Known as the city of canals, Giethoorn transforms into a whimsical haven for ice skaters during winter, when the town’s canals freeze up.
The Dutch town is named after the goat horns that were buried in the mud by its medieval founders, which has become its coat of arms.
Today the water village, situated on the edges of the province of Woverijsell, is home to a small population of 2,600 people.
It is just a 90-minute drive away from the capital city of Amsterdam, but there’s a catch; it can only be accessed by motor boat or canoes.
Technically, only a large section in the middle of the town is cut off from the roads, meaning it can only be reached by footpath or canal.
READ MORE: The beautiful European city frozen in time that hardly any tourists visit
The outskirts do have both car parks and roads, however, so visitors can enjoy the most picturesque sites without renting a boat.
Those with a bit of time to spare can explore the town with a motorboat during the warm months, and ice skates during the winter.
The travel blog Culture Trekking states: “You may know Giethoorn as the city without roads, and to get from house to house you must travel by boat.
“In the Springtime, it is filled with flowers, budding trees, birds and is often the location that is sought after for a ‘Make a Wish Destination.”
It takes roughly eight hours to get to London from Giethoorn, with transfers included. The quickest flight may be from London City Airport to Rotterdam Airport, lasting a total of 55 minutes.
Though the village is not easily accessible by car, travellers argue that it’s worth the effort, as they’re greeted by beautifully kept canals, bridges and thatched roofs upon arrival.
The official website for the town writes: “Skating on the canals and lakes of Giethoorn is a thing that you must have done once in your life. It’s […] fantastic.
“After a big skating trip in Giethoorn, a warm chocolate with whipped cream or a mulled wine is twice as tasty.”
