The 7 must-do things in Giethoorn

In Giethoorn, canals replace streets: a boat trip is the most natural way to discover the village. You set off along the main canal, the Dorpsgracht, to glide under the wooden bridges, between the thatched-roof houses.

The whisper boat is a small, silent electric boat that needs no licence: you steer it yourself, by the hour or half-day, ideal for going at your own pace. For a more guided outing, a narrated cruise covers the history of the village and the neighbouring Weerribben-Wieden park. Finally, the faster water taxi links the main points of interest if you are short on time.

Compared with walking, a boat opens up the side-channels and gives the viewpoint that earned Giethoorn its nickname, the "Venice of the North."

The Weerribben-Wieden National Park stretches over more than 10,000 hectares in the province of Overijssel, around Giethoorn. It is the largest continuous lowland peat bog in north-western Europe, a landscape of marshes, reed beds, canals and woodland shaped by centuries of peat extraction. The park was established in 1992.

A haven for rich wildlife, it is home to the otter (now the park's emblem), the black tern and the rare large copper butterfly. You can explore it by boat or canoe, on foot or by bike, along trails and cycle paths that reach deep into the wetlands.

On foot in Giethoorn

The Binnenpad pedestrian path runs along the main canal for several hundred metres, dotted with wooden bridges that span the water from bank to bank. Walking is free and lets you take in the thatched-roof houses, the small boats and the swans, away from any car traffic. The neighbouring De Wieden reserve rounds off the walk with its wetland wildlife and flora.

By bike in Giethoorn

Cycling extends the visit beyond the centre. Well-maintained cycle paths follow the canals and cross the Weerribben-Wieden National Park, with its marshes, peat bogs and woodland. The routes suit all levels, from a short family loop to longer rides; several shops rent bikes, sometimes electric, and let you reach nearby villages such as Blokzijl.

Renting a canoe or kayak gives you access to Giethoorn's side-channels and the edge of Weerribben-Wieden park, quiet spots that larger boats don't reach. It's an active, silent way to paddle between the reed beds and under the bridges, away from the central Dorpsgracht.

Why paddle here?

• Freedom of movement: you can slip into narrow waterways that are otherwise inaccessible.
• Accessibility: no experience needed; rental shops offer canoes and kayaks for all levels, with a short safety briefing.
• Variety of routes: short, calm loops within the village, or longer trips toward the park's wetlands.

How does it work? You choose your craft (canoe, one- or two-seat kayak), book ahead in high season, then set off at your own pace after a quick reminder of the waterway rules.

The Museum Giethoorn 't Olde Maat Uus is set in an authentic Giethoorn farmhouse at Binnenpad 52. It recreates life in this marsh village in times past: peat-cutting, boat-building, and farmhouse interiors furnished with period objects and tools.

The visit, guided by a multilingual audio tour included in the ticket, brings to life the daily routine of residents who lived in harmony with the surrounding peat bogs. The museum also runs seasonal events and workshops.

Practical info:

• Address: Binnenpad 52, 8355 BT Giethoorn, Netherlands
• Hours: vary by season; opening days are reduced in winter (check the official site)
• Ticket: multilingual audio tour included

Giethoorn is an ideal base for discovering the marsh villages of Overijssel. A few options within reach:

1. Wanneperveen — about 6 km away, a quiet neighbouring village with fine views over Weerribben-Wieden park.

2. Blokzijl — around fifteen kilometres away, a picturesque former harbour with old houses and cobbled lanes.

3. Steenwijk — about 5 km away, a historic town with the Grote of Sint-Clemenskerk and the Steenwijk gate (Steenwijkerpoort); it is also the station that serves Giethoorn.

4. Vollenhove — a former market town with a historic centre and polder landscapes.

5. Zwartsluis — a waterside town with canals and typical rural scenery.

6. Meppel — a livelier town with canals, markets and shops.

Getting around: by bike (the region is criss-crossed with cycle paths), by car to string several villages together in a day, or by boat to nearby towns such as Blokzijl.

De Oude Aarde ("the Old Earth") is a mineral, gemstone and fossil museum-shop located at Binnenpad 43, along Giethoorn's main canal. Founded in 1969, it is the village's oldest "museum": it combines a public collection with a shop where you can buy polished stones and minerals as souvenirs.

It's an original stop in the heart of Giethoorn, nicknamed the "Venice of the North" for its canals and waterways. A worthwhile pause for the curious and for families between two strolls.