The 12 Best Giethoorn Day Trips from Amsterdam

1.Giethoorn Day Trip with Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,372 reviews · from $90Our pick

Travel by air-conditioned coach from Amsterdam to Giethoorn, cruise its quiet canals past restored farmhouses, and stop at the 32-kilometer Afsluitdijk. English and Spanish guides provide commentary, with free time for lunch and exploring. The nine-hour outing costs $90 and returns to Central Station.

“It was a magical place. I highly recommend it. The tour guides were nice and very informative. I learned a lot about the country's history”

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2.Giethoorn, Afsluitdijk, Zaanse Schans Day Tour Incl Hotel Pick Up

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,679 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $156Top rated

Travel from Amsterdam in a Mercedes minibus with a group of up to eight. Visit Zaanse Schans for cheese, clogs, diamonds, and windmills, pause at Afsluitdijk, then cruise Giethoorn’s canals. Guides such as Reinier, Eric, Leidse, and Simon are praised for clear explanations and attentive service.

“Fun way to see the country side though I might avoid during peak travel times the towns are small and likely get over run. Recommend just renting your own boat and skipping the canal tour. Tour guide was friendly. Only draw back is while this tour offers pick up our hotel wasn't on the list so we had to take a taxi to someone else's hotel.”

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3.Giethoorn Tour Scenic Cruise, Cheese & Free Time

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,461 reviews · 8 hours · from $75Best value

Travel from Amsterdam to Giethoorn by air-conditioned coach, with English commentary from guides such as Gilbert, Peter, and Martin. Cruise the village canals for one hour with a Giethoorn-born skipper, taste Henri Willig cheese, then enjoy three hours to eat, stroll, shop, or rent a boat.

“The tour was lovely. Our guide Peter made our long drive enjoyable. The boat ride was truly lovely and the free time given afterwards was more than enough to have a peaceful lunch and then roam around too. The bus was luxurious and comfortable. Recommended!”

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4.Giethoorn, Zaanse Schans Windmills Guided Day Trip from Amsterdam

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,058 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $95

Travel from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans for windmills, clogs, and cheese, then cruise Giethoorn’s canals for an hour. Guides such as Ibrahim and Jay add local stories, humor, and practical tips. Expect a 10.5-hour day, a group of up to 50, and plenty of time on your feet.

“We had a great time and really enjoy this tour! It is definitely worth taking this tour if you visit the Netherlands. Out tour guide Jay made it even better, we went above and beyond and exceeded our expectations. I loved all the details and you can tell the love he puts into his work. Thank you Jay!”

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5.Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans Windmills Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,002 reviews · 10 hours · from $135

Join an English-speaking guide such as Ibrahim or Jay for a full-day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn. You’ll see working windmills, sample Dutch cheese, watch clog making, cruise quiet canals, and enjoy comfortable transport, water, and a stroopwafel.

“Ibrahim and driver Hans were the best! They ensured that the tourists are all taken cared off. Highly recommended.”

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6.Giethoorn, Volendam, and Zaanse Schans Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 739 reviews · 10 hours · from $164

You’ll visit three classic Dutch destinations with an English or Dutch-speaking guide, including Zaanse Schans windmills, Volendam’s harbor, and Giethoorn’s canals. Guides such as Igor, Antonis, Adonis, and Noval lead the day, with cheese tasting, clog-making, free time, and a boat cruise included.

“It was totally amazing ! One of the best tours i have ever had worldwide Thanks to Igor specially made the trip fun , joyful and peaceful, he was so genuine and gentle, without him we wont have that mch of fun , he elevated the tour to the max ☺️ Also , the places were amazing specially the boat trip , me and my 6 members family were so satisfied and happy I highly recommend it !”

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7.Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans Tour w/ Small Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 501 reviews · from $157

Travel from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn in one day. See windmills, a clog workshop, and a cheese farm, then guide a small electric boat through Giethoorn’s canals. Guides such as Veronica and Cherry are praised for clear local stories and personal attention.

“Everything was great, except for the van. The seats did not recline so it was a bit uncomfortable. Otherwise great experience! Would recommend.”

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8.Giethoorn Guided DayTrip from Amsterdam

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 494 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $79

Leave Amsterdam with an English-speaking guide for a 7 to 8-hour trip to Giethoorn, the car-free Dutch village of canals, bridges, and thatched cottages. The tour includes round-trip transport and a one-hour boat ride, with free time for lunch and walking. Guides such as Ibrahim, Jay, Rashid, and Pablo have earned high marks.

“We had a lovely day at Giethoorn Village. The bus ride from Amsterdam was smooth. The canal cruise was very good, the scenery was delightful even though the weather was overcast. After the cruise we were left to our own devices for lunch and sightseeing. I would recommend this tour.”

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9.Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn Small-Group Tour with Hotel Pick-Up

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 381 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $131

Travel from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn in a small group of up to 18. Visit a cheese farm, watch clogs being made, see the Royal Lady diamond, and cruise Giethoorn’s canals. Hotel pickup, transport, guides, entry fees, and bottled water are included.

“Amazing experience. Guide Renier/rainier not sure on spelling was amazing. Very informative. Definitely book if you have time it's worth every penny. We were in a small group of 8 people”

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10.Giethoorn Small-Group Tour from Amsterdam (Max. 8 People)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 313 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $140

Travel from Amsterdam to Giethoorn with a small English-speaking group, arriving early for a one-hour private boat ride through the village canals. Then walk, eat lunch, and explore at your own pace. Guides such as Anzi and Aku may also arrange a Zandvoort beach drop-off.

“This is the highlight of our 3-week trips. Anzi was super helpful and nice. He always tried his best to arrive everywhere early, which he did, so that we did not have to queue or get any traffic jam at all (both on the street and on the river). We knew that this town is often very crowded, and luckily we were not in such situation. We were able to enjoy a very smooth trip cruising around, and then walking around the town. It was very beautiful and peaceful. The restaurant was also nice, good food.”

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11.Giethoorn, Zaandam & Zaanse Schans Day Tour w/ Small Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 251 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $166

Travel from central Amsterdam in a small group of up to 16 to Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn. Watch clog and cheese demonstrations, see traditional windmills, and take a one-hour electric boat ride in Giethoorn, with a chance to steer.

“Tour was good. But the place was crowded and unpleasant. Services in the restaurants and shops were bad - one of the worst in Europe.”

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12.Giethoorn Day Tour from Amsterdam with Small Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 236 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $154

Travel from central Amsterdam to car-free Giethoorn with Cherry Tours in a small group of up to 15. Walk beside thatched cottages, cruise under wooden bridges in a small electric boat, and hear local stories from guides such as Cherry, Veronica, Morgan, and Eldos.

“Geithorn was beautiful but the tour was disorganized.. The night before the tour, I received a message saying that my tour was cancelled, and I could be added to this alternate itinerary. It wasn’t my first choice, but I accepted and was looking forward to the tour. The driver arrived 10-15 minutes late, and it was her first day on the job. The passenger van had a strong odor, so our guide began the tour by spraying perfume around the van. It was the driver’s first day, so I can understand her confusion on the directions, but our tour guide was also confused and provided us with awkward narration and…”

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