If you’re planning a trip to the Netherlands, it’s likely that your primary destination is Amsterdam. While the capital is beautiful in its own right, part of the beauty of the country lies in its accessibility. It takes days to travel from one side of the United States to the other. The Netherlands, in contrast, is small enough to explore with ease, only about a four-hour drive from one side to the other. Traveling by train may take a bit longer, but the view from the window is worth the time, especially if you’re like me and you’re editing pictures or planning the other half of your vacation. Could you imagine going from New York City to Los Angeles in the span of four hours? If only.
You aren’t going to find a storybook village in the middle of a city. For that, you need to head to the Venice of the North, and what you’ll find there are winding streams, quaint thatched-roof homes, and a calmness that only exists in a place without any roads or cars. Giethoorn is the quintessential Dutch village that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
All things considered, Giethoorn is popular and about a two-hour commute from Amsterdam. It’s fully possible to travel, explore the village, and be back in Amsterdam before sunset; it just makes planning ahead of time that much more vital. But is it actually worth your time, and will it break the budget? Let’s find out.
How to get to Giethoorn
Although my own journey was a bit different—as I was studying in Groningen at the time—the logistics are the same: train to bus. The most reliable (and budget-friendly) route is to take a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Steenwijk (around 90 minutes).
Once you arrive at Steenwijk, take Bus 70 or 270, which departs right outside the station. If your schedule allows, Steenwijk itself is a charming spot for a quick wander, but if you’re eager to see the canals of Giethoorn, the bus will take you straight to Dominee Hylkemaweg stop.
From there, it’s a short walk to the heart of the old village. Pay close attention to the bus stops, though, as they can be easy to miss. I recommend downloading the 9292 app or using Google Maps to track live departures and follow your progress in real-time. All in all, the round trip should cost you around €55.
How many hours do you need?
You don’t need a full weekend, but you shouldn’t rush the experience either. I recommend departing Amsterdam Centraal around 8:00 AM. This will put you in Steenwijk by 9:45 AM, and after a quick bus transfer, you’ll be in the village just after 10:00 AM (right before the heavy crowds begin).
Plan to spend around 5 hours in the village itself. I highly recommend taking a boat tour on your trip at some point, and there truly is no better place than Giethoorn. A standard guided canal cruise is very budget-friendly, typically costing under €15, though prices may fluctuate slightly during peak season. There will be plenty of time after the boat tour to stroll the wooden bridges, pop into a museum or the Doopsgezinde Gemeente (Baptist church – open to the public at certain times), and to grab a bite to eat.
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Best time of year to avoid the crowds
I visited in mid-October, which made me a bit nervous at first. Peak season is popular for a reason—you’re guaranteed blooming flowers and somewhat predictable weather—but I’m so happy I went when I did. The grass was still green, and the hydrangeas hadn’t yet lost all their color. As someone whose favorite season is fall, I may be biased, but the color changes only enhanced the beauty that Giethoorn has naturally.
Spring (April-May) would also be a great time to visit. As a Minnesotan, it’s rare to have a true spring. We usually jump directly from a blizzard to 80 degrees and humidity with very little in between. Spring in Europe is much more pleasant. The trees are budding, the tulips are out, the only caveat is that the weather may be unpredictable, but I can guarentee you there will be no snow.
If you’re okay with wearing a trench coat and having an umbrella on hand, aim for April-May or September-October. The fewer the crowds, the better. I swear!
What is Giethoorn famous for?
Giethoorn is known as the ‘Venice of the North,’ it’s famous for being car-free, having intricately thatched-roof farmhouses, and winding canals. But its charm was somewhat accidental as the village was founded by peat harvesters, and the canals are actually the scars left behind after centuries of digging out the land for fuel.
Peat itself looks much like soil, but was used in a number of ways during the Middle Ages, everything from gardening to fuel. As the harvesters dug, they created waterways, eventually necessitating the 180+ wooden bridges that you see around the village today.
Even the name has a story. ‘Giethoorn’ originates from the discovery of hundreds of wild goat horns found in the marshland by early settlers. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of the village and the people who lived there, definitely check out the Museum Giethoorn ‘t Olde Maat Uus.
Is Giethoorn worth it?
Yes! If you’re looking for a break from the Amsterdam noise and want to see the Netherlands that feels preserved in time, it’s well worth the trip. It’s one of those rare places that actually look like the photos.
Is it worth the time?
It’s a long day, but if you’re like me and use the train time to edit or plan, it doesn’t feel wasted.
Will it break the budget?
Not necessarily. The biggest cost is the transportation, which is around €65 round trip (train and bus). However, the village itself is affordable. A boat tour is usually around €15, and the farmhouse museum is only €7.50.
Definitely go early. If you can get there by 10:00 AM on a weekday, you’ll have some time before the crowds hit.
If you want to escape the city and see the Netherlands for what it was hundreds of years ago, than you have to visit Giethoorn.
-Alexis