Summary
Set within the extensive wetlands of the Weerribben-Wieden National Park, Giethoorn is a picturesque village featuring thatched farmhouses, wooden footbridges, and vibrant gardens, all interconnected by serene canals.
In Giethoorn, automobiles are of little utility, and the “street” signs are instead located on the canals.
Similar to the surrounding region, this intricate network of waterways has evolved over centuries as a result of peat extraction activities.
Giethoorn is frequently referred to as the “Venice of the North,” yet this label scarcely captures the village’s abundant greenery and tranquil ambiance.
To genuinely appreciate Giethoorn, one must embark upon a boat journey, either through an organized tour or by navigating a self-driven motorboat.
1. Canal Cruise
The initial decision to make in Giethoorn is whether to operate your own boat or to unwind while a guide navigates.
Smit Giethoorn, the local company, provides a variety of boat rentals along with highly sought-after guided canal tours extending to the Bovenwijde lake southeast of the village.
These guided tours, conducted in covered vessels, last approximately an hour and serve as an excellent opportunity to relax and admire the idyllic village scenes, canal-side gardens, and charming wooden footbridges.
During the voyage, informative anecdotes regarding notable landmarks within the village are shared, along with insights into how these canals were excavated.
2. Boat Hire
For those interested in a self-guided experience, there are at least ten different boat rental businesses within the village.
However, given the popularity of Giethoorn during the peak summer months, it is prudent to secure your reservation early to avoid any disappointment.
Bootverhuur Giethoorn, located at the heart of the village on the Dorpsgracht canal, offers a wide range of vessels suitable for all preferences.
If you are inclined towards physical activity, consider hiring a punt, the traditional vessel for exploring this serene landscape, although kayaks and canoes are also available.
The electric motorboat, known as the fluisterboot, is indisputably the most sought-after choice, with this company boasting a fleet of 40 for rent.
Additional rental options within Giethoorn are available from Broer Botenverhuur, Koppers Giethoorn, Botenverhuur Brunink, and Smit Giethoorn and Frank Raggers.
3. Cycling
At first glance, Giethoorn may not appear to be an ideal destination for cycling due to the lack of paved roads.
However, utilizing a bicycle affords significantly greater freedom than traveling by car.
There are numerous cycling paths around the village that connect with a broader network across the national park.
For a full day’s adventure, the 41.5-kilometre Giethoorn de Wieden fietsroute showcases the finest features of Giethoorn, including thatched farmhouses and picturesque bridges, before venturing into the pristine wetland regions surrounding the Beulakerwijde and Belterwijde lakes.
This trail is clearly marked with green and white signs, featuring “Knooppunten” (trail nodes) that allow for detours onto other routes.
4. Binnenpad
Along the Dorpgracht is the Binnenpad, extending from north to south and providing access to areas of the village that are inaccessible by car.
The scene is idyllic, characterized by historic thatched farmhouses, lush gardens, a quaint Mennonite church, and numerous small wooden bridges spanning the waterways.
The canal is flanked by mature trees, ensuring that cafes and restaurants are never far away.
Every few steps, benches are available for resting, allowing guests to feed ducks and observe Giethoorn’s assortment of motorboats, punts, kayaks, and barges drifting by.
5. Museum Giethoorn ‘t Olde Maat Uus
This recently renovated museum housed in a historical farm provides insights into various facets of Giethoorn’s history, including fishing, agriculture, and peat extraction.
Guests can explore the interior of a traditional farmhouse, a fisherman’s residence, and a boathouse, which collectively evoke the essence of local life in bygone eras.
The exhibits feature personal narratives, antique tools, costuming, furniture, clogs, household items, and a film for additional context.
Complimentary guided tours with museum volunteers, along with multilingual audio tours, ensure a comprehensive experience.
6. De Oude Aarde
In Giethoorn, one can discover one of the Netherlands’ most remarkable collections of minerals and fossils.
This collection, largely gathered by founder René Boissevain, a contemporary explorer whose expeditions have spanned the globe, includes specimens such as an amethyst geode from Brazil, Australian agates, and a petrified tree trunk from North America. It is intriguing to consider that several of these delicate specimens arrived in Giethoorn by boat.
The displays are spotlighted in a dimly lit atmosphere to showcase their vibrant colors and textures.
The majority of minerals are exhibited in their natural, unrefined states.
For a nominal fee, children have the opportunity to crack open their own geode.
An attached shop offers precious stones and crystals for sale.
7. Weerribben-Wieden National Park
Giethoorn is ideally situated for exploring the national park further.
The park spans over 100 square kilometers, comprising two distinct sections: Weerribben in the north and Wieden in the south, both shaped by centuries of peat-cutting activities.
This largely uninhabited terrain hosts a diverse range of ecosystems, including meadows, floating mosses, marshes, reedbeds, and lakes.
The visitor center for De Wieden, located in Sint Jansklooster, is conveniently close to Giethoorn and features an exhibition showcasing the flora and fauna inhabiting the park, utilizing photography and video as well as information about walking and cycling trails.
The Buitencentrum Weerribben, situated further northwest, serves as another launch point for canoe or motorboat excursions through the swampy woodlands and wetlands abundant with avian life.
8. Canal-side Restaurants
Dining along the canals in Giethoorn offers a unique and delightful experience.
While you may consider bringing a picnic, numerous locations allow you to dock your boat and enjoy a meal by the water.
Some of these venues are quite upscale; for instance, if you wish to indulge in an exquisite dining experience at the Michelin-starred De Lindenhof (Beulakerweg 77), ample planning is essential.
However, there are various alternatives, ranging from hearty Dutch fare (at Geythorn, De Sloothaak, De Landije, and Witte Hoeve) to seafood offerings (at Vishandel Gerrits & De Boer) and Italian cuisine (at La Piccola Venezia and Ristorante Fratelli). The Grand Café Fanfare serves contemporary international dishes and pays homage to Fanfare, the Oscar-winning debut film by director Bert Haanstra, which was filmed in Giethoorn in 1958.
9. Gloria Maris Schelpengalerie
Exploring charming, quaint villages like Giethoorn often reveals unique shops and attractions, and the Gloria Maris Schelpengalerie is no exception.
Once inside, visitors encounter an array of shells, along with jewelry crafted from coral, pearls, mother-of-pearl, nautilus, and cameo materials.
Among the collection are rare pieces, including an extraordinary pair of Conus gloriamaris sea snail shells, measuring around 12 centimeters, which were sourced from Indonesia and the Philippines.
These shells represent a coveted prize for collectors, and the museum boasts not one, but two of these remarkable specimens.
10. Doopsgezinde Kerk Giethoorn
It is believed that Giethoorn was established by 14th-century flagellants fleeing the Black Death, and this spiritual fervor has persisted over time.
A Mennonite congregation was established here in 1551 and is among the oldest in the Netherlands.
The current Mennonite church, dating from 1871, is situated near the Dorpsgracht, under the shade of a large beech tree.
The architecture represents the waterstaatsstijl, a distinctive style associated with 19th-century Dutch churches that were constructed with governmental support and subject to approval by the Ministry of Public Works.
Notable features inside include the pews, organ case, and oak pulpit, while an inscription above the entrance quotes Matthew 23:8, “Een is u meester, namelijk Christus en gij zijt allen broeders” (One is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren).
11. Blokzijl
After experiencing a peat-extraction village and the landscape it shaped, it is worthwhile to visit one of the towns that became affluent through the trade of this material.
Blokzijl is located a mere 15 minutes to the west and features a stunning harbor adorned with 16th and 17th-century gabled merchants’ houses.
You can explore the charming streets, such as the winding Kerkstraat, home to the Museum Het Gildenhuys (Guildhall Museum), which recounts Blokzijl’s peat and lucrative timber trades.
Consider enjoying coffee next to traditional Dutch botters (sail barges) in the harbor and capturing a photograph of the historic warning cannon located on the quay.
12. Vollenhove
Situated a few kilometers south of Blokzijl, Vollenhove experienced prosperity during the 17th century, primarily through the trade of peat to Holland.
A large portion of Vollenhove is recognized as a protected Dutch cityscape, containing an abundance of historic buildings, including two late-Gothic churches: the Grote of Sint Niklaaskerk, and the Kleine of Lieve Vrouwekerk, notable for its lantern-crowned tower.
Many of Vollenhove’s approximately 50 national monuments are located along Bisschopstraat, Kerkstraat, and the lively Kerkplein.
From a table in a cafe situated in this square, visitors can admire the Grote Kerk, along with the 17th-century former town hall (now functioning as a restaurant) and the Latin school (currently an antiques shop), both featuring ornate facades and stepped gables.
Just beyond the town lies the evocative ruins of Castle Toutenburg, a 16th-century palace that had fallen into disrepair by the 1700s.
