The Venice of the Netherlands — Giethoorn

Written/Compiled by Liu Jiawen | Source: Maverick Editorial Department

Giethoorn is a highly renowned tourist town in the northern Netherlands. Originally, it was just a patch of infertile lowland with nothing but peat, where only poor families and exiles from abroad were willing to settle. They made a living by digging up peat blocks, thereby carving out a network of crisscrossing ditches across the land. Later, residents began using these ditches to transport goods, eventually widening the narrow channels into navigable waterways, creating the idyllic water town seen today. Even now, Giethoorn has more canals than roads, and small boats remain the main mode of transportation for locals, which is why it's often likened to the “Venice of the Netherlands.”

Giethoorn lacks the mercenary atmosphere of merchants found in Venice; instead, it offers the simple peace of the countryside. Some may wonder about the origin of the village’s name, as there are very few sheep to be seen here. The name actually comes from the discovery of numerous goat horns by early residents while digging for coal—remains of wild animals that once thrived in the area during the Middle Ages. Since then, the villagers have called the place Giethoorn (which translates to “Goat Horn”). Today, villagers no longer mine coal for a living but have turned to farming or animal husbandry. However, their distinctive thatched roofs, woven from reeds, remain a unique feature of Giethoorn’s homes. In the past, reeds were used for roofing because poor families couldn’t afford bricks or tiles, but nowadays reeds are even more expensive than bricks and tiles, making them a material affordable only to the wealthy. As a Dutch paradise on earth, Giethoorn has indeed become the top retirement destination for many affluent individuals, a far cry from its humble, impoverished origins.

When visiting, be sure to rent a small boat to experience the peace and tranquility of Giethoorn. Boat rental shops provide a map of the waterways, so you won’t get lost in the intricate network of canals. If you don’t know how to row, you can also rent a bicycle and ride along the riverside paths through the woods—it’s equally relaxing. If time allows, it’s recommended to stay for a day or two, because even the most beautiful surroundings are hard to fully appreciate with a rushed schedule.

[Tourism Information]

Giethoorn Visitor Center

Address: Eendrachtsplein 1, Giethoorn

Phone: +31-900-567-4637

Transportation: Take a train from Amsterdam to Steenwijk (with transfers at Amersfoort or Hilversum, approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes), then transfer to bus No. 70 and get off at Dominee T O Hylkemaweg Station (about 16 minutes).

Website: www.ervaarhetwaterreijk.nl