Tips for discovering Giethoorn

Discovering Giethoorn is best done in a relaxed way. Whether it’s your first time or you’ve been before: with these tips, you will make the most of your visit.

Book your boat in time

In the spring and especially the summer months, Giethoorn is extremely popular. If you want to get out on the water yourself in a whisper boat or sloop, it is smart to book a boat in advance. This way, you avoid finding that all boats are already rented out when you arrive. Especially on weekends and holidays, it can be busy. Reserving online provides peace of mind and certainty.

Choose a boat tour with commentary

Not in the mood to steer yourself? Then a canal cruise boat is a great option for discovering Giethoorn. During these tours, you cruise past the most beautiful spots in the village while a skipper shares information along the way about the history, the farmhouses, and life in Giethoorn. Ideal if you want to get to know the village better without having to navigate yourself.

Reaching Giethoorn by public transport

Giethoorn is also easily accessible without a car. From various cities in the Netherlands, you can easily travel by train to Steenwijk station. This station has good connections to Zwolle, Meppel, and Leeuwarden, among others.

Planning your train trip immediately? You can easily do that here with the travel planner.

From Steenwijk station, take bus line 70 towards Giethoorn. This bus runs several times per hour and stops at various locations in and around the village, such as the town center and close to the boat rental companies. This means you will be at the water's edge in no time and can start your visit right away.

In the high season (especially spring and summer), the bus often runs more frequently, and sometimes there are additional seasonal lines to Giethoorn. Please keep in mind that buses run less frequently in the evening hours, so it is wise to check the schedule and plan your return trip in advance. You can easily plan your bus trip via this link.

Getting to and from Giethoorn by taxi

In addition to train and bus, Giethoorn is also accessible by taxi. From Steenwijk station, you can easily take a taxi to the village, which is especially useful if you:

• are traveling with multiple people

• have luggage with you

• want to head back later in the evening

Taxis and ride services can often be reserved in advance, so you don't have to wait. This provides extra flexibility, especially outside of regular bus hours.

Extra tip: go early or later in the day

Want to avoid the biggest crowds? Then come early in the morning or later in the afternoon. The light is beautiful for photos, and it is a lot quieter on the water and in the village. Also, keep in mind that it is significantly busier during holidays like Easter, Ascension Day, and in the summer vacation. If you don't like crowds, it is better to avoid these periods.

Bike rental in Giethoorn & surroundings

After boating, cycling is a lovely way to further discover Giethoorn and its surroundings. In and around the village, there are multiple opportunities to rent bikes and e-bikes, often from boat rental companies, hotels, B&Bs, or rental firms at the larger parking lots. From Giethoorn, you can easily cycle along quiet waterways, reed lands, and charming villages like Dwarsgracht, Wanneperveen, or Belt-Schutsloot. National Park Weerribben-Wieden is also a short distance away and offers beautiful, flat cycling routes. A popular combination is boating in the morning and going for a bike ride in the afternoon — this way, you experience both the water and the surrounding landscape.

Handy tips:

• Ask your boat rental company or accommodation: they often rent out bikes as well.
  

• E-bikes are ideal if you want to cycle a longer route towards the Weerribben or surrounding villages.

5 fun facts about Giethoorn..

1. Origin of the name Giethoorn
The name Giethoorn dates back to the 13th century. The first inhabitants found countless goat horns in the ground here — remnants of animals that had perished in a flood. The village was therefore called "Geytenhoren," which later evolved into Giethoorn.

2. Origin of the village of Giethoorn
Giethoorn originated as a peat colony in the 13th century, when the area was reclaimed for peat extraction. Digging out the peat created ditches and lakes, meaning the landscape was largely formed by human hands. This is how Giethoorn grew into the water-rich village we know today.

3. Living on small islands
Many homes in Giethoorn are situated on small islands surrounded by water. As a result, most houses are not accessible by car. The village actually has more bridges than streets. In the past, the "vonders" — the narrow bridges along the paths — were often no wider than two planks. For centuries, they have formed the connection between the houses and the village.

4. Weerribben-Wieden National Park
Giethoorn is located in the middle of Weerribben-Wieden National Park, the largest contiguous low-peat marsh in Europe. This unique nature reserve was formed by centuries of peat extraction and is known for its water-rich landscape, reed beds, and special flora and fauna.

5. The history of our shop premises
The building where Gloria Maris now shines used to house a bakery. Where fragrant loaves of bread once came out of the oven, pearls now shine that are just as timeless as the history of the building.

Parking in and around Giethoorn

If you are coming to Giethoorn by car, it is good to know how parking works — because it varies a bit by location and season:

Free parking in Giethoorn

• Many parking areas are free, especially the larger parking lots just outside the center.

• For example, at Giethoorn Parking, Parking Giethoorn City - Boat and Park, and Giethoorn Parking Center, you can often leave your car for free if you are visiting for the day.

• There are also free zones such as Parking Giethoorn Centrum P2 and P1 (red) parking lot where you can park and from there walk to the center or the boats.

Note: many boat rental companies themselves have free parking spaces for customers — especially useful if you plan to rent a boat.

Paid parking spots

• Some parking spaces and areas near the center are paid (approximately €4 per day, for example at parking areas on Binnenpad 14 or near other central locations).

• It may be convenient to set your navigation directly to one of the large parking lots if you want to be close to the center, but expect a small daily fee.

Important parking rules

• Parking outside designated parking areas is prohibited and can result in a hefty fine.

• Always follow the signs and the P-route that leads you to the official parking spots; this prevents fines and ensures your car is parked safely.

Handy tips for parking in Giethoorn

• Come early in the high season (spring, summer, and vacations) to find a spot, as the largest parking lots can fill up quickly.

• If you already have a boat, boat tour, or restaurant reservation in advance, you can sometimes use the free parking spaces of that company.

• From most parking lots, it is only a short walk to the center, the canals, and the boats.

Food & drink by the water

A day in Giethoorn is not complete without settling down on a terrace by the canal. Scattered throughout the village, you will find cozy restaurants and cafés where you can have lunch, drinks, or dinner with a view of the water. Tip: make a reservation in advance during high season, especially in the evening hours.

Stay for the night

Many visitors come for a day, but those who stay the night experience Giethoorn at its best. In the early morning and evening, the peace returns, and the village feels intimate and charming. There are hotels, B&Bs, and vacation homes, sometimes even located directly on the water.

🗺️ Extra practical tips:

Supermarket in Giethoorn
In the village, there is a PLUS supermarket (PLUS ter Schure) at Eendrachtsplein, where you can find daily necessities such as lunch items, drinks, and snacks for your day trip.

For healthcare: GP available
Giethoorn has a general practice in the village (for example, in the Health Center).

Taxi and transfers
Giethoorn is accessible by taxis and ride services like Uber or local carriers, ideal if you are coming with luggage or prefer not to travel by bus. You can often book a taxi in advance, which is especially useful outside of rush hour or later in the evening.

Public transport

* With the train to Steenwijk station and then bus line 70 (or seasonal lines towards Giethoorn), you will be in the village in no time.

* Always check the current schedule for your return trip in advance, especially in the evening.

Other ways to explore the village
Once you are finished boating, cycling or walking is a wonderful way to discover nature and the surrounding paths. Giethoorn is located near Weerribben-Wieden National Park, where you have beautiful routes.

Agenda

Gondola Parade Giethoorn:

 One of the most beautiful annual traditions in Giethoorn is the Gondelvaart (Gondola Parade): an atmospheric, illuminated boat parade through the iconic village canal that makes the village feel extra magical. As dusk falls, beautifully decorated gondolas full of lights and creative themes glide slowly through the water, past the thatched houses, small bridges, and gardens—a true fairy-tale scene you won't soon forget.

The event usually begins in the late afternoon with music and entertainment along the canals, so you can spend the entire evening in Giethoorn. The actual gondola parade starts around 8:45 PM and then proceeds at a slow pace through the village.

📅 Gondola Parade 2026: Saturday August 29, 2026, traditionally held on the last Saturday of August. A great date to mark in your calendar if you happen to be in Giethoorn around that time!

It is a festive moment for both residents and visitors, and extra fun to experience if you are in the village around that time. Why not combine it with a boat trip on the water and a drink at a terrace along the canal?

Belt-Schutsloot Gondola Parade

Close to Giethoorn (in the village of Belt-Schutsloot) is another annual gondola parade where the canals are transformed into a fairy-tale light display. The participants decorate their vessels lavishly—a fun event to combine with a visit to Giethoorn itself.

📅 Belt-Schutsloot Gondola Parade 2025: Friday August 8, 2025 (annually around the beginning of August).

Dwarsgracht Gondola Parade

In the nearby village of Dwarsgracht (near Giethoorn/Steenwijkerland), there is also a gondola parade event with decorated boats sailing through the canals in the evening. It often includes a folk festival, a pre-show, and a gondola ball, making it a cozy local event.

📅 Dwarsgracht Gondola Parade 2026: Saturday July 25, 2026 (traditionally in mid-summer).

Sint Jansklooster Flower Parade

One of the most famous two-day flower parades in Overijssel, close to Giethoorn. The event features large, creative floats covered in dahlias, live music, and a festive atmosphere in the village. In 2026, it will take place on Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22, 2026.

Vollenhove Flower Parade

Also in Overijssel, in the historic town of Vollenhove. Here you will see impressive floral floats traveling through the streets with day and evening parades, including illuminated parades. For 2026, it is scheduled for Saturday, August 29, 2026. 

Tip: Both are easily accessible by a short bus or car ride from Giethoorn and are perfect if you are in the region around the end of August.

Giethoorn is a place where you naturally slow down. Whether you come to boat, walk, or simply enjoy the view from a terrace: take your time and let yourself be surprised by the peace and charm of this extraordinary water village.