What should we see and do during our stay in Delft, the Netherlands?

Delft is a beautiful canal-ringed city founded round 1100. The town is known as the manufacturing base for Delftware. It is also the burial site of Dutch Master painter Johannes Vermeer. And was once the seat of the royal House of Orange. When making a cycling tour and visiting through delft, your in for a treat. In Delft you can find the largest and oldest Dutch technical university. As of 2019, it is ranked in the top 20 of best universities for engineering and technology worldwide and is the highest ranked university in the Netherlands. In this item we will explain more about the things to see in Delft.

Nieuwe kerk (new church)
The New Church is the burial place of the royal family of Orange. The church is remarkable for its tower and chime of bells. The tower was built 1396-1496 by Jacob van der Borch, who also built the Dom in Utrecht. The mechanical clock has 18 bells from 1659 and 30 modern bells.

Oude kerk(Old Church)
When William II granted the city of Delft city rights in 1246, that was considered the official "year of birth" of the Oude Kerk. The Old Church, nicknamed Oude Jan ("Old John") and Scheve Jan ("Croocked John"), is a Gothic Protestant church. Its most recognizable feature is a 75-meter-high brick tower that leans about two meters from the vertical.

Science museum
Science, Design & Engineering. These are the three main themes of the Science Center Delft. A unique gathering place for all research that is done at TU Delft (University). As a visitor you get the chance to experience the research of TU Delft.

Botanical gardens
In the technical botanical garden of the university, more than 100 years of botanical research has been done on plants. It has brought many wild plants to industrial applications and has been an inspiration for breakthrough innovations. Research is still being done in the garden, but it is also a beautiful garden where you can relax and always have something to discover or do.

Vermeer centrum
In this Museum you can experience the live and work in the 17th century city Delft, by its painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675). You can see reproductions of 37 of his paintings, learn more about the painter himself and about Delft with it’s important history.

Museum prinsenhof
Together with Johannes Vermeer, Pieter de Hooch is one the most important Delft masters from the Dutch Golden Age. The Museum is home to the very first retrospective of the 17th-century painter. His most beautiful courtyards and interiors return to the city where they were painted almost 400 years ago.

Courtyards
The Courtyards are hidden in Delft’s inner city. You can create your own walking tour by visiting all of them: Hofje van Gratie (Van der Mastenstraat 26), Hofje van Pauw (Paardenmarkt 54), Hofje van Almonde [Bagijnhof 10} and Klaeuwshofje [Oranje plantage 58]

Canal tour
The historically important city of Delft you can discover from its centuries-old canals. The experienced captains and guides are all passionate and knowledgeable about the rich history of this picturesque city and they will give live commentary in several languages.

Royal delft
At the Royal Delft Experience you will discover the complete history and production process of Delftware. Experience the passion during a painter's demonstration, admire the Delft blue museum and walk through the factory where artisans are still fully producing.

Eastern gate
The eastern gate in Delft is an example of Brick Gothic northern European architecture that was built around 1400. Around 1510, the towers were enhanced with an additional octagonal floor and high spires. This is the only city gate remaining in Delft.

Watch Rick Steves video about Delft here

Source video: https://www.youtube.com/user/RickSteves/videos