Even without ice and snow the village is fun to visit in winter. The days are short, which gives a cosy atmosphere. The little bridges are lit, which makes for attractive photos.
Plenty to do in Giethoorn
Giethoorn in winter is very different from Giethoorn in summer, but there is plenty to do in the winter months too. What is more, the village is often a lot quieter than in summer. These are things to do in the winter months.
1. Walking through the village
In the centre of Giethoorn you can take an attractive walk outside the summer too. The village looks especially good after snowfall. You can walk various routes in Giethoorn and the surrounding area.
2. Ice skating on the canals and lakes
When the temperature drops well below freezing for a few days, we naturally lace up our skates in Giethoorn. The Elfstedentocht (the famous Dutch eleven cities skating tour) does not pass through our village, but we love skating, on the canals and the lakes.
After a good skate in Giethoorn, a hot chocolate with whipped cream or a mulled wine tastes twice as good. Lighting up and warming up at one of the many cafés and restaurants in the village is of course also possible if you do not like skating.
3. Boating in Giethoorn
We do not always recommend renting a boat in the winter months. The weather is then not suitable for boating, certainly not when the temperature is around freezing.
On the canals it is not too bad, but on the lakes, the Bovenwijde or the Beulakerwijde, the wind-chill drops quickly. For the real stayer it may not be a problem and a boat with a blanket is often available. We do recommend booking in that case. There is also an alternative.
4. Heated boat tour of Giethoorn
Our tip is a trip on a tour boat. You sit under cover and out of the wind, and on board the tour boat heaters provide warmth. Most rental companies also offer a blanket to keep you warm. A boat tour takes about 1 hour. During the tour the skipper tells facts and fun anecdotes about Giethoorn.
In winter you can therefore sail on a tour boat, except when there is ice.
5. High tea in Giethoorn
A high tea is fun to do with friends, family or teammates. A restaurant where you can book a high tea is Restaurant De Rietstulp.
6. Cycling in Giethoorn
In good weather and moderate wind you can cycle perfectly well in Giethoorn and the surrounding area. There are cycling routes, long and short. Giethoorn is surrounded by nature reserves, such as Weerribben-Wieden National Park, and there are woods within cycling distance. You can plan cycling routes in Giethoorn and the surrounding area here.
7. Visit a museum
In Giethoorn and the surrounding area there are sights and museums. The museums suit every age and most are also accessible if you have limited mobility. In warm, sunny weather you would rather sit outside, so a visit to a museum suits a winter day in Giethoorn well.
8. Escape room
Do you like puzzling and solving riddles? Then an escape room is something for you and your friends or family. How about Prison Break Paasloo? Every room has its own storyline and difficulty level. Here you find the escape rooms in Giethoorn and the surrounding area in a row.
Activities in Giethoorn all year round
All year round, one-off and annual activities are organised in Giethoorn, for example the annual gondola parade, a games trail, music festivals, summer market, art route, a New Year drinks event or a walking tour. See all activities in Giethoorn.
