Delft

What to see in Delft: The city of canals and Delft blue pottery

Delft is one of the most beautiful historic cities in the Netherlands and is located just 24 kilometres from Rotterdam. Its canals, historic buildings and relaxed atmosphere make it one of the best day trips from the city.

Famous for its Delft Blue pottery and its close connection with the Dutch royal family, Delft combines history, art and architecture in a compact historic centre that is easy to explore on foot.

ℹ️ Quick Information
📍 Distance from Rotterdam	24 km
🚆 By train	Approximately 15–20 minutes
🚗 By car	Approximately 25–35 minutes
⏳ Recommended time	Half a day or a full day
⭐ Must-see attractions	Market Square, Nieuwe Kerk, Oude Kerk, canals and Oostpoort
🎨 Famous for	Delft Blue pottery, Johannes Vermeer and the Dutch royal family

History of Delft

Delft holds an important place in Dutch history. During the Eighty Years’ War, William of Orange established his residence here, making the city one of the main centres of resistance against Spanish rule.

Today, the Nieuwe Kerk is the burial place of members of the Dutch royal family, giving Delft a particularly important place in the history and culture of the Netherlands.

What to see in Delft

Although Delft can easily be explored in a single day, the city has numerous monuments, museums and historic places worth visiting. These are some of the highlights.

📍 What to See in Delft
🏛️ Royal Delft Museum	The historic factory where the famous Delft Blue pottery is still produced.
🎨 Vermeer Centrum Delft	A centre dedicated to the life and work of Johannes Vermeer, who was born in Delft.
🏰 Museum Prinsenhof Delft	Located in the former residence of William of Orange, with exhibitions about the history of Delft and the Netherlands.
⛪ Nieuwe Kerk	One of Delft’s most important churches and the burial place of members of the Dutch royal family.
⛪ Oude Kerk	Famous for its leaning tower and the tombs of several important historical figures.
⛪ Sint-Hippolytuskapel	A small historic chapel located in the centre of Delft.
🎓 TU Delft	One of Europe’s leading technical universities, with modern architecture and a pleasant campus to explore.
🏛️ Market Square	The historic heart of Delft, surrounded by the City Hall, Nieuwe Kerk, cafés and shops.
🚪 Oostpoort	The only surviving medieval city gate and one of the most photographed landmarks in Delft.
🚤 Delft’s Canals	Perfect for exploring on foot or by boat while discovering the city’s traditional architecture.

You can download a map of Delft from our downloads section to help you plan your visit.

How to get to Delft from Rotterdam

Frequent trains run from Rotterdam Centraal to Delft. The journey takes approximately 15–20 minutes, and Delft railway station is only a short walk from the historic centre.

By car, Delft can be reached via the A13 motorway. The journey usually takes between 25 and 35 minutes, depending on traffic. It is best to use one of the car parks around the historic centre, as vehicle access is restricted on many streets in the old town.

Delft Tourist Information

For museum opening hours, events and other up-to-date visitor information, you can visit the official Delft tourism website.

Is Delft worth visiting?

Yes. Delft is one of the best day trips from Rotterdam. Its canals, Delft Blue pottery, connections with the Dutch royal family and compact historic centre make it easy to enjoy in either half a day or a full day.

Most of the historic centre can be explored on foot, making Delft an easy and enjoyable day trip from Rotterdam.

Discover more day trips from Rotterdam