Royal Delft

Delft


Pottery fans will love visiting Royal Delft, the town's most famous earthenware factory, which has been handcrafting its blue-and-white-painted porcelain since 1653. Admission includes an audioguide that leads you through a painting demonstration, the company museum and the factory's production process. For many, of course, the tour highlight is the final stop in the gift shop. It's 1.5km south of the Markt, near the university.

Book ahead to attend a workshop (from €29), where you will get to paint your own piece of Delft blue (tiles, plates or vases).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Delft attractions

1. Oostpoort

0.68 MILES

This fairytale-style brick gate with its twin witch hats once guarded the eastern part of the city against invaders. Today, it's the sole surviving…

2. Museum Paul Tetar van Elven

0.71 MILES

Off the usual tourist radar, this museum is the former studio and home of 19th-century Dutch artist Paul Tetar van Elven, who lived and worked here from…

3. Beestenmarkt

0.74 MILES

Once the site of the town's cattle market, this large open space is filled with plane trees and surrounded by fine buildings.

4. Waag

0.8 MILES

This 16th-century weighing house behind the Stadhuis remained in use until 1960. It now houses the De Waag cafe and restaurant.

5. Stadhuis

0.81 MILES

Delft's town hall has an unusual combination of Renaissance construction surrounding an early 14th-century tower.

6. Markt

0.81 MILES

One of the largest historic market squares in Europe, the rectangular Markt was first paved in the late 15th century. It is edged by the town hall, Nieuwe…

7. Nieuwe Kerk

0.82 MILES

Construction of Delft's Nieuwe Kerk began in 1381; it was finally completed in 1655. The church has been the final resting place of almost every member of…

8. Vermeer Centrum Delft

0.85 MILES

Johannes Vermeer was born in Delft in 1632 and lived here until his death in 1675, aged only 43. Although none of his works remain in Delft, this centre…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "the-netherlands/the-randstad/delft/attractions/royal-delft/a/poi-sig/1234170/360848",
      "destination": "Delft",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "The-Netherlands",
      "city": "Delft",
      "position": "superzone"
    }