Overview
Delft is a jewel box of a Dutch city — a perfectly preserved medieval center of tree-lined canals, arched bridges, and the twin towers of the Oude Kerk and Nieuwe Kerk flanking the enormous Markt square. This is where Vermeer painted his masterpieces, where William of Orange established the Dutch Republic, and where the iconic blue-and-white Delft pottery has been crafted since the 17th century. At just 15 minutes by train from The Hague and Rotterdam, Delft makes an excellent base or day trip. The euro is the currency.
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget travelers ($65/day): Stay in hostels or budget hotels, eat at cafes and bakeries, walk the entire compact old town, admire the canal scenery for free, and visit the free-entry Vermeer Centrum for the painter s story.
Mid-range travelers ($160/day): Book a canal-side hotel, enjoy Indonesian and Dutch cuisine at local restaurants, visit Royal Delft factory, climb the Nieuwe Kerk tower for panoramic views, and explore the Old and New Churches.
Luxury travelers ($380+/day): Stay at Hotel de Plataan or the best canal-side property, dine at Delft s finest restaurants, book a private Vermeer walking tour, and combine with day trips to The Hague s museums.
Where to Save
Walking Delft s canals is the main attraction and it is free. The Markt square, one of the largest in the Netherlands, is free and photogenic. The exterior views of both churches reflected in the canals are Vermeer-esque and cost nothing. Indonesian restaurants (toko s) serve excellent rijsttafel for 12-18 EUR — great value and a Dutch culinary tradition. The weekly market on Thursdays fills the Markt with cheese, flowers, and street food. Trains to The Hague (15 min), Rotterdam (15 min), and Amsterdam (1 hr) are affordable with an OV-chipkaart.
Where to Splurge
Royal Delft (De Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles) is the last remaining original Delftware factory from the 17th century — the tour and painting workshop are fascinating. The Nieuwe Kerk tower climb rewards you with a view over the entire city and beyond. The Vermeer Centrum tells the story of the painter in the city where he lived and worked. The Prinsenhof Museum, where William of Orange was assassinated (bullet holes still visible), is historically significant. A canal boat tour through Delft s waterways offers a water-level perspective on the city s Golden Age architecture.
