Respect the Living Village

It is easy to forget that Giethoorn is not an open-air museum or a Disney attraction—it is a living, breathing residential village. The beautiful wooden bridges and manicured lawns you see are actually private property. Walking onto private docks, crossing residential bridges, or peering directly through the windows of the thatched cottages is highly disrespectful to the locals who call this place home.

Always stay on the designated public walking paths and public bridges. When renting a boat, keep your noise levels down, as sound carries incredibly well over the water. By practicing mindful tourism, you help preserve the warm hospitality that makes Giethoorn so special.