Giethoorn Village, Netherlands
Often dubbed, “the Venice of the Netherlands,” Giethoorn is the most beautiful and picturesque village in the Netherlands.
Every year over one million tourists travel to Giethoorn to immerse themselves in the charming little community that boasts stunning scenery and breathtaking culture.
But what is so attractive about Giethoorn village? There are no roads.
Let’s find out more about this fairytale village—where people actually live.
Where is it?
The sleepy little village of Giethoorn is located in the Northeastern part of the Netherlands, in the province of Overijssel, which is just over an hour drive from the capital city of Amsterdam.
Noppasin Wongchum, Shutterstock
What is the history of Giethoorn?
The Giethoorn Village was founded in the 13th Century, and was primarily occupied by a farming community. While farming, residents unearthed large quantities of goat horns buried in the ground.
It is believed the horns belonged to the wild goats that were drowned in the Flood of 1170.
In fact, this is how the village got its name.
What does “Giethoorn” mean?
The village got its name "Geytenhoren", referring to the goat horns discovered there. It was then shortened to its present form, “Giethoorn.”
When did it become popular with visitors?
The village’s tourism potential came to notice after 1958, when the Dutch filmmaker, Bert Haanstra, shot his popular comedy, Fanfare, in this same village.
Once people saw the immense beauty of this unusual fairytale village, they had to see it for themselves.
Ron Kroon / Anefo, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
What is significant about Giethoorn village?
Giethoorn village has no roads. In fact, the small village only contains hand-dug canals and small islands which are inter connected by 176 bridges to the mainland.
Why were the canals dug in the first place?
The canals—which span about four miles—are only about one meter deep, and actually represent pits dug by the villagers to extract peat and, in the long run, accumulated rain water to form numerous shallow lakes and ponds.
These waterways were then used to transport the peat.
How do people get there?
We have to burst the bubble here. While the village of Giethoorn has no roads, the actual town of Giethoorn does.
Giethoorn does have roads and carparks, but a large section in the middle of the town is what is affectionately called “the village of Giethoorn,” as that is the area without roads.
So, visitors can drive to Giethoorn, park and then walk or boat through the main part of village.
Do people live in the village?
Yes. The town of Giethoorn has a population of approximately 2,765. And there are indeed residents who live in the inaccessible village as well, and are required to walk or boat to their homes.
Respect the Community
Giethoorn may seem like a tourist area to you, but it is not a museum village simulating life—it is real life, with real houses and gardens that are privately owned by residents.
It is important to remember that the inhabitants in this village love their tiny, medieval community and just like you would really appreciate having some forms of privacy.
What are the homes made of?
The houses in the village of Giethoorn are beautiful, old farmhouses that were built in the 18th and 19th centuries. These typical Dutch houses boast traditional thatched roofs, old brick siding, and charming painted shutters.
They adorn the islands and are surrounded by peaceful waterways, stunning gardens and old pathways.
What is the Olde Maat Uus Museum?
The Olde Maat Uus Museum is a typical farmhouse that was built hundreds of years ago. This house has been preserved to depict the local’s old way of life.
Staff at the museum are actors in costume, and they show you how people in Giethoorn used to cut peat and build punters or small boats.
Are there shops in the village?
Yes. In fact, the main walking strip will take you into the middle of the village, which has a handful of cafes, shops, and restaurants along the canals. These establishments boast regional delicacies—like a Dutch cheese shop—and traditional souvenirs, along with much more.
Docks also line the canals for easy access to these shops.
How can visitors explore the area?
Aside from walking the charming pathways throughout the village, visitors can also rent small personal boats called “whisper boats”—uniquely designed boats which run on electricity and do not create any form of noise pollution in the village.
Visitors can also rent, or bring in their own canoes, kayak, bicycles and e-bikes.
Ververidis Vasilis, Shutterstock
Boat Tours
Most people who visit Giethoorn board some sort of boat to explore the village. There are few ways you can do this.
- Rent your own whisper boat: these personal boats are available in various sizes and can accommodate 2 persons up to 10 persons
- Take a canal cruise: this large boat accommodates many visitors and takes you on a guided 1-2 hour tour of the village
- Take a private boat tour: hire a local to show you around the village on a smaller, personal boat
Are there any restricted areas in the village?
For visitors, yes. The homes!
As mentioned previously, the village inhabits real families who privately own the properties that make up the village.
Tourists are not permitted to walk upon these properties, or approach the houses. It is important that visitors respect the residents’ privacy and do not peer into windows or take photos of the families as they go about their daily lives.
There are plenty of areas for tourists to enjoy.
What is Giethoorn like in the winter?
Most people visit Giethoorn village in the warmer months between April and October. But the winter months are just as stunning.
This charming little village becomes even more enchanting as snow begins to fall. The gardens, farms, and roofs are then covered in a white blanket of ice, and the trees with glistening snowflakes.
Giethoorn in Winter
During the snowy season, visitors can skate on the canals and cozy up to warm beverages or mulled wine at one of the many cafes.
Average winter temperatures in Giethoorn reach about 3 degrees.
Frank Schots Productions, Shutterstock
How many hours do you need in Giethoorn?
For the most part, you don’t need more than a few hours. However, most visitors will make a day-trip of it. If you arrive in the morning, you can spend the day walking, boating, shopping and eating.
When is the best time to visit Giethoorn?
The best time to visit Giethoorn would be during the week, when tourism isn’t quite so high, and the locals are quietly going about their business.
An overnight stay is recommended if you want to truly experience the serenity of the village after the tourists all go home.
Przemyslaw Bunkowski, Shutterstock
Where to Stay
Giethoorn town and the village have a few nice hotels and Airbnb’s. Most hotels have a restaurant, offer free breakfast and provide bike or boat rentals.
There are family-run hotels that are on the smaller side, but are located directly in the village offering canal side views. And there are also larger hotels available in the surrounding areas.
Hotel Giethoorn
Hotel Giethoorn, for example, is a family-run hotel built in a unique old Dutch style. It is located in the middle of the Giethoorn village and has a beautiful terrace on the famous canal of the village. There are 34 rooms, and the hotel is accessible by car.
Is Giethoorn free to visit?
Absolutely. Giethoorn was never meant to be a tourist attraction. It is simply a small, inhabited village that boasts an unusual setting that is not often seen in today’s modern world.
Visitors can park—for free—in the main part of town and then walk into the village, or bring their own boat/kayak/canoe/bicycle to venture through the village on their own.
Tourism in Giethoorn
While Giethoorn is absolutely stunning, and appears as a charming fairytale village in photos, in recent years it has become a very popular tourist spot.
With more than one million tourists visting each year, the small, cozy village can become quite busy at times—especially during the summer months.
Who visits Giethoorn the most?
Interestingly, Giethoorn is often frequented by a large volume of Chinese tourists. In fact, every year between 150,000 and 200,000 Chinese tourists visit the village, outnumbering everyone else by 75:1.
Noppasin Wongchum, Shutterstock
Residents’ Reaction to Tourism
Residents of Giethoorn village are becoming increasingly worried of tourism taking over their quaint and quiet little village. However, they can do nothing about it. They simply sit back and watch the visitors grow each year.
Adapting to Tourism
Some local residents have adapted to the tourist life by engaging in local business, offering boat rentals and transforming parts of their homes into cafes or accommodations.
Tourist Trouble
There have been some incidents where residents have experienced tourists leaving the designated pathways and entering their properties, grazing through gardens, boating in private waterways, and even entering homes without permission.
There was also a rather disturbing incident that happened recently, in 2022, to a family who recently moved to Giethoorn.
2022 Incident
In 2022, it came out via the Dutch TV program “Zembla” that a Turkish family from Giethoorn was being bullied.
A mother and her teenage son were being repeatedly harassed by other local youth, breaking into their car and home, and spewing racist comments, telling them to “go back to where they came from.”
This went on for years, and authorities repeatedly downplayed the incidents, lost evidence, and twice refused to file a report.
Sadly, the mother has chosen to leave the community altogether.
Is Giethoorn safe?
Even with recent disturbing events, Giethoorn is said to be extremely safe. For the most part, it remains a quiet and peaceful destination (especially during off-seasons). Residents are all familiar with each other and are generally very respectful and hospitable of one another.
Locals also expect and understand that their home is a popular tourist destination, and are very welcoming to visitors.
Online Reviews
While some reviews will complain about the tourism, most online reviews from traveler boast about the beauty, addressing it as still being “well worth the visit.”
One person wrote on TripAdvisor, “Giethoorn is one of the most truly scenic and predominantly unspoiled destinations in Europe. I haven't seen a place so spectacular and picturesque until now. The place hardly seems real.”
Interesting Fact: Monopoly
In 2015, the village of Giethoorn was chosen from 182 contenders across the world to achieve a place on the board of the new international edition of Monopoly.
An online campaign led by local Village Marketeer Giethoorn.com resulted in enough votes to obtain spot number 21 in the special edition.
LightField Studios, Shutterstock
Interesting Fact: Notable Person
Jonnie Boer—a Dutch Michelin star winning head chef and co-owner of restaurant De Librije in Zwolle, Netherlands—was born in Giethoor.
Boer was awarded his first Michelin star in 1993, his second in 1998, and a third Michelin star in 2004.
