Giethoorn, The Netherlands (2021)

For our visit to Giethoorn we stayed at an airbnb near the town of Blokzijl in the Netherlands. As it was a beautiful early summer day we went for a walk in the neighbourhood where we noticed some pretty yellow water lilies in the river Wetering.

Admired some wonderful water lilies while walking along the river Wetering near the town of Blokzijl in the Netherlands.

Despite the strict covid rules we were able to have dinner outside and had an amazing view over the surrounding fields and the river Wetering. We loved it when a small boat passed with a beautiful dog standing on the bow.

Although we have no idea what kind of vegetables were growing here it still presented us with a pretty view. That's what you get when spending a few days near the town of Blokzijl in the Netherlands.

When we started our walk into the town of Giethoorn it was quite clear that you need to have a boat here to get around. Most of the boats owned by residents are quite simple as the one on this photo. When it's really touristy though lots of motorized boats are used.

Almost all of the houses in the town of Giethoorn have access to the water somehow. This here is the main canal which is a bit wider than the smaller side canals.

Boats are everywhere in the town of Giethoorn in the Netherlands. Sometimes there are serious parking problems.

We can definitely recommend a leisurely walk in the town of Giethoorn in the Netherlands. Whether you keep walking along the main canal or cross bridges to inspect some of the smaller canals, the views are spectacular everywhere.

The town of Giethoorn in the Netherlands used to be a farming community. Some of the houses are former farms and kept quite some original features in tact. The one here has a huge display of original milk buckets.

We loved seeing this proud stork on a rooftop in the town of Giethoorn in the Netherlands. The number of storks has increased a lot over the past few years and they can be seen in lots of places.

We really like this simple bridge in the small community of Dwarsgracht in the Netherlands. Dwarsgracht provides a more authentic and peaceful alternative for those seeking a slower pace and a less touristy canal village experience compared to the bustling Giethoorn.

Such an idyllic scene in the small community of Dwarsgracht in the Netherlands. Dwarsgracht is a smaller, quieter canal village near the more famous Giethoorn, offering a similar picturesque experience with thatched-roof houses and wooden bridges but without the overwhelming crowds.

A simplistic drawbridge in the small community of Dwarsgracht in the Netherlands. Dwarsgracht is near the more famous Giethoorn. Both share characteristics like their unique "no roads, only canals" layout and tranquil atmosphere.

Even though it's just a small greenhouse we were quite taken by it. We spotted it while walking in the small community of Dwarsgracht in the Netherlands.