Keukenhof and The magical villages of Netherlands 2024
Keukenhof and The magical villages of Netherlands 2024
Table of Contents
A map of Netherlands
Informations
Giethoorn is a village in the province of Overijssel, Netherlands, with a population of 2,795 in 2020. It is located in the municipality of Steenwijkerland, about 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of Steenwijk. As a popular Dutch tourist destination both within the Netherlands and abroad, Giethoorn is often referred to as “Dutch Venice” or the “Venice of the Netherlands”.
When to visit: The weather overall is never severely cold or hot as the temperatures are influenced by the North Sea (the Netherlands has a maritime climate).
Language: The official languages are Dutch,with West Frisian as a secondary official language.
Currency: Euro
Food Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant= 15 EUR, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=65 EUR
You can find more information about the visa here.
Things to do
Keukenhof, Lisse
Keukenhof, located about halfway between Amsterdam and The Hague, in a small town called Lisse, Holland, also known as the Garden of Europe, is the largest flower garden in the world. Keukenhof Castle Keukenhof Park is open every year, starting from the last week of March until May. The park was the idea of the mayor of Lisse in 1949, who wanted to have a flower exhibition where growers from all over Europe could see the strangest possible hybrids. On an area of 32 hectares, millions of tulips bloom.
Kinderdijk, Zuid-Holland
Kinderdijk is a village in South Holland, located in the Alblasserwaard. The place is mainly known for the Kinderdijk windmills. Since 1997, the 19 windmills have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List and are an important tourist attraction in the Netherlands. Not only because of the windmills, the place is of international value, but also because all the technology of water management from the Middle Ages can all be seen here close to each other. There are dikes, storage reservoirs, modern pumping stations, and administrative buildings to admire. Explore the beautiful surroundings by bike or take a nice walk along all the beautiful mills that this special village has to offer. If you want to view Kinderdijk from the water, you can also choose to take a cruise.
Giethoorn, Overijssel
Giethoorn is known as the ‘Venice of the North’. Giethoorn consists of several islands that are connected by canals and bridges. On the islands, you will mainly find historic 18th and 19th-century houses and farms. In the past, the waters were mainly used for transporting compost, but nowadays it is mainly a tourist attraction. The most important means of transport in this beautiful village is therefore not the bicycle, the bus, or the car, but the boat. There are also several other nice sights and museums in Giethoorn. For example, visit the car museum Histomobil, Pottery Rhoda, or Museum De Oude Aarde.
Spakenburg, Utrecht
Spakenburg is a former fishing village located north of Amersfoort on the Eemmeer. Before the construction of the Afsluitdijk, the village bordered the Zuiderzee. The village is known for the ports where in the past mainly the fishing boats could be found. Nowadays there are only 30 fishing vessels to be found in the Oude Haven. The fact that Spakenburg was an old fishing village can still be seen today in monumental buildings such as the former fish auction, the Nieuwboer shipyard, and the fish smokehouse. Due to external influences, the original character of the village is largely disappearing and the differences with the rest of the Netherlands are becoming smaller and smaller. Fishing has disappeared, but the traditional costume is also worn less and less. The three ports, De Oude Haven, De Nieuwe Haven, and Jachthaven Nieuwboer, are definitely worth a visit. Furthermore, you can discover the village by simply walking around.
Arcen, Limburg
Arcen is a village in North Limburg and is located between the river Maas and the German border. The largest flower and plant park in the Benelux, Kasteeltuinen Arcen, can be found in this charming village. Here is also the monumental castle from the 17th century that was built by order of the Dukes of Geire. You can admire the beautiful and numerous gardens by taking a nice walk. The Hertog Jan Brewery Arcen is also worth a visit. Accompanied by a guide, you can experience the complete brewing process. In Arcen, there is also Grain Roastery the Kingfisher. In this traditional distillery, local products such as asparagus liqueur, blueberry liqueur, fruit juice liqueur, and mustard are made. The grain roastery is located in a restored working water mill, located in nature reserve Barbara’s Weerd. For a wonderful walk you can visit the nature reserves Het Maasdal and the National Park De Maasduinen.
Orvelte, Drenthe
At first glance, Orvelte looks like a normal Drents village, but nothing could be further from the truth. The village calls itself a museum village because of the many historical sites in and around the village. Orvelte originated in the 10th century and nowadays you can experience how people used to live here in the countryside. Through a walk through the village, you can admire the old farms, houses, and special objects from the past. You can also learn how clogs and cheese are made in Orvelte. However, do not forget to look at the glass blowing, the forge, and the sawmill.
Broek in Waterland, North Holland
This one is easy for anyone living in or around Amsterdam, as it’s only about a 15-minute drive from the city centre, and is easily accessible via public transport from Amsterdam Centraal. Located to the north of the Dutch capital, this town is split into two halves: the newer part, which sits to the south of the N247 road, and the older half, much of which dates back to the early 19th century. When strolling through Broek in Waterland, be sure to enjoy the views of the Havenrak Lake and stop off for some delicious pancakes at De Witte Swaen. Aside from Broek in Waterland, another pretty town worth visiting in this area is Monnickendam.
Bourtange, Groningen
Located significantly further north than Broek in Waterland is Bourtange, a fortified town sitting near the Dutch-German border. About an hour’s drive to the southeast of Groningen, Bourtagne is probably one of the better-known spots to feature on this list, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less worthy of its place. This town has a long and rich history; Fort Bourtange was initially built during the Eighty Years’ War (1568-1648), and in the late 16th century became part of the fortifications on the border between the northern Dutch provinces and Germany. The fort has been out of action since the mid-19th century, meaning Bourtange exists today as a normal village and open-air museum.
Blokzijl, Overijssel
While you probably haven’t heard of Blokzijl, you might be familiar with some of its more popular neighbours, Giethoorn and Urk, which both get quite a lot of publicity for their beauty. At just about a 40-minute drive north of Zwolle, Blokzijl in the province of Overijssel might seem like a bit of a trek to those living in Amsterdam, Rotterdam or The Hague, but just because it isn’t as well known doesn’t mean it isn’t worth your time. The town is first mentioned in Dutch history back in the 16th century when, in 1581, it became fortified. Back in the day – before the Dutch became experts in reclaiming land – the town was on the banks of the Zuiderzee; a shallow bay of the North Sea which was closed off after the construction of the Afsluitdijk. Today, Blokzijl has an old sea lock and a small harbour, which makes for a great place to sit and enjoy a snack or a cold beer on a terrace on a sunny day.
Zaanse Schans
The Zaanse Schans is a residential area in which the 18th and 19th centuries are brought to life. Despite the fact that visitors from all over the world visit this neighborhood every day, it is good to know that people still live here. Keep this in mind during your visit. Stroll past the bakery museum and enjoy the smell of fresh cookies, or take a look at the warehouse where clogs are made. You should be sure not to miss the cheese factory, pewter foundry and the various windmills. The Zaanse Schans is a unique part of the Netherlands, full of wooden houses, mills, barns and workshops. Make a cycling or sailing trip, browse the shops or treat yourself at the pancake restaurant. A day out at the Zaanse Schans in North Holland is fun and educational.
Spakenburg, Utrecht
Spakenburg is a popular historic Dutch town for a number of reasons, and is in fact one of the few places in the Netherlands where you might still be lucky enough to see local villagers in traditional Dutch dress. Situated about 30 minutes northeast of the city of Utrecht, Spakenburg’s original position on the Zuiderzee meant it was a thriving fishing village for hundreds of years – but also meant it was susceptible to flooding, and it suffered greatly during the vergeten Watersnoodramp in 1916. Since the creation of the Afsluitdijk closed off the Zuiderzee in the 1930s, Spakenburg’s fishing fleet has shrunk considerably, but the town’s rich history is still very much on display today. Every summer, the town hosts Spakenburg Days to celebrate and display its culture and history with music, performances and a street market. Another must-do if visiting Spakenburg is to book a trip on an authentic Dutch fishing boat, which will allow you to enjoy the local scenery while also learning about the town’s fishing history.
Zierikzee, Zeeland
Zeeland – as the province’s name would suggest – almost consists more of water than land, but aside from heading down to Zeeland just to partake in watersports and visit the province’s beaches, you can also spend your time visiting some of the local towns and villages. One that’s definitely worth a stop is Zierikzee, which is along the southern coast of the middle of the three islands. Located 50 kilometres southwest of Rotterdam, Zierikzee is a real port town with a rich history that can still be observed today – there are more than 500 monuments to be discovered in an around the town! There are a number of charming shops, and plenty of terraces offering lovely views of the harbour.
De Rijp, North Holland
As mentioned right at the beginning of this article, there are a number of beautiful – and famous – small towns and villages in the province of North Holland. But aside from the popular sights like Edam, Volendam and Marken, there are plenty of other lesser-known spots that are most definitely still worth your time. In fact, just north of the village of Zaandijk – another pretty and oft-visited spot thanks to the iconic Zaanse Schans – you’ll find one of these lesser-known gems: De Rijp. De Rijp was the birthplace of Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater, a millwright and hydraulic engineer who played a key role in the Netherlands’ first stages of land reclamation and was involved in the creation of the first polder in the world, the Beemster Polder, in the early 17th century. Aside from this, De Rijp has a rich history of its own, as it was founded at the end of the 13th century and became extremely wealthy during the Dutch Golden Age due to whaling, herring fishing, and the local processing of hemp.
Zaandam
Zaandam is located in the north of the Randstad metropolitan region, which stretches across the provinces of Flevoland, Noord-Holland, Utrecht and Zuid-Holland and includes major cities such as Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht.
The Netherlands – Things to Do – golf, The Hague Market, Jordaan district, cycling, glass boat tour, or onboard the city’s Museum Boat.
Attractions – dutch national museum, the Amsterdam historical museum, The Royal Palace – Barltolotti House, Koninklijk Paleis, NEMO Museum, Bijbels Museum.
Where to stay
A good night’s sleep is particularly important when you are travelling. Netherlands nt offers its guests a host of luxurious, charming and also out-of-the-ordinary accommodation.
Whether in the heart of the city, near the lake or surrounded by nature – Netherlands ‘s hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses guarantee a relaxing and invigorating stay.
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Top hotels we recommend in Giethoorn:
Eating and drinking in the Netherlands nt is nothing less than a treat, with beautiful bistros, enchanting cafés and fabulous fine dining spread around cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht and the Hague. For something a little wilder, both Amsterdam and Rotterdam are known worldwide for their vibrant and energetic nightlife, with cozy canal-side taverns, cutting-edge concept bars and nightclubs attracting top-billed international DJs. The legal age of drinking beer and wine is 16 years, but you must be over 18 to consume spirits.
What to eat
- Sate – It’s basically a different take on mayonnaise or ketchup.
- Stamppot – It’s a dish of mashed potatoes combined with root vegetables
- Rookworst is a Dutch smoked sausage.
- Lekkerbekje / KibbelingThis is the Dutch variety of fish and chips but without the chips.
- Hachee Meat, fish or poultry and vegetables, stewed into a thick gravy with vinegar, cloves and laurel leaves.
- Hollandse nieuwe haring
- Erwtensoep is a split pea soup
- Bitterballen are balls of finely chopped beef or veal that are seasoned with a mixture of spices
- Brown bean soup
- Huzarensalade Variation of a Russian salad made with eggs, potatoes, pickles, vinegar and mayonnaise.
- Poffertjes are small pancakes, baked in an iron skillet, and traditionally served with melted butter and dusted with icing sugar.
- Pannenkoeken are a traditional sort of pancake
- Oliebollen (Dutch doughnuts)
- Appeltaart
- Stroopwafel
Restaurants
Restaurants in Giethoorn – Most restaurants cater to the Dutch visitor. However, there are also restaurants that specifically cater to the foreign tourist. Conclusion, tastes too over: Burgers & grill, Brasserie de Pergola, d’Olde , Smidse, Dames van de Jonge, De Harmonie, De Kruumte, Eetkamer van Giethoorn, Grachthof, Grand cafe, Fanfare, Het wapen van Giethoorn, Het Zwaantje, Giethoorn, Hollands, Venetie La Piccola, Venezia Otterskooi, Pergola, Restaurant ‘t Binnenhof, Ristoranta Fratelli, Smit Giethoorn, Smits Paviljoen, Resort Venetie, Snackbar Geythorn, Steakhouse, Vishandel Gerrits & de Boer, Witte hoeve.
travel Tips
- Booking in advance can save you a headache, especially if you’re traveling to Amsterdam during peak season (between June and August).
- In the Netherlands asking for water is complex. You can get free water only if you know what to ask to get this otherwise you will be charged.
- Keep cash with you if you are a woman and need to go to the urinal because in many of the cities of the Netherlands, Public Urinals are free for men only.
- The most well-known museums now often require a reservation with a time slot. This included the Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum, and the Van Gogh Museum.
- Tipping Is Nice But Not Mandatory
- Weather is unpredictable here. It is an important Netherlands nt travel tip to keep a raincoat with you.
- if you are a Tulip lover then mid-April is the perfect time for you to visit the Netherlands nt and see the beautiful flower blooming.
- Try to get the museum card in order to save money.
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Shopping
In the center of the flower village of Lisse is the Dorpshart, which is characterized by its cozy village atmosphere. It is also the largest shopping center in the Onion Region and you can park here for free.
The beautiful and versatile Hoofdstraat practically borders the beach. The cozy Kerkstraat is located in the middle of the beautiful, historic Noordwijk Binnen and the cozy center of Noordwijkerhout is around the white church.
Katwijk is perhaps the coziest seaside resort in the Netherlands. Winkelhart Zeezijde is located in the center of Katwijk aan Zee and is the largest seafront shopping center with more than 100 shops.
For something truly Dutch, the Netherlands has a number of popular flower markets, most notably in Amsterdam and Utrecht, attracting many floral experts and window shoppers. From bulbs to bouquets, flowers are one of the Netherlands’ prize products. For traditional Dutch cheese, a stop in the town of Gouda is a must-see, literally dedicated to the creamy, rich dairy delicacy and a chance to learn about the history and see how it is made. Another great place to buy Dutch cheese is at the traditional cheese market of the Netherlands, which is based in Alkmaar every Friday from mid-April to mid-September.
There is only one supermarket in our Giethoorn. This Plus supermarket is located close to the centre of the village. You can park in front of the supermarket. Please note that this parking lot is a blue zone. Don’t forget to put down your parking ticket (blue card).
Getting Around
The Netherlands nt has an exceptionally well-developed and smoothly run rail network, connecting all towns, cities and locations of interest, with journeys generally on the cheap side. Major routes tend to run at 30-minute intervals, with bus lines and timetables set up to coincide with train arrivals and departures, making trip planning very easy and in tune with the Dutch way of life. The national rail service is NV Nederlandse Spoorwegen , with some regional routes covered by Syntus and Arriva. Amsterdam is exceptionally easy to get around, with a color-coded and numbered tram network fully encircling the city in both directions.
Most cities and towns of the Netherlands nt have a good network of bus routes, though trains and trams tend to be the same cost (if not cheaper) and quicker. The same goes for longer journeys, with coach companies such as Interliner, offering trips between most major towns and cities.
Traveling around the Netherlands nt by boat is not always the cheapest or quickest way to get between or within large cities, but it can be an enjoyable and stress-free mode of transportation. To explore the Wadden or Frisian Islands, the main ferry operator is called Teso and tickets can be planned and purchased online. For canal and river cruises around the Netherlands nt, there are a vast number of large and private operators.
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Getting Here
Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport is among the most popular and least expensive gateways to Europe from North America, and finding a convenient and good-value flight is rarely a problem. Direct, nonstop flights from the USA are operated by KLM and Delta Airlines, but many more airlines fly via London and other European centres – and are often cheaper because of it.
Often voted one of the world’s best airports, the Netherlands Nt largest and busiest airport is one of the most efficiently run and contemporary air hubs in all of Europe. Schiphol is huge and one of the most centrally located on the continent, making it a preferred place for connections through Europe, the US and beyond. There are several flights per day heading to the UK and the US on airlines such as KLM, Air America and British Airways.
Home to over 100 shops, the vast majority tax-free, and a slew of restaurants and cafés, within Schiphol you’ll also find a casino, wellness center, lounges, and its very own museum, the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol, which houses contemporary art collections from the main Rijksmuseum, with rotating exhibits every six months from Dutch masters.
Just outside of downtown Eindhoven, Eindhoven Airport is single-terminal facility which remains very busy despite its small size. Seeing over two million passengers a year and growing, shopping opportunities are scarce, but the airport has regular flights to a number of European destinations, such as London, Dublin, Milan, Rome, Porto, Prague and Budapest, serving the North Brabant (Noord-Brabant) area of the Netherlands nt.
Just off the A2 motorway, the airport is easily accessible from the north or south with regular buses every 15 minutes to and from the city center. There is also a taxi stand just outside of the arrivals exit, and from Eindhoven Central Station, train journeys can be made to Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp in the southwest.
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