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Are you looking looking for the perfect day trip from Amsterdam to round out your Netherlands adventures? Then taking a one hour train ride to Delft is the perfect choice. Following this Amsterdam to Delft day trip itinerary will quickly show you some of the country’s top cultural and historical sights.
During my recent solo trip to Amsterdam, Delft ended up being one of my favorite stops. Despite traveling during a gray, rainy week in March, Delft delivered on depth and richness, from its charming canal streets to medieval churches.
Witnessing the tranquility of this town today, it might be hard to imagine that Delft was once a wealthy trade city. While those 17th century glory days are long over, cultural traditions like Delftware and the works of Johannes Vermeer continue to fascinate visitors. Even the national hero of the Netherlands, William of Orange, is buried in Delft, along with much of the royal family.
This slow-paced town just might be the most memorable part of your trip. After all, it was in Delft that I discovered a newfound appreciation for art after touring the Vermeer Center. Whether you seek your own transformational experience or just a pleasant day of exploring, I’ve put together the perfect one day Delft itinerary below.
Amsterdam to Delft: Complete Day Trip Itinerary
This Delft day trip itinerary hits the ground running, so grab a quick bite to eat before setting out. Otherwise, there will be plenty of cafes in Delft where you can find a light breakfast and coffee.
Getting from Amsterdam to Delft for a Day Trip
If you rent a car during your trip, the drive from Amsterdam to Delft takes about one hour. Follow the signs for “P-center” to one of four paid parking garages outside the city center.
If you are not renting a car, you can also reach Delft from Amsterdam within one hour by train. Trains depart regularly from both Amsterdam Centraal and Amsterdam Sloterdijk stations. Some routes to Delft Centrum station are direct, while some require one change in between.
The train journey costs about 15 euros, and I personally paid using the reloadable anonymous OV-chip card. My Amsterdam trip cost post dives further into choosing between the various transit passes available.
9:00am: Royal Delft Museum
Start your day early at the Royal Delft Museum, which is one of the few sights in Delft that open at 9am. Late risers can also save this museum for later in the day, as it doesn’t close until 5:30pm.
A visit to Royal Delft is your chance to step into a 17th century earthenware factory that produces the blue and white dishes, tiles, and vases known as “Delftware”. At the height of the industry, there were about 32 such producers in Delft.
This trend began during the late 16th century, when Dutch sailors brought back Chinese porcelain with blue and white designs. The Dutch subsequently created their own clay imitations of this beloved luxury item.
Although the Delftware industry shrank considerably due to new competitors and innovations, Royal Delft keeps the legacy alive. The museum takes you through the history of Delftware, showing you fine pieces once owned by King William III and the artisans who continue this craft today.
There is free and paid parking around the museum; otherwise, it is just a twenty minute walk from Delft Centrum station. Entrance costs 15 euros; there is no need to book in advance.
10:00am: Nieuwe Kerk
Next, visit one of Delft’s two main churches, Nieuwe Kerk (“New Church”). Initially built as a Catholic church (more on that below), its construction dates back to 1381 and was completed after many setbacks in 1655. It is called “New Church” only in reference to the one other church that was already existing in Delft at the time.
The church sits at the far northeast side of Delft Market, where you will first pass a statue of Dutch lawyer and philosopher, Hugo Grotius. The most notable sight in the church is the tomb of William of Orange, the country’s leader against Spanish oppression who was eventually assassinated in Delft. Since his death, most members of the Royal House of Orange have continued to be buried at Nieuwe Kerk.
Take a slow loop around the church to appreciate its beautiful stained glass windows, functional 1830’s organ, and many graves interred in the ground. An 8 euro admission ticket also includes entry to the Oude Kerk.
11:00am: Vermeer Center
Although there is not a single Vermeer painting at the Vermeer Center, this small museum is still totally worth your time. Through watching videos and seeing life size copies of Johannes Vermeer’s complete works, you journey through his short life and legendary career in Delft.
While it’s sad to only view the copies of his paintings, they effectively demonstrate Vermeer’s iconic style. It is his masterful capturing of soft window light to illuminate private interior scenes that makes his work recognizable.
In fact, posters of Vermeer’s art touched me more than any other exhibit I’ve experienced. I felt a curiosity about the young ladies portrayed in the intimate scenes, many of them shown just beyond a literal curtain. Whether it was a girl’s attention being diverted from her music, another’s delight or dismay at a letter she’d just received, or the quiet stare of the girl pictured above, I wanted to know more.
Discover your own connection at this museum for 12 euros, which includes an audio guide.
12:00pm: Oude Kerk (Old Church)
Next, pay a visit to Delft’s Oude Kerk (Old Church), which dates back to 1246. This is also the burial site of Johannes Vermeer, who initially had only a modest grave after facing financial difficulties in his later years. A larger monument was later added to the church in his honor.
Be sure to look at the church from the outside as you make your approach – you will see that the tower is tilting. That is because the tower has settled considerably in the soft ground underneath since it’s construction in 1350. Reinforcements have been added to bolster the structurally integrity, so it will not fall down. Even still, I would be nervous living across the street…
Like the Nieuwe Kerk, the Oude Kerk originally served as a Roman Catholic church until the Protestant Reformation during the 16th century. The Netherlands was under the Spanish throne, and King Philip II harshly persecuted anyone who was not Catholic. The Protestants retaliated with the Iconoclasm of 1566, which led to bare walls and next to no imagery, like paintings and sculptures, inside of the churches.
12:45pm: Where to Eat Lunch During an Amsterdam to Delft Day Trip
Delft has many great lunch stop options in close proximity to the best sights:
- Delft hosts markets on Thursdays and Saturdays where you can try local snacks
- Stads-Koffyhuis is a cozy café featuring casual, affordable fare, and has won national awards for its sandwiches.
- If you’d like to try the cotton candy and waffle concoction that I had (shown above), pay a visit to Kek – De koffiebar van Delft.
- Head to De Visbanken Delft to try local herring in a very informal fish stand setting. While there are fried varieties with mayo-based dipping sauces, do not shy away from trying pickled herring – it is delicious! Note that they only accept cash.
1:30pm: Museum Prinsenhof Delft
Museum Prinsenhof is most famous for being the location where William of Orange was assassinated in 1584. A strong proponent of religious freedom, William increasingly clashed with the Spanish King, who eventually ordered his death. William then sought refuge within Delft’s city walls, staying at the current Prinsenhof site, which was a former monastery.
During William’s time, the monastery was already decommissioned and in the hands of the state, as Protestant rebels controlled the city. Although Catholics could still practice their religion in private, public displays were forbidden.
For 13.50 euros, you can visit the assassination site, where bullet holes remain in the walls. Afterwards, peruse the museum’s galleries that feature 17th century works by Delft artists and a gorgeous display of Delftware.
3:00pm: Canal Cruise
It would be wrong to leave Delft without taking a canal cruise. After all, the city’s name comes from the Dutch word delf, which means canal. After walking all day, it’s time to rest your legs and enjoy the view, as your guide discusses Dutch history.
From Prinsenhof, simply stroll five minutes to the meeting spot at Koornmarkt 113. Cruises leave every hour on the hour from 11:00am to 5:00pm and last about forty-five minutes.
Book Your Delft Canal Cruise Here
4:00pm: Take in the View of Vermeer’s Delft
Cap off an amazing day by viewing Delft from Vermeer’s perspective, as seen in his painting View of Delft. To get to this viewpoint, walk about ten minutes southeast from the city center to Harbor Hooikade. Linger at Huszár for dinner on the water before making the five-minute walk back to catch the train to Amsterdam.
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There you have it: the perfect Amsterdam to Delft day trip itinerary. As you can see, Delft is absolutely dense with Netherlands history and there is so much to explore. Don’t go too fast though – leisurely canalside wanderings past Delft’s stunning historic architecture are a requirement!
