Discover 15 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Delft (Netherlands). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Stadhuis, Legermuseum, and Nieuwe Kerk. Also, be sure to include Oude Kerk in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Delft (Zuid-Holland).
Table of Contents
Stadhuis
Building in Delft, Netherlands. The City Hall in Delft is a Renaissance style building on the Markt across from the Nieuwe Kerk. It is the seat of the city's government as well as a popular venue for civic wedding ceremonies. Most administrative functions have been transferred to an office inside the Delft railway station building. Originally designed by the Dutch architect Hendrick de Keyser, it was heavily changed over the centuries and was restored in the 20th century to its Renaissance appearance.[1]
Address: Markt 87, 2611 GS Delft (Binnenstad)
Legermuseum
The Koninklijk Nederlands Legermuseum is the former national museum of the Dutch Army. Until 2013, it was located in the Armamentarium in Delft. In 2013 it was merged with the Militaire Luchtvaartmuseum, based on the former airbase at Soesterberg, where the new merged museum is based and where its new stores were opened on 13 May 2009 by Jeroen Sikkel, Secretary General for Defence.[2]
Nieuwe Kerk
Church with William of Orange's tomb. The Nieuwe Kerk is a Protestant church in the city of Delft in the Netherlands. The building is located on Delft Market Square, opposite to the City Hall. In 1584, William the Silent was entombed here in a mausoleum designed by Hendrick and Pieter de Keyser. Since then members of the House of Orange-Nassau have been entombed in the royal crypt. The latest are Queen Juliana and her husband Prince Bernhard in 2004. The private royal family crypt is not open to the public. The church tower, designed by Pierre Cuypers and completed in 1872, is the second highest in the Netherlands, after the Domtoren in Utrecht.[3]
Address: Markt 80, 2611 GW Delft (Binnenstad)
Oude Kerk
Gothic Protestant church and leaning tower. The Oude Kerk, nicknamed Oude Jan and Scheve Jan, is a Gothic Protestant church in the old city center of Delft, the Netherlands. Its most recognizable feature is a 75-meter-high brick tower that leans about two meters from the vertical.[4]
Address: HH Geestkerkhof 25, 2611 HP Delft (Binnenstad)
Vermeer Centrum
Museum in Delft, Netherlands. The Vermeer Centre is an information center dedicated to the painter Johannes Vermeer and the work of his contemporaries in Delft, the Netherlands.
The building is a rebuilt version of the old local Guild of Saint Luke. The center works with local archeology groups and other heritage organisations to disseminate information about Delft during the lifetime of Vermeer. The center acts as a museum, though technically it does not own the original artifacts on display and therefore has not earned the Dutch label for "Museum". Based on scale copies of known artworks by Vermeer and his contemporaries, multi-media exhibition displays beginning in the basement lead the visitor literally upwards through time during the life of Johannes Vermeer, explaining the work of contemporaries and events that occurred during his lifetime. In the top floor an exhibition on his work methods is set up, with an opportunity for visitor to pose for a picture as Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid.
The ground floor contains a small gift store and book shop.[5]
Address: Voldersgracht 21, 2611 EV Delft (Binnenstad)
Het Prinsenhof
Also known as: Prinsenhof
Museum in Delft, Netherlands. The Prinsenhof in the city of Delft in the Netherlands is an urban palace built in the Middle Ages as a monastery. Later it served as a residence for William the Silent. William was assassinated in the Prinsenhof by Balthasar Gérard in 1584 - the holes in the wall made by the bullets at the main stairs are still visible.
Since 1911, the building houses a municipal museum. Today, the building displays a collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings.[6]
Address: Sint Agathaplein 1, 2611 HR Delft (Binnenstad)
Saint Hippolytus Chapel
Also known as: Sint-Hippolytuskapel
Chapel in Delft, Netherlands. The Saint Hippolytus Chapel is a chapel in the old city of Delft. It is one of the oldest buildings in Delft, and since 1967 it has been designated the Rijksmonument.
The church was built around 1400 in the Gothic style and is located on the east side of the Oude Deft. Until the Reformation, the Oude Kerk was consecrated to Saint Hippolytus, and the name of the chapel comes from the city quarter. At the time of foundation, it was a part of the already existent female religious community, similar to a monastery - Holy Spirit Sisters House (Dutch: Heilige Geestzusterhuis). It was built on the foundations of the older chapel and was consecrated in 1412. In 1536, it was badly damaged by a fire and subsequently restored. In 1572, during the Reformation, the interior of the chapel was emptied, and the clock and the cross were taken from the tower. After 1581, it was used as a depot, but a part of the chapel was still used for service by Protestants.
In 1910, the chapel was restored, and the design of the facade was altered, making it to look more like the original design. Since 1924 and until the construction of the new campus of Delft University of Technology in 1966, the doctorate ceremonies of the university were held in the chapel. In 1972, it was transferred to the Roman Catholic Church and since 30 July 1972 is used for service.[7]
Address: Oude Delft 118, 2611 CG Delft (Binnenstad)
TU Delft Library
Library in Delft, Netherlands. The TU Delft Library is the main library of the Delft University of Technology, located in Delft, Netherlands. It was designed by the Dutch architecture firm Mecanoo and built in 1997. It is the largest technical scientific library in the Netherlands.[8]
Address: Prometheusplein 1, Delft (Wippolder)
Sint Jansbrug
Sint Jansbrug is a student fraternity in the city of Delft in the Netherlands, founded in 1947. As of 2005, it has roughly 650 members, and owns two buildings in the Oude Delft, a street in the centre of Delft. Both are official monuments.
The fraternity is considered smaller and therefore more accessible than other student fraternities in Delft, while retaining its traditions and mores. It offers cheap student dinners for both members and non-members, as well as coffee and tea in a coffee-bar called Oele which becomes a bar on Friday evenings.[9]
Address: Oude Delft 50-52, Delft (Binnenstad)
Abtswoudse Bos
Park in Delft, Netherlands. The Abtswoudse Bos is man-made park and land art project, opened in 2000, of about 190 ha. It lies south of the Tanthof neighbourhood in Delft, east of Schipluiden and north of Overschie.
The Abtswoudse Bos is situated in a polder and has trees, bushes, footpaths, cycling roads, ditches, lakes, and small ponds. The area's waters contain many aquatic plants, like reeds, underwater plants, and floating plants. The polder used to consist of meadows.[10]
Oostpoort
Historical landmark in Delft, Netherlands. The eastern gate in Delft, Netherlands, 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; the others were demolished in the 19th century. It currently serves as an art gallery and private residence.[11]
Address: Oosteinde 80, 2611 SN Delft (Binnenstad)
Molen De Roos
Historical place, Windmill
Address: Phoenixstraat 112, 2611 AK Delft (Binnenstad)
De Delftse Pauw
Tourist attraction in Rijswijk, Netherlands. De Delftse Pauw was a pottery factory from the 17th century located in the north of the city Delft on the Delftweg. It was one of the few pottery factories which carry on the tradition of handpainted Delft pottery. It was taken over by Heinen Delft Blauw on 1 July 2018, but was declared bankrupt in September 2020.
De Delftse Pauw attracted around 135.000 visitors annually.[12]
Address: Delftweg 133, 2289 BD Delft (Wijk 09)
Synagoge Delft
The Synagogue in the town of Delft, in the Dutch province of South Holland, is a neoclassical synagogue with a white-plastered Ionic temple front. The synagogue was built in 1861-1862 for the purpose of being able to hold Jewish religious meetings.
After 1945, the synagogue fell out of use for its original purpose. However, since January 2006, the newly founded OJG Klal Israel organizes its prayer services in the monumental building. Furthermore, the building is used as a cultural center for various activities.
Address: Koornmarkt 12, Delft (Binnenstad)
Museum Paul Tétar van Elven
Museum, Art museum, Historical place, History museum
Address: Koornmarkt 67, 2611 EC Delft (Binnenstad)