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Popular Best Things to Do in Giethoorn [2025]

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Smit Giethoorn
Smit Giethoorn
Smit Giethoorn
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Smit Giethoorn

Smit Giethoorn

4.0
/5
7 reviews
󰺂
4.7
Based on 375 reviews
3.3 km from downtown
Phone +31 521 361 625
Address: Zuiderpad 58, 8355 CC Giethoorn, Netherlands
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
󱓊Boat tour: reed houses & bridges
󱨜Boat tour & free map
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Giethoorn is located in a nature reserve called De Wieden in the northwest of the Netherlands, about 120 kilometers from Amsterdam. It is called the "Green Venice of the North". The town is just like what is described in fairy tales, with blue sky, green grass, trickling streams, and a quiet and peaceful appearance, which attracts many tourists. It is said that in the 18th century, a group of coal miners settled here and dug out many sheep horns underground, hence the name "Giethoorn". The residents of Giethoorn still maintain the traditional conical roofs, all woven from reeds. Most of these unique reed houses are located beside the river, connected to the other side by a series of arch-shaped wooden bridges. Each house is a carefully designed work of art, not only the roof, windows, and doors, but also the sculptures on the lawn are realistic and leisurely. Originally, the reed houses were built by poor families because they could not afford bricks and tiles, but now they have become villas for rich people. When you come to Giethoorn, in addition to walking slowly, you must enjoy the beauty of taking a boat to tour the village. When renting a boat, the store will give you a map of the waterways of Giethoorn. You can find your location clearly by looking for the numbered flagpoles on the water and the waterway numbers on the map. You can also rent a bicycle and stroll along the boulevard, enjoying the joy of life in the most natural way.
It is a bit like Venice, but more like a garden than Venice. The houses here are built along the water, and every house has a private dock, lawn, and flowers that bloom in season. Various flowers make the town very warm and beautiful.
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