10 Things To Do In Giethoorn, The Netherlands

Giethoorn is a village in the Netherlands, which is also known as The Venice of The North. It is a part of the Weerribben-Wieden National Park. Indeed, this is one of the most visited places in The Netherlands. If you’re here, you shouldn’t miss visiting the beautiful village that boasts of wooden footbridges, thatched farmhouses, and beautiful gardens that make Giethoorn look like a storybook. 

Here, we have listed the top 10 things you can do in Giethoorn: 

1. Cruise Along The Canals

What better way to spend your day in Giethoorn but to explore the village but through its canals. After all, there are only a few roads in the village; hence their main transportation is a boat. 

There is a variety of boats you can rent here, and if it’s your first time here, you should hop on a guided tour to learn more about the interesting history of the village. A typical tour lasts for an hour. 

2. Row Yourself Through The Canals

For those who want to navigate a boat all by themselves, then go ahead and do so. It’s not difficult to drive a boat in the village; and as mentioned, there are many companies as well as a variety of boats you can choose from here. There are kayaks and canoes available, or if you want to be more active while you’re at it, you could hire a punt. However, the most popular type of boat here is the electric motorboat that is called the fluisterboot.

The perk of navigating your way through the canals on your own is that you get to do it at your own pace. You can have the boat for hours on end, but you could miss out on some information about the village that is good to know. 

3. Ride A Bike

If you have been to other places in The Netherlands, you know that the Dutch are a fan of bikes. Almost everywhere you turn, people are riding their bikes to get to places. With that, what’s stopping you from doing that when you’re in the village? 

It’s impossible to get around Giethoorn by car. So, if you’re tired of the boat ride and you want to get closer to the establishments and the beautiful thatched farmhouses, then it’s best to hop on a bike. 

The village has some cycling routes you can take that will allow you to explore the National Park as well. 

4. Head To The Museum

The Museum Giethoorn ’t Olde Maat Uus will show you the history of the village. Here you can see how a typical Dutch farmhouse looks like, as well as a fisherman’s house and a boathouse. Since you can’t go inside the homes, you see around the canals. This is where you can go to have an idea of what’s inside. 

You will also find antique tools here, pieces of furniture, costumes, and many more that will truly help you grasp the history of the Venice Of The North. 

5. Visit The National Park

The Weerribben-Wieden National Park is easily accessible through the village. The park is over 100 square kilometers and is divided into two areas—Weerribben in the north while the Wieden is in the south. 

What makes this park special is that you can truly bask in the beautiful creations of nature. There are still plenty of untouched beauties here that you can only see in this park. Surround yourself with the beauty of nature and appreciate the world’s diverse ecosystem. 

6. Dine In

One of the best things about the village is that you will likely have a special dining experience. Most of the restaurants here are situated right by the canals, which means you get to have a full view of the canals while you feast on delicious pancakes or while you enjoy your afternoon high tea. 

7. See A Rare Shell 

Check out the Museum Gloria Maris in the village if you’re into corals, shells, and whatnot. Here, you will catch a glimpse of one of the rarest shells in the world, which is the Gloria Maris. This is also where you will find the most precious shells that will be heaven for shell collectors all over the world. 

8. See Their Finest Collections Of Minerals And Fossils

Head on over to De Oude Aarde, which is a museum that holds a wide selection of the finest minerals and fossils. This is where you’ll see an amethyst geode as well as Australian agates. Catch sight of the petrified tree trunk from North America as well. It’s also a great spot to go to if you have your kids with you. They will enjoy opening their geode for a small fee. 

9. Cross Over The Bridges

The village, being situated above the water, is widely connected by a lot of bridges. Crossing over the bridges is one of the fun things you can do while you’re here. Moreover, due to the picturesque surroundings, every bridge is an Instagramable spot you shouldn’t miss. 

10. Visit the Binnenpad

The Binnenpad is an area that runs north to south that will lead you to areas that are considered to be less visited because cars can’t reach these spots. Here, you can see beautiful gardens, the old Mennonite church, and the iconic thatched farmhouses that will make you feel like you’re in a fairytale book. 

The stunning canal system and the vehicle-free town center of Giethoorn is truly an experience. Keep in mind that boats are the main mode of transportation here, so it’s best you make advance reservations before you come to the village. 

Giethoorn is one of the best places you can go to in The Netherlands and despite the village being a small one, there are a lot of things to do here that won’t fit in just one whole day. Additionally, there are neighboring cities and villages that are worth visiting while you’re here! 

Ask the Dutch Guy

This guest post was written by Ask The Dutch Guy, your go-to guide for the Netherlands. The goal of Ask The Dutch Guy is to showcase the beauty of The Netherlands and to inspire others to explore the country. Read more about Ask The Dutch Guy at https://askthedutchguy.com. Follow him on Facebook and Instagram.

From Jamie

I would have loved to visit Giethoorn on my weekend visit to Amsterdam as it looks like just the kind of magical town on the water that charmed me about The Netherlands. It has so much to offer, and I am excited to return and see more of it. I will study more of The Dutch Guy’s site when I do.

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