Day Trip From Amsterdam to Giethoorn, Netherlands

Geithoorn Village Canals

Geithoorn is a small Dutch village in the province of Overijssel. A round trip from Amsterdam to Geithoorn would take about 3 hours. In recent years, with the influence of social media, Geithoorn has become one of the popular tourist destinations in the Netherlands. Several tour operators run day tours from Amsterdam to Geithoorn at a reasonable price. Renting a car is the best option to get around.

Amsterdam to Geithoorn

From Amsterdam, the shortest route to Geithoorn is through A6. Alternatively, taking E22 increases travel time by half an hour or so. But it will run through the enclosed dike. Enclosed dike is a major causeway and dam in the Netherlands. The dam serves as a barrier and protects low lying areas from flooding. It also separates the North sea from a freshwater lake. If you are crossing the causeway, I would recommend a brief stop at the observation tower for fantastic views of the dam.

Afsluitdijk - Enclosed Dike Observation Tower Netherlands

We visited Geithoorn village during spring. The drive was fantastic and the view of tulip fields from the highway was amazing. The Dutch are experts in water management. They know how to work with water instead of fighting it. They create amazing living spaces right next to canals. Geithoorn is the best example of it. On the contrary to popular belief, the village of Geithoorn is not completely car-free. What makes Geithoorn special is its canals, thatched-roof houses, walkways and cute little shops. 

If you are wondering what to do in Geithoorn, here are few tips.  You can rent a boat and ride on your own in the canals. Or, take an organized boat tour around the village. Cycling around the neighborhood is also a possibility. I always will cherish the memory of walking on the narrow pathways and bridges. My personal favorite was enjoying a tasty ice cream under the tree shade on a warm spring afternoon. Shopping for trinkets and souvenirs in the cute little shops was the perfect ending for a relaxed day. Few canals are private and are blocked off for tourists. It is always advisable to stick to the public place and respect the privacy of locals. We don't want locals to ban tourists forever. Do we now?

I love taking photos. So here we go..

And more... 

This village is an embodiment of peace and serenity. In a place like this, a house, a book, and a hot cup of tea are all I would need. Bonus: During April / May the routes from Amsterdam to Geithoorn has beautiful tulip fields. Feel free to stop and take a few pictures.