On a regular day in Giethoorn, in the Dutch province of Overijssel, travellers can stroll along the quiet canals – a far cry from the lanes of Venice packed with tourists.

Known for its bridges, waterways and punts, the quaint Dutch village has been consistently named one of the 50 most beautiful villages in the world by Conde Nast Traveller, most recently in August 2024. 

There are no roads—just cycle paths and waterways. The limited inhabitants here, around 2,795, prefer to commute by bike or boat through the canals, showing just how slow-paced living in this quaint village truly is. 

While not one of the most romantic cities in the world, like Venice, the village – found just an hour and a half away from Amsterdam, welcomes only one million visitors a year. 

However, compared with the five million international visitors that descend on Venice every year, according to Statista, there is no comparison if you crave a quiet ride along a canal.

There are over 176 wooden arch bridges in the village, connecting the small islands to the mainland, which house the 18th- and 19th- century thatched roof cottages.

The village website has likened walking along the Binnenpad footpath to “walking onto a film set. ” Meanwhile, one can rent whisper boats for two to four people at just over £21 an hour or take a canal cruise, usually costing between £8.47 and £12.70 per tour per person. 

To increase sustainability, the village has swapped its paper sailing routes for a free Giethoorn sailing app. Each boat rental company has a unique QR code and provides a link to the sailing routes. 

There are several cafes and restaurants and a town museum to explore. Most restaurants, including Brasserie de Pergola, Burgers & Grill, and Grand Cafe Fanfare, cater to Dutch visitors, but many also accommodate foreign tourists.

For those wishing to extend their visit beyond a day, hundreds of houseboats are available for rent. If a night on water does not appeal, other B&Bs and chalets are also available.

Giethoorn can be visited through Dutch tour companies with offices in Amsterdam for groups of up to 21 people. Private tours can also be organised for groups of a maximum of eight.

For those wishing to travel under their own steam, you can also visit by train to the Nwolle Stadshagen (NS) train station, from which you can take the bus nr 70 from Zwolle to Giethorn. It is also possible to arrive via NS train station Steenwijk, where you can take the bus nr 70 or nr 270.