The Hague & Delft: Art, Royals & Delft Blue Private Day Tour

Overview

Explore two of the most historically rich cities in the Netherlands on this full-day private tour, with visits to two world-class museums along the way. In The Hague, your guide takes you through the political and royal heart of the Netherlands. The highlight here is the Mauritshuis, home to Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring and some of the finest Dutch Golden Age paintings in the world. In Delft, you step into the city where Vermeer lived and worked. Walk along the canals and past the historic churches, hear the stories of William of Orange and Antony van Leeuwenhoek, and visit Royal Delft, the only Delft Blue manufacturer still operating since the 17th century. Lunch is included here. This tour normally starts in The Hague and ends in Delft, but the other way around also works. Pick-up in another city can be booked too. This is a private tour. You set the pace, and if you have any special requests or an interest in a certain topic, just let us know.

Itinerary

1. Het Plein

   You will start this tour in the middle of Plein in The Hague, right in the city center. There you will learn about the Father of the Fatherland, Willem van Oranje, and his role in the 80 years war: the Dutch revolt.

   · 20 min

2. Binnenhof & Ridderzaal

   You will walk onto the square within the parliament complex and see the Knight's Hall. Here our guide will tell you about the significance and history of this place. With some luck, you might see some of our ministers (or prime minister) walking by!

   · 10 min

3. Hofvijver

   The Hofvijver lake is situated in front of the parliament building and the prime minister's office. You will learn about the significance of this place and some funny history.

   · 10 min

4. Thorbecke Monument

   The statue of Thorbecke next to the Hofvijver is quite interesting. This statue has to do with our democracy and the father of our constitution! You will hear more about it.

   · 10 min

5. Lange Voorhout

   This is the Champs-Élysées of The Hague. Quite a classy street! You will pass by multiple embassies, an art museum, a famous hotel, the temporary senate building, a statue gallery of the Dutch heads of states and some more interesting (royal) buildings.

   · 30 min

6. Noordeinde Palace

   You will see the working palace of the Dutch king. Based on the flag, we can find out if he is currently in the country. Let's see!

   · 10 min

7. Grote Kerk

   You will see the Grote Kerk ("Big Church") of The Hague. It is quite an uncommon tower. And what is that stork doing on top of it?

   · 20 min

8. Statue of Johan de Witt

   Another statue. This is the only head of government in the world that has been eaten by an angry mob! That sounds a bit weird, but you'll find out what happened.

   · 20 min

9. After the walking tour, your guide will take you inside the Mauritshuis. This classy building was built in the 17th century for the governor of Dutch Brazil. Now it is a world famous museum with a top selection of art from the Dutch Golden Age, including 3 Vermeers!

   · 1 h· Admission included

10. Museum Prinsenhof Delft

    After a short ride, you will arrive in Delft and enter the city. You will immediately pass by a historic site, where the Father of the Fatherland has been killed. You will learn about this.

    · 30 min

11. Vieille église

    If it is open, you will enter the Old Church of Delft, the leaning tower of Delft. Many famous people have been buried in this church, like Johannes Vermeer and Antoni van Leeuwenhoek.

    · 30 min· Admission included

12. On our way down the Oude Delft canal, we will see the oldest house of Delft. It now has a heavily decorated facade, as it houses the Water Board since 1645. What is this and why was (and is) it so important?

    · 15 min

13. You will have lunch in Delft's historic weighing house, right behind the old town hall.

    · 1 h· Admission included

14. On the market square, you will see Delft's old town hall, the oldest shop in Delft, a statue of the Father of International Law and the place where Johannes Vermeer was raised.

    · 20 min

15. When it is open, you will also visit the New Church of Delft. This is the church where our royal family is buried. It is also the second tallest church in the Netherlands.

    · 20 min· Admission included

16. After seeing the former animal market, the Beestenmarkt, you'll see another church! This one is a Catholic church. Right next to it, there is a house that is said to be the place where Vermeer made his paintings. But it is a mysterious story. You'll find out.

    · 20 min

17. As you make your way south, you will pass by the old synagogue of the city.

    · 10 min

18. Next to the old weapons arsenal of Holland, you will also see a former office building of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), the biggest company to have ever existed.

    · 20 min

19. After you have seen the city center, your guide will take you to the Royal Delft museum and factory. This is the only remaining Delft Blue manufacturer from the 17th century that still operates. Afterwards, you'll be taken to the city center.

    · 1 h· Admission included

Pickup

Pickup or meet at the departure point.

If you book an option that includes a pick-up and drop-off, you will be picked up from the location you select, up to 1 hour before the tour starts. You are dropped off again afterwards. We will contact you beforehand to coordinate this. If you book an option that does not include a pick-up and a drop-off, you will meet your guide at the meeting point.

How to use your ticket

Meeting and end point

What to know before you go

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Travelers

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

• From 1 days before : 100% refunded
• From 0 days before : 0% refunded

Reviews

Product code: 399542P26

Activity offered by Discover Delft via Viator.