Giethoorn
Canal and Village in Amsterdam
Nestled in the province of Overijssel, Giethoorn is a storybook village often dubbed the Venice of the Netherlands. What sets it apart is its car-free center, where canals replace roads and boats glide past charming thatched-roof cottages. Visitors navigate the village by whisper boats, canoes, or on foot along the Binnenpad—a scenic path lined with 18th- and 19th-century farmhouses and arched wooden bridges. The peaceful atmosphere is punctuated only by the soft splash of paddles and the occasional quack of ducks.
Boating is the heart of the Giethoorn experience. You can rent your own electric-powered boat or join a guided canal cruise to learn about the village’s history and architecture. For a more active adventure, paddleboarding and canoeing are popular, especially in the warmer months. The canals wind through lush greenery and connect to the nearby Weerribben-Wieden National Park, offering a seamless blend of nature and culture. In winter, if the canals freeze, locals and visitors alike take to ice skating—a rare but magical treat.
Beyond its waterways, Giethoorn offers cozy restaurants, canal-side cafés, and small museums like Museum Giethoorn ‘t Olde Maat Uus, which showcases traditional village life. The village’s name, derived from “goat horns” found after a 10th-century flood, hints at its deep historical roots. Though it draws over a million visitors annually, Giethoorn retains its tranquil charm—especially in the early morning or late evening when the day-trippers have gone and the village returns to its serene rhythm.
The Giethoorn appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Amsterdam!
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Visiting Giethoorn
Nearby Attractions
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Castle in Nijmegen - Camp Vught National Memorial (129.9) km
Museum in Tilburg - Efteling Theme Park (138.2) km
Theme Park in Tilburg
