Walk through Vermeer’s Delft, explore historic sites, and uncover hidden stories with an expert guide. Book your immersive half-day tour now.
- Markt - Your tour begins at the Markt square in Delft, the heart of Vermeer’s life. Here, you’ll find numerous landmarks: The New Church, Hugo Grotius’ statue, Vermeer’s father’s old house, Vermeer’s own later residence, the town hall, Delft’s oldest shop, the butter house, the weighing house, and more! Your guide will provide detailed insights.
- Old Church - Following the Markt square, we head to the Old Church. This is the final resting place of Johannes Vermeer, among other notable Dutch figures. We’ll enter the church to visit his grave.
- Museum Prinsenhof Delft - A visit to Delft isn’t complete without seeing the Prinsenhof, where the Father of the Fatherland was assassinated. This event, occurring nearly 50 years before Vermeer’s birth, significantly shaped the city’s history.
- Gemeenlandshuis van Delfland - As we move south through Delft, we’ll pass the impressive 1500s facade of the water board building, near the spot where ‘The View of Delft’ was painted. Your guide will share its history.
- VOC-Kamer Delft - Nearing the southern end of the city, we’ll see the Dutch East India Company’s Delft chamber. This company played a crucial role in Vermeer’s career by providing exotic materials and pigments.
- Armamentarium - Opposite the Dutch East India Company building is a former state of Holland weapons arsenal. An early version of this building appears in Vermeer’s ‘View of Delft.’
- Hooikade - From this vantage point, we can view Delft from the same perspective Vermeer used for his famous city painting. Let’s see what remains recognizable today.
- Maria van Jessekerk - Heading back north, we’ll encounter the Maria van Jessekerk, a Catholic church. In Vermeer’s era, this area hosted hidden Catholic services and was where Vermeer lived with his mother-in-law, creating his masterpieces. Recent 2023 findings suggest the house still stands. Let’s check if the curtains are open.
- Vlamingstraat - Before visiting the Vermeer Museum, we’ll stop by Vlamingstraat. It’s believed that number 42 on this street is depicted in Vermeer’s painting of a little street in Delft. Let’s see its current state.
- Vermeer Centrum Delft - Finally, we’ll enter the Vermeer Centrum, a museum dedicated to Vermeer’s life and work, located in the former artists’ guild of Delft. Vermeer frequented this place and even served as the guild’s president.
- Entrance ticket to Old Church (valid for New Church too)
- Entrance ticket to Vermeer Museum (with audio guide)
- Private guide: In-person: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch
- Gratuities (optional)
- Umbrella (hope you don’t need it!)
This tour will literally take you through a Vermeer painting: you will walk through the historical heart of Delft with an enthusiastic guide, whose passion for the city is infectious. Visit the places that played the biggest role in Vermeer’s life and walk in his footsteps. From the place where he was born, to the place where he lived and the place where he has been buried; you will see it all.
In Delft, everything comes together: you will also get to know the Father of the Fatherland, the Dutchman who discovered microbes (and knew Vermeer), and the founding father of international law. All while walking along the canals of the quaintest city of Holland.
You won’t look at Vermeer’s work in the same way again. Expect to hear interesting stories and to get real insider tips. You will see and understand things that would otherwise go unnoticed.
This tour takes 4 to 5 hours and it starts and ends in the city center. It can be booked in English, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian or French.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
