4 Best Day Trips to Giethoorn from Amsterdam

Live the unforgettable experience of exploring Giethoorn, one of the items on the list of things to see and do in and around Amsterdam. Immerse yourself in the serenity of the "Venice of the Netherlands", where canals replace streets and canoes are the preferred mode of transportation. From the exciting Punter tour to the relaxing canoe ride, get up close to the natural beauty and unhurried life of this enchanting fairytale village.

With these tours to Giethoorn from Amsterdam you can combine your visit with a stop at the lock dam or explore other nearby gems such as Zaanse Schans and Volendam. Here I show you the prices, tips, pros and cons so you can decide which route is best for you. Here we go!

Climb aboard a bus and enjoy a typically Dutch landscape on a trip of about 90 minutes to Giethoorn. Discover the heart of the Netherlands: its canals. The experience immerses you in the peace and tranquility of a place where cars are non-existent and time seems to stand still.

This type of excursion to Giethoorn and the enclosing dike from Amsterdam allows you to explore the city on foot and by boat. The inner tour will be flanked by thatched cottages and wooden houses, it is endearing. You can also explore on foot, crossing the more than 150 bridges scattered throughout the city. Plus, if you list your trip among the things to do in Amsterdam in spring, tulips will be decorating your path.

Another tour activity is usually a relaxing boat ride past restored farmhouses. Further on, the group heads to Afsluitdijk the famous Dutch closing dike connecting North Holland and Friesland. The construction site stretches for 32 kilometers elevated some 7 meters above sea level. Behold this example of Dutch hydraulic mastery, which controls Lake Ijsselmeer, formerly known as Zuiderzee.

Details of interest

• Price: from 79 € per person.
• Duration: between 6 - 10 hours.
• What you should know: this type of tour is done by minibus. The tour is relaxing, ideal to share as a couple or even to take the kids and to point out among the family trips from Amsterdam.
• What the tour may include: professional local guide service. Shuttle service to and from the accommodation. Excursion to Giethoorn. Cruise through Giethoorn. Tour to Afsluitdijk. Lunch.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Giethoorn: the Venice of the Netherlands, one of the most beautiful Venice of Europe, with a relaxing cruise along its canals, admiring the charming farms and elegant bridges that characterize this car-free village with an excursion to the windmills of Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam.

At Zaanse Schans, marvel at the windmills in action, witnesses to **Holland'**s rich craft heritage. A passionate local guide will accompany you, sharing stories and insights about the region. Live commentary on the bus provides interesting facts along the way.

Enjoy a tour of a cheese factory, get an up-close look at the process of making and maintaining diamonds, and visit a wooden clog store in Zaanse Schans before returning to Giethoorn. Here you can take a boat ride to discover how the Dutch live in harmony with the water. In the afternoon, explore Giethoorn on your own with the recommendations of your guide. Don't forget to try a Dutch stroopwafel before returning to Amsterdam.

Immerse yourself in the charm of Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans, creating lasting memories and appreciating the natural wonders in some of the dreamy villages tucked away in the Dutch countryside that are a must-see.

Details of interest

• Price: from 130 € per person.
• Duration: 9 - 10 hours.
• What you should know: to promote the immersion of the experience and to live it like the locals, the tour often gives you the opportunity to drive a motorboat for 45 - 60 minutes in Giethoorn.
• What the tour may include: Professional guide service. Visit to Zaanse Schans. Visit to a wooden shoe factory. Visit to a cheese factory. Diamond polishing demonstration. Shuttle service to and from accommodation. Boat trip.

Discover three iconic destinations in the Netherlands on one of the day tours to Giethoorn, Afsluitdijk, Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam. Usually organized for small groups, this type of experience takes you to places that public transportation can't reach.

For those looking for the best way to visit Zaanse Schans and its mills from Amsterdam, this is the right way to make the most of your visit. Stroll through a cheese factory, a clog factory and enjoy a diamond cutting demonstration in town. Afterwards, take pictures of the country's largest dam, the Afsluitdijk, and cruise the canals of Giethoorn, the**"Venice of the Netherlands**".

Aboard a van or minibus you arrive at the first stop on the itinerary, often the area of Zaanse Schans, the village of windmills, canals and cheeses where numerous artisans still work in the traditional way. Next, the van usually passes the 32 kilometers of the Afsluitdijk dam, a jewel of engineering where the Netherlands has defied nature with an artificial dam since 1932.

As a final point of the tour, explore Giethoorn with its picturesque bridges and thatched roof houses built in a village where the quintessential means of transport are boats and motorboats. Explore the hidden treasures of this fairytale town.

Details of interest

• Duration: from 9 - 12 hours approximately.
• What you need to know: be aware of your accommodation area, often some parts of Amsterdam are not included in the transportation services.
• What the tour may include: professional guide service. Shuttle service to and from your accommodation. One hour cruise through Giethoorn. Guided visit to a cheese factory with tasting. Guided visit to a wooden shoe factory. Visit to a diamond factory. Bottled water.

One of the unforgettable experiences you have to live in Amsterdam according to National Geographic - and hundreds of globetrotting experts - is to get close to the windmills outside the capital, and with this type of excursion you not only get to visit them, but you also get to visit the curious little dream village accessible only by river.

The first stop is usually Zaanse Schans, a charming village built around 1850. Here you will see the iconic windmills and stroll among the picturesque green houses. Afterwards, you will visit a clog factory and a popular cheese factory such as the famous Catharina Hoeve cheese farm, where you will taste creamy Dutch cheeses.

In Volendam, you will make your way through its wooden cottages, multicolored buildings and numerous fish stalls while surrounded by residents in traditional costumes. This stop is one of the things to do in the Netherlands once in a lifetime according to Traveler.

The last stop is probably Giethoorn, the "Venice of the North". In this town the network of canals forms the "streets" of the city, always with touches of natural color from its flowers and orchards. Here some Dutch cheese tasting and traditional experiences continue. Finally, you will have time to stroll along the picturesque paths and admire the more than 150 bridges that make up Giethoorn, concluding one of the best excursions from Amsterdam.

Details of interest

• Price: from 139 € per person.
• Duration: from 10 hours onwards.
• What you should know: this type of tour usually starts early in the morning to make the most of the day with plenty of free time to explore the villages at your leisure after receiving feedback from the guide.
• What the excursion may include: transportation service to and from the accommodation in the selected area. Visit to a cheese factory. Dutch cheese tasting. Tasting of local gastronomy. Lunch. Professional guide service. Cruise on the canals of Giethoorn.

Amsterdam is beautiful, but sometimes the hustle and bustle of the city prevents you from appreciating its natural beauty. Where to do it? In Giethoorn, a charming place with a population of about 3,000 people! The serenity of its canals, the natural environment, its colorful little houses and the warm attention of its inhabitants will make you say #loveyou3000. Here are some activities you can do to make the most of your visit:

• Take a boat ride through the canals while you see more than 150 wooden walkways and bridges connecting houses, stores, hotels and restaurants in the city. The prices of Amsterdam's canal cruises are affordable and are often included in tours to Giethoorn. You have the option of traditional boats, motorboats called the "whisperers" for their faint sound. In addition, you can choose between group tours or rent your own boat and navigate these canals at your leisure for about €15 per hour.
• Explore the Weerribben-Wieden National Park and marvel at the diversity of plant and animal species in the classic Nordic region - no trip to Giethoorn from Amsterdam would be complete without a visit to this nature reserve.
• Enjoy bike rides in and around the village, discovering beautiful natural landscapes and charming houses.
• Discover the picturesque lakes such as Bovenwijde and other bodies of water that adorn Giethoorn, perfect for relaxing and enjoying nature.
• Visit the Museum Giethoorn 't Olde Maat Uus, the Museum de Oude Aarde to immerse yourself in local history and culture and if cars of yesteryear are your thing, head to the Histomobil where you can see their extensive collection of cars, motorcycles and carriages amidst fun activities including escape rooms.
• Another magical activity in Giethoorn is afternoon boat rides. Easily enter the best night cruises with the calm water and candlelit terraces.

The answer is a resounding yes. A trip to Giethoorn from Amsterdam is worthwhile for the possibilities these tours offer, especially if you are looking for what to see in Amsterdam in 5 days or more.

This picturesque village, connected by waterways, is located about 120 kilometers from the capital. Many travelers who decide to go exploring on their own miss the charms along the way and waste time.

A guide allows you to better explore the surroundings, visit other curious villages along the way, while listening to anecdotes and comments about the local history and its evolution. Also, you forget about driving, you can appreciate the surroundings better and overall you live an enriching experience.

• Please note the language. Most tours are offered in English, Dutch and French.
• Be aware of the transportation service. Transfers from your hotel or accommodation are often offered from the A10 ring road. When booking a tour, check if your hotel is included in the pick-up area. In any case, getting around Amsterdam is easy. Options range from bicycles to cabs to reasonably priced buses.
• Bring snacks and consider budgeting for meals, as these types of tours are usually self-guided.
• Wheelchair access may be limited. Boat tours may not be wheelchair accessible, check with the tour operator in advance.