Giethoorn, Netherlands

💞Recommended Reasons: It's absolutely stunning, and the photos straight from the camera are breathtaking. I was lucky to visit on a sunny day 🌞. If you have enough time, I highly recommend staying overnight! The village's accommodations are incredibly beautiful. This place has topped my travel list so far. Everyone I met, from passersby to ticket sellers, landlords, and even a friendly girl I met at a bar, was super kind 😇. The handsome guys and pretty girls riding bicycles around the village made the atmosphere even more charming. When you step out of the train station, you'll see rows of bicycle rentals and parking lots 🅿️. Transportation Tips (Including Budget Options): ① Train: Amsterdam Centraal to Steenwijk station (about 1h50m, tickets available on the NS official website 🎫 for €19.9). ⏰ I recommend taking the 8:16 train so you arrive around noon. ② Shuttle Bus: From Steenwijk station, take bus 70 (ticket €3/person) to Dominee Hylkemaweg station (look for the blue signs specific to Giethoorn!). Fastest Option ➡️ Lazy Direct Plan: If you have 4 or more people, book a round-trip car from Amsterdam for about €120. No entrance fee, but you must rent a boat to fully experience the village! (I didn't rent one since I was traveling alone 🥲). Electric Boat: €12/hour ① There are three boat rental spots at the entrance. Hollands Venice offers electric boats for €15/hour and provides a map. ② Suggested Route ➡️ Start along the main canal, then turn right into a hidden small waterway where you'll see a row of aloe houses. Continue to Bovenwijde Lake (the entire trip takes about 1.5 hours). ③ Golden Hour: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM is the best time for photos as the sunlight is at its peak. Note: Download offline maps in advance because Giethoorn is quite remote and often has no signal. 📍Address: Giethoorn.