The beautiful village of Giethoorn is a lesser known but remarkable area where you feel transported through time. It is a peaceful village nestled into the northeastern Dutch province of Overijssel. If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway in an old-world village away from the noise of a city, Giethoorn is worth a visit.
What are the best ways to get to Giethoorn, and what is there to do? Giethoorn is a hidden gem outside the normal path of many tourists. The best way to get there is to fly into Amsterdam and plan ground travel via rental cars, the train, or bus. Once you are in the village, you will find many activities, but the most popular being spending time out on their serene waterways.
Giethoorn offers a mixture of getting outdoors to experience nature in peace while viewing historical land that offers a sense of calm nostalgia from centuries past. While you may drive to reach the outskirts of the village, there are no cars allowed inside Giethoorn, which is known as “The Dutch Venice.”
Why Travel to Giethoorn?
When travelers dream of their Dutch vacation, it is pretty much a given that Amsterdam will be at the top of their list. The allure of a large city that offers such an effervescent nightlife, with beautiful waterways nearby, is always going to be a draw.
But what many don’t realize is that the relaxing and quaint village of Giethoorn is less than a 2-hour drive away from the hustle and bustle Amsterdam.
This hamlet offers a unique escape from your usual travel destinations that is not as far off the beaten path as you would assume. Its waterways, walking paths, and trails are their means of transportation, so they can forgo the noise and pollution of cars. It makes for an experience you will never forget and likely want to revisit any time your life becomes stressful.
How to Get to Giethoorn
There are quite a few different combinations of travel methods you can use to reach Giethoorn. In a city that doesn’t allow cars, you may be thinking transportation could be tricky. But luckily, there are a few different options to get you there that won’t break the bank or cause stress while you plan.
Amsterdam is going to be the closest major city for you to fly into. The city is also a hub with train and bus ports, so travel in and out is simple and effective. In its most direct routes, Amsterdam is about 121km (75 miles) from Giethoorn.
Here are a few options broken down so you can see some of the best routes to get there.
The Adventurous and Scenic – Train, Bus, and Boat Route:
This route will let you enjoy the scenery and not have to worry about driving.
- You’ll start from Amsterdam Central Station and head to Amersfoort
- Change trains and take the train to Steenwijk
- Once in Steenwijk, you will take the Bus 70 to Dominee Hylkemaweg
- In Dominee Hylkemaweg you can rent a boat to take you the last leg to Giethoorn
This whole trip will take around 2.5 hours and cost between $32-$58 USD (28.78 – 52.15 EUR)
Straightforward – Train and Rental Car
If you need to save some time but would still like the experience of train travel through the Netherlands, this is a great route.
- You’ll start from Amsterdam Central Station and take a train into Zwolle
- From Zwolle, you can rent a car, and it is only about a 30-minute drive to Giethoorn
This whole trip will take about 1.5 – 2 hours and cost will be dependent on the type of rental car you decide on, but the train portion will cost around $14 USD (12.50 EUR) for one way travel
The Solo Approach – Rent a Car in Amsterdam
Sometimes you just want to go it alone and either get straight there or have the freedom to make some stops along the way.
- There are many main rental car providers in Amsterdam. An attendant at the airport can help point you in the right direction if you want to book last minute. The airport staff will still be able to help you locate the rental agency office or desk.
(RentalCars.com is a great resource to find a car)
- With many waterways surrounding Giethoorn, you will want to map your route accordingly. But heading to Zwolle, as the train option will do, is a good place to start.
If you take the most direct routes, this trip will take around 1.5 hours. But with the beauty of the Netherlands, it could easily take much longer if you care to stop and bask in the sun-drenched green fields and villages along the way. Cost will be dependent on the type of car, and gas costs, varying on the route you take.
You can mix and match many of these options and cater your travel plans around your schedule, budget, and interests in the area. Each option will provide its different adventure, and no matter how you get there, you will still be able to see a great deal of this beautiful region.
Travel Tip: Depending on the method of travel you decide, you may want to investigate deals offered through the Netherlands train system. A one-way ticket may be good if you plan to travel elsewhere from Giethoorn, but they also offer round trip fares that may be cheaper, and day/week passes that could save you money in the long run.
Top Things to do in Giethoorn
When you stay in Giethoorn or visit even just for a day, you will want to make the most of this uniquely charming town. The peace and quiet, the stillness of the water, and the nature that surrounds you will revitalize and nourish you.
This is an idyllic village for lovers of nature, history, outdoor activities, and a calming vibe to surround you. This “Dutch Venice” allows you to boat and walk around the village to see the charming homes and buildings around the village.
Truth be told, you can easily spend a day with no plans. It is easy to get swept away in the whimsy of this village. But if you can pull yourself away from meandering about town and exploring new waterways with no end game in sight – there is still plenty to plan to see and do.
Pro Tip: Set alarms for the two golden hours of the day, just after sunrise and just before sunset. The way the lighting hits the water and the glow that illuminates the village is a spectacle that is not to be missed.
Viewing the Village
Many of the homes right within the village are over 100 years old. Walking or boating around the village to find some of the unique homes will keep you busy for a while. They are a spectacle to see with their thatched rooftops and facades dripping with brilliant colors.
These country cottages almost appear to be pulled right out of a fairytale. Taking an afternoon to view all these historic homes will help you appreciate the background and importance of this village. It is rare to find such a picturesque place that has remained untouched by most modern standards.
Pro Tip: Depending on the season, you can get a very different experience from Giethoorn. Summer is the most popular time to visit with everything in full bloom, and the ability to enjoy warm bun bathed walks along the canal. But for fans of cold weather activities, the canals turn into ice skating routes in the coldest months of the winter. Many of the shallow waterways will turn into ice skating paths to navigate the village in a whole new way.
Museums
Giethoorn is a historic town that appreciates, features, and honors its long lineage. While you can easily appreciate their old-village vibes, and their homes that seem untouched since the 13th century by walking around the village, you can also frequent their museums to learn more.
Museum Giethoorn ‘t Olde Maat Uus
This museum highlights the stories, people, and history of Giethoorn. If you want to get a feeling for what life is like living in this village, or what it was like throughout history, this is an excellent museum to learn.
They feature many personal stories from those who have lived there. They also touch on much of the history and folklore that makes Giethoorn so special. Whether it is an interesting custom that they participate in or a myth of lore that has been handed down generation by generation, you will learn all about the stories and intriguing background of Giethoorn.
One of the most exciting things they offer is to look inside an authentic farmhouse. Seeing how they used to decorate, find uses for each area of their home, and the types of appliances they used is truly a special experience.
The museum boasts a rich context to learn from experiencing ventures like visiting an old fisherman’s house and boathouse. They also have films, pictures, and artifacts to enrich your learning experience here.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for special exhibits at the museum. For example, right now, they have a beautiful art exhibit featuring work from various artists to showcase the natural beauty that Giethoorn boasts.
The De Oude Aarde museum in Giethoorn is a unique experience that will overwhelm your senses with natural beauty. They mention “discovering the beauty of mother nature” on their website when describing what you will experience here.
This museum has been collecting gems, minerals, fossils, and other natural elements from Giethoorn and throughout the entire world and putting them on display since 1969. René Boissevain founded the museum and discovered many of the original artifacts himself.
Some of the big attractions at the museum are:
- The largest egg in the world
- Brazilian Amethyst geode
- A petrified tree trunk from America
Be sure to also stop by the store attached to this museum, where you can purchase some of these amazing stones and gems that have been handcrafted into jewelry and decorative pieces.
Nestled into the village of Giethoorn right along the canal, you can appreciate the beauty that lies underneath the surface of the water. Gloria Maris boasts an impressive collection of shells, corals, and other natural elements of the underwater world.
The Gloria Maris was named after the shell, which is one of the most rare and precious in the world. Many of the known shells reside in museums of natural history across the world, but they have one on display to honor its namesake.
Their exhibits rotate occasionally, depending on the season, as well. Since everything is inspired by the sea, the exhibits will honor that season and the types of specimens you would find during those times.
Where to Eat in Giethoorn
No vacation experience is complete without dining at some of the local joints and experiencing their cuisines. You can try a traditional Dutch dish, or maybe go for a usual favorite of yours to see how it may be prepared differently than you are used to in other areas of the world.
Here are three of the best places to grab a bite around Giethoorn:
This café-restaurant is a great place to drop by for a quick coffee and pastry or a full meal. Their menu is seasonal and features mainly Dutch ingredients that are sourced locally whenever possible.
They also have a BBQ area outside during temperate seasons to add to their already diverse menu. And if you’d like to book a party, reception, or business meeting, they offer options for larger groups if you reserve ahead of time
Their outdoor patio area will allow you to continue to take in the beauty of Giethoorn while you appreciate some of its finest local cuisines.
This café sits right on the canal and offers a lively atmosphere filled with Giethoorn locals and tourists alike, buzzing about, enjoying their day along the canals. As soon as you step out their door, you are right in the thick of it, viewing the canals and in a great location for a relaxing stroll afterward to take in the sights.
They offer “fun and activity packages” for large groups looking to make a whole day out of their visit. Not only can you grab a bite to eat, but they will also help you book a boat rental or day trips through their guest services. You can find much of this information for booking through their website as well.
Their staff is well-versed in the history of the area and all the great options to see the village. So, don’t shy away from asking questions, as they are a happy and willing resource.
They offer excellent snacking and appetizer options such as seasonal soups, bread or cheese boards, and hot or cold tapas. Their sharing menu continues their theme of welcoming families and larger groups, and their entrees are range from pasta to fish and meat options, all served with a side salad and sweet potato with crème Fraiche.
You will instantly feel at home and welcome at this local dining joint. They pride themselves on being a young and youthful restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and delicious modern items on the menu that still make you feel at home with their warmth and attention to detail in their food options.
The main attraction here is their 3-day package in collaboration with Bed & Breakfast De Ruigenhof in Sint Jansklooster. The package includes:
- Welcome drink upon arrival at the Bed & Breakfast
- A two night stay in a luxurious country room
- Extensive breakfast options with locally sourced ingredients from the region
- Afternoon tea or dinner at De Eetkamer van Giethoorn, with endless homemade and fresh options
- A gift basket filled with regional products to take home with you to enjoy
A Brief History of Giethoorn
The formal history of this charming town dates back to the 13th century when it was officially founded as a town. It was primarily a farming community that valued its lands and wildlife. While farming their fields, these Dutch farmers unearthed many goat horns that were buried beneath the surface.
They believed the horns belonged to the goats that may have washed away in a great flood in 1170. This is how the village received its name of Giethoorn. It was originally named Geytenhoren but was shortened years later to make it easier.
The village didn’t see a lot of tourism until the late 1950s after Dutch filmmaker Bert Haanstra shot a comedy there called Fanfare. The beauty of the land wasn’t going to stay secret forever, and this film features much of the natural spectacle of the village, enticing people to visit this hidden gem.
The canals throughout the village represent pits that were dug by early settlers in the village that they used to extract peat. After a time, they began accumulating water from rain and they became the lovely canals they are today.
Planning the Ideal Giethoorn Getaway
Giethoorn truly is the “Dutch Venice,” and the residents will welcome you to experience their canals, homes, and trails. With proper planning to meet your budget and schedule needs, you will be able to execute a truly magical and relaxing experience in this beautifully quaint, charming, and historic village.