You'll find Giethoorn extremely popular with travelers who visit The Netherlands. Our own little Venice attracts one million people every year. Giethoorn offers a nice center because of the many canals and the small islands that are connected by 177 bridges. Did you know that the canals have been dug by hand due to peat extraction in the past? As a result, the water is only 60 cm to 1 meter deep. Along the canals, you'll also find typical Dutch farms with thatched roofs. You simply must see this once.
Giethoorn is situated above Zwolle in the head of Overijssel. If you're coming from Amsterdam, you can drive there in 85 minutes. For those traveling from the south, it's just over a 2-hour drive from Eindhoven. The center of Giethoorn is car-free. You can park your car for free outside the center in special parking spaces. From many parking lots, it's only a short walk to the center. Three very nice parking spaces are at Beulakerweg 55, Binnenpad 14, and Eendrachtsplein.
If you want to enjoy your weekend to the fullest, choose an accommodation directly in or near the center of Giethoorn. This charming hotel is located in the center of Giethoorn and directly on the water! The hotel has its own restaurant and you can rent a boat at the hotel to explore Giethoorn yourself. This cozy hotel is attractively and homely decorated. Other guests are very satisfied with the location and the cozy atmosphere in the hotel and rate Hotel Pergola with an 8! You can book a double room on average for €109 per night in high season.
You can see and do all kinds of things in Giethoorn, but when visiting our little Venice, an activity on the water should not be missed. Below are some tips for a day on or near the water in Giethoorn.
Giethoorn is known for its many canals and bridges! One of the must-dos in Giethoorn is therefore really sailing through the canals in a boat. The view of the historic farms from the water is fantastic! Or float on the Bovenwijde Meer in Giethoorn. You hardly have a better option to spend your day in a relaxed way. And the advantage of all, driving the boat is super easy and you don't need a boating license. You can rent a boat in many different places in Giethoorn. You can rent a 4-person electric whisper boat for €45 for 2 hours. If you reserve a boat online, it will even be cheaper. View the availability of the boats in the Giethoorn boat rental reservation system. I recommend you take the red route (14 km) or the yellow route (7 km).
Stroll through the center of Giethoorn and be surprised by all the beautiful places. On every corner you will find a beautiful view of the canals and farms. The inner path runs straight through the center of Giethoorn and along the water and the bridges. The inner path is completely car-free, so you can only get there on foot or by bicycle. Ideal because then you can stop for the perfect photo without any problems ;). You also have the option of walking a walking route that takes you past all the sights.
If you would rather not sail in one of the boats yourself, a cruise is ideal! The skipper will tell you all the fun facts about Giethoorn and its origins. All skippers are retired residents who were born and raised in Giethoorn. They really know everything!
You have different options for a cruise. The cheapest option is €10 per person for a one-hour cruise with a large group. We went for a private boat tour in the evening. We were with a large group and were on a large electric sloop (max. 12 people), but they also have smaller sloops for up to 6 people. I was very happy that we had booked this evening cruise because it was nice and quiet on the water in the evening, the large crowds of tourists had already left. This allowed us to enjoy the beautiful reflection on the water and the setting sun! You can book a private boat tour from €110 per hour. Our skipper also knew a lot about Giethoorn. I definitely recommend such an evening cruise! There is also the opportunity to start a small business in this field if you decide to spend more time in the Netherlands and try to make a living.
Are you curious about the history of Giethoorn? Then visit the Museum 't Olde Maat Uus. At this museum you get a glimpse into life in the past. An audio tour is available. Admission to the museum is €6.50.
If you are in Giethoorn for a weekend or longer, you will have plenty of time to explore the surroundings of Giethoorn. For example, rent a cool E-chopper to explore the area. You pay around €30 for this per 1.5 hours per person. Furthermore, a visit to the Weerribben-Wieden National Park is worthwhile!
Skating in Giethoorn is not the first thing you think of, but it is really possible! Because the water in the canals and Lake Giethoorn is only 80 to 100 cm deep, the water freezes quite quickly. How nice it is to skate under the bridges in winter. Keep in mind that Giethoorn can sometimes be even busier in winter than in summer.
