Self-drive
Boat and picnic
Add a regional picnic basket (from € 12.95 p.p.) to the booking and moor at one of the marked spots in the app. Sandwiches, fruit, a boiled egg and regional juice.
Home›A family day out in Giethoorn
Family day
A family day out in Giethoorn
Grandparents, parents and children together in a 12-person boat, a picnic on the water, or a private boat with a captain so nobody has to steer.
All generations
One boat for the whole family
Our 12-person sloop has a central table, soft cushions with backrests and a steering wheel, so three generations sit together and share the snacks while one of you steers. Prefer more comfort? The VIP sloop seats 12 in a luxury finish.
Bigger family? Take two or three boats and follow the same route in the navigation app, or book a private covered boat with a captain for up to 52 guests.
- 12-person sloop from € 48 per hour
- VIP sloop from € 75 per hour
- Anyone from 12 can steer, no licence
- Free parking at the dock
Options
Three ways to spend the day
With captain
Private boat for the family
An open sloop for up to 12 or a covered, heated boat for up to 52 with your own captain. Ideal for a family reunion or a grandparent’s birthday.
- Open boat from € 80
- Covered boat from € 200
Weekend
Stay the night
Make it a weekend: Hotel Old Art at the cruise dock has 18 rooms and free parking, and Hotel Giethoorn is nearby. Boats depart a 15-minute walk away, two minutes by car.
Good to know with children and grandparents
Life jacketsChildren’s life jackets can be added for € 4.95 each.
Accessible cruiseOne of our canal boats is wheelchair accessible; let us know when booking. See accessibility.
Dog welcomeYour dog can join on the self-drive boats (€ 11.95). See dogs.
Quiet hoursWeekday mornings are the calmest on the water and the cheapest: up to 20% off-peak discount.
A suggested day
Arrive at Zuiderpad 14A around 10:00 and take a 2-hour boat trip through the village canals and onto the Bovenwijde lake with a picnic basket on board. After lunch, walk the Binnenpad past the thatched farmhouses, visit Museum ’t Olde Maat Uus (tickets can be added to your booking) and have an ice cream in the village.
End the day with dinner in the village, or let a captain take the whole family on a one-hour canal cruise at € 10 per person.
Questions about family days
How many people fit in one boat?
Our largest self-drive boats seat 12 people; the VIP sloop also seats 12. Larger families take several boats or a private covered boat for up to 52.
Can children steer?
Anyone from 12 years old can steer; younger children come along as passengers. Every boat has a steering wheel and a simple handle.
Is Giethoorn suitable for grandparents who walk less well?
On the boat, yes: you sit comfortably for the whole trip. The canal cruise has a wheelchair accessible boat. The village itself has many bridges with steps, so plan walking with care.
Can we bring our own food?
Yes. You can also order picnic baskets, borrel boxes and drinks with the booking. See food & drinks.
What does a family day cost?
A 12-person boat starts at € 48 per hour on weekdays (€ 64 for 2 hours). Add picnic baskets from € 12.95 per person. See the price list.