Giethoorn: Day Trips and Tours from Amsterdam

The picturesque village of Giethoorn, outside of Amsterdam, is a must-see location when visiting the city.

This enchanting village, complete with centuries-old thatch-roofed houses, is famous for its canals and bridges — and the fact that it has very few roads.

This small village is best viewed from the water, so your day trip to Giethoorn from Amsterdam should definitely include a boat tour of its scenic waterways.

You will find below all you need to know about Giethoorn, one of the most famous destinations for day trips from Amsterdam.

Getting to Giethoorn from Amsterdam

Giethoorn, a village in the Dutch province of Overijssel, is around 120 kilometers southwest of Amsterdam.

• By car: The journey to Giethoorn takes roughly 1.5 hours by car. Simply take the A10 and A1 roads out of Amsterdam, then follow the A6 most of the way to Giethoorn.
• By bus: A bus trip from Amsterdam to Giethoorn village will take about 2 to 2.5 hours.
• By train: Train travel takes around 2 to 2.5 hours, however Giethoorn does not have a train station, so you must travel to the nearby villages of Zwolle or Steenwijk and then continue by bus.
• Guided tour to Giethoorn from Amsterdam: Choosing a guided day trip tour to Giethoorn is one of the most convenient ways to discover the magic of this enchanting village. Most full-day excursions include transportation, a boat tour and commentary in various languages.

Typical itinerary of day tours to Giethoorn from Amsterdam

A typical day tour starts with a two-hour bus ride to Giethoorn. Once you’ve arrived, you can soak up the village’s idyllic charm on a boat tour.

After the boat tour, you have some free time to explore this well-preserved village — known as the “Venice of the Netherlands” because of its many functional and scenic canals.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the narrow streets as you take in the village's old-world charm, or explore at a faster pace by bicycle along the designated bike paths.

Once you’ve built up an appetite, stop by the local restaurants and hotels where you can savor the delicious local cuisine. After full-day sightseeing, return to Amsterdam by bus.

Best excursions to Giethoorn from Amsterdam

Guided tour to Giethoorn with boat cruise from Amsterdam

These full-day tours, either by coach or minivan, include a live tour guide and offers commentary in English. There’s plenty of time to explore with a four-hour stopover in Giethoorn, including an hour-long boat cruise where you’ll have the chance to drive the boat.

Our pick: Guided Tour of Giethoorn with Boat Tour

• Includes: Roundtrip bus transfers, boat tour, English and Spanish-speaking guide
• Price: €79
• Duration: 8-9 hours

Private tour to Giethoorn from Amsterdam

For larger groups, a private tour to Giethoorn is a great-value option. Travel in a comfortable minivan for your private group and discover the village of Giethoorn at your leisure. The flexibility of private tours will allow you to visit villages off the beaten path in the northern regions of the country. All transportation, a driver tour guide, commentary and hotel pick-up are covered for a stress-free experience.

Our pick: Hasselt and Giethoorn Private Day Trip

• Includes: Roundtrip transportation, multilingual guide, boat tour, flexible itinerary
• Price: €570 for group of 6 travelers
• Duration: 8 hours

Day trips to Giethoorn plus Afsluitdijk from Amsterdam

The full-day tours in air-conditioned coaches leave from Amsterdam’s Central Station. Take in the majesty of Afsluitdijk, home of the enclosing dike, then enjoy a photo stop at Enkhuizen Dijk. Then, it’s on to Giethoorn to take in the sights and enjoy a boat cruise, followed by guided tours to a cheese factory, clogs factory and more.

Our pick: Giethoorn, Afsluitdijk and Zaanse Schans Day Tour

• Includes: Roundtrip transportation, boat tour, guided cheese factory tour, wooden shoes factory tour, diamond demonstration tour
• Price: €129 per traveler, €119 each in groups of 9+
• Duration: 10 hours

Day tour to Giethoorn plus Volendam and Zaanse Schans Tour from Amsterdam

Embrace Dutch culture with a visit to three villages. At Giethoorn, enjoy an hour-long boat cruise and stroll through the historic town. Then, travel to Volendam village for a short walk through the famous harbor. The final stop is the Zaanse Schans village to see the windmills. Visit a traditional clog factory to see how they are made, and lastly, enjoy a cheese tasting at the Catharina Hoeve Farm.

Our pick: Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Giethoorn Day Tour

• Includes: Roundtrip transportation, boat tour, professional local guide, live demonstration & food tasting
• Price: €139 per traveler
• Duration: 9-10 hours

Prices of day trips to Giethoorn from Amsterdam

For guided tours to Giethoorn from Amsterdam, tour prices start from €70. These trips include a boat cruise, transportation by bus and a professional guide.

Day trips to Giethoorn and Afsluitdijk from Amsterdam are priced from €75. It’s a great option if you’re looking for extra stops to break up the long journey.

Private Giethoorn tours from Amsterdam start at €90 per person, depending on group size. Aside from a private experience, these tours generally cover all logistics and have customizable itineraries.

Day tours to Giethoorn, Volendam and Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam start from €115. These culture-rich tours include a boat cruise, a guided harbor walk, and food tastings.

What to see and do in Giethoorn

The fairy-tale village of Giethoorn is also known as the “Venice of the Netherlands” due to its fantastic array of canals and bridges. It features centuries-old thatch-roofed farmhouses built on small peat islands and connected by over 170 small wooden bridges.

Get on the water

No trip to Giethoorn is complete without a boat ride on the canals. Soak up the beautiful Dutch scenery from the water as you travel down the waterways on an electric “whisper” boat. If you’re looking for something more athletic, you can also hire a stand-up paddleboard or take a swim in the nearby lakes.

Explore the village

Soak up the enchanting sights and sounds with a leisurely stroll through the village. The Giethoorn route is around 4 kilometers and is a lovely way to experience the village.

If you’re after more vigorous activity, you can go on a bike tour and ride through the village on one of the many bike paths. Giethoorn is known for its enchanting flower gardens, so don’t forget to stop and smell the beautiful hydrangeas in dazzling shades of purple, blue and pink.

Lunch in style

Foodies can delight in the gastronomical offerings of the many restaurants of Giethoorn, which include Michelin-star establishments and more casual cafés and eateries. As many restaurants are perfectly positioned at the water’s edge, you can enjoy delicious food and charming sights simultaneously.

Best time to visit Giethoorn

The best time to visit Giethoorn is between April and October. Visit during the summer months of June to August to enjoy the best weather, and if you’re looking to escape the crowds, a weekday visit, especially Monday, is the best option.

Travel tips

• Giethoorn is a popular destination, so book your day trip in advance to avoid disappointment.
• The village gets very busy from 11 AM to 6 PM. If you want to skip the crowds, try to visit a little earlier in the day.
• Don’t forget to pack your swimming costume, towels and sunblock, so you’re prepared if you choose to take a dip.
• Pack your camera to snap photos of the picturesque scenery.
• Wear comfortable shoes as there are plenty of opportunities to explore on foot.