Delft city guide: A stepping stone to the Southern Netherlands

Compact, characterful and bursting with canals, cobbled streets and cafes, Delft is a Dutch city that punches well above its weight. Discover its highlights – including outstanding green spaces and memorable days out – in my Delft city guide.

Think of the southern Netherlands and chances are big cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and the Den Haag (The Hague) might spring to mind. But, as is so often the case, there is much more to this vibrant, characterful region than its major urban areas. Sprinkled between these cities are diverse towns and small cities that offer an authentic taste of Dutch life and culture. Delft is one of the very best. A historic University town with a picturesque city centre of meandering cobbles and canals, it offers a delightful alternative to the big city lights – whilst also being a great springboard for exploring multiple destinations from a central base. 

But why choose somewhere smaller on a trip to the southern Netherlands? Well, it’s a little off the tourist trail for starters. Whilst there’s plenty to explore here for a day or more – and more than enough excellent independent cafes and eateries to make you wish you were staying longer – it also feels more genuine, with streets and terraces packed with locals on the weekend. It’s a chance to experience real life in this charming country. Being more compact, it’s also much easier to find great accommodation in a central location. Plus it’s extremely walkable. And when you want the bright lights, swift and efficient public transport makes days out to the likes of Amsterdam a breeze.

The Netherlands is a surprisingly green country, and Delft is an excellent base for exploring some of the picturesque countryside and spectacular coast nearby. It’s a refreshing change to a regular city break itinerary, and a real bonus if travelling with kids like us.

Curious to find out more? Read on for my Delft city guide, where I’ll walk you through the highlights of the city centre and surrounding green spaces, as well as day trip destinations just a stepping stone away.

There’s no AI here! Every post on Travels with a Saddle Bag is written by myself and based on my own travels. This post was published in July 2026 and based on my visit to Delft in April 2026.

Introducing Delft

Delft is at the bustling heart of the southern Netherlands. Less than an hour from Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Den Haag, it’s also close to the Netherland’s north sea coast where gorgeous expanses of golden sand stretch as far as you can see.

It’s one of the Netherland’s most prestigious University towns, home to Technische University (TU) Delft as well as a beautiful historic centre criss-crossed with canals. Suburban neighbourhoods spin out in every direction, packed with smart city homes and an impressive amount of greenery. To the north-east of the centre you’ll find Delftse Hout and Bieslande Bos – kilometers of inviting beech woodland peppered with lakes, waterways and cycle paths. Here you’ll find some of the city’s best, and most surprising attractions.

Despite its small size relative to other Dutch cities, Delft has a long and prosperous history with close ties to the Dutch royal family. It’s perhaps best known for the distinct style of blue and white pottery which is still produced in the city today, and as the home of acclaimed Old Master artist Jan Vemeer.

What to do in Delft centre

There’s more than enough to discover in central Delft and its outskirts for a day – or more if you include trips out during your visit.

Explore churches, cobbles and canals

Delft’s historic centre is an absolute delight and offers plenty to explore. It’s a genuinely beautiful city packed full of smart, historic townhouses (and the odd contemporary building) that cluster along a labyrinth of pedestrianised cobbled streets. Peaceful canals and waterways meander throughout, with pretty arched bridges crossing these at regular intervals. Take your time to enjoy wandering alongside the water, and get lost amongst the narrow streets.

The heart of Delft is the old market square. This vast expanse of cobbles is bounded by an elaborate town hall at one end, and one of the city’s finest churches at the other. You’ll find cafes and restaurants around its fringes but I’d encourage heading a little further afield (these are a tad touristy and there are outstanding independents a stone’s throw away). What really charmed me though was the smaller squares dotted throughout the old town. Just a few steps away you’ll find cbaracterful spaces like the Tuftmarkt and Doelenplein, shaded by trees and packed with outdoor dining.

If architecture is your thing, be sure to wander in the direction of Oostport – the last remaining old city gate that occupies a picturesque setting at the junction of two canals. There’s also Molen de Roos, a spectacular restored windmill close to the central station. And you won’t be able to miss the two most elaborate buildings in the historic centre, the Oude Kerk and Nieuwe Kerk (the somewhat unimaginatively named old and new churches). These gothic buildings have punctuated the skyline of Delft for hundreds of years, with the off-kilter tower of the Oude Kerk essy to spot from across the city. 

Cafe culture

I know it feels a little clichéd in northern Europe, but Delft – like many places in the Netherlands – has a fantastic cafe culture. The Dutch are passionate coffee drinkers, and not only will you find comfortable, welcoming spaces across the city to watch the world go by but you’ll also find specialty brewers who pour a lot of love into their coffee.

You’re spoilt for choice with cosy spots across the city but by far and way the best we found was along Voldersgracht, close to the market square. This picturesque cobbled street flanks a narrow canal overhung with ornamental cherry trees (full of glorious pink blossom when we visited in April). Here you’ll find a generous handful of independent cafes offering specialty coffee, homemade Dutch apple cake and brunch. Best of all, breakfast bars in the front windows and seating spilling onto the street outside offer the perfect space to soak up the convivial atmosphere (and some caffeine). We loved TAZZ too for its characterful interior and wide range of coffees and brewing techniques, but nearby Kek is also highly-recommended and looks gorgeous.

Eat and drink

I don’t want you to think I spent our entire trip to Delft with my feet up and a beverage of one kind or another in hand (we had a toddler to run around after all!) but it is full of genuinely delightful places to eat and drink. Being a little off the major Dutch tourist trail it’s easy to eat like a local here. And the collegiate atmosphere of this University city has cultivated an enticing cafe and restaurant scene. Add into the mix the laid back culture and love of eating and drinking al fresco and you’ll find it hard to resist taking a seat. You’ll find smart European restaurants and heaps of brunch venues, as well as more traditional bars where everyone is welcome. We especially enjoyed dinner and drinks at Delftse Brouwerij, the local brewhouse right in the centre of town. Aside from brewing some particularly excellent beers, they serve home cooked casual food in their sophisticated bar and cobbled square outside.

But best of all? The Netherlands is delightfully family-friendly. Children were very much welcome everywhere we ate and drank, with no shortage of options for our little one to enjoy (and far nicer than the santised nuggets and chips variety of kids offerings you can still find in the UK). Even the most grown-up bars and cafes had changing facilities for little ones and many had imaginative play spaces that not only made us all feel very welcome, but without feeling like we’d ended up at soft play.

Head to the university and botanic gardens

For a different perspective on the city, head to the fringes of the centre and the university district. Delft has been home to the prestigious TU Delft for more than a century and a half and a huge proportion of the city’s population study or work here. The university’s Botanic gardens feel a million miles from the surrounding city streets and offer heaps to explore including glasshouses, a cafe and engaging spaces for families. Our toddler loved (and felt very welcome) to run around and enjoy this verdant space. But above all, it’s worth a stroll in this part of town to enjoy the elegant red-brick architecture and a taste of what the city is best known for in the 21st century. 

Beyond the city centre: Things to do elsewhere in Delft

The historic centre of Delft is undeniably a delight, but I’d encourage you to explore a little further to find a refreshing splash of green in the heart of this urban region.

Go wild at Delft City Farm

Wait – this isn’t just for visitors with families! The Dutch famously encourage kids to enjoy an active, outdoors childhood and BuytenDelft (Delft City Farm) exemplifies this. Completely free to enter, the city farm is home to a surprisingly large assortment of farm animals and birds, extremely well-cared for in generous grassy paddocks and pens. Visitors of every age are encouraged to watch and (sensibly) interact with the residents, which included a herd of indescribably adorable baby goats when we visited. Whilst there’s a clear educational perspective and emphasis on welfare, at the same time there’s heaps of freedom for kids to be kids (and adults to be kids), engage in new experiences and really enjoy the animal magic.

Adjacent, you’ll also find a huge wild play space that encourages kids of all ages to enjoy adventurous outdoor play. It’s a fantastic spot for older kids to burn off energy, but we also found plenty that our toddler happily threw herself into.

Discover Delftse Hout

On the fringes of the city, just a ten minute walk from the centre, is Delftse Hout (or Delft Wood in English). With a huge expanse of water at it’s centre, this pretty woodland park offers much more than you might expect. Amongst the trees are winding trails for walkers, runners, cyclists and horse riders. Picnic shelters are sprinkled across the shady spots and there is plentiful wildlife to be spotted here (I even spied a parakeet one morning). But it’s the waterside that surprises. A beautiful spot to stroll and stop at any time of year, but it’s also home to a large sandy beach that’s open to swimmers and sun loungers during the summer months. Consider bringing a picnic lunch, or taking a morning run here to see a very different – but very nice indeed – side to the Netherlands.

Meander through Bieslande Bos

Extending beyond the perimeter paths of Delftse Hout is Bieslande Bos. This expanse of beech woodland extends for miles until it finally fizzles into farmland, and hides many a delightful surprise. You’ll find quiet waterways, historic mills, pastures full of ponies, pretty little stableyards and heaps of wildlife. It’s criss-crossed with inviting cycle paths and trails ideal for an afternoon adventure.

Days out from Delft

Consider staying for more than a day by using Delft as a base for exploring some of the highlights of this region, that are enjoyably easy to reach.

Den Haag

Only a 20 minute journey by train, Den Haag is the administrative capital of the Netherlands and home to its royal family. Known also by its Anglicised name – The Hague – it’s the location of several important international bodies, including the International Courts of Law. If all this makes it sound a little stuffy, let me convince you otherwise. 

This bustling city is full of surprises. Whilst you’ll find smart administrative districts, modern office complexes and upmarket shopping streets here, there’s much more to see. For starters, the architecture is distinctly different to Delft and other nearby cities. Den Haag is packed with Art Nouveau beauties and a joy to look at.. You’ll also find surprisingly excellent (and toddler friendly) city parks, including the verdant grounds of the royal stables just off Prinsessewal and the vast Haagse Bos – reminiscent of London’s Great Parks and home (amongst other things) to a deer sanctuary. In keeping with most of the Netherlands, the cafe culture is strong here, making it a great place to hop between genuinely excellent hipster coffee spots all day. And although we didn’t have time to explore, there’s an intriguing array of museums and galleries here including the excellent-sounding Children’s Book Museum.

Scheveningen

It’s easy to think of the Netherlands as purely an urban destination with its abundance of appealing towns and cities. But there is much more to see here, in the most unexpected places. 

Scheveningen is one of these.

The Dutch north sea coast is a gem hidden in plain sight, and Scheveningen is one of its most popular resorts. Whilst the town itself (on the fringes of Den Haag and a short tram ride from Delft) didn’t especially float my boat, the spectacular stretch of sand won’t fail to impress anyone on a sunny day. Honestly, it’s like accidentally stumbling across a slice of the Mediterranean, which is exactly how the Dutch treat it. With a vast expanse of sand that tumbles into grassy dunes in the distance, it’s a delight to walk along (or play in, or sunbathe on). But better still, stop for a drink, dinner or lunch. All along the promenade you’ll find chic beach clubs (and a few surf cafes) that can very easily convince you that you’re a thousand miles away. Not that you would want to be, mind you. It’s lovely here. Yes, it’s a little frayed around a few edges and the architecture isn’t going to win any awards, but it’s undeniably vibrant and very clearly being reclaimed by younger Dutch generations who want to make the most of this enviable location.

Rotterdam

Cosmopolitan and enjoyably quirky, Rotterdam is one of the Netherlands largest cities and a short train ride from Delft. It’s one of the country’s most modern cities and home to a diverse array of architecture, museums and fantastic spots to eat – including its contemporary Markthal street food market. Whilst you won’t find canals here, you’ll find a city centred around it’s (giant) waterways in other ways. The quays besides the central maritime museum, full of historic boats, and charming townhouses jostling alongside Sint Jobshaven are amongst the highlights we stumbled across.

Discover more of my recommendations for 24 hours in Rotterdam.

Amsterdam

There’s a good reason for Amsterdam’s popularity: it’s undeniably enchanting. A seemingly infinite labyrinth of cobbled streets and canals, it’s packed to the rafters with interesting museums, fabulous places to eat and drink and outstanding city parks. The architecture is exquisite and like everywhere in the Netherlands, it’s delightfully laid-back. Whilst there is far more to enjoy here in a day, it remains less than an hour from Delft and an outstanding destination for day out. Simply pick a neighbourhood or two to explore, or head to a stellar museum (such as the unmissable Rijksmuseum) rather than try to do too much.

You’ll find plenty of ideas in More than canals and cliches: A city guide to Amsterdam on and off the beaten path.

How we holidayed in Delft

We spent five days in the Netherlands in early spring. Day one was largely spent travelling, and we took an extended lunch stop in Belgium before arriving in Delft during the afternoon. We spent the day of our arrival exploring Delftse Hout, and our first full day in the city centre. We took two day trips out – the first to Den Haag, then Scheveningen – by public transport and enjoyed Delft on our return each day. We travelled home on the fifth, stopping in the charming town of Breda (near the Belgian border) for brunch and a stroll.

Delft travel resources

How to get to Delft

Delft is less than an hour from Amsterdam Schipol airport, with a direct rail connect to Delft central station. This station offers excellent connections to other towns and cities in the Netherlands including Amsterdam for international rail connections. Alternatively, consider travelling by road. Parking isn’t plentiful in Delft but it has excellent – and free – motorway connections to nearby countries (including Belgium and France for Le Shuttle). Visitors from the UK might also want to consider regular ferry services to nearby Hook of Holland.

Where to stay in Delft

You’ll find hotels and a variety of rooms and properties to let on Airbnb both in the centre of Delft and near the University. But for something a little different, in a glorious location, consider Vakantiepark Delftse Hout like us. A stone’s throw from the city centre but nestled in peaceful beech woodland, this independent holiday park offers a range of glamping and camping options. We chose a smart cabin at this compact and charming site for our springtime stay. 

Check out my Vakantiepark Delftse Hout review.

How to get around Delft

Delft is a delightfully pedestrian-friendly city. Much of the centre is pedestrianised and even if, like us, you chose to stay outside of the centre you’ll find easy, car-free walking routes back into town. Like all Dutch towns and cities, Delft is also very bicycle-friendly with cycle lanes everywhere. Although not big enough to be necessary to explore on two wheels, you can find cycle hire shops if you want to get out beyond Delft on a bike.

For days out, there are excellent rail and tram connections from Delft station, an easy five minute walk from the centre.

Delft is a delight

There’s no two ways about it. Once you’ve fallen in love with its compact centre, that seems to squeeze all the very best bits of the Netherlands into it, then there’s the surrounding region. From the verdant landscape of Delftse Hout and Bieslande Bos to the cosmopolitan cities of Den Haag and Rotterdam, and beyond to the sandy stretches of coastline – there are a myriad of experiences to enjoy just a skip and a jump away.. 

Delft shines as a day trip destination for anyone seeking authentic Dutch character and charm (and excellent coffee). But it also has much to recommend it as a base for a city break or longer stay in this part of the world. Excellent transport connections make getting out and about easy, and Delft itself offers plentiful enticing options for accommodation and eating out (with a lot less tourist tat to sift through to boot). And – perhaps unexpectedly – it’s an outstanding destination for families. It manages to perfectly tread a fine line of offering heaps that can be enjoyed by all ages, with at no point feeling like Disneyland.

I hope my Delft city guide inspires you to make the most of a visit here – and explore its more diverse offerings. There’s so much more to Delft than ceramics and a cobbled square.