Giethoorn Day Trip from Amsterdam: Small Boat Ride & Cheese Tasting

Summary

Amsterdam to Giethoorn with canal boating cheese tasting and village walk

You’ll glide your own small boat along Giethoorn’s peaceful canals, sample Dutch cheeses straight from the farm, and stroll past thatched cottages with a local guide sharing stories. Expect laughter (especially if you steer), quiet moments under willow trees, and a real sense of daily life in this car-free village—plus easy pickup from Amsterdam.

What’s the experience like?

“You steer,” our guide grinned, handing me the tiller of this tiny electric boat — I hesitated, thinking about all those YouTube fails, but the water in Giethoorn was glassy and slow. It’s wild how there aren’t any roads here, just these narrow canals curling past thatched cottages and gardens full of tulips (and a few plastic flamingos, which cracked me up). The only sounds were ducks arguing and someone’s radio drifting out a window — not what I expected for a day trip from Amsterdam. I kept bumping into the bank at first; Li laughed and said even locals do it sometimes. Guess I fit right in.

The cheese stop was…well, honestly, I didn’t think I’d care much, but the smell when we walked in hit me — warm, sharp, kind of grassy? We tried slices with cumin seeds and another that tasted faintly like caramel. The farm owner explained how they age them (I missed half because I was distracted by the cows poking their noses through the barn door). Afterward we wandered through Giethoorn on foot — wooden bridges everywhere, people waving from their gardens. Our guide pointed out which houses flood first when it rains too much; apparently it’s a whole thing here. The village felt like something out of a storybook but lived-in too — laundry flapping on lines and locals gossiping over coffee outside.

I still think about that slow drift under willow trees, sun flickering through leaves onto the water. There’s this quiet you don’t get in cities — even with tourists around it feels gentle somehow. If you want to try steering your own boat (and maybe embarrassing yourself a bit), or just see how people actually live in Giethoorn without cars everywhere…yeah, this is the way to do it. And hey, if you say “Giethoorn” wrong, nobody minds — they’ll probably just laugh with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Amsterdam to Giethoorn and boat tour

• Meet guide in central Amsterdam
• Board minivan for transfer to Giethoorn
• Enjoy boat ride in Giethoorn
• Take walking tour in Giethoorn

Top questions

How long is the day trip to Giethoorn from Amsterdam?

The tour lasts approximately one day including round-trip transfer between Amsterdam and Giethoorn.

Can I drive my own boat during the Giethoorn canal tour?

Yes, you’ll have a chance to drive your own small electric boat as part of the experience.

Is cheese tasting included on this tour?

Yes, there’s a cheese tasting session at one of the largest cheese farms in the Netherlands included in the itinerary.

Does this tour include pickup from Amsterdam?

Yes, round-trip transfer from central Amsterdam is included via air-conditioned minivan or bus.

Are there walking parts during the Giethoorn visit?

Yes, after the boat ride there is also a walking tour through Giethoorn village guided by your host.

Is this day trip suitable for children?

Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult; parents should bring car seats for children under 12 years old.

What if I have luggage or a stroller?

If you plan to bring luggage or strollers, inform Cherry Tours ahead of time so arrangements can be made.

Is this tour recommended for travelers with limited mobility?

No, it is not recommended for people with limited mobility due to walking and boarding boats.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transfer from Amsterdam by air-conditioned minivan or bus, an hour-long small electric boat trip where you can drive yourself through Giethoorn’s canals, guided walking tour around the village lanes and bridges, plus cheese tasting at one of the Netherlands’ largest farms—all led by a friendly local guide before heading back to Amsterdam together.