Delft

Day 1: Golden Age Delft, canals and quiet courtyards

Begin in the heart of Delft’s 17th‑century cityscape, where Gothic spires and Dutch Classicism face each other across the Markt. Pace yourself: Delft rewards unhurried wandering, reflections in the water, and light that shifts throughout the day.

• Morning: Start on the Markt with the Nieuwe Kerk and Stadhuis; if you’re early, climb the Nieuwe Kerk tower for far‑reaching views before crowds arrive. On Thursdays the general market fills the square; on Saturdays there’s an excellent antiques and flower market around the canals.
• Midday: Walk to the Prinsenhof Museum to stand by the preserved bullet holes from William of Orange’s assassination, then pause in its quiet garden on the Oude Delft. Lunch along Voldersgracht or Koornmarkt and look up to compare stepped, neck and bell gables as you stroll.
• Afternoon: Trace the full length of the Oude Delft canal north to south, ducking into hofjes such as Hofje van Gratie and Hofje van Pauw (be respectful: these are lived‑in). If you love art history, the Vermeer Centrum on Voldersgracht adds context to the city’s light and streetscapes.
• Evening: Take a silent fluisterboot or a guided rondvaart to view façades from water level; mind very low bridges and keep right under way. Dine on the Beestenmarkt or Hippolytusbuurt; in December, Lichtjesavond illuminates bridges and quays with thousands of lights.

Day 2: Innovation meets tradition – TU campus, Spoorzone and Oostpoort

Today connects Delft’s living lab to its medieval edges. Cycle like a local to feel the city’s human scale and the contrast between brick‑gabled canals and cutting‑edge design.

• Morning: Bike to TU Delft: sit on the grass roof of the University Library, peek into BK City (Architecture faculty) for models and exhibitions, and admire the sculptural concrete of the Aula. Grab coffee among students for the city’s intellectual pulse.
• Midday: Roll back via the Spoorzone to the combined City Hall and Delft Centraal; step inside to see the soaring hall with its historic city map ceiling. Lunch around Stationsplein or at Huis van Delft, then continue through the new parks and brick‑clad housing of Nieuw Delft.
• Afternoon: Explore Agnetapark, a tranquil 19th‑century garden village, or follow the Schie to spot student rowing crews from Laga training on wider water. For a slower local slice, wander Binnenwatersloot—residential, bench‑lined and blissfully calm.
• Evening: Stroll to the fairytale Oostpoort for golden‑hour photos where canals converge; it’s one of Delft’s most atmospheric spots. Settle into a bruin café near Oude Kerk or along the canals—keep voices low late at night; these are residential streets.

Day 3: Water life, craft and the city’s small rituals

Savour Delft at a slower tempo with time on the water, traditional craft, and the cosy rhythm locals call gezellig. Leave space for serendipity—this compact city reveals itself in details.

• Morning: Begin with a courtyard and canal loop: Bagijnhof, Vrouwenregt and the tiny Voldersgracht are lovely in soft light. Coffee at a small spot near Koornmarkt (try Koffie & Zo) and a quick gevelstenen “treasure hunt” for carved gable stones along the way.
• Midday: Rent a fluisterboot, kayak or SUP for a DIY circuit; duck low bridges, give way to tour boats and observe any one‑way signs. Summer note: heed blauwalg (blue‑green algae) advisories and avoid swimming in the city canals; in rare cold snaps, frozen canals may allow skating instead.
• Afternoon: Visit Royal Delft (last historic earthenware factory) for a workshop or factory tour, or call in at Mill De Roos to see a working windmill and pick up local flour. Alternatively, return to the Oude Delft for a contemplative walk and museum time if rain moves in.
• Evening: Join the local borrel ritual on the Beestenmarkt with a beer and bitterballen, or try venerable Bierhuis De Klomp. Finish with a slow bridge‑to‑bridge circuit for reflections on still water; Thursdays and Saturdays are livelier, while Sundays are notably serene.

Notes for all days:

• Quays often lack railings; watch your step and children near the edge.
• Do not walk in red cycle lanes; step aside on narrow bridges for cyclists.
• If self‑skippering: no licence needed for small rentals, but the skipper must observe Dutch alcohol limits and keep to the right.
• Expect occasional quay‑wall maintenance causing short detours; signed diversions keep you close to the water.

By Air

• Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS, ~45 km): Frequent direct Intercity trains to Delft (2–4 per hour); 40–55 minutes.
• Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM, ~12 km): Bus 33 to Rotterdam Centraal (20–25 minutes) then train to Delft (12–15 minutes); total 35–45 minutes. Alternative: Bus 33 to Meijersplein + Metro E towards The Hague/Rotterdam and transfer.
• Eindhoven (EIN, ~120 km): Bus 400/401 to Eindhoven Centraal (≈20 minutes) + train (1 change); 1h40–2h.
• Brussels Airport (BRU, ~150 km): Train to Rotterdam Centraal (≈1h10–1h30) + train to Delft (12–15 minutes); total ~1h45–2h15.

By Train

• Main stations: Delft (city-centre, underground) and Delft Campus.
• Key links (typical times, frequent services):
  • The Hague (Centraal or HS): 7–15 minutes.
  • Rotterdam Centraal: 12–15 minutes.
  • Schiphol Airport: 40–55 minutes (often direct).
  • Amsterdam Centraal: 50–70 minutes (usually 1 change at Leiden or The Hague HS).
  • Utrecht Centraal: 50–65 minutes (1 change at Rotterdam or The Hague).
• International (via Rotterdam Centraal + 12–15 minutes to Delft):
  • Brussels: ~2 hours total.
  • Paris (Eurostar to Rotterdam): ~3h40 total.
  • London (Eurostar to Rotterdam): ~3h30–4h total.

By Car

• Motorways: A13 (Rotterdam–The Hague) and A4 (Amsterdam–The Hague).
• Approximate drive times (traffic dependent): Rotterdam 20–30 minutes; The Hague 20–25 minutes; Schiphol 35–50 minutes; Amsterdam 50–70 minutes.
• The historic centre has restricted access and narrow one-way streets; use edge-of-centre car parks (e.g., Marktgarage, Phoenixgarage, Prinsenhofgarage, Zuidpoortgarage).

By Coach

• Long-distance coaches typically serve Rotterdam or The Hague; transfer by train to Delft (12–15 minutes).