UITblinker Bram
My name is Bram van der Boon; I’m 22 years old and live right in the centre of Delft. I work as a Marketing Specialist at ROMYNOX, a company that specialises in solutions for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. In my job, I spend a lot of time on marketing, communications, events and content creation. In my spare time, I love travelling, discovering new places, music and, of course, doing fun things with friends.
My connection with Delft has become particularly strong because I live here and the city is truly part of my daily life. What I find so special about Delft is that, despite its relatively small size, the city has a tremendous amount of character. You have beautiful historic buildings and canals here, but at the same time the city feels young and vibrant. Everything is close together and, really, you never have to walk far to find a lovely or cosy spot.
Precisely because I live right in the heart of the city, I’ve noticed just how different Delft is during the day – when it’s busy and lively – compared to, say, early in the morning or later in the evening, when the city centre can suddenly be very quiet. I think that’s perhaps one of the best things about living in Delft!
Discover the Oostpoort
My favourite spot in Delft is the Oostpoort. For me, it’s one of those places that really shows what makes Delft so special. Right in the middle of a city where people simply live, work, cycle and go about their daily lives, there’s suddenly this indrukwekkend piece of history. I find that contrast really lovely.
Why is this your favourite place?
As I live in the city centre myself, I find it particularly special that, even on an ordinary walk, you keep coming across places steeped in history. I perhaps feel this most strongly at the Oostpoort. It’s the combination of the water, the bridge, the old gate and the towers that makes it a place where you automatically pause to look around. What I find particularly special is the idea that this used to be an actual gateway to Delft. When I walk past it, I sometimes try to imagine what Delft looked like centuries ago, when the city was still surrounded and protected by city walls and people entered Delft through the city gates. It’s remarkable that such a tangible piece of that history is still part of the city where I live today.
Why visit the Oostpoort?
I think you only really get to know Delft once you look beyond the ‘ Markt ’ and the well-known shopping streets. The Oostpoort is a perfect example of this. It is Delft’s only remaining historic city gate and is special for that reason alone. The surrounding area is also incredibly beautiful. The water, the old buildings and the bridges paint exactly the picture that many people have of historic Delft. And it’s all within walking distance of the city centre! I’d advise visitors not just to take a photo, but also to explore the area. For example, take a stroll along the water’s edge back to the city centre. That’s when you’ll really discover just how beautiful and compact Delft actually is.
The Oostpoort in 5 words, according to Bram:
- History
- Atmospheric
- Iconic
- Soothing
- Picturesque
More tips from Bram
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Byrons Barbershop
I’ve been going to Byron’s Barbershop for years. Every two weeks, I sit in Byron’s chair. There’s a cosy and relaxed atmosphere, and there’s always time for a nice chat. What I really appreciate is the personal attention. Byron takes his time, remembers what’s important to you and makes sure you feel welcome. The other two barbers are also incredibly talented. You can tell there’s a team that enjoys what they do and pays attention to every customer. Of course, I always walk out with a great haircut. For me, it’s a trusted spot in Delft that I’m happy to keep coming back to.
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Boulangerie Michel
What I really like about ‘ Boulangerie Michel ’ is that, as soon as you walk in, you immediately feel as though you’ve stepped into France for a moment. The atmosphere, the smell of freshly baked bread and the French charm make it a special little spot in Delft for me.
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Do look up too
For me, it’s precisely the smaller streets, canals and side streets that make Delft so special. Sometimes the best thing is to wander around without a set route and see where you end up. And don’t forget to look up! There’s so much to see above street level. The historic façades, old buildings and unique details give the city so much character, even though it’s easy to walk right past them.