IOLA
What’s your name and age, and where are you originally from?
My name is Iola, I’m 49, and I’m originally from Galicia in north-western Spain.
What do you do for work?
I work for the European Forest Institute, leading international programmes on forest governance on how decisions about forests are made, who has a say, and how forests are protected and used.
Which neighbourhood in Delft do you live in?
I live in the historic city centre, close to both the Markt Square and Technical University.
What do you like most about your neighbourhood?
The strong sense of community. Our street has two collective living associations with shared gardens and spaces, joint activities and communal responsibilities. It creates a genuine culture of doing things together and shaping where we live. I also love being in the historic centre yet a short bike ride from the polders.
How do you usually spend your weekends in the city?
We love being outdoors. Our garden faces the Schie, and in summer we canoe through Delft’s canals to get an ice cream at De Lelie. We also spend time around Delftse Hout and the polders, collecting elderfl owers for pancakes in May, and blackberries and walnuts in late summer.
Where do you like to shop in Delft?
We favour independent city-centre shops. Poppedijn for toys and Groene Vingers for fl owers are favourites.
Where do you usually buy your groceries?
Besides supermarkets, we buy vegetables and fi sh at the Thursday and Saturday markets and at the organic farm Hoeve Biesland. We buy sourdough bread from Meneer Leffers.
What’s your favourite museum in Delft, and why?
Museum Prinsenhof, for presenting Delft and Dutch history visually and accessibly. I also like the Griffi n Medical and Pharmaceutical Museum and the Botanical Garden.
Do you have a favourite restaurant or café in the city?
Chinese restaurant Lychee and Hanno Groots café are family favourites.
What’s Delft’s best-kept secret, in your opinion?
The hidden courtyards and historical houses that can only be visited during heritage open days.
What do you think could be improved in Delft?
More affordable housing. For many people, settling in Delft has become very diffi cult.
MIN-JUN
What’s your name, how old are you, and where are you originally from?
My name is Min-jun Park. I’m 38 years old and I’m originally from Busan, South Korea.
What do you do for work?
I’m a mechanical engineer working in the high-tech sector in Delft.
Which neighbourhood in Delft do you live in?
I live in Tanthof.
What do you like most about your neighbourhood?
I like how quiet and family-friendly it is. There are plenty of parks, good cycling paths, and it’s easy to reach both the city centre and the university campus. It’s a comfortable place to live.
How do you usually spend your weekends in the city?
My weekends usually start with coffee in the city centre, followed by a visit to the market. I enjoy cycling around Delft, taking photos of the canals, and having lunch with friends. Sometimes I visit local exhibitions or simply relax in one of the parks with my family.
Where do you like to shop in Delft?
I usually shop in the historic centre because it has a good combination of local stores and well-known brands. I especially enjoy visiting bookstores and shops selling Dutch design products.
Where do you usually buy your groceries?
I buy most of my groceries at Jumbo and Albert Heijn. When I want Korean ingredients, I usually visit an Asian supermarket nearby or travel to a larger Asian grocery store in the region.
What’s your favourite museum in Delft, and why?
Museum Prinsenhof Delft is my favourite because it combines beautiful architecture with fascinating Dutch history. Every time friends or family visit from Korea, I take them there.
Do you have a favourite restaurant or café in the city?
There are many cosy cafés around Markt and Beestenmarkt where I enjoy meeting colleagues after work. I also appreciate the growing variety of international restaurants in Delft.
What’s Delft’s best-kept secret, in your opinion?
The small streets behind the main squares. They’re full of hidden courtyards, charming houses and peaceful canals that many visitors never discover.
What do you think could be improved in Delft?
I think it would be helpful to have more affordable rental homes for international professionals. More English-language information about local clubs, sports activities, and community events would also help newcomers settle in more quickly. Finally, additional evening activities and entertainment options would make the city even more attractive. Indira
INDIRA
What’s your name, how old are you, and where are you originally from?
My name is Indira Sharma. I’m 33 years old and originally from Bengaluru, India.
What do you do for work?
I work as a data scientist for an international engineering company based in Delft.
Which neighbourhood in Delft do you live in?
I live in Hof van Delft.
What do you like most about your neighbourhood?
It’s peaceful, green, and everything is within cycling distance. I love the tree-lined streets and the friendly atmosphere. It feels very safe, and my neighbours have always been welcoming.
How do you usually spend your weekends in the city?
I like walking through the historic city centre, visiting the Saturday market, having coffee with friends, or cycling to nearby nature areas. When the weather is nice, I enjoy sitting by one of the canals with a book. Sometimes I also visit local festivals or take the train to nearby cities, but Delft is always a lovely place to come home to.
Where do you like to shop in Delft?
I enjoy shopping in the city centre. There are many independent boutiques, bookstores, and specialty shops that make shopping feel personal. I also like browsing the small gift shops that sell Delft Blue ceramics.
Where do you usually buy your groceries?
For everyday groceries I usually go to Albert Heijn or Jumbo. For Indian spices, lentils and other ingredients, I visit one of the local Asian supermarkets.
What’s your favourite museum in Delft, and why?
My favourite museum is the Royal Delft Museum. I was fascinated by the history of Delft Blue pottery, and it’s wonderful to see skilled craftspeople creating it by hand. It feels like a unique part of Dutch culture.
Do you have a favourite restaurant or café in the city?
I enjoy trying different cafés around Beestenmarkt. It’s a lovely place to meet friends, especially when everyone sits outside. I also appreciate that there are several good international restaurants in Delft.
What’s Delft’s best-kept secret, in your opinion?
The quiet canals early in the morning. Before the city gets busy, it’s incredibly peaceful, and you can really appreciate the beauty of the historic buildings and bridges.
What do you think could be improved in Delft?
Affordable housing is defi nitely a challenge for newcomers. I would also like to see more cultural events aimed at internationals and more opportunities for Dutch and international residents to connect. Finally, additional late-evening public transport would make travelling easier.