“We did a delft tour in the footsteps of vemeer with door to door service from our hotel from Amsterdam. Monika was excellent. We learned a lot about Delft and would Highly recommend this tour. I’d love to do an other tour someday to this area and would consider this tour company. We were there 4 hours which was plenty, there were 4 in our group. We also visited the new and old churches, vermeer’s burial site, & a local pottery shop where they still make the china by hand.”
See more of Delft in two hours, by bike
Delft is a city built for the bicycle. On this private bike tour you see all the highlights of the historic centre and then ride on to the places most visitors never reach on foot: the Oostpoort, the last of Delft's city gates, the 19th-century garden village of Agnetapark, and the quay where Johannes Vermeer painted View of Delft.
Your guide rides with you, stops at every highlight and tells the stories behind them, from William of Orange and the Delft Blue makers to the gunpowder explosion of 1654. The tour starts and ends at Hotel Arsenaal, in the old Armamentarium on the Korte Geer, where your bikes are waiting. Delft is flat and the distances are short, so the pace stays relaxed, and it is a private tour, so you decide where to stop for a photo.
A closer look
What people say about us
“Me and my husband had the pleasure of doing this tour on an incredibly sunny day in May. It was truly fantastic!! Our guide knew everything about Dutch art and history and was very friendly and helpful throughout the tour. Our highlight was the Church in Delft. Thanks again. Kate and Gerald.”
“We have just finished our tour with Roos who's exceptionally detailed knowledge of the City of Delft and the artist Joannes Vermeer was self evident. She was super cool throughout, with exceptional language skills and thoughtful details to bring the tour to life. Thoroughly enjoyed our time together and would recommend asking for Roos by name in future.”
What's included
Included
- Private guide
- A city bike for every rider, from Hotel Arsenaal
- A helmet on request (not required by law in the Netherlands)
- 2-hour private bike tour
Not included
- E-bikes (this tour uses regular bikes only)
- Entry to the churches and museums
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities for the guide (optional)
What to expect
Hotel Arsenaal and the Paardenmarkt
Meet your guide and pick up your bike at Hotel Arsenaal, in the former arsenal of the States of Holland on the Korte Geer. Look up at the 1692 relief above the gate, then ride round the corner to the Paardenmarkt, the old horse market square.
The order of the stops can change with traffic, events and market days. Your guide always picks the quietest streets.
The Oostpoort
The East Gate is the only one of Delft's city gates still standing. With its twin spires and white drawbridge over the water, it is one of the most photographed corners of the city, and a short ride that most visitors miss.
The Markt, the Nieuwe Kerk and the Stadhuis
Park the bikes on Delft's grand market square, between the Renaissance Stadhuis and the Nieuwe Kerk, resting place of William of Orange and the Dutch royal family. Your guide sets the scene of the Dutch Golden Age.
The Oude Kerk, the Prinsenhof and the Gemeenlandshuis
Ride along the Oude Delft canal to the leaning tower of the Oude Kerk, where Vermeer is buried. Across the water stands the Prinsenhof, where William of Orange was shot in 1584, and nearby the Gemeenlandshuis with its painted coats of arms.
Vermeer's View of Delft
Stand where Vermeer stood around 1660 to paint View of Delft, now in the Mauritshuis. The city gates in the painting are gone, but the Kolk harbour and the tower of the Nieuwe Kerk are still there to compare.
Agnetapark
In 1884 factory owner Jacques van Marken built a park village for the workers of his yeast factory and named it after his wife, Agneta Matthes. It was the first garden village in the Netherlands. From here you ride back to Hotel Arsenaal.
Why guests book this tour
Ride through Delft the Dutch way, on a city bike with your own guide.
See the Markt, the Nieuwe Kerk, the leaning Oude Kerk and the Prinsenhof in one loop.
Reach the Oostpoort, Agnetapark and Vermeer's View of Delft, out of range for a walking tour.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between this bike tour and the walking tour?
The private walking tour of Delft (2 hours, €199 per group) covers the historic centre on foot. The bike tour covers the same classic route and adds the Oostpoort, Agnetapark and the spot where Vermeer painted View of Delft, which are too far apart for a walk of the same length.
We are interested in Vermeer specifically. Is this the right tour?
This tour shows you his grave in the Oude Kerk and the spot where he painted View of Delft. If Vermeer is the reason you are coming, Vermeer’s Delft (from €275, 2.5 to 3 hours) follows his life through the city and includes the Vermeer Centrum.
Who supplies the bikes?
Hotel Arsenaal, where the tour starts and ends. Your bikes are ready when you arrive, and you hand them back there at the end of the tour.
Are e-bikes available?
No. This tour uses regular city bikes only. Delft is flat and the distances between the stops are short, so anyone who is comfortable on a bike can join.
Do I have to wear a helmet?
No. Helmets are not required by law for cyclists in the Netherlands, and most Dutch people ride without one. If you would like a helmet, add it as a comment when you book and it will be ready for you.
Do I need to be an experienced cyclist?
You should be comfortable riding a bike in city traffic. Your guide rides in front at an easy pace and chooses quiet streets wherever possible.
Can children join the bike tour?
Yes, as long as they can cycle confidently in traffic on their own bike. Mention their ages and heights when you book, so the right bikes are ready.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, please book at least a few days ahead so the bikes can be reserved. For a tour at short notice, call, text or WhatsApp us at +31 6 46 52 69 11.
Can my tour start at a different time than the ones listed?
Yes. Add your preferred time in the booking comments or contact us directly and we will adjust the schedule for you.
In which languages is the tour available?
We offer our tours in English, Dutch, German, French, Spanish and Italian.
Does the tour go ahead in the rain?
Our tours run rain or shine. Only in case of extreme weather, such as a storm warning, will we contact you to reschedule.
Is a gratuity included in the tour price?
No, a gratuity is not included but always appreciated if you enjoyed your tour.
What is your cancellation policy?
You can cancel your private tour free of charge up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time, for a full refund.
How will I recognize my guide at the meeting point?
About a week before your tour, we send you a reminder email with your guide’s name and phone number, along with the meeting point and time. If you don’t spot each other right away, just call or message them.