Delft: Hometown of The Girl with the Pearl Earring

If you want cool pictures, love cheese, into ceramics and collecting souvenirs, Delft is definitely a must-visit-city! This cute picturesque city is not far away from Rotterdam or any other city in the Netherlands. The city is known for its blue and white ceramics which is called "Delftware" and of course the famous painting "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" by Johannes Vermeer.

You can easily discover the city by foot and of course with a bike. You will be amazed by the typical Dutch architecture and the canal view. To explore the city, it would probably take a whole day and a night if you want to stay more in this lovely town. Don't forget to have enough money because the ceramics are so beautiful, it will empty your pockets! For me, there is no specific time of travelling because it will be always windy but if I have to choose, summer is better because I am not a big fan of being soaked up wet because of the rain and PLUS a heavy wind :) In here, you will definitely understand why the Netherlands is famous for its windmills :D So if you want to fill your stomach with famous Dutch cheese and see the beautiful Delft blue, here is your personal guide!

First stop Stadhuis (Town Hall)

This is the heart of the city with full of cheese shops, Delftware shops, and very cute cafes. In the cheese shops, you can try every kind of cheese, so better go there with an empty stomach. You can also buy souvenirs in here and enjoy your coffee while gazing the old buildings.

The New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) and Hugo de Groot Markt

The new church was built between 1383 and 1510, located facing the Stadhuis. Many famous Dutch citizens and royal members buried in this church. The most famous one is Hugo Grotius (1583-1645) which was a jurist in the Netherlands. Inside the church, you can see the mausoleum of Prince William of Orange which is decorated with marble and beautiful figures. The stained glass windows are so beautiful that you can't resist to photograph them. You can buy a ticket for 3,50 Euros to enter the church and with that ticket, you can also visit the Old Church. Outside in the Groot Market, you can find the bronze statue of Hugo Grotius.

The Old Church (Oude Kerk)

This Gothic-style church was built in 1246 and it is the oldest church in Delft. Inside looks similar to the New Church with the flooring and of course with the amazing stained-glass windows. The old church also hosts the famous painter Johannes Vermeer's(1632-1675) tomb. The funny thing about this church is; it's 75-meter high brick tower leans about 2 meters because the soil wasn't strong enough to build it. :D

"Royal Delft" the Delftware Factory

This factory was established in 1653 which is one of the original Delftware factories from the 17th Century. In here all the Delftware is hand-painted. It is not very far from the Stadhuis and inside the building, you can have an audio tour, can check the Delftware collection, master painters at work and antique Delft pieces with 12 Euro entry fee.

If you want to visit this more than 750 years old city, create your trip on itinari now! Here is the list of activities: