Boating
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Giethoorn
Giethoorn, the Venice of the North, is a water village in Overijssel and one of the best-known tourist destinations in the Netherlands, with canals, bridges and boat trips.
Giethoorn is a village in Overijssel known for its canals, narrow waterways and little bridges. There are no roads for cars in the old village centre, so visitors see Giethoorn mainly from the water or on foot.
The village is often called the Venice of the North and is a popular destination for a day trip, a weekend away or a longer holiday. On giethoorn.com you will find everything you need to plan your visit to Giethoorn.
Giethoorn at a glance
In Giethoorn there is water where elsewhere there is tarmac. Sloops and whisper boats take the place of the car, and thatched farmhouses line the canals.
- Giethoorn is in the province of Overijssel
- The village is known for boating without cars
- Boat trips are the most popular activity
- Giethoorn is next to Weerribben-Wieden National Park
- Suitable for families, couples and groups
- Boating through historic canals
- Car-free village centre
- Many restaurants and terraces by the water
What you do in Giethoorn
The best-known activity is boating through the canals in a whisper boat, sloop (electric boat) or canal cruise boat. On a boat trip you pass the nature and the historic farmhouses by the water.
Besides boating you can walk along the water, enjoy restaurants by the canal, visit museums and join events. In the area around Giethoorn you can also cycle and explore the countryside.
Things to do in Giethoorn
Here you will find activities, boat hire, canal cruises, restaurants, places to stay and packages to help you plan your visit to Giethoorn.
Things to do
Activities & sights
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Eating & Drinking
Restaurants & terraces
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Accommodation
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Complete days out
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Plan your visit
Practical information
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Giethoorn
On giethoorn.com you will find information about boating, parking, crowds and events in Giethoorn.
On the page What is Giethoorn? you can read what the village is known for. Giethoorn is often searched for by visitors planning a day trip, a weekend away or a holiday. On this website you will find up-to-date information, activities and tips for your visit.
We have many ready-made packages, so there is something for everyone. Can’t find a package that suits you? Then you can put one together yourself.
Send your wishes to us by email and we will see whether we can arrange your day on the water.
Always something to do in and around Giethoorn!
Fun events are organised in Giethoorn all year round. In our events calendar you will find an overview of everything that is going on. There are also plenty of activities in the towns and villages around us (such as Meppel, Steenwijk and Zwolle).
In Giethoorn everything revolves around water, and almost everything you can do here has something to do with it. Whether you go boating, stand-up paddleboarding, take a canal cruise or sit by the waterside: it will be a day on the water.
In the region
Giethoorn is a good base for Weerribben-Wieden National Park and other places in the area. Events in the region are also easy to reach.
The websites below have all the information for a day out in the region.
Frequently asked questions about Giethoorn
What exactly is Giethoorn?
Giethoorn is a water village in the province of Overijssel in the Netherlands. It is known worldwide as the ‘Venice of the North’ because of its many canals and wooden bridges, and because the old part of the village has no roads. Transport is mostly by water, and the whisper boat is the most popular choice. The village is surrounded by the nature of Weerribben-Wieden National Park. Every year many Dutch and international visitors come for the peace and quiet and the water sports.
What does Giethoorn.com offer visitors to Giethoorn?
Giethoorn.com is the platform for visiting Giethoorn, for first-time and returning visitors. Here you will find all the activities on offer, such as whisper boat hire, canal cruises and canoe hire, and places to eat from restaurants to pancake houses. It also lists places to stay, including hotels, apartments and holiday parks. Through Giethoorn.com you get in direct contact with local businesses, so you can plan and book your visit.
How does Giethoorn.com differ from other providers?
On Giethoorn.com you will find everything Giethoorn has to offer. Local providers often have a more limited range; we bring all the information, activities and packages together in one place. We also put you in direct contact with local specialists, without third parties in between, for personal service and fair prices.
Can I also book packages for groups or companies via Giethoorn.com?
Yes. Giethoorn.com specialises in packages for groups, such as families, school classes, clubs and companies. Think of a day out with team building, a family weekend or a company outing. The programmes are flexible and tailored to your wishes. You are in direct contact with local businesses, who provide personal guidance.
What can you do in Giethoorn?
You can explore the village by whisper boat, take a canal cruise or canoe through the canals yourself. You can also cycle and walk in the nature of Weerribben-Wieden. For culture lovers there are museums, and you can have a photo taken in traditional costume. There are also interactive games and workshops.
Where can I stay in Giethoorn and the surrounding area?
In Giethoorn and the surrounding Weerribben-Wieden region there are places to stay for different preferences and budgets. On Giethoorn.com you will find an overview from hotels and apartments to holiday parks and bed & breakfasts. We connect you directly with local providers, for personal service.