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Our small village, is located in the Northeastern part of the Netherlands, approx. 85 mins drive from Amsterdam, our capital city. Yearly around 1 million people from all over the world come to visit our town of ''no roads'', this puts Giethoorn in the top 10 attractions in the Netherlands. Our village is of course well known in the Netherlands ...
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There are no roads in Giethoorn, the picturesque hamlet known as the "Dutch Venice."
In the tiny Dutch village of Giethoorn, the tranquility is almost dreamlike. That is, until you remember why it's so quiet—there are no cars. In fact, there’s no way for cars to get around, because there are no roads. Locals and visitors to Giethoorn navigate in whisper-quiet ways: by bike, boat, or foot. In this hamlet—a collection of small peat islands connected by bridges—there's not much to do except slip into solitude among thatched-roof farmhouses and footbridges crossing the maze of canals.
The village’s name harkens back to the 13th century (an era in which it seems to have settled). The story goes that its original farmer-settlers discovered a collection of horns belonging to wild goats thought to have died in the Flood of 1170. “Goat horn,” or “Geytenhoren,” was shortened to Giethoorn, and the name stuck. Centuries post-flood, water continues to define the village's living history and landscape.
In nearby De Weerribben-Wieden National Park, wildlife enthusiasts hike wetlands and reed beds home to otters, black terns, great cormorants, and egrets. You can traverse by waterway on rowboats and canoes, of course, or by the many hiking paths. Without motor noise pollution, the sounds of nature bring the scenery to life for all the senses.
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The Bicaz Gorges offer a unique view of the Ceahlau Mountains.
Cheile Bicazului-Hăşmaş National Park, Romania
The Bicaz Gorges offer a unique view of the Ceahlau Mountains.
Photograph by Cornelia Dörr, Wild Wonders of Europe
Jan Brouwer, a Your Shot photographer, recently captured the serenity of Giethoorn along a stretch of the canal called Binnenpad, which Brouwer recommends as a particularly stunning area to view the village’s bridges and homes. To appreciate the golden hours of the day, set your alarm for 6 a.m. and head out to take photos along the canal before boats get on the water. Or, wait until after 6 p.m. when visitors tend to disperse. This alone makes the case for staying a night in one of the abundant local bed-and-breakfasts and avoiding day-tour-circuit congestion.
You can get to Giethoorn by a combination of train and bus. To avoid crowds, opt for the months of April, May, June, or September, and keep in mind that weekday visits may be best. Though this “Dutch Venice” feels quite removed from capital city of Amsterdam, it's only about 75 miles away. And a two-hour journey is well worth the feeling of traveling back in time.
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Giethoorn (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɣitɦoːr(ə)n]) is a village in the province of Overijssel, Netherlands, with a population of 2,795 in 2020. It is located in the municipality of Steenwijkerland , about 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of Steenwijk .
- −0.3 m (−1.0 ft)
- Netherlands
- 8.4K
- Overijssel
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Here in the Netherlands’ water village of Giethoorn, the loudest sound you can usually hear is the quacking of a duck or the noise made by other birds. Giethoorn is found in the province of Overijssel, east of the Netherlands, a green and still area. It is at the center of Overijssel’s canal system.
- Foam at the mouth while photographing all of Giethoorn’s gorgeous houses. This is why you’re here right? Quaint little houses, picture-perfect canals…
- Conquer the canals by boat. With canals being a starring feature of the village (starry-eyed tourists don’t call it the Venice of the Netherlands for nothing!)
- Sleuth around a museum. Nobody ever talks about the museums in Giethoorn. Everyone’s probably too busy going gaga over the gorgeous houses. That said, if you find yourself stuck with some bad weather (or just want to explore Giethoorn’s museum scene), there are a few to visit if you’re so inclined.
- Booze up by the water. The canals in Giethoorn are lined with restaurants which means if you want to sit down and people watch for a while, there are many brilliantly scenic spots to grab a drink.
Mar 21, 2023 · True to tradition in the Netherlands, Giethoorn has both cycling and strolling paths, including a 9.5-mile walking route that runs through the village and countryside.
May 15, 2023 · How to Get to Giethoorn Netherlands. You can reach Giethoorn by taking the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Steenwijk or a connecting train via Zwolle. NS operates all trains, and the first train leaves Amsterdam at 6:00 AM. In Steenwijk, take Bus 70 for a 30-minute ride to the Dominee Hylkemaweg stop. From the Giethoorn village bus stop, the ...
