Drive to Delft.
Delft is quite small, so it’s not so hard to see the majority of these (and if you take a Delft boat tour you’ll see a ton of them). We’ll have a hard time getting lost here, so I wouldn’t worry about straying off course too much. We can wander the main city center where the canals are small and quaint, although a walk along the main canal Oostsingel can also be really peaceful.
This is a city full of gorgeous Art Nouveau/Art Deco architecture from the 1920s and 1930s. Think gorgeous stained glass windows, old signs on buildings with cool vintage fonts, and beautiful woodwork. The unique architecture we’ll encounter may be worth it alone! Here's four main places that I think are convenient, interesting and worthwhile:
Oude Kerk is the old church, and is worthwhile because it’s visually quite funny. The church spire is leaning like, super aggressively off kilter – it’s totally safe, but cool to see.
The smallest house of Delft is also a fun thing to see if you happen to be strolling by.
The Markt Center is where you can find both the Delft Town Hall, which is a stunning Renaissance-era building, and the Nieuwe Kerk, the new church which you can climb up to get the best view of Delft.
The Royal Delft Museum is the best and most comprehensive way to get an up-close look at the famous Delft Blue pottery. The Delft factory tour is also probably one of the most well known things to do in Delft.
The museum is housed in an almost 400-year-old factory, and is dedicated to the production and craft of the work. Visit the museum to gain a complete history of Delftware, and also learn how it’s still made today.
After visiting the museum we can enjoy a lunch or high tea at The Brasserie1653 restaurant which is also in the building. The lunchroom has beautiful views of the garden, which is accessible all year, and there’s a stunning terrace. Or we can find another spot for a break.
Next, if you want to do another museum, we can hit the Vermeer Centrum. At the Vermeer Centrum Delft you can learn about the life and work of Delft’s most famous painter, Johannes Vermeer. The museum is super easy to find, located right in the center of the city, just off the main square.
The museum offers a visual journey through the life, work and city of Johannes Vermeer, though it should be noted that there are no original Vermeers in the museum. It is a museum dedicated to the life of the artist, rather than the art itself. Worth a visit if you’re interested in art or art history, or even just curious about the history of Delft.
1:00pm Drive to the Louwman Museum. The automobile is one of the most important inventions of the 19th and 20th centuries. Check out the collection of more than 250 highlights at the Louwman Museum. Step into the history of progress. The Louwman Museum in The Hague offers a visual depiction of more than 130 years of progress, innovation and design, in a unique collection of more than 250 highlights of automotive history.
Guided tour
Guided tours From James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 to the first Toyota ever built. During the tour, your guide will tell you all about the collection. Tours are available in Dutch, English or German, for both groups and individuals. You can book three different types of guided tour:
The history of the automobile (at least 60 minutes) This guided tour on the upper floor covers the history of automobiles, starting with the first cars ever built. The most important developments and milestones in automotive history will be discussed in depth.
Racing, art and design (at least 60 minutes) This guided tour on the second floor goes into the stories of artists that were inspired by the automobile and created the most beautiful, wide variety of posters, leaflets, paintings and sculptures. Furthermore, this tour will pass by the most exquisite race and show cars.
Luxurious automobiles and Dutch heritage (at least 60 minutes) This guided tour on the first floor starts with the so-called ‘Great Cars’, cars owned by the richest people of the 1930s. The guide will then share some unique Dutch heritage: the largest collection of Spyker cars, as well as the sole remaining car built by Eysink..
.