Why Giethoorn?
Giethoorn is a charming village in the Netherlands known for its peaceful canals and beautiful thatched-roof houses. The village has no roads in the center, so people travel by boat, bike, or on foot. This makes Giethoorn a calm and special place to visit.
Visitors enjoy exploring the quiet waterways by renting small electric boats or joining guided tours. Surrounded by green nature, Giethoorn feels like a fairytale and is perfect for relaxing and seeing a unique side of Dutch life by boat.
Top things to visit
- Take a boat tour through Giethoorn’s calm canals to see the village from the water. This is the best way to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and admire the charming thatched-roof houses along the waterways.
- Visit Museum Giethoorn 't Olde Maat Uus to step inside a traditional farmhouse. Here you can learn about the history and daily life of the people who lived in Giethoorn many years ago.
- Explore Museum de Oude Aarde to discover a fascinating collection of gemstones, minerals, and fossils from all over the world. It is a great place for anyone interested in earth science.
- Rent a bike and ride through the quiet countryside around Giethoorn. You will enjoy beautiful green fields, peaceful paths, and a chance to see the village from a different and relaxing perspective.
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Giethoorn's history
Giethoorn is a small village in the province of Overijssel. It was founded around the year 1230 by people who came from far away. When they arrived, they found many goat horns in the ground. That is why they named the village Giethoorn, which means goat horn.
The land was very wet and full of swamps. People started digging peat from the ground to use for fuel. To move the peat, they dug canals. These canals filled with water and made small islands. People built their houses on these islands and used boats to get around.
Over time, Giethoorn stayed a quiet village with farms and fishermen. In the 1900s, the village became famous for its pretty canals and old thatched houses. In 1958, a Dutch film called Fanfare was made here and many people wanted to visit.
Giethoorn is currently famous around the world for being the Dutch Venice. There are no main roads in the old part of the village. People travel by boat or walk over the many small bridges. It is a peaceful place with beautiful water and green gardens, perfect for a relaxing visit.