Giethoorn is often called the "Dutch Venice," and for once, the nickname undersells it slightly - there are simply no roads through its historic centre, only canals, more than 170 wooden bridges, and thatched-roof cottages leaning toward the water.
It sits around 1.5 hours from Amsterdam by car or organised transfer, making it comfortable to reach as a day trip. Public transport makes the journey to over 2.5 hours so an organised transfer is the best option if you don’t have your own car. Once there, most visitors either join a guided canal cruise, where a local skipper narrates the village's history as you glide past, or rent their own boat and set the pace themselves. Either way, the village itself is the destination - wander its footpaths, stop for lunch canal-side, and enjoy strolling between the bridges.
→ Ready to book: Giethoorn Guided Canal Cruise from Amsterdam, Giethoorn Self-Drive Boat Adventure
