I have travelled extensively over Europe but first time traveller to the Netherlands. (Used airline points and Amsterdam came up a one of the cheaper options in regard to airport taxes). I have Amsterdam planned and booked. We then have three nights in Delft before flying out of Rotterdam to London City airport. Can anyone give suggestions on day trips out from Delft? Anything not to be missed? Leaving second week of July.
Margaret
The Hague (Den Haag), a few minutes away by train or tram, is an obvious one, if only for the excellent Mauritshuis museum.
An extremely undervisited destination is Schiedam, also a few minutes away by train, with its tall windmills and the Jenevermuseum (Gin Museum).
Half an hour away you'll find Dordrecht, the oldest city in these parts of the Netherlands, beautifully situated on a crossroads of rivers. Take the train to Dordrecht, and the river ferry (Waterbus) back to Rotterdam, where you can pick up a train to Delft.
The trains run at least every 15 mins, the Waterbus from Dordrecht to Rotterdam is half-hourly.
Thank you for the information. I am so looking forward to my trip.
Margaret
We are in Delft! Last day of a four night stay in Rick Steves recommended Hotel Leeuwenbrug. A nice place in a great location. I’d stay here again.
Today we went on a fabulous day trip to Kinderdijk. Easy train ride to Rotterdam then a pleasant walk to the Waterbus for a 30 minute boat ride to Kinderdijk. Bicycle rental place right across from ferry landing where you can rent a bike for $4/hour to pedal on level ground to view all the old windmills. 1 1/2 to 2 hours is enough to see everything leisurely. Then you can go back to Rotterdam or, as we did, onto the historic non tourist town of Dordrecht.
Yesterday we visited Utrecht. Good trip and interesting city with it’s unique double layered streets along the canal. But it makes one appreciate that Delft is the prettiest city to stay in. You could easily spend two nice days just relaxing and walking around Delft. Enjoy.
The Hague and Leiden are good choices.
One advantage to staying in Delft is that Tram 1 goes to The Hague. If you like art museums, and have visited the Mauritshuis (NOT to be missed), for a second choice stay on Tram 1 north to World Forum stop, and walk 20 minutes to Gementeemuseum (Municipal Museum), to be renamed this October at the opening of the Monet exhibition as Kunstmuseum (Art Museum). Or take Tram 16 from Den Haag Centraal Station directly to the museum. This museum has a marvelous collection of paintings and decorative arts, in an architecturally beautiful 1930's building. There is an interactive "Chambers of Wonder" experience (in Dutch or English) (no additional fee) in the basement for children 9 and up, which utilizes laptops. Next door is Museon, with special exhibits more aimed at children, and an IMAX theater (Omniversum). There is also Fotomuseum (photography). All have separate admissions. The museum has a nice cafe, but the former museum cafe next store, Brasserie Berlage, is open for lunch, high tea, and dinner (except Mondays) and is even nicer.
Other Tram 1 alternatives include the Peace Palace ((Vredespaleis), though in my opinion, the free visitors center is not worth a visit unless you can join a tour of the building itself (check online, English tours scheduled sporadically, cost 11 euros, kids free, bring passports for the tour).
Also you can stay on Tram 1 all the way to the Scheveningen beach area (for the pier, exit at Kurhaus stop). It will be too cold to swim, but it's nice to stroll on the two-level pier and have a seafood meal, or a stroopwafel or gelato. At the end of the pier is a ferris wheel with enclosed cars (with a/c); also bungee jumping and ziplines (fun to watch even if you're staying on the ground).
Each of us purchased an ov-chipkaart at the train station for use on buses, trams, and trains: cost 7.5 euros for the card, and load euros on the card online or at the train station as needed. When you hold the card up to the reader upon entering or exiting the vehicle or train station, you will see how much is left on the card. The cards we purchased have some leftover euros, but they are good until 2024, so we hope to return to use them!
Richard
We found the Royal Flora Holland flower auction in Aalsmeer absolutely fascinating. It's important to arrive fairly early in the morning. By noontime everything seems to wind down. They trade around 20 million flowers and plants daily which makes it a sea of colors.
For Kinderdijk, there is Tram 7 that goes from the train station to the Waterbus dock.
Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I loved Delft. One day, we found our way to Kinderdijk. We planned on going to the Hague, but with only three days we ended up spending all our other time exploring Delft, the market, churches etc. I enjoyed the slower pace and would love to go back.
Margaret
Margaret, do you mind telling what hotel you stayed in in Delft?
Thank you.
I've stayed at the Hotel Grand Canal when I've visited Delft -- https://www.grandcanal.nl/en/
We stayed at the Hotel de Emauspoort. It had the perfect location and has great Booking.com reviews and from many other sites. This is my opinion of this hotel. The rooms are quirky which is in the description, but they are small and hot in the summer. We were provided a stand-alone fan but it was still uncomfortable. You can also hear conversations from the rooms next door. The breakfast was OK. I personally would not book this hotel again - But the actual location is great and it was clean.
You will absolutely love Delft. We stayed for 3 nights and could have stayed longer. I plan on going back one day. We only had time to visit Kinderdijk for the windmills on one day and then the rest of the time we found lots to do in Delft.
Enjoy your trip.
