Do you just have one day in Giethoorn and want to make the most of it? You’ve arrived at the right location! At Giethoorn, a typical Dutch village in Overijssel, you can observe how the Dutch prefer to live near and on the water. This picturesque village is nestled among lakes, reed beds, and forests, with many handsome farms with thatched roofs and distinctive wooden bridges.
The best time to visit Giethoorn
The greatest time to visit Giethroon is from July to September when the weather is still comfortable enough for a boat ride. If you want to avoid the crowds and peak season, October is an excellent time to travel, but be prepared for the cold weather.
A few facts about Giethoorn
Giethoorn is known as the “Venice of the North” because of its canals and is one of the most beautiful villages in the Netherlands. Another interesting fact is that Giethoorn was named after goats. The earliest residents of the village discovered a large number of goat horns, which they mistook for the first goats. The Dutch word for goat is “geit”, hence it was given the name Geytenhorn, which was later changed to Giethoorn.
During the winter, the canals freeze. If you visit during this time of the year and the weather permits, you may go ice skating on the canals, which can be an exciting experience!
One Day in Giethoorn Itinerary:
Here are some activities in and around the village that will help you make the most of your time in Giethoorn:
Explore the village
One of the finest ways to learn about the village is to take a boat tour. The best way to see the village’s gorgeous residences and the canals that surround them is to take this tour. Because boats are the village’s principal mode of transportation, you can rent one for the full day.
In Giethoorn, you don’t need a license to captain a boat. It’s simple to drive and you can do it on your own. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it on your own, you may always hire a boatman to guide you around.
If you’re not on a boat, it’s easy to get around on foot or by bike because the village is so small. If you have the chance, visit the village during the golden hour. It’s an incredible sight that you won’t soon forget.
Museums to Visit
Museums are one of Giethoorn’s most undervalued attractions. This is most likely owing to the fact that most visitors come to see the town architecture and how the homes are constructed on top of the canals.
You must, however, visit the town’s museums if you actually want to enjoy a fantastic day in Giethoorn. If you visit the village while the weather is terrible, this is also an excellent idea.
Travel writers from Write my paper service suggest the following museums that you can visit:
Gloria Maris Schelpengalerie: This museum and gift shop will pique your interest in what lies beneath the sea’s surface. Shells, corals, and other sea-themed items are on your choice, as well as clothing, jewelry, and home goods inspired by the ocean.
Het Olde Maat Uus is a museum that depicts a typical farmhouse’s appearance and activity. You’ll also learn about the history of Giethoorn and how the village appeared in the twentieth century.
Museum de Oude Aarde: If you’re interested in gemstones and minerals, you’ll enjoy the exhibits at this museum. Visit this museum to take in all of the village’s glitz and glam.
Have a drink by the Giethoorn canals
Restaurants and cafes surround the canals that run through the village. That means you can have a cup of coffee or a drink of wine while eating a delicious lunch while overlooking the canals.
There are several restaurants in the hamlet with beautiful terraces where you can dine. These restaurants and cafes are great for spending some time relaxing by the canals. Many visitors to Giethoorn for a day have a great time just lounging by the canals!
Enjoy a picnic
Pack a picnic and enjoy it at the wonderful location along the canal. If you don’t want to think about carrying a picnic, there are also boat cruises that include picnics.
Go to the National Park Weeribben-Wieden
The largest fen wetland in North-West Europe, National Park Weerribben-Wieden, placed near to Giethoorn. The park contains various lakes, ponds, and canals. If you have extra time, stop by the park, which is one of the most popular things to do in the area.
Like in Giethoorn, you can rent a boat to explore the park’s swamps. If you’re looking for some sweaty activities, hiking the Silent Kiersche Wijde Route and viewing the beautiful scenery is also a possibility.
In addition to the wetlands and animals, otters and black terns can be spotted here. If you’re lucky, you might see great cormorants and egrets.
Enjoy a lovely evening
Giethoorn gets quite serene in the evening, so this is the perfect time to just go for a walk and enjoy the scenery. The sunset is quite beautiful here, and a boat ride at this time of day would be quite romantic. In spring, there are frogs everywhere, so the night air will be full of their chatter.
As for dinner, if you’d like something fancy, try De Lindenhof, a two-Michelin star restaurant, for an amazing experience. On the other hand, De Sloothaak is a much more down-to-earth place serving some nice Dutch dishes. And if you’d like to just sit down for a nice drink, Grand Cafe Fanfare is the best choice in town.
Where to stay in Giethoorn
Hotel de Harmonie
Beulakerweg 55, 8355 AB Giethoorn
Hotel de Harmonie is a lovely little hotel boasting a great location next to a canal. Thanks to this, guests can enjoy the sun on the waterside terrace or try local specialities in the hotel’s restaurant. Breakfast is also included, and the rooms are comfortable, spacious and come with a great view. An ideal place if you’re looking to enjoy some quality peace and quiet.
De Dames Van De Jonge Hotel Restaurant
Beulakerweg 30, 8355 AH Giethoorn
Located near Weerribben Wieden National Park, De Dames Van De Jonge Hotel Restaurant offers a picturesque setting for your stay. It is close to water, so you can rent a boat and enjoy some thorough exploring. A bus station is also nearby, and the rooms are very comfortable and well-equipped. Surrounded by wonderful nature, this hotel in Giethoorn is just the place for getting away from hectic city life.
Hotel B&B d’Olde Smidse
157 Beulakerweg, 8355 AG Giethoorn
With a lovely garden and a terrace, Hotel B&B d’Olde Smidse is a great place for a vacation in Giethoorn at a reasonable price. Great food, excellent service and clean, spacious and comfortable rooms guarantee a great stay. On top of that, you can enjoy cycling around here, which is very much recommended due to the greenery surrounding the hotel.
Hotel het Rietershuijs
Kalenbergerpad 7, 8377 HL Kalenberg
If you’re looking for an active stay and don’t mind booking accommodation slightly outside of Gethoorn, Hotel het Reitershuijs is an excellent choice. The service is impeccable, and you can enjoy cycling, canoeing and fishing as much as you like or just rent a boat and take off. The food and the relaxing location are also quite amazing, so you will definitely get your money’s worth in this hotel.
Day trips to Giethoorn
Giethoorn is also an excellent day trip from Amsterdam, as it is only 75 miles away and takes only 90 minutes. You have the option of taking the train from Amsterdam to Giethoorn and then renting a car there, or you can rent a car right immediately and drive the entire journey. It will take about 2 hours to travel by train.
Extra tips for visiting Giethoorn
– Try to visit Giethoorn during the week. This is especially important if you’re coming in the spring or summer, as this is the peak period of the year.
– Take the picnic supplies with yourself. Because this is such a popular tourist destination in the Netherlands, don’t expect to pay anything less than tourist costs. So bring your own picnic stuff to save money.
– Remember that Giethoorn, the Netherlands, is a real village with real people living in it. As a result, don’t trash, don’t trespass, don’t photograph people who don’t want to be photographed, and treat others the way you want to be treated.
– Near the train station in Steenwijk, there is a smart tourist trap. As you exit the station, you’ll notice a store with a banner advertising a boat + bus ticket for €15 (one way), which is insane. The cost of a one-way bus ticket is €4 and may be purchased from the driver. In Giethoorn, you can rent a boat depending on the size of your group. The €15 tourist trap won’t get you a boat.
– You will never be bored in the village because it has something for everyone, from relaxing to adventurous activities. Furthermore, a trip to Northern Venice is an unforgettable experience that you should not miss. For the time being, a single day in Giethoorn will suffice. But who knows? You might want to extend your vacation once you get to the village. Its attraction is sufficient to persuade you to stay longer.
Helen Wilson
Helen Wilson is a professional content writer. Her main spheres of specialization are Traveling, Productivity, and Self-development. She is also a practicing photographer and collector of travel souvenirs. Read more of her article on her Twitter.
How can I go to Giethoorn by public transportation and can I rent a boat there to drive it on my own and how much It will cost me.