Giethoorn is a quaint village that’s described as the Venice of the Netherlands combined with the lush shire of the Lord of The Rings. Mix in luxurious accommodations and a Michelin-star restaurant and you’ve got a bucket list-worthy trip! If you’re thinking of a side trip from Amsterdam, here are some advice, tips, and recommendations from an expert: Frans, AKA The Dutch Guy!
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About Giethoorn
Giethoorn is located in Overijssel province in the northern part of the Netherlands. Founded around 1230, it is one of the oldest towns in the country. When the earliest settlers arrived, they had just missed a huge flood that covered the entire area and drowned the native goats. The new arrivals discovered goat horns buried in mud and thus named the place “Goat Horn” or “Giethoorn.”
Giethoorn may look like a well-maintained open-air museum, but in reality, it is an actual town with residents. People living in Giethoorn are friendly and welcoming, willing to share the peaceful life they enjoy with tourists. Many of the residents have converted their farms or homes into small B&Bs, restaurants, or shops.
Cars and motorized vehicles are not allowed inside most of the village. This is one of the things that make this charming village so unique and inviting. Tourists leave the modern and motorized comforts behind and enjoy walking, cycling, or canoeing around Giethoorn, as the locals do.
Come see thatched-roof houses, cottages, and picturesque wooden bridges that set Giethoorn apart from many European destinations. There are also intriguing museums, medieval churches, parks, and cafés.In addition, Giethoorn is surrounded by lakes, farms, and forests.
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What to do in Giethoorn, Netherlands
The first thing to do when visiting Giethoorn Netherlands is to leave your car behind as you arrive in the village. There are several car parks where you can leave your vehicle for free.
Walk along the main walking strip, the most popular path in the village, only accessible by footpath or canal. This will take you to the cafés, shops, restaurants, and hotels where you can rent a boat to use during your stay.
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Cruise the canals
The village is known as the “Venice of the Netherlands,” because of its canals. The boats here are mostly without engines, and those that do have engines use silent motors. Hence, they are called “whisper boats.” You can also rent or ride a punter, a traditional narrow Giethoorn boat pushed along the water using a long pole by a punteraar. When you are with family and friends, there are bigger boats so you can enjoy riding together.
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Hike or cycle at De Weerribben-Wieden National Park
De Weerribben-Wieden National Park is home to an array of wildlife, including otters, egrets, and cormorants. The park is also known for its many lakes, forests, swamps, and a wide meadow of flowers, with stunning trails for you to hike. In addition, the park’s calm, open water is the perfect habitat for several aquatic plants, such as water gentian, frog bite, and crab shear.
From here, several cities are worth a quick visit on a bicycle. Not far away are the old towns of Vollenhove and Blokzijl. Come here to see historic buildings, old churches, and ancient castles. You can also relax for a while on a terrace by the water’s edge before cycling back to Giethoorn.
If you are a seasoned biker, you can ride all the way to nearby Sint-Jansklooster, Kalenberg, and Steenwijk.
If you do not wish to go far, you can always take the 15-km Giethoorn Hiking Route. In addition, there are many walking paths in the village that take you to picturesque spots.
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Visit these three museums in Giethoorn
The most popular museum in Giethoorn Netherlands is Olde Maat Uus Museum. It is housed in a typical old farmhouse to represent how the villagers lived from days of old. This lovely museum aims to help you understand and appreciate the origins of this unique village. Actors in costumes demonstrate how Giethoorn residents built homes and boats and worked together to develop their town hundreds of years ago.
Meanwhile, the De Oude Aarde museum is known for its beautiful collection of jewelry, precious gemstones, natural treasures, fossil minerals, and rare stone. Also on display here is the world’s largest egg.
If you love shells and the sea, Giethoorn’s third museum, Gloria Maris Shell Gallery, is for you. This museum is known for its rich collection of shells, corals, and beautiful ocean treasures.
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Where to stay and eat in Giethoorn
There is no shortage of accommodations in Giethoorn. However, locals and experts will recommend staying in a boathouse since the village is best enjoyed on the water. Read on for six recommendations for places to stay and eat.
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Water Villa Intermezzo
One of the most luxurious boathouses in the area is Water Villa Intermezzo. This is a recreation boathouse for rent, a ]water villa with large glass walls. Stay here to live among birds and deer, and enjoy complete calm and relaxation.
This boathouse is located on the Cornelisgracht, where you can view passing boats, longboats, canoes, and local boats coming from Giethoorn.
Image Credit: Courtesy giethoornwatervilla.com.
Bed on a boat
When on a budget, consider renting Bed-on-a-Boat, a lovely boathouse with a terrace that offers amazing views of the lake. It is located 41 kilometers from Hoogeveen, on the Giethoorn waters. Staying in this boathouse allows you to go hiking, cycling, canoeing, and fishing with ease.
Image Credit: Courtesy bed-on-a-boat.com.
Dine at de Lindenhof
De Lindenhof is one of the most popular restaurants here, primarily for its two Michelin-starred chef Martin Kruithof. It is considered one of the best restaurants in the country. Their dessert and wine list are as popular as the main dishes. De Lindenhof also has a hotel and lodge attached to it.
Image Credit: Courtesy restuarantdelindenhof.nl.
Café-Restaurant Smit
This café-restaurant is popular for its delicious dishes and for offering homey cottages for rent. It also owns a holiday farm that can accommodate eight people.
Image Credit: Courtesy Smitgiethoorn.nl.
De Eetkamer van Giethoorn
De Eetkamer van Giethoorn or the “Dining Room” is located on the water just outside De Weerribben-Wieden National Park. Come here to try their creme brulee, French toast with caramelized apples, and lemon cheesecake with strawberry yogurt ice cream and cherries, amongst other delights.
Image Credit: Courtesy de Eetkamer.
When to Visit Giethoorn
Giethoorn is fast gaining popularity around the world. What used to be an important summer destination for Dutch families is now a sought-after vacation place for European and Chinese tourists.
The best months to visit Giethoorn are just before summer in April and May, before huge tourists arrive during the peak season. May is a fun month, if only for the Flinke Pink Festival in Leek, just a few minutes away from Giethoorn. It is a popular four-day festival during the Whitsun weekend, where people dance and have fun for three evenings.
Peak season is in June, just when summer begins. The village could get really crowded around this time, until September. Giethoorn is loveliest in summer when the weather is perfect and colorful flowers are in full bloom.
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What to Avoid in Giethoorn
When in Giethoorn, avoid walking across the gardens and farms and picking flowers. Chances are you are trespassing on private property. The village is so beautiful that it is easy to forget that families live here. There are about 2,600 residents here who really appreciate their privacy.
Also, when traveling to Giethoorn by train through Steenwijk, avoid talking to strangers who offer a boat and bus ticket for 15 euros. A one-way bus ticket from here to Giethoorn is only 4 euros, and you can pay the driver directly.
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How to get to Giethoorn
You can reach Giethoorn by taking the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Steenwijk or a connecting train via Zwolle.
In Steenwijk, take Bus 70 for a 30-minute ride to the Dominee Hylkemaweg stop. From the Giethoorn village bus stop, the village is just a 10-minute walk away.
Another option is to take the train from Amsterdam to Meppel and on to Wolvega and Steenwijk. All of these destinations are just a few kilometers from Giethoorn.
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This article originally appeared on Planner at Heart and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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