Go prepared
Being well prepared is half the job. That also goes for a day in Giethoorn. It can be useful to look in advance at which activities Giethoorn has to offer and what there is to see and do. Then you can make a plan for what to do in Giethoorn. There is something for everyone.
Put together your own day
Do you want to make it an active or sporty day, or something more cultural or culinary? Are you going to Giethoorn with children, with a group of girlfriends, or for a day in Giethoorn for two? Decide beforehand what a day in Giethoorn should look like for you or for your group. If you do not need everything planned, you can of course let yourself be surprised! In that case, do read the Giethoorn tips at the end of this blog.
On this website you will find plenty of information, articles and tips for your day in Giethoorn. So here you have an overview of what there is to do in and around Giethoorn. That way you can decide what you definitely do not want to miss during your visit to the water village in Overijssel. Missing certain information, or do you still have questions? Then get in touch via the contact page, we will be happy to help!
Transport to Giethoorn
You can read plenty of travel information in the article How to get to Giethoorn. It describes the options for (public) transport to Giethoorn and where you can park in Giethoorn. Make use of it.
Must-dos in Giethoorn
Time on the water is part of a visit to Giethoorn. In good weather it is lovely on the lakes. From the canal you see the village while sailing under the bridges. You can hire a boat and choose from various boating routes. If you do not have much time, you can take a boat trip of about two hours. That is a minimum, though. If you have a bit more time, you can choose a longer boating route in Giethoorn, sail more slowly or moor at a nice spot along the way or at a waterside terrace in Giethoorn.
If you do not fancy sailing yourself in Giethoorn (admittedly it can be a challenge if you have never done it), you can also take a canal cruise. Step aboard a canal cruise boat in Giethoorn with an experienced skipper. You will hear lovely stories and the history of the village of Giethoorn. Meanwhile you can look around in peace.
The nickname of Giethoorn is Venice of the North, and the village is also called Holland’s Venice.
If you want to hire a boat in Giethoorn, you can do so in a great many places. All motorised rental boats, the so-called whisper boats and sloops (electric boats), run on a silent electric motor. You can also hire a traditional punter, powered by an electric motor. In this overview you will find all the ways to go boating in Giethoorn. Want to be sure of a boat? Then reserve one online in advance.
Walking in Giethoorn
The centre of Giethoorn can only be reached on foot and by bike. A walk through the village is part of the visit. Walking along the Binnenpad, the Langesteeg and the Zuiderpad, you can take lovely photos of Giethoorn. There are thatched houses on both sides of the village canal. Typical of the village are the vonders (small plank bridges) and the high wooden bridges. The centre of Giethoorn also has no shortage of cafés, restaurants and museums.
Fully arranged
You can also visit the village by booking a fully arranged day trip (or several days) or a Giethoorn package. You then travel to Overijssel by coach or in your own transport. There are all sorts of activities to do in Giethoorn, with or without food and drink. With some packages you have to be on time, because activities start at set times. You need to bear that in mind. We mentioned it before: it is whatever you want it to be, relaxed, active or sporty. And if at all possible, you will of course go boating in Giethoorn. Some packages include hiring a boat in Giethoorn. Take a look at all the options here.
Eating and drinking in Giethoorn
In Giethoorn you will find plenty of restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy a bite to eat or a drink and sit comfortably. On a terrace with a drink in your hand you can happily watch the world go by and see the boats sail along the canal. Most restaurants in Giethoorn are right on the water, so you always sit by the water. You can find all the restaurants in Giethoorn here.
Example of a day in Giethoorn
What might a day in Giethoorn look like for you? It could look like this, for example.
Say you are staying in Amsterdam and visiting Giethoorn is the plan for the next day. From Amsterdam Centraal Station it is an hour and a half by train to Steenwijk station. The distance from Steenwijk to Giethoorn is about 10 kilometres. From Steenwijk station you take the bus to Giethoorn. This is line 70 towards Zwolle, or line 270: the Giethoorn Express. You reach the centre fastest if you get off at the Hylkemaweg bus stop, centre of Giethoorn.
Seize the day
You have of course set off on time, and it is a smart idea to begin with a walk through the waking village. You take a few photos and enjoy the weather. After the walk you find a table on a terrace at one of the many eateries for a cup of coffee and a bit of relaxing.
At the end of the morning, when the sun has come out, you step into the whisper boat or sloop (electric boat) that you reserved the evening before. From the water, too, you take lovely pictures of the surroundings, the thatched farmhouses, of each other and of the typical bridges over the canal.
Dinner and a finish
By now you are hungry again. Time for a good dinner at one of the many places to eat in Giethoorn. As we mentioned earlier, you can make it as extravagant as you like. After dinner you walk through the village a little more and enjoy the slowly setting sun. Then it is time to head back to Amsterdam. There, after a nightcap, you will dream of your day in Giethoorn, tired but happy.
A day in Giethoorn: tips
- Arrive in good time if you are spending a day in Giethoorn. Between 11:00 and 16:00 it is quite busy. Before and after that it is quieter.
- Want to go boating? Reserve a boat here, then you know your boat trip will go ahead and that you pay the same price as at the boat rental in Giethoorn. On the day itself it is hard to still hire a boat.
- There are many places to eat and drink (cafés and restaurants) in and around Giethoorn, but not all of them can be reached by boat. So if you spend a whole day on the water, it is wise to bring some food and drink with you. You can also do some shopping at the supermarket in Giethoorn.
- Coming on a warm day? Do not forget to bring sun cream. Applying plenty is really not a luxury. You burn faster on the water. A cap or a parasol is also a good idea.
- Giethoorn is not a museum! You cannot look around the houses, because people live in them. Respect the property of the residents of Giethoorn and do not just step onto their bridge or into their garden.
