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