Why Honeymoon in Giethoorn
The appeal is the setting. Gliding along a narrow canal past thatched cottages, with ducks in the reeds and gardens at the waterline, is a slow, gentle pleasure. You can steer your own small electric boat, called a whisper boat because it is quiet, then stop wherever you like.
It is also a change of pace from Amsterdam. Instead of busy streets, you get water, reeds and birdsong.
The surrounding national park adds more space. One of you might want to cycle long loops through the countryside while the other paddles a canoe or reads in a garden. In the evening, you can share dinner on a terrace by the water.
When to Go
May and June are the best months. Days are long, gardens are in bloom and the crowds, while present, are smaller than in high summer. Highs are typically in the 60s°F.
July and August are warmest, often in the 70s°F, but also busiest, with large day-trip crowds in the middle of the day. September is calmer and still pleasant.
April can be lovely on a sunny day. The tulip fields of North Holland are in bloom around the same time if you want to pair the two. October is quieter, with autumn colors in the reeds. In winter, many boat rentals and restaurants reduce hours. In rare cold spells, the canals freeze and locals skate on them.
Where to Stay
Stay in Giethoorn itself, ideally in a house on the canal. Small hotels, guesthouses and holiday homes line the water, many in thatched farmhouses with gardens. Some come with their own boat or have rentals nearby.
The quieter parts of the village, away from the main canal and the busiest section, are best for a calm stay. Ask about the location before booking.
Nearby villages like Blokzijl, Kalenberg and Ossenzijl have inns and bed and breakfasts with a more local feel. They can be a good base for cycling the national park.
Book early for summer weekends. Expect roughly $130–$260 a night for a good double, approximate.
Romantic Things to Do
- Rent a whisper boat and steer it yourselves through the canals and out onto the lakes.
- Take an early morning walk on the canal paths before the tour buses arrive.
- Cycle through Weerribben-Wieden National Park, a large wetland of reeds and lakes.
- Canoe the smaller channels where motor boats cannot go.
- Visit Blokzijl, a small 17th-century harbor town nearby, for lunch by the water.
- Learn about village life at the museum farmhouse in Giethoorn.
- Have a sunset drink on a canal terrace once the crowds have left.
Getting There and Around
Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) has nonstop flights from many US cities, so getting to the Netherlands is easy. From Schiphol, Giethoorn is about an hour and 45 minutes by car. By public transport, take the train to Steenwijk, then a short bus or taxi ride to the village, about two hours in total.
In the village, the old center is car-free. Park at the edge and walk, cycle or take a boat. Bikes are easy to rent.
If you are spending a few days, a car helps for exploring nearby villages, but cycling works well since the land is flat and bike paths are good.
Food and Drink
Food in Giethoorn is hearty and simple. Canal-side restaurants serve Dutch classics like pancakes, soups and fish. Smoked eel is a regional specialty. Fresh fish from the lakes appears on many menus.
For something sweet, try poffertjes, small fluffy pancakes dusted with sugar.
Restaurants cater to day visitors, so lunch is easy. Dinner options are more limited, so book ahead in summer.
Nearby towns like Blokzijl and Steenwijk have a few more choices. Expect dinner for two with drinks around $80–$160, approximate.
Honeymoon Tips
Stay at least one night, preferably two. The magic is in mornings and evenings, not midday.
Book boats early in the day. Whisper boat rentals are first come, first served at many places. The canals are calmer in the morning.
The canals are narrow and busy in summer. Go slowly and watch for other boats.
The village is a real community. Respect private gardens and property. Keep noise down in the evenings.
Pair Giethoorn with Amsterdam or with another Dutch town like Delft or Utrecht to round out a Netherlands trip.
