Giethoorn
Updated October 19, 2026
Also known as: Venice of the North, Dutch Venice, Geitenhoorn
Main Landmarks in Giethoorn
Dorpsgracht Canal
The Dorpsgracht, the village canal, runs about 7 km through the old part of Giethoorn, lined with thatched farmhouses, gardens, wooden bridges and cafés, the most famous and photographed part of the village. Visitors can walk along the narrow path next to the canal, rent a whisper boat or take a canal tour. Entry is free. Visit early in the morning or in the evening, when tour groups have left, and respect residents' privacy, as the houses are homes. Do not enter private gardens or bridges marked private.
Whisper Boat Rental
Whisper boats, fluisterboten, quiet electric boats, can be rented from several companies in Giethoorn, without a licence, to explore the canals and lakes at your own pace. Rental costs about €25–40 per hour, depending on the size of the boat, and half-day rentals are cheaper per hour. Canoes and kayaks cost about €10–15 per hour. Book in advance in summer. Follow the one-way routes, drive slowly, and avoid the busy middle of the day. Bring a map from the rental company.
Weerribben-Wieden National Park
The Weerribben-Wieden National Park, around Giethoorn, about 10,000 hectares, is one of the largest freshwater wetlands in north-western Europe, with lakes, reed beds, peat bogs and forests, home to otters, rare butterflies and birds. Visitors can explore by boat, canoe, bike or on foot, on marked routes. The visitor centre, De Wieden, in Sint Jansklooster, and De Weerribben, in Ossenzijl, explain the nature. Entry is free. Rent a canoe to explore the quieter parts, and bring binoculars. Allow extra time in the high season.
Museum Giethoorn 't Olde Maat Uus
Museum Giethoorn 't Olde Maat Uus, in a traditional farmhouse on the Dorpsgracht, shows how people lived and worked in Giethoorn in the past, with exhibits about peat digging, farming, reed cutting and life on the water, with a garden and traditional boats. Tickets cost about €5–8. Allow about one hour. It is a good introduction to the history of the village. Check opening times, as they vary by season. Allow extra time in the high season. Check opening hours before you go.
Canal Boat Tours
Canal boat tours, about one hour, take visitors along the Dorpsgracht and across the Bovenwijde lake, with commentary in several languages about the history of the village and the farmhouses. Tours cost about €10–15 per person, and they run frequently from about April to October. Covered boats operate in winter. It is a good option for visitors who do not want to steer a boat. Choose an early tour to avoid crowds. Allow extra time in the high season. Check opening hours before you go.
Bovenwijde Lake
The Bovenwijde, a lake south of the old village, created by peat digging, is a large open water, surrounded by reed beds, where boats sail between the canals of Giethoorn and the national park. It is popular for sailing, boating and swimming in summer. The lake can be windy, so be careful in small boats. Entry is free. Cross the lake by whisper boat on a calm day, and enjoy the views of the village and the reeds. Allow extra time in the high season.
Cycling Routes
Cycling routes around Giethoorn follow the dikes, canals and lakes of the national park, through villages, such as Dwarsgracht, Jonen and Wanneperveen, quieter than Giethoorn, with thatched farmhouses and reed beds. Bike rental costs about €12–18 per day, and e-bikes about €25–35. Routes are signposted with numbered junctions, knooppunten. Entry is free. Rent a bike for a day to explore the quieter villages, and bring a picnic. Allow extra time in the high season. Check opening hours before you go.
Museum De Oude Aarde
Several small museums in Giethoorn, such as the Museum De Oude Aarde, with a collection of minerals, precious stones and fossils from around the world, in a farmhouse, and museum farms, show the history and curiosities of the area. Tickets cost about €5–10. Allow about one hour each. They are good options on rainy days. Combine them with a walk along the Dorpsgracht and a coffee in a canal-side café. Allow extra time in the high season. Check opening hours before you go.
History
Giethoorn, in the province of Overijssel, in the north-east of the Netherlands, was founded around 1230 by refugees, possibly flagellants, a religious group from the Mediterranean region, who settled in this marshy area. According to legend, they found many goat horns, left from a flood around 1170, and called the village Geytenhorn, goat horn, which became Giethoorn. For centuries, the inhabitants made a living by cutting peat, which was used as fuel, and the digging of peat created ponds and lakes, while canals and ditches were dug to transport the peat by boat. The land was divided into narrow strips, with farmhouses on small islands, connected by wooden footbridges, and the only way to travel was by boat, the punter, a flat-bottomed boat pushed with a pole. Farmers transported hay, cattle and goods by water. In the 20th century, the decline of peat cutting and agriculture led the village to turn to tourism, and in 1958 the Dutch comedy film Fanfare, by Bert Haanstra, shot in Giethoorn, made the village famous. The surrounding wetlands became part of the Weerribben-Wieden National Park in 2009. Giethoorn is now one of the most visited villages in the Netherlands, especially by visitors from Asia. Today about 2,600 people live in the village.
Culture
Giethoorn is a peaceful village of thatched farmhouses, gardens, canals and about 180 wooden bridges, many of them privately owned, where the old part of the village has no roads, and residents travel by boat, bike or on foot. Its culture is shaped by the water and the traditions of peat cutting, reed cutting and farming, and many farmhouses date from the 18th and 19th centuries, with roofs of thatched reed, a traditional material from the surrounding marshes. Boats are central to daily life, from the traditional punters to the whisper boats, quiet electric boats used by visitors. The village is part of the Weerribben-Wieden National Park, one of the largest freshwater wetlands in north-western Europe, with lakes, reed beds and forests, home to otters, which were reintroduced in 2002, rare butterflies, such as the large copper, and birds, such as the bittern. Local festivals include Gondelvaart, a gondola parade of decorated boats, held in August in some years, and summer concerts by the water. In winter, if the canals freeze, the villagers skate between the houses, a rare and magical sight. Giethoorn has become very popular with tourists, especially from China and other Asian countries, which has brought economic benefits but also concerns about overcrowding, and the village has introduced measures to manage boat traffic and respect residents.
Climate
Spring
2–17°C
March to May brings mild weather, with days of about 10–17°C, blossoming gardens and green reed beds, and it is a quiet …
Summer
11–23°C
June to August is mild to warm, with days of about 20–23°C, long daylight and occasional rain. It is the peak season, wi…
Autumn
5–18°C
September to November brings cooler days of about 9–18°C, golden reed beds, colourful trees and mist over the water in t…
Winter
-2–6°C
December to February is cold and damp, with days of about 4–6°C, nights around 0°C and frost. In very cold winters, the …
Fun Facts
A village without roads
The old part of Giethoorn, the Dorpsgracht area, has no roads for cars, and the farmhouses stand on small islands connec…
Named after goat horns
According to legend, when the first settlers arrived around 1230, they found large numbers of goat horns in the marshy l…
Lakes created by peat digging
The lakes and ponds around Giethoorn, such as the Bovenwijde and the Belterwijde, were not created by nature, but by peo…
A film that made the village famous
In 1958 the Dutch director Bert Haanstra filmed the comedy Fanfare in Giethoorn, about two rival brass bands in a villag…
Otters returned to the wetlands
The Weerribben-Wieden National Park, around Giethoorn, about 10,000 hectares, is one of the largest freshwater wetlands …
Popular with visitors from Asia
Giethoorn has become very popular with visitors from China and other Asian countries, and it is often included in tours …
Local Cuisine in Giethoorn
Canal-Side Café Lunch
Cafés and restaurants along the Dorpsgracht serve Dutch lunch dishes, such as uitsmijter, fried eggs on bread with ham and cheese, broodjes, sandwiches, soups and pancakes, on terraces by the water. A lunch costs about €10–18. Arrive early in summer, as terraces fill up. Ask locals for their favourite place to try it.
Smoked Eel
Smoked eel, gerookte paling, is a traditional delicacy of the lakes and waterways of Overijssel, smoked over wood and eaten on bread or as a snack. Fish shops and restaurants in the region sell it. A portion costs about €8–15. Eel stocks are endangered, so ask about sustainable sources. Ask locals for their favourite place to try it.
Dutch Pancakes
Pancake houses in Giethoorn serve pannenkoeken, large Dutch pancakes with sweet or savoury toppings, such as apple, bacon, cheese and syrup, popular for lunch with families. A pancake costs about €10–15. Enjoy one on a terrace after a boat trip. Ask locals for their favourite place to try it. Portions are usually generous.
Dutch Apple Pie
Dutch apple pie, appeltaart, with a crumbly crust filled with apples, cinnamon and raisins, served with whipped cream, is a favourite in Giethoorn's cafés, with coffee or tea. A slice costs about €4–6. Try it on a terrace by the canal in the afternoon. Ask locals for their favourite place to try it.
Regional Cheese and Dairy
The farms of Overijssel produce cheese, milk and butter from cows grazing on the wet meadows, and farm shops sell local cheese, such as boerenkaas, farmer's cheese. A piece costs about €5–12. Visit a farm shop in the region, and buy cheese for a picnic. Ask locals for their favourite place to try it.
Fish and Chips by the Water
Snack bars in Giethoorn serve kibbeling, fried pieces of white fish with garlic sauce, and Dutch fries, patat, with mayonnaise, as quick, cheap meals. A portion costs about €6–10. Eat them by the canal, but take your rubbish with you, as littering is a problem. Ask locals for their favourite place to try it.
Practical Travel Information
Transport & Accessibility
International Transport
Giethoorn has no airport or railway station. The nearest airports are Amsterdam Schiphol, about 1.5–2 hours away, and Groningen Eelde, about one hour. The nearest railway station is Steenwijk, about 7 km north, with trains from Amsterdam, about 1.5 hours with a change in Zwolle, and from Zwolle, about 20 minutes. Bus 70 connects Steenwijk station with Giethoorn in about 15 minutes. By car, Giethoorn is reached via the A32 motorway, about 1.5 hours from Amsterdam. Check timetables in advance, especially on public holidays.
Local Transport
The old part of Giethoorn has no roads, so visitors explore on foot, along the narrow path next to the Dorpsgracht, by bike or by boat. Whisper boats, canoes and kayaks can be rented from several companies, and canal boat tours run regularly. Bike rental is available, with routes through the national park and nearby villages. Cars must be parked in the car parks on the edge of the village, which charge fees. Bus 70 connects the village with Steenwijk station.
Safety & Health
Personal Safety
Giethoorn is very safe, with very low crime rates. The main risks are related to water: be careful when boarding and steering boats, drive slowly, wear a life jacket if needed, especially with children, and avoid the open lakes in strong wind. The paths along the canals are narrow, with no barriers, so watch children closely. When the canals freeze, only skate when local authorities say the ice is safe. Use insect repellent in summer. In an emergency, call 112.
Medical Services
Giethoorn has a general practitioner and a pharmacy in the village or nearby Steenwijk. The nearest hospitals are in Zwolle, the Isala hospital, about 30 minutes away, and Meppel, with emergency departments. EU citizens can use the European Health Insurance Card, while others need travel insurance. For non-urgent care, out-of-hours GP services are available. Tap water is excellent and safe to drink. Use insect repellent and sunscreen in summer. Carry your insurance details and any personal medicines. Keep a small first-aid kit for day trips.
Budget & Costs
Travel Costs
Giethoorn is moderately priced, with higher prices in the tourist area. A guesthouse room costs about €80–140, a mid-range hotel €110–180 and a holiday home from €150 per night, with higher prices in summer. A lunch costs about €10–18, and dinner in a mid-range restaurant €25–40 per person. Whisper boat rental costs about €25–40 per hour, canoes €10–15 per hour, canal tours €10–15, bike rental €12–18 per day and museums €5–10. Train and bus from Amsterdam cost about €20–25 each way. A mid-range traveller should budget about €100–160 per day.
Budget Tips
Share a whisper boat with friends or family, as the price is per boat. Rent a canoe instead of a whisper boat. Walk along the Dorpsgracht for free. Bring a picnic to eat in the national park. Visit on a weekday, outside summer, for fewer crowds. Use public transport instead of a guided tour from Amsterdam. Explore the quieter villages of the national park by bike. Walking is free and often the best way to explore. Booking early usually secures better prices.
Culture & Traditions
Social Norms
Giethoorn is a living village, so visitors should respect residents' privacy: do not enter private gardens, bridges marked private or houses, do not look into windows, and keep noise down. Do not fly drones without permission. Take your rubbish with you. Drive boats slowly and carefully, and do not block canals. Greet people with goedemorgen or hallo. English is widely spoken in tourist businesses. Tipping is not obligatory, but rounding up is appreciated. A few words of the local language are always appreciated.
Cultural Activities
Explore the Dorpsgracht by whisper boat. Take a canal boat tour. Visit Museum Giethoorn 't Olde Maat Uus. Canoe through the Weerribben-Wieden National Park. Cycle to the quieter villages of Dwarsgracht and Jonen. Watch the Gondelvaart, the gondola parade, in August, when held. Skate on the frozen canals in a cold winter. Visit the national park visitor centres. Watch birds and otters in the wetlands. Stay overnight in a thatched farmhouse. Check local listings for free events during your stay.
Unique Experiences in Giethoorn
Rent a whisper boat early in the morning and glide along the Dorpsgracht, past thatched farmhouses, gardens and wooden bridges, before the crowds arrive, then cross the Bovenwijde lake. Rental costs about €25–40 per hour. Book in advance in summer, and drive slowly.
Canoe through the quiet waterways of the Weerribben-Wieden National Park, among reed beds and peat bogs, watching for otters, kingfishers and rare butterflies, far from the busy village canals. Canoe rental costs about €10–15 per hour. Bring a map and binoculars.
Stay overnight in a thatched farmhouse or a guesthouse in Giethoorn, and enjoy the village in the evening and early morning, when the canals are calm and quiet, and the light is soft. Rooms cost about €80–180. Book well in advance in summer.
Cycle through the national park to the quieter villages of Dwarsgracht, Jonen and Wanneperveen, with thatched farmhouses, canals and reed beds, along dikes and bike paths. Bike rental costs about €12–18 per day. Follow the numbered junctions, and bring a picnic.
Skate on the frozen canals of Giethoorn in a cold winter, joining residents gliding between the farmhouses and under the bridges, a rare and magical experience. It is free. Only skate when the ice is declared safe, and bring your own skates or rent them locally.
Travel Recommendations for Giethoorn
Visit Giethoorn early in the morning or in the evening, on a weekday, and outside summer if possible, to avoid the crowd…
Respect the residents of Giethoorn, a living village, by not entering private gardens and bridges, keeping noise down, t…
Explore beyond the Dorpsgracht, into the Weerribben-Wieden National Park, by canoe, bike or on foot, to discover quieter…
Stay overnight in Giethoorn or a nearby village to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere when day trippers have left, and to exp…
Use public transport, train to Steenwijk and bus 70, or a car, as there is no railway station in Giethoorn. Combine your…