Best time to visit The Netherlands

Giethorn in The Netherlands

A village without roads, which is called the Dutch Venice

Best time: mid-April–mid-October

Giethorn
Giethorn
Giethorn

Giethoorn is an idyllic village located in Weerribben-Wieden National Park. If you want to take a day off from a big city and enjoy a peaceful, car-free environment, Giethoorn is a perfect destination, which can be explored either by boat or on foot. Almost every house in the village is located on a separate small island. The islands are connected by more than 170 bridges. To explore this rural oasis, visitors can take a 2.7-mi (4.3-km) Giethoorn walking path, featuring beautiful views of houses with thatched roofs.

Lakes and canals in Giethoorn were created by peat digging. The village used to have many farms harvesting peat and reed. You can learn more about the region's agriculture in a village museum. Visitors can take a 1 or 2-hour tour through Giethorn in a traditional punter boat, pushed forward with a pole. Despite Giethoorn being called the Dutch Venice, it's very different from a tourist-packed city. Quiet and remote, it experiences only a small influx of tourists during August.

Beautiful farmhouses and bridges, dating back to the 18th and 19th-century, make Giethoorn one of the most popular Dutch destinations on Instagram. The village is known for its gorgeous hydrangeas and other flowers, so the best time to visit Giethoorn is during the blooming season from mid-April to mid-October.

Practical info

When is the best time to visit Giethoorn?

Hydrangeas and other flowers are in full bloom, making mid-April to mid-October the perfect time to visit Giethoorn. The village, with no cars, offers no better navigational medium than boats or foot. While August sees a slight influx of tourists, the village remains quaint throughout the year. Show more

How can I explore the village of Giethoorn?

Traversing a 2.7-mile path, providing access to houses with characteristic thatched roofs, is one option for exploring Giethoorn. The 1 or 2-hour punter boat tour, gliding peacefully via poles, is a tourist favorite. Opting for a village guide can add an informative layer to the relaxed experience of traversing Giethoorn. Show more

Where can I learn about the region's agriculture in Giethoorn?

Giethoorn's village museum details the region's agriculture, telling the story of peat digging that created the lakes and canals. Farms previously sustained on peat and reed harvesting are showcased through old farming equipment. The museum is a peek into a past long gone and is incredibly educational. Show more

What makes Giethoorn unique compared to other destinations in the Netherlands?

The village sets itself apart from other Dutch destinations with its car-conditioned environment, over 170 bridges connecting lush green canals and lakes, and lack of roads that forms islands holding each dwelling. Giethoorn is a rural haven where visitors can disconnect from their urban lives and connect with the Dutch countryside's peace and calm. Show more

Why is Giethoorn popular on Instagram, and what are the most photographed spots in the village?

Captivating Instagrammers with its blooming flowers, Giethoorn boasts picturesque thatched-roof homes, over 170 wooden connecting bridges, reflective water, traditional punter boats propelled by paddles, and miniature wooden fence gardens. These serve as perfect backdrops for some of the most Instagrammable spots the village has to offer. Show more

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Last updated: by Olga Valchyshen