Discover Giethoorn: Water, Bridges and Village Culture

Giethoorn combines waterways, historic village culture and an unusual landscape into a destination with many different opportunities for discovery. Many houses stand on islands and can only be reached via the water and the characteristic bridges. Along the cycle and walking paths, water, bridges and footbridges shape the villagescape and give Giethoorn the character of Venice. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home in Giethoorn, these different experiences provide a clear direction: you can focus your stay more strongly on water, nature, paths or culture.

Waterways and Nature in Giethoorn

The Giethoorn-Geel canoe route begins at Camping De Hof Giethoorn. From Giethoorn, visitors paddle across large lakes and through colourful canals. The route also passes a unique section of the De Wieden nature area, where many special bird species can be observed. It therefore offers a perspective on Giethoorn that combines movement on the water with observing the landscape. Those who prefer to explore the area at varying speeds can discover Giethoorn by bicycle, on foot or by boat along the extensive reedlands.

Boats, Boat Tours and the Village’s Unique History

A Gieterse Punter is a traditional flat-bottomed boat for shallow water, propelled with a long pole. Giethoorn currently still has two punter boatyards: Schreur’s boatyard in Giethoorn Zuid and Wildeboer’s boatyard in Giethoorn Noord. A one-hour boat tour accompanied by a boatman or guide passes through the historic village centre of Giethoorn and across the lake ’t Bovenwijde. The boats used for this Giethoorn boat tour are covered and have heating on board. This means that your stay offers various forms of experiencing the water, from paddling independently to taking a guided trip.

Culture Between Museum and Living Tradition

The Giethoorn ’t Olde Maat Uus Museum displays objects and tells stories about the village and its inhabitants. It is located in the centre of Giethoorn at Binnenpad 52. Giethoorn’s intangible heritage includes traditions, crafts and customs passed down from generation to generation. The Gondelvaart Giethoorn has also been a local tradition held annually since 1930. Those choosing a holiday apartment in Giethoorn can therefore shape their daily rhythm according to their own interests: a trip through the canals can be followed by a museum visit, while the village’s history and traditional customs offer another way to experience the area.

Getting There and Finding Your Way Around

Giethoorn’s centre can be reached directly from Steenwijk railway station by bus route 70; the stop is Ds. T.O. Hylkemaweg. This connection provides a clear point of reference for travelling to the village centre. Giethoorn is therefore suitable for travel plans that combine active and more relaxing discoveries.

Other Places in the Wider Destination Area

If you would like to extend your travel plans beyond Giethoorn, you can find other places in the same wider destination area here: Wanneperveen, Ossenzijl, Vollenhove, Belt-Schutsloot, Steenwijk, Kallenkote, Blokzijl and De Bult.

To the wider travel overview: Steenwijkerland.