Giethoorn FAQ

Giethoorn Location:
Giethoorn is a beautiful village with a unique water landscape that resides in the head of Overijssel, Steenwijkerland. The closest city is Steenwijk, where the train station is located. 
How to reach Giethoorn? 
You can reach our village by public transport or by car.
Public Transport:
With intercity trains you can get to train station "Steenwijk" from anywhere in the Netherlands. For train schedules you can visit ns.nl for more information or download the "NS" application.
Once you arrive in Steenwijk, the bus station is located next to the station. You can find bus number "70" heading to "Zwartsluis". For more information you can use 9292.nl or download the "9292" application for the bus schedule. You can get off at the bus stop "Hotel Harmonie" to get to our hotel De Dames van de Jonge, or bus stop "Dominee Hylkermaweg" to get off at Giethoorn center.
By car:
Giethoorn can also be reached by car. There are main roads leading to the village, but there is no car access within the village. Therefore, parking is widely present in Giethoorn, with free parking locations indicated by the "P-route" parking system. You are also available to park for free at our hotel De dames van de jonge. 

Activities in Giethoorn
There are plenty of activities you can do in Giethoorn for all types of visitors. Whether you are alone, in group, on a romantic getaway, or as a family with children. There is something for everyone here in Giethoorn. Most of the activities are outdoor and let you enjoy the beauty of "The venice of the Netherlands". Old charming houses, gardens full of bright flowers, canals full of life with animals, such as ducks and swans. There is no shortage of beautiful scenery in Giethoorn. 
Outdoor activities:

• Cycling 
• Boat rides (You can rent a boat with us at De dames van de Jonge)
• Punting (Traditional Giethoorn boat)
• Canoeing
• Take a relaxing Walk in one of the many pathways of the village 
• Swimming 

Indoor Activities: 

• Workshops 
• Museums (Museum Giethoorn 't Olde Maat Uus, Museum De Oude Aarde)
• Enjoying one of the many amazing restaurants of Giethoorn (Or dine with us at our restaurant - Gastroma Geesje) 

 

What does Giethoorn mean? 
The short answer is Goat Horns. The first inhabitants of the Giethoorn area were refugees from the Mediterranean regions. They settled here around 1200 and began to cultivate the virgin land. In doing so, they found large quantities of the horns of wild goats, which had drowned in the St. All Saints's flood of 1170 (Allerheiligenvloed). They called their settlement 'Geytenhoren' (Goathorns), which gradually evolved to 'Geythorn' and 'Giethoorn. In our Giethoorn symbol and flag, you can still see the goat horns. 
Real people live here
The village of Giethoorn may look like it came out of a fairytale, but visitors of Giethoorn must not forget that there are real local people living here. The village only has about 2600 inhabitants. This means that when taking pictures of houses and the surrounding village, be respectful of the local privacy and be careful not to step in private territory. 
No cars in the village 
Because Giethoorn was built on small islands with bridges connecting them, there are no big roads in the village. The village can only be accesed by foot, bike or on a boat, so be prepared to park your car when visiting Giethoorn. 
Giethoorn appearances:
Giethoorn is one of the most recognizable and beautiful villages in the world, so it has appeared in various media sources and cooporations throughout the years. 

• Monopoly (World Edition)
• 1958 Fanfare (Acclaimed Dutch film)
• Loudest animal is a duck 
• Main transport is a boat 
• T20 tourism town 
• World heritage canal town 

Spring
There is no best time to visit Giethoorn, as the village is thriving and alive all year long. Giethoorn in Spring is a beautiful and delicate spectacle, as the flowers and greeneries are returning, so you can enjoy the fresh start of the year with fewer amount of tourists and gentle sunlight.
Summer
Giethoorn is the most robust in the late Spring/Summer season (May till September), when flowers are in full bloom and the sun is shining as you travel through the romantic and beautiful canals. There are several fun events during this time period such as the Annual Punter Sailing Competition (punter is the traditional boat of Giethoorn) or the magical Gondola Parade where you will see Giethoorn decorated, light up and sparkle during the night, with an amazing parade in the weekend.
Autumn
If you prefer a quieter trip with fewer people and when there is still sunshine with a gentle breeze, Autumn will be more suitable for your needs of boating through the quiet and tranquil village. The weather would still be suitable for boating and walking, and you will be able to take some romantic Autumn pictures with the typical colors of the season. Think yellow leaves and pumpkin!
Winter
And of course, winter of Giethoorn is also a sight to behold, with the frozen canals that you can skate on and a wintertime wonderland covered by snow. Enjoy your Christmas in the most beautiful village of the Netherlands with a hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and experience the magical feeling of traveling inside a snow globe, where the snow is glistening in the sun, falling on top of the cozy thatched-roof cottages and wooden bridges.