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.

First Time Visitor's Guide to Keukenhof Gardens, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Keukenhof is one of my bucket list destinations. It took a lot of planning and coordination to visit Amsterdam when the tulips were in full bloom. The garden is open every year from March-May. But visitors have a narrow 2-week window to see the flowers in bloom. Ideally, the 3rd or 4th week of April would be a perfect time to visit the gardens. Flowers would be in full bloom and the weather would be generally mild.

Flowers Infinity

This garden was started as a flower exhibit. The idea was that the bulb growers can showcase their flowers and eventually boost the Dutch export industry. The actual product of trade is bulbs. Walking in the Keukenhof garden was like walking into a beautiful tulip wallpaper. The garden designers created beautiful artwork with colorful tulips as their medium. Do not expect straight rows of tulips in the garden. You will rather encounter a creative combination of colorful flowers. It is quite impressive to see a variety of flower combinations creating a perfect flower carpet.

Beautiful Flower Combinations

How to reach the garden? Reaching Keukenhof is quite easy. Driving is the easiest option if you have a car. Airport transfers and hotel transfers are available from almost all hotels. Check with your hotel reception if they have a transfer to the garden. Regular tours are available from Amsterdam city center. Few tours include bulb farm tours as well. Plan an entire day for the garden visit. Despite the huge crowds, you will encounter queuing only in few places. Viator, GetYourGuide, and TravelAdvisor have reliable tours and transfer to the garden. Public transportation might be cheaper but might be a questionable means of transport for first-time visitors. If all means fail, there are always taxis available.

Flower Carpet

What to expect? Keukenhof is a 32-hectare garden showcasing 7 million bulbs with 800 varieties of tulips. The garden is stroller accessible. A variety of sculptures are spread across the garden with beautiful backdrops. It is not only a flower lover's paradise but also a perfect destination for a family outing. With a variety of playgrounds, maze, petting zoo, boat ride, and a windmill to explore. Kids will have a fantastic day as well. For more tips, visit the garden's website. 

Notice The Crowd In The Background?

There are several pavilions spread throughout the garden. Each pavilion is dedicated to a purpose. William-Alexander pavilion, the largest of all is located in the middle of the garden. With hundreds of tulip varieties in bloom, this is a tulip paradise.

Beautifully Coordinated Flowers Outside William-Alexander Pavilion

William-Alexander Pavillion

Flower Power 2019

Oranje-Nassau Pavilion is filled with beautiful flower shows every week. Beatrix pavilion, located at the far end of the garden, is dedicated to Orchids whereas Juliana pavilion is dedicated to the flower and bulb history. Visiting all the pavilions and all the walking will make one hungry. Yes, there is a pavilion dedicated to food. Wilhamena pavilion is a dedicated food court with a vast seating area. Irene pavilion, which was an old entrance,  now has gift shops, food court, and toilets. Keukenhofmolen is a windmill right next to beautiful rows of tulips. This is a perfect place for a picture and hence is overrun by tourists. There is an hour-long boat ride starting from the windmill that would take tourists around the tulip fields adjacent to the garden. If you have time and patience to wait, don't miss the windmill and boat ride.

My Favourite Display

Bulb Farm Nearby