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Things to do in Giethoorn

Our most recommended things to do in Giethoorn

Giethoorn: Village & National Park Canal Cruise with Drinks

1. Giethoorn: Village & National Park Canal Cruise with Drinks

Join a cruise on an e-boat through Giethoorn to experience the tranquility of the village, and peek into Weerribben-Wieden National Park from the water. Get the most out of your trip with a tour guide, and enjoy drinks included onboard. Board the electric boat and set off through the labyrinth of Giethoorn's canal system. Hear about the history and traditions of the mostly car-free village from your local skipper, and admire the idyllic scenery on the route. Then, cruise along the Weerribben-Wieden National Park to take in the serene natural surroundings. Enjoy a cup of coffee, tea, or lemonade as you sit back and discover the charming area.

Amsterdam: Giethoorn & Enclosing Dike Day Trip w/ Boat Tour

2. Amsterdam: Giethoorn & Enclosing Dike Day Trip w/ Boat Tour

Climb aboard an air-conditioned coach and travel through a typical Dutch landscape for 1.5 hours en route to the picturesque town of Giethoorn. Experience how the Dutch people live with, and on, the water upon arrival, and set off to explore on foot and by boat. Enjoy the peace and quiet of a town where cars are forbidden and little has changed over the centuries. Admire the many types of boats in the town, from gondolas to punters and flat-bottom vessels used as transportation on the canals. Cruise past the skillfully restored farmhouses on a 1-hour boat trip, and get some free time for lunch and to explore on your own. Get tips from your guide on what to see and where to eat. Continue to the Enclosing Dike (Afsluitdijk), the 32-kilometer dike connecting the provinces of North Holland and Friesland. The Netherlands is famed the world over for the way it deals with water management. Admire the Afsluitdijk, built to tame what was formerly the Zuiderzee (now the Ijsselmeer lake), and a prime example of Dutch water prowess.

From Amsterdam: Giethoorn Day Trip by Bus and Electric Boat

3. From Amsterdam: Giethoorn Day Trip by Bus and Electric Boat

Explore Giethoorn on a guided day tour from Amsterdam by bus and electric boat. Admire the charming canals and traditional homes as you cruise along the water. Wander along the narrow footpaths and bridges and get a sense of local life as you explore. Depart Amsterdam and travel to the enchanting village of Giethoorn in the north of the Netherlands. Explore a village notable for its many canals and complete lack of roads. Upon arrival, explore the fairy-tale village, where only 2,700 people live, on a 1-hour guided boat tour in English. Experience the idyllic scenery from a unique perspective on a leisurely trip through the canals. Watch people punt the traditional flat-bottom boats over the canals as you go. Although most transport in the village is by water, there is also now a cycling path. So, after your boat tour, explore the beautifully preserved village by bike or on foot. See how each farmhouse is built on a small man-made island. Wander the narrow footpaths to discover more than 180 bridges, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the village. 

Amsterdam: Giethoorn, Volendam, and Zaanse Schans Tour

4. Amsterdam: Giethoorn, Volendam, and Zaanse Schans Tour

See three different regions of the Netherlands with pickup and drop-off from Hotel ibis Amsterdam Centre. Sample local cheeses, enjoy lunch, dress up and take pictures, and take a cruise in Giethoorn. First, start with a visit to the 17th-century village, Zaanse Schans. See windmills from the country's industrial background, and stroll among the green residences. Then visit a factory that makes the popular clogs in this region of the Netherlands.  Before continuing to Volendam, stop at Catharina Hoeve Farm, where you can sample cheese and learn how its made. In Volendam, see brightly-painted wooden buildings and residents dressed in vibrant regional clothing. Your guide will lead you on a brief stroll around Volendam harbor.  Pick up souvenirs and gifts for friends and family back home, and take photographs in traditional Dutch costumes. Stop for a local lunch, then continue to Giethoorn in the northeastern Netherlands, known as the "Venice of the North". See the numerous canals and lack of motorways in Giethroon. During a 1-hour guided boat trip, you'll learn about this fairy-tale village with less than 3,000 residents. Next, stroll through the preserved village.  Finally, explore the village's small footpaths to find hundreds of bridges and take in the tranquil ambiance before returning to Amsterdam.

From Amsterdam: Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans Tour w/ Boat Ride

5. From Amsterdam: Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans Tour w/ Boat Ride

Explore Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum in the Netherlands on a day tour from Amsterdam. See the cheese farm, clog factory, and more before a cruise tour through Giethoorn. You will pass through the small canals, beautiful houses, and cobbled stone lanes of the Dutch village. Your experience begins as your guide meets you near Amsterdam's Central Station, from where you travel to the typical Dutch windmill village of Zaanse Schans. Zaanse Schans is an open-air museum complete with a cheese farm, clog factory, diamond museum, bakery museum, and Kuiperij, where barrels were made to transport goods, green timber houses, traditional crafts, and windmills. Next, head to the unique Dutch village of Giethoorn, heading further north out of Amsterdam. As you travel, listen to learn about the history and significant elements in the Giethoorn region. The journey will take roughly 2 hours, with a break included ensuring a pleasant journey. Giethoorn is beautiful in all seasons and contains a simple beauty that hardly seems real. Discover this as you glide gently through its small canals, passing old but pretty thatched-roof farmhouses. Your captain will serve as a guide throughout this 1-hour boat trip around town. Get to know everything about Giethoorn, with extra time after your boat trip to walk or bike along a narrow footpath, or to learn how to operate the ''whisper boat'', an electric-motor boat. In the evening, arrive back in Amsterdam's center with the rest of your night to look forward to.

From Amsterdam: Private Sightseeing Tour to Giethoorn

6. From Amsterdam: Private Sightseeing Tour to Giethoorn

Explore Giethoorn, called the “Little Venice of the Netherlands”, on this 7-hour private sightseeing tour. Begin with a convenient pickup at your hotel in Amsterdam and head to Giethoorn, a village in the north of the country.  This town is full of thatched-roof farms that are connected by more than 170 wooden bridges. Explore this unique townscape either by sailing a boat yourself or joining a canal cruise. On the water, your guide will share information about the history and culture of Giethoorn. After taking in the sights, you can take a seat in one of the town’s many restaurants for lunch.

Amsterdam: Keukenhof Tulip Garden and Giethoorn Experience

7. Amsterdam: Keukenhof Tulip Garden and Giethoorn Experience

Discover a unique 2 in 1 tour package that will take you to the top of your imagination that you have never experienced before. Experience two neatly and beautifully packaged destinations that you will never find from other tour operators in Europe. Get a return trip to two of Holland's greatest attractions in a single day. Transfer from Amsterdam for a trouble-free trip, and learn more about the region from your knowledgeable tour guide. Feel at ease with all activities and admission costs included in the price. First, find yourself at Keukenhof, a Tulips and Flowers Garden. Explore the fascinating phenomena up close, and admire the millions of tulips, daffodils, and other flowers. This lovely spring garden provides a one-of-a-kind aroma and color experience, as well as over 20 breathtaking flower presentations, surprise-inspired gardens, and engaging activities. The famed bulb fields surround Keukenhof. From the windmill, enjoy stunning views of some of the bulb fields, with a promise of beautiful photographs. There are activities for people of all ages that allow you to use your senses as you smell, taste, listen, and enjoy. Keukenhof is fun for the whole family, since youngsters may play in the playground, pet the animals at the petting zoo, and embark on a scavenger hunt. Next, discover Giethoorn. A journey to the charming settlement of Giethoorn in the northeast of the Netherlands will be your last destination for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The village is known as the "Venice of the North" because of its numerous canals and lack of motorways. During a 1-hour guided boat trip, you'll learn about this fairy-tale village with less than 3,000 residents. On foot, stroll through the preserved village and witness how each farmhouse is constructed on a little man-made island. Explore the village's small footpaths to find hundreds of bridges and take in the tranquil ambiance.

Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Windmills & Giethoorn Private Tour

8. Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Windmills & Giethoorn Private Tour

Start your tour with a convenient, pickup service from your accommodation. After being picked up from Amsterdam in a luxury Mercedes sedan or minivan by a professional driver, travel to one of the most beautiful villages in Holland, Giethoorn.  Enjoy a relaxing canal cruise through the village, known as the Dutch Venice. The elongated village is located in one of the largest areas of continuous fenland in northern Europe.  After exploring Giethoorn, you will visit the Zaanse Schans. Stroll past the bakery museum and enjoy the smell of fresh bread, or take a look at the warehouse where clogs are made. Admire the views of wooden houses, mills, barns, and workshops. Enjoy a cycling or sailing trip, browse the shops, or treat yourself at the pancake restaurant. After a day full of adventure and excitement, your driver will return you back to your accommodation for an evening of well-deserved rest.

Giethoorn: Private Guided Canal Cruise with Coffee and Tea

9. Giethoorn: Private Guided Canal Cruise with Coffee and Tea

During the cruise you will sail with your own private group ( max 25 passengers) through the centre of the village Giethoorn. The boat which fit for max 48 people is all yours so you have enough space to make beautiful pictures. During the cruise, the captain will tell you about the history of the village and some specific characteristics of old farm houses and special buildings. The tour boat sails underneath the many bridges and alongside the old farmhouses. To make a circle, the boat will also sail over the lake of Giethoorn. On this lake, the captain will tell you about the history of this lake and why this lake played a key role in the history of the village. You will sail in a tour boat of about 12 meters long which is benefit with benches and tables. The Tour boat is covered so you will be dry on a rainy day. On a hot and sunny summer day, you will be sitting in the shadow. Each table in the boat has its own window which can be opened and closed by yourself. Would you like to make beautiful pictures? No problem. You can open the window by yourself. Do you think it is a bit windy and because of that a bit cold. Then you can close the window again.

Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans & Giethoorn Guided Combo Tour

10. Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans & Giethoorn Guided Combo Tour

For a one-time life experience, you can start with a tour of the enchanting village of Giethoorn in the north of the Netherlands, with many canals and a total lack of roads. During a 1-hour guided boat tour, you can visit this fairytale village where less than 3,000 persons are living. Explore the restored village on foot to see the structure of every farmhouse on a tiny, man-made island. Walk along the narrow footpaths to explore hundreds of bridges and admire the village's quiet ambiance. Your journey will continue with an exploration of the most picturesque traditional 17th-century Zaanse Schans settlement, which includes houses and a series of wonderfully restored windmills from the nation's industrial heritage. In Zaanse Schans village, you can stroll through the charming greenhouses and visit a factory that makes the famous clogs in this part of the world. There's also a Dutch cheese to taste, and when you're there, you can try some at the Catharina Hoeve Farm, where you can also learn about how it's made.

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What people are saying about Giethoorn

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 1,357 reviews

El palacio estaba descuidado, decía que los acabados eran mármol y en realidad era madera pintada, estaba lleno de polvo todas las esculturas, habían 3 fila y no estaba claro en cual tenias que formarte y aparte el personal no era amable en explicarte, parte de los jardines estaban secos, las escaleras de tanto uso ya tenían surcos, yo quise entrar al jardín con mis hijos y me dijeron que tenía que pagar 10 euros más por niño y en el boleto que compré decía que estaba incluido entrar (cada uno tenia su boleto) pero forzoso querían que pagara! El aforo de la gente era excedido y sin control por lo tanto to no se podía apreciar. La verdad para tanta gente que había comparando precio calidad no vale la pena en mi experiencia.

Ildos was excellent. We appreciate very much how he took cared of us during the tour, lunch and drively safely back to oyr hotel. I recommend him for all guests. A versatile conversationalist, being able to speak 5 languages, super guide. Way to go Ildos!

The tour guide was so nice and accommodating. Helped us enjoy ourselves even in the cold weather. One thing: you don't get to choose where you go for lunch. The place you go is great! But its always nice to have the option to choose.

Zak our guide/driver was amazing..gave us a detailed insight on the tour.He even covered the whole city.Highly professional and I would highly recommend if you want to explore Amsterdam and the countryside at your own pace.

Weli is an excellent tour guide. My wife and I had a blast visiting Zaanse Schans and Geithoorn.