Visit Delft
Welcome to the city of blue and white. Delft feels like a living painting from the 1600s. Walk over to the **Oude Kerk** where the brick tower leans over the water. This church holds the grave of the master painter Johannes Vermeer. He lived his whole life here and found magic in the local light. You can still see the same views he painted when you walk along the quiet canal banks today. The **Prinsenhof** is a must for any visitor. This former palace is where the father of the nation William of Orange was killed. You can still see the bullet holes in the wall. It is a chilling piece of history that shaped the Dutch kingdom. Afterward wander into the workshops to see **Delft Blue** pottery being made by hand. The artists still use the same brush strokes they used centuries ago to create the world famous tin glazed plates and tiles. Finish your visit at the **Nieuwe Kerk** on the main square. This church holds the royal vault where every Dutch king and queen is buried. The square itself is wide and lined with shops selling local cheese and crafts. It is a great spot to sit and watch the world go by before you get back to your vehicle. The city is small but every corner has a story of royal power and artistic genius.Top sights to visit
The best places to visit in Delft
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Best match
Hotel
Historic City Hotel
Design hotel · City Centre · Free bikes
from€195/night
Hotel
Canal View Suites
Boutique suites · Waterfront · Breakfast included
from€245/night
Museum
Museum
National History Museum
Art & culture · City Centre · Guided tours
from€18/person
Spa
Spa
Wellness & Spa Centre
Thermal baths · Art Deco · City centre
from€35/session
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History of Delft
Delft is a city of royal secrets and artistic silence that feels frozen in the **Golden Age**. Its history is forever tied to **William of Orange**, the man who led the Dutch to independence from Spain. He chose this fortified town as his headquarters because its thick walls and deep moats made it one of the safest places in the land. However, tragedy struck in 1584 when he was killed inside his palace, the **Prinsenhof**, by an assassin. This event turned the city into a sacred site, and every member of the **Dutch Royal Family** since then has been buried in the grand vault of the New Church. While kings were being buried, local artists were creating a different kind of legacy. In the 17th century, the city became world famous for **Delft Blue** pottery. Local potters developed a way to copy expensive Chinese porcelain using local clay and a secret tin glaze, creating the iconic blue and white designs seen on tiles and plates today. At the same time, the painter **Johannes Vermeer** was working in total silence just a few streets away, capturing the quiet light of the city in paintings that are now worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The city also survived a massive catastrophe in 1654 known as the **Delft Thunderclap**. A secret gunpowder store exploded in the heart of the town, destroying hundreds of homes and killing many citizens, including a famous student of Rembrandt. The people rebuilt the city with even more beautiful brick facades and wider canals, creating the refined atmosphere you see today. It remains a quiet, elegant escape that perfectly balances its **royal heritage** with a world class reputation for art and innovation.Stay in the loop
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