A Dutch village with no roads in its old centre, just canals, footbridges and thatched farmhouses, best explored by boat. Here's what Giethoorn is like, when to go and how long to stay.
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Temperatures are the average daytime high in °C.
April to June and September are best, mild and green, with fewer boats on the canals than in July and August. In a cold winter the canals sometimes freeze for skating. Weekends and midsummer get crowded with day-trippers.
Hire a silent electric boat and steer yourself along the canals.
Footpaths and over 170 wooden bridges link the thatched farmhouses.
An old farmhouse showing how people once lived here.
Canoe or cycle through reed beds and lakes.
Flat bike paths through the surrounding polders.
About 1 hour 30 minutes away by car.
Yes. It's a unique and peaceful village, best early in the morning or in the evening when the day-trippers have left.
Fly into Amsterdam, then take the train to Steenwijk and the bus, about 2 hours in total.
Yes. Many tours run from Amsterdam, but staying a night is quieter.
In summer and at weekends it's worth booking ahead. Self-drive boats need no licence.
April to June and September, around 14 to 21°C.
Put Giethoorn on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.