Giethoorn is one of those villages that makes you wonder whether it is even real when you see it for the first time: thatched farmhouses right on the water, no cars, just canals, bridges, boats, and flowers. We visited the village as a day trip and are sharing the best photo spots, things to see, where to park for free, and when a visit is most worthwhile:

What Makes Giethoorn So Special

Giethoorn is located in the province of Overijssel, just around an hour and a half by car from Amsterdam, and has around 2,900 inhabitants. The canals, originally created to transport blocks of peat when the village developed around peat extraction, now shape the townscape together with its countless small wooden bridges. The historic center is completely car-free. The only ways to get around are on foot, by bicycle, or by boat. That is why Giethoorn has earned its nickname, the “Venice of the North.”

Getting There & Parking

Since the center is car-free, anyone arriving by car will inevitably have to leave their vehicle at one of the parking areas on the outskirts of the village. Giethoorn is divided into three parking zones – South (red), Center (green), and Middle (yellow) – which differ in both location and price. For our day trip, we specifically searched for P6 (red) on Google Maps: it is free and still within walking distance of the center. In our view, it is the best option if you do not want to pay extra for a supervised parking area.

The Best Photo Spots in Giethoorn

The real photo star in Giethoorn is the overall scene created by its canals, bridges, and thatched houses. That is why it is worth taking your time and walking slowly along the main canal, Binnenpad, while capturing the little wooden bridges, beautifully maintained gardens, and boats waiting on the water. For quieter and much less crowded photos, take a walk slightly north or south of the center. You will find the same picturesque houses here, but without the crowds filling your photos. If you would also like a view across open water, head to Lake Bovenwijde, which is connected to Giethoorn’s canal system.

Things to See & Do

Take a Boat Tour or Drive Your Own Boat

The highlight of any visit to Giethoorn is getting out on the water. You can choose between guided boat tours with a local captain, who will share stories about peat workers and historic farmhouses, or rent your own electric “fluisterboot” (whisper boat) and explore the canals at your own pace. Numerous rental companies, including Punterwerf Wildeboer, offer both options.

Explore the Museums

Museum Giethoorn ‘t Olde Maat Uus: This small open-air museum in a historic farmhouse shows what life in Giethoorn used to be like – including faithfully recreated fishermen’s and boatmen’s houses and stories about peat extraction. A German audio guide is also available.

Other small museums: The village is also home to De Oude Aarde, featuring minerals and fossils; HistoMobil, dedicated to historic modes of transportation; and the Gloria Maris Shell Gallery, with a collection of shells from around the world. They are nice options for a short stop, but they are not essential must-sees.

Slow Down & Take It All In

Walks & cafés: Cozy cafés with terraces directly on the water line the main canals, making them ideal for a break between a boat tour and a walk. If you have more time, you can also cycle from Giethoorn into the nearby Weerribben-Wieden National Park, one of the largest continuous wetland areas in Western Europe.

Insider date: If you happen to be in Giethoorn on the last Saturday in August, you can experience the “Gondelvaart” – a parade of elaborately decorated boats sailing through the canals.

Day Trip or Overnight Stay?

Giethoorn is very easy to visit as a day trip – half a day to a full day is enough to fit in a walk, a boat tour, and a museum visit. If you would like to stay overnight in the area rather than directly in Giethoorn itself, where accommodation can sell out quickly and become comparatively expensive during high season, nearby Meppel is a great alternative. We recommend MyHotel Meppel. This modern, four-star hotel is just 10 to 20 minutes from Giethoorn by car. Centrally located in Meppel, it also offers the option of renting an e-bike to explore the surrounding area.

Best Time to Visit Giethoorn

For us, July was the best time to visit: warm temperatures of around 22°C, long sunny days, and ideal conditions for a boat trip. The catch is that July and August are also the Dutch summer holidays and therefore peak season – on beautiful weekends, the area around the main canal can get quite crowded. Our own tip, which we followed ourselves: whenever possible, visit during the week and arrive early in the morning, preferably before 10 a.m. That way, you can enjoy Giethoorn in a much more peaceful atmosphere even during summer. If you value maximum peace and quiet over perfect weather, April/May or September/October are also good choices – although temperatures are usually cooler.

Our conclusion: Giethoorn lives up to the postcards – as long as you plan your parking, time of day, and travel month wisely. With the free parking tip, a boat tour at the right time of day, and a walk away from the main canal, you can enjoy the “Venice of the North” in a wonderfully relaxed way even during the height of summer.

Which activity are you most excited to try in Giethoorn?
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