Small Group Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans w/ Pickup & Small Boat
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Enjoy easy hotel pickup on this small-group day tour from Amsterdam, visiting the idyllic canal village of Giethoorn, known as the “Dutch Venice,” with a photo stop at the iconic Lego Hotel in Zaandam, and the historic village of Zaanse Schans. Explore Zaanse Schans with a traditional clog and cheese factory demonstration, try on wooden clogs, taste Dutch cheese, see iconic windmills and visit a diamond factory. Admire the green wooden houses along the River Zaan and capture Instagram-worthy photos while learning about 18th- and 19th-century Dutch village life. Cruise Giethoorn’s canals on a small electric boat guided by a friendly expert—you can even navigate the boat yourself for an authentic local experience, avoiding crowds and enjoying open views. Wander past charming thatched-roof houses, wooden bridges, and scenic canals. This full day small-group tour combines scenic beauty, culture, history, and hands-on experiences for a seamless, unforgettable day in the Netherlands.
Inclusions
What's included
- Hotel Pickup for two or more participants at one location
- Professional guide
- Boat trip on a small electric boat in Giethoorn, guided and drive your own boat experience.
- Tour coach or van
- Guided tour in clogs, cheese and diamond factory in Zaanse Schans.
What's not
- Gratuities
- Lunch
- Big touristy 40-seater boat, at own cost and own arrangement. We offer small boat local experience.
Itinerary
Visit Zaanse Schans traditional wooden windmills and distinctive green wooden houses which were relocated there to recreate the atmosphere of an 18th/19th-century village. Duration is about 1.5 hours including visits with demonstrations at cheese factory and wooden shoes factory. Photo stop at the bank of Zaan River for the best panoramic view of all the windmills.
(This part is included in Zaanse Schans) Visit wooden shoes factory to learn about history of traditional Dutch clogs. Attend a workshop with demonstration of how clogs are made. Try fitting wooden shoes to have a feeling of wearing wooden shoes. Some free time for souvenirs shopping.
(This part is included in Zaanse Schans) Attend a professional demonstration of quality cheese-making by the staff in traditional Dutch costumes. Followed by free tasting of a wide cheese selection, and other typical Dutch treats. Free time for Dutch delights shopping.
On the way to Giethoorn, enjoy interesting facts and stories from our friendly guides pointing out of significant sights including the largest artificial lake in the Netherlands - IJsselmeer. IJsselmeer is a closed off inland bay, bordered by the Afsluitdijk (Enclosing Dike) which is the largest dike in the Netherlands with 32KM long, constructed during 1927-1932, being part of the Delta Works, Seven Modern Wonders. We will also pass by Ketelbrug, it is a bridge also a dike to get a good feeling of a dike. Unlike the largest one Enclosing dike, it is only 800-metre-long (2,600 ft) bridge opened on 15 June 1970.
Discover a Dutch village only accessible by boat on a day trip to Giethoorn from Amsterdam. Experience the "Venice of the Netherlands" where there are no main roads and all transport is on the water of the many canals. Take 1-hour small electric boat (9 people maximum) led by our friendly guide cruising around the village. Be your own captain, you can even drive the boat to experience a real local lifestyle. See the unique traditional thatch-roof cottages connected to arch-shape wooden bridges (there are over 150 arch-shape wooden bridges in the Giethoorn).
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.6
- 5220
- 427
- 312
- 25
- 18
Ratings come from 272 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Meet at the pick up area at the canal side of Double Tree by Hilton Hotel. Pls provide mobile contact and connect on WhatsApp for free calls with Wi-Fi or internet. In case we do not see you there, we call you.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 16 travellers
- Operated by
- Cherry Travel & Tours
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- If you come with luggage, strollers, or bulk items, please inform the tour operator Cherry Tours in advance.
- Children younger than 12 years need car seats, infants need baby chair provided by travellers.
- Cancellations within 24 hours due to failure to inform tour operator for special arrangement will not get refund.
How it compares in Amsterdam
- Its from-price is 59% below the median of the 328 day trips we list in Amsterdam.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 26 of 328.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Amsterdam
Amsterdam rings its golden-age centre with tree-lined canals, gabled houses and bridges, packing great art and easy cycling into a compact city.
The canal ring, dug in the seventeenth century, curves around the old centre in concentric arcs: Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht, lined with tall merchants' houses. The Jordaan, just west, is a maze of small canals, courtyards, brown cafés and independent shops, and the Anne Frank House stands on the Prinsengracht at its edge.
Top-ranked sights in Amsterdam: Amstel River, Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug), Anne Frank House.
Special offers in Amsterdam
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
