Giethoorn Scenic Cruise: Coffee, Stroopwafel & 170 Bridges

Glide beneath 170 bridges through the waterways that made Giethoorn the Dutch Venice

A scenic boat cruise through Giethoorn's narrow canals and onto Bovenwijde Lake, guided by a local skipper in English, German or Dutch. The tour lasts about an hour and includes coffee or tea with a stroopwafel. Children from age 3 are welcome, and the covered boat is wheelchair accessible.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat cruise through Giethoorn canals

• Board covered boat with local skipper
• Glide along picturesque canals and bridges
• View thatched-roof farmhouses and gardens
• Enjoy coffee or tea with stroopwafel
• Cruise onto Bovenwijde Lake
• See waterside cafés and restaurants
• Relax with lunch or dinner at De Rietstulp

The experience

Giethoorn sits on canals where boats replace cars, and the only way to see it properly is from the water. You board a covered boat and spend the next hour gliding past 18th- and 19th-century thatched-roof farmhouses, colorful gardens and the wooden bridges that define the village. The skipper shares stories and local knowledge as you pass cozy waterside cafés and traditional restaurants, then the route opens onto Bovenwijde Lake, where the landscape shifts to peaceful countryside and wider views.

Midway through, you get coffee or tea with a Dutch stroopwafel: the kind of small detail that turns a boat ride into a moment. The tour ends with the option to stay for lunch or dinner at De Rietstulp, a restaurant on the water, or to head back into the village on your own. The boat is covered, so weather does not cancel the trip, and it works for families with young children, people using wheelchairs and anyone who wants to sit still and let the scenery come to them.

What’s included

• Coffee or tea with a stroopwafel.
• a covered boat with seating.
• narration from a local skipper in your choice of English, German or Dutch.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:45, 13:00 and 14:15

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 45

Live guideEnglish, German and Dutch

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Giethoorn Canal Cruises and local Restaurant

Is this one for you?The boat departs from Giethoorn itself, so if you're staying in the village or arriving by public transport, you don't need a car to join. Just walk to the dock and board. The covered boat means the tour runs in most weather, and the fixed one-hour length fits easily into a morning or afternoon without dominating your day.

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, German and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What makes Giethoorn different from other Dutch villages?

Giethoorn has no roads in its center: boats are the main transport through the canals. Over 170 wooden bridges connect the waterfront properties, and the village is lined with preserved farmhouses from the 18th and 19th centuries, which is why it earned the nickname "Dutch Venice."

Do I need to book lunch at De Rietstulp, or is it optional?

Lunch or dinner at De Rietstulp is optional. The stroopwafel and coffee are included in the cruise itself. Staying to eat afterward is your choice and would be a separate booking.

How long is the cruise, and what's included in that time?

The cruise lasts about an hour. It covers the narrow canals of Giethoorn village, passes under the wooden bridges and farmhouses, continues onto Bovenwijde Lake, and includes coffee or tea with a stroopwafel partway through.