Around Giethoorn there are some beautiful villages and towns that are definitely worth a visit. Dwarsgracht is less known, smaller but certainly as beautiful as Giethoorn. The small village of Muggenbeet should be mentioned because it has one of the most beautiful terraces alongside the water in northern Holland. The village of Blokzijl, with its port and beautiful old town, is in short distance of Giethoorn. Kalenberg is a small village in the middle of the De Weerribben-Wieden nature reserve. The Kalenberg-Noord Canal divides the village with its characteristic houses into two parts. You can also find more information about Zwartsluis, Vollenhove, Steenwijk and Meppel on this page.
The village of Dwarsgracht is located on the water and was founded just before 1800 at the time of peat extraction in the area of the Giethoorn village. In summer, especially by boat, it is wonderful to sail through Dwarsgracht and dock at the Otterskooi restaurant terrace. The small village has some summer houses and an inn.
Muggenbeet is located on the river Riete and has about 25 permanent inhabitants. What makes this place so famous is Geertien, a hotel/restaurant with one of the most beautiful terraces on the water in northern Holland. Previously, cane cutters, peat cutters, fishermen, boaters, hunters and residents used to come to this spot. It is now a popular place among a very diverse audience.
The village of Blokzijl, with about 1300 inhabitants, has been mentioned in historic archives since the fifteenth century. The village has a beautiful historic center with characteristic buildings and a private harbor for pleasure boats and a lock. Large tour boats often stop in Blokzijl. On the pier there is an old cannon, a popular place for tourists to take pictures. In the heart of the city, close to the lock, is the famous Michelin star restaurant "Kaatje bij de Sluis".
The village of Kalenberg is located in the heart of the Weerribben National Park and was founded in 1313. Kalenberg can be reached by boat from Giethoorn. It has picturesque houses on both sides of the Kalenberger canal. You can rent boats and there are some restaurants and terraces on the water. It has a hotel, some small inns and there is the possibility to rent a vacation home.
The port of "Swarte Sluys" was first mentioned in 1398. Zwartsluis has been a transit port for peat from the province of Drenthe to the rest of the Netherlands. Nowadays, the beautiful port is used mainly by tourists. It has a good hotel, an inn and a place for camping. Zwartsluis also has a few restaurants and bars.
Vollenhove received city rights in 1354 and therefore is officially a city. The city, however, has more characteristic features of a village. In Vollenhove there are beautiful monumental buildings, including churches, which represent a rich history. The city is known in the area for the great parade of sculptures made with flowers, which takes place every year on the last Saturday of August. Vollenhove has a few restaurants and a harbor with a good fish trade near the old bridge.
In the beautiful city of Meppel you can enjoy everything that a city has to offer. Around the shopping center are many restaurants and bars (with their terraces in the summer) that create a cozy atmosphere in the city. Meppel also has a rich history with beautiful monumental buildings and churches. For those who want to get out of Giethoorn a bit and go to the city, Meppel is an excellent option!
Steenwijk was originally an old fortified city. Steenwijk has traditionally been the center of the region to which Giethoorn also belongs. Many travelers who come by train to Giethoorn get off at Steenwijk station to continue by bus or taxi. The urban landscape is determined by the Sint Clemens tore (Steenwieker Toorn), with its height of 87 meters, the fourteenth tallest church tower in the Netherlands. The quiet city has a regional function (shops, schools, jobs) for a large region.
