How to spend an afternoon in Delft: A relaxed half day itinerary

Updated September 2026

Spending an afternoon in Delft? You can see many of the city’s highlights in around 4 hours, particularly if you arrive by train and explore the historic centre on foot. This relaxed Delft itinerary, by an expat who lived in the Netherlands, takes you from Delft station to the Markt, Nieuwe Kerk, canals and Delft’s historic streets, with options to add the Royal Delft Museum, TU Delft Hortus Botanicus or a canal-side cafe depending on your interests.

One of my favourite places in the Netherlands just has to be Delft! It is a small place that has a lot of character and a lot to see and do. Whether I’m visiting alone, with a friend, my partner or in a group. There are many ways to spend an afternoon in Delft. When I was living in the Netherlands, it was the first place I thought of to hang out for an afternoon which often led into an evening depending on who I was hanging out with!

I’m not quite sure what it is with the place, but it just seems to have a calming effect on me. I love the peaceful, laid-back vibe I get. Just taking a stroll through the picturesque Dutch streets and along its canals, or chilling on a terrace watching the world go by and chatting with friends. The city always has a calm, relaxed and, strangely for a city, a quietness about it. The people are always super friendly. The cafes and restaurants are first-rate. Then there is the architecture and buildings which are just exceptional masterpieces of craftsmanship.

Admittedly, the city is better experienced when it’s warm and the sun is shining. But there are plenty of places to drink coffee (and have an appeltaart) in the warm looking out across the canals through a window! 

Delft is a city in the of South Holland, located between Rotterdam and The Hague. And, less than an hour by train from Amsterdam. So it is pretty easily accessible from most of the other major cities in the country. If you’re coming from the Hague, there is also the tram 1 that runs from the city centre at Spui to Delft.

Delft is famous for its blue and white pottery known as Delftware. You can experience the production process and history of Delft Blue and Royal Delft at the Royal Delft Museum. The museum is open every day of the week 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Last admission is at 4:00 PM. These times and prices were checked and updated for September 2026, but please be sure and check their website beforehand.

I can also recommend the Prinsenhof Museum for its art and historical exhibits of Delft and the Netherlands. It also includes magnificent delftware pieces such as the pair of flower holders.

The Nieuwe Kerk of Delft is located on the Markt in the city centre. It stands at over 108 metres high and is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands after the Dom Tower in Utrecht. It was built in the Gothic architectural style between 1381 and 1572. Worth a look for the beautiful architecture and decor, both inside and out. You can even climb the church tower, where you will have a bird’s-eye view of Delft.

The Oude Kerk of Delft, nicknamed Oude Jan, is located in the old city centre of Delft at HH Geestkerkhof 25. The tower stands at 75 metres high, which, interestingly, leans almost two metres off the vertical. This is because it was built over a filled-in canal, and so the heavy stone foundation began to sink and lean during construction. Its construction is believed to date back to about 1050, but it was officially acknowledged in 1246, with the famous leaning bell tower being built between 1325 and 1350.

The two churches are approximately a 6 minute walk apart.

Delft has many parks with beautiful, picturesque scenery for walks, or just to relax.

Just walking along the streets of the city itself with its canals, bridges and beautiful buildings and houses provides the perfect backdrop for multiple photo opportunities!

One of my favourite walks is along the Rhine-Schie Canal via Waterringsweg. It’s a fairly long, but very scenic walk that leads you to Rijswijk and further on to The Hague from Delft along Haagweg and Delftweg. It takes about two hours to walk the whole stretch, so you’ll certainly get your step count in as well as experience the beautiful, charming Delft.

Pearl Earring and View of Delft. His paintings specialised in quiet, luminous interior scenes or ordinary middle-class life. The museum covers four floors consisting of exhibitions that showcase the painter’s personal life, his family, his wealthy mother-in-law, and 17th-century Delft.

Tickets start at 13 euros, and the museum is open every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. But be sure to check their website before making plans to visit, just in case.

Spending a sunny afternoon in the botanical gardens in Delft is honestly a real treat. A short walk, or an even shorter bike ride from the train station. There are some lovely walking trails through the gardens with a wide collection of thousands of plants in different sections throughout to experience. They often have different exhibitions too. On entering the botanical gardens you are provided with a map detailing the different walking routes to the different areas to explore. Admission is around 7.50 euros for adults, but free if you have a Dutch Museumkaart. And, the café garden is situated in a picturesque, pleasant spot with delicious coffee and cakes. The gardens are closed on Mondays, but open every other day of the week from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Butagain, be sure to check their website beforehand.

Delft has various terraces to sit and have a coffee, lunch or a drink in the Markt Square and along the canals. One of the things I do like is how many of the cafes and restaurants in the Netherlands have used the canals for extra space by having a barge on the water. This makes the experience a little more authentic I think.

One of my go-tos is De Delft. It is close to the tram and train station and is located centrally to the canals and the city itself. The menu is delicious with good coffee and beers. I just love sitting along the canal watching people go about their daily business with the odd duck and moorhen gliding by through the water as I sit sipping my coffee quietly to myself, or chat with a friend.

Eetcafe de Ruif is always a favourite on a sunny day. You need to walk through the bar from the other side of the building to get to the terrace. They have a great selection of snacks on their menu. It is a lovely spot for a beer and snacks with a fantastic view of the canal bridge and street. It looks so beautiful and picturesque in the sunlight.

Another of my favourite terraces is Moeke Delft. A fairly large terrace with some great coffees, beers and cocktails. Also with quite a scrumptious food menu. It’s one of those terraces I tend to go with friends for a late lunch which goes on into the evening! The heated lamps and blankets are always much appreciated too!

Delft Brouw Huis is also a good stop-off point if you like a beer. They have a beer garden, which is perfect for a summer’s afternoon or evening. The brewing kettle décor inside is also quite interesting and intriguing so be sure to check it out. And they sell food, so a perfect place for snacks or a meal to accompany your locally brewed beer! The brewery is also complete with a vaulted cellar where you can book to have dinner!

And how to spend the morning before the afternoon in Delft? Well, experiencing one of the famous Dutch cheese markets of course!

If you’re looking for a calm, relaxed afternoon, or longer, then Delft is the perfect spot to do things at a slower pace. Stroll along the canals, visit a museum, and watch the world go by on a terrace for a while. What could be more chilled? And so close to other major cities, making a half-day trip to Delft really convenient too! Honestly, I could visit every day of the week. Especially in the warmer, sunnier months. Delft is just gorgeous in my opinion.