Private Walking Tour of Delft: Dive into the Dutch Golden Age
Overview
Discover the stories behind Delft’s facades on this private walking tour with a knowledgeable and passionate guide.
Your tour begins on the big Market Square, right in front of the towering New Church. From here you will explore Delft’s old town together with your own guide, walking along picturesque canals and historic houses that date back to the Dutch Golden Age.
See Delft’s famous sites like the leaning Old Church, and also discover its less-known gems like the former Dutch East India Company office and the Meat Hall, as your guide shares stories of legends like William of Orange, Vermeer, and scientist Antony van Leeuwenhoek.
Expect fascinating stories, beautiful photo spots, insider tips, and details about Delft that most visitors would otherwise miss. By the end of the tour, you'll know more about Delft than the average local.
Perfect for travelers who want to understand Delft beyond the guidebooks.
Gallery
What's Included
✓ Included
- All fees and taxes
- Private guide
✗ Not Included
- Gratuities
Itinerary
1
Stop 1
Your guide will welcome you on Delft’s historic Market Square, one of the oldest market squares in the Netherlands, beside the statue of Hugo Grotius. This is both the starting and ending point of the tour. The New Church is the burial place of the Dutch royal family and of Grotius himself, and its tower is the second tallest church tower in the country. During the tour, your guide will place this iconic landmark in its historical and cultural context.
2
Stop 2
The historic Town Hall of Delft is one of the city’s most significant civic buildings. Your guide will pass by it when leaving the Market Square on the way to the Old Church. Behind its elegant Renaissance façade lies a turbulent history of fires, justice, and city governance, including its role as a former prison.
3
Stop 3
After leaving the Market Square, your guide will pass the former Butter House, the old Weigh House, and the historic home of Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, before entering Delft’s former beer-brewing quarter. Here stands the Old Church, famous for its strikingly leaning tower. Inside lies the grave of Johannes Vermeer. Your guide will explain why its tower began to lean almost as soon as construction started.
4
Stop 4
Opposite the Old Church stands the Prinsenhof, a former monastery that later became a residence for William of Orange, known as the Father of the Fatherland. This site played a decisive role in Dutch history, as William of Orange was assassinated here in 1584. Your guide will explain how this event shaped the future of the Netherlands and why Delft became so closely linked to the House of Orange.
5
Stop 5
While walking along the Oude Delft canal, your guide will point out the oldest surviving house in the city. Since 1645, this richly decorated building has housed the local Water Board. Your guide will explain what a water board is, why it was vital to the survival and prosperity of Delft, and why water management has always been a matter of life and death in the Netherlands.
6
Stop 6
Continuing south along the Oude Delft canal, your guide will pass some of the city’s most impressive historic residences. In the south of the city, you'll find two powerful reminders of Delft’s Golden Age: the former state weapons armory and the main building of the Delft chamber of the Dutch East India Company. Your guide will explain Delft’s role in the military, maritime, and commercial expansion of the Dutch Republic. Nearby, you will also see the exact location where Johannes Vermeer stood when he painted his famous View of Delft.
7
Stop 7
Walking north along Delft’s second-oldest canal, once the city’s grain market, your guide will pass the former synagogue of Delft. This building reflects the long presence of a Jewish community in the city.
8
Stop 8
The tour concludes at the Beestenmarkt, a former animal market located just behind the Market Square where the walk began. Today, this lively and picturesque square is one of Delft’s most popular gathering places, lined with cafés and restaurants. If you want, your guide will be happy to share local tips on where to enjoy a good beer, casual snacks, or a relaxed dinner, so you can make the most of the rest of your stay in Delft.
Meeting & End Point
📍
Meeting Point
You will meet your guide on the market square, next to the statue of Hugo Grotius. That is in front of the New Church.
🏁
End Point
You will meet your guide on the market square, next to the statue of Hugo Grotius. That is in front of the New Church.
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Good to Know
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Known For:
Most Visited Tours
Traveler Reviews
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