Giethoorn is a truly beautiful and unique village—definitely worth visiting. We’re glad we discovered this destination, as it offers a peaceful charm, especially if you venture away from the main tourist paths. The tranquil canals, quaint cottages, and natural surroundings create a picturesque and memorable experience.
That said, we were very disappointed with the tour organized through Viator, primarily due to the poor quality of the tour guide. Unfortunately, the guide added no value to the trip. He barely spoke, and when he did, he addressed the group more in Spanish than in English—even though we had booked the English-language tour. He spent more time chatting with the bus driver than interacting with the passengers, and we received almost no information about the places we were visiting.
For example, when we stopped at the Afsluitdijk, we were simply told to return to the bus in 15 minutes. No historical context or explanation about the dam was provided. We later had to research it ourselves to appreciate its significance.
We also encountered a long traffic delay en route, which cut into our time in Giethoorn. This further highlighted how much more efficient and cost-effective it might be to visit Giethoorn independently—taking the train and planning your own day at your own pace.
Upon arrival in Giethoorn, the guide handed out yellow bracelets to about half the group, allowing those people to board the boat immediately. The rest had to wait an hour. Fortunately, we were among the first group, giving us time to enjoy lunch, explore the village, and shops after the boat tour. However, those in the second group were at a significant disadvantage, as they had less time to enjoy Giethoorn after their boat ride.
It was surprising and disappointing that the tour was so poorly organized—80 people on a bus, but only 40 spots available per boat trip. If this limitation is known in advance, it should be clearly communicated or better managed by scheduling two boats or adjusting the itinerary. Tour guide said you can rent your own boat if you would like or want to wait ( and it is after the tour itself had an hour boat ride included and prepaid in the tour price).
The boat ride itself was a highlight. Our boat captain, a university student working a summer job, was friendly, informative, and funny. He provided interesting insights about the village, canals and made the experience enjoyable. He, not the official Viator tour guide, was the one who deserved a tip.
The return journey to Amsterdam was again in silence, except for a short thank-you from the guide (and again Spanish version of his talk was much longer than English). Guide asked us for a tip to him while he planned to stand on the platform and say individual Thanks to people exiting the bus. We ended up tipping the only the driver directly, as he did a good job despite the long day.
In summary:
• Pros: Giethoorn is beautiful and well worth the visit. The boat ride (especially with a guide) is memorable.
• Cons: The Viator tour was poorly executed, lacked meaningful guidance, and involved inefficient logistics.
• Recommendation: Visit Giethoorn on your own if you can. Take the train, rent a boat, and enjoy the village at your own pace. Can have a picnic on one of the village islands if you plan for it. If you prefer a tour, consider another company that possibly offers better organization and knowledgeable guides.
Also, a tip for fellow travelers: the canals are much quieter earlier in the day. By afternoon, boat traffic becomes dense and chaotic—though watching the occasional boat bumper-to-bumper action is entertaining in its own way!