
- Address: HH Geestkerkhof 25, Delft, Netherlands
- Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10:00am ~ 5:00pm
- Admission: The tickets are for both the Oude and Nieuwe Churches: Adults: €8.50, Student/Schoolage Child: €7; Children 6-11: €4: Children 5 and under are Free; Tickets that include the churches and a climb up the tower: Adults: €13, Student/Schoolage Child: €10.50; Children 6-11: €5: Children 5 and under are not permitted in the tower.
- Free with Rotterdam Pass and Delft Pass. Discount offered if you show your Museumkaart.
Galerie Uit De Kunst
Just across the canal from Museum Prinsenhof and near Oude Kerk, there is another cool cafe/art gallery you can stop into if you want a drink after the fun. Even if you’re not ready to stop in, walk by and check out the smallest gallery they have out front.
It makes for a great place to take a break. My husband enjoyed some time there while my daughter and I did the detective case in the museum. Worked out for all of us.
- Address: Oude Delft 140, Delft, Netherlands
- Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm; Sunday: 11:00am ~ 6:00pm
Stadsbakkerij de Diamanten Ring
The oldest bakery in Delft, it has been in business since 1789. Step inside to pick up some of their delicious pastries to go. Always good to have some snacks to munch on along the way just in case. And if you need to pick up some waters, there’s an Albert Heijn just a few shops down you can stop into quickly.
- Address: Choorstraat 9, Delft, Netherlands
- Hours: Monday – Saturday: 8:00am ~ 6:0pm; Sunday: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm
Delft Markt
Continuing along the Delft Ceramics Route, the next area to visit is the historic town square. In the town square area, you can see the Delft Town Hall as well as the Nieuwe Kerk, or New Church, which was built in 1396 and completed in 1496.
After William of Orange was assassinated in Delft, he was buried at the New Church. The church is now the resting place for all of the members of the royal Dutch family.
Aside from that, many people visit to climb up the 376 steps in the 85 meter high tower to take in the views of Delft from above. Nieuwe Kerk ist he second-tallest church tower in the Netherlands.
- Address: Markt 80, Delft, Netherlands
- Admission: The tickets are for both the Oude and Nieuwe Churches: Adults: €8.50, Student/Schoolage Child: €7; Children 6-11: €4: Children 5 and under are Free; Tickets that include the churches and a climb up the tower: Adults: €13, Student/Schoolage Child: €10.50; Children 6-11: €5: Children 5 and under are not permitted in the tower.
- Free with Rotterdam Pass and Delft Pass. Discount offered if you show your Museumkaart.
Blauwe Roos Antiek
One of our goals in Delft was to pick up our own pirce of Royal Dutch pottery. We had first stopped into Antiques and Art Leon-Paul van Geenen on Voldersgracht but they had a few people inside and with piles and stacks of items, it was a bit hard to focus.
Our second shop, Blauwe Roos Antiek, proved fruitful though. Just around the corner from the Markt, this shop has been owned by three generations of their family. They have a beautiful collection and can explain everything you should know about the pieces on display.
- Address: Markt 2, Delft, Netherlands
- Hours: Every day: 11:00am ~ 6:00pm
Royal Delft Pottery Museum
The Royal Delft Museum is a bit outside of the historic downtown area and does require a bit of a walk. You can get to look at plenty of Delft pottery at Museum Prinsenhof and the shops in the downtown area, but if you have the time, it’s very cool to see the Delftware being hand painted at the museum. They also have a lovely courtyard for tea.
- Address: Rotterdamseweg 196, Delft, Netherlands
- Hours: Every day: 9:30am ~ 5:00pm
- Closed December 25-26 and January 1
- Admission: Adults: €15, Teenagers 13-18: €9; Children 7-12: €7: Children 6 and under are Free
- Free with Museumkaart, Rotterdam Pass, and ICOMcard
- Buy Tickets Online: You can get tickets in advance on Klook or on Get Your Guide. (We had quite the difficulty with our American cards in the Netherlands and recommend booking things in advance if you can so you don’t rock up and have issue paying to get in places.)
- Audio Guide: An audio tour is included. Make sure to pick it up when you enter.
Delft is a beautiful city and the main highlights are all in one area for the most part so you can easily get in and out for a day trip from Amsterdam or another Dutch city. Highly recommended!
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