Small Group Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans w/ Pickup & Small Boat
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 267 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Small Group Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans w/ Pickup & Small Boat worth booking?
Small Group Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans w/ Pickup & Small Boat is a 9-hour experience in Amsterdam, Netherlands, from $138 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 267 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (267)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $138 per person
Enjoy easy hotel pickup on this small-group day tour from Amsterdam, visiting the idyllic canal village of Giethoorn, known as the “Dutch Venice,” with a photo stop at the iconic Lego Hotel in Zaandam, and the historic v
What you get
About this experience
Enjoy easy hotel pickup on this small-group day tour from Amsterdam, visiting the idyllic canal village of Giethoorn, known as the “Dutch Venice,” with a photo stop at the iconic Lego Hotel in Zaandam, and the historic village of Zaanse Schans. Explore Zaanse Schans with a traditional clog and cheese factory demonstration, try on wooden clogs, taste Dutch cheese, see iconic windmills and visit a diamond factory. Admire the green wooden houses along the River Zaan and capture Instagram-worthy photos while learning about 18th- and 19th-century Dutch village life. Cruise Giethoorn’s canals on a small electric boat guided by a friendly expert—you can even navigate the boat yourself for an authentic local experience, avoiding crowds and enjoying open views. Wander past charming thatched-roof houses, wooden bridges, and scenic canals. This full day small-group tour combines scenic beauty, culture, history, and hands-on experiences for a seamless, unforgettable day in the Netherlands.
What's included
Included
- Hotel Pickup for two or more participants at one location
- Professional guide
- Boat trip on a small electric boat in Giethoorn, guided and drive your own boat experience.
- Tour coach or van
- Guided tour in clogs, cheese and diamond factory in Zaanse Schans.
Not included
- Gratuities
- Lunch
- Big touristy 40-seater boat, at own cost and own arrangement. We offer small boat local experience.
What you'll see and do
Zaanse Schans
Visit Zaanse Schans traditional wooden windmills and distinctive green wooden houses which were relocated there to recreate the atmosphere of an 18th/19th-century village. Duration is about 1.5 hours including visits with demonstrations at cheese factory and wooden shoes factory. Photo stop at the bank of Zaan River for the best panoramic view of all the windmills.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Kooijman Souvenirs & Clogs Wooden Shoe Workshop
(This part is included in Zaanse Schans) Visit wooden shoes factory to learn about history of traditional Dutch clogs. Attend a workshop with demonstration of how clogs are made. Try fitting wooden shoes to have a feeling of wearing wooden shoes. Some free time for souvenirs shopping.
20 minutes here
Catharina Hoeve Cheese Farm
(This part is included in Zaanse Schans) Attend a professional demonstration of quality cheese-making by the staff in traditional Dutch costumes. Followed by free tasting of a wide cheese selection, and other typical Dutch treats. Free time for Dutch delights shopping.
20 minutes here · Admission included
IJsselmeer (Lake IJssel)
On the way to Giethoorn, enjoy interesting facts and stories from our friendly guides pointing out of significant sights including the largest artificial lake in the Netherlands - IJsselmeer. IJsselmeer is a closed off inland bay, bordered by the Afsluitdijk (Enclosing Dike) which is the largest dike in the Netherlands with 32KM long, constructed during 1927-1932, being part of the Delta Works, Seven Modern Wonders. We will also pass by Ketelbrug, it is a bridge also a dike to get a good feeling of a dike. Unlike the largest one Enclosing dike, it is only 800-metre-long (2,600 ft) bridge opened on 15 June 1970.
Pass by without stopping
Giethoorn
Discover a Dutch village only accessible by boat on a day trip to Giethoorn from Amsterdam. Experience the "Venice of the Netherlands" where there are no main roads and all transport is on the water of the many canals. Take 1-hour small electric boat (9 people maximum) led by our friendly guide cruising around the village. Be your own captain, you can even drive the boat to experience a real local lifestyle. See the unique traditional thatch-roof cottages connected to arch-shape wooden bridges (there are over 150 arch-shape wooden bridges in the Giethoorn).
210 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Amsterdam
Meet at the pick up area at the canal side of Double Tree by Hilton Hotel. Pls provide mobile contact and connect on WhatsApp for free calls with Wi-Fi or internet. In case we do not see you there, we call you.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet at the pick up area at the canal side of Double Tree by Hilton Hotel. Pls provide mobile contact and connect on WhatsApp for free calls with Wi-Fi or internet. In case we do not see you there, we call you.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Cherry Travel & Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- If you come with luggage, strollers, or bulk items, please inform the tour operator Cherry Tours in advance.
- Children younger than 12 years need car seats, infants need baby chair provided by travellers.
- Cancellations within 24 hours due to failure to inform tour operator for special arrangement will not get refund.
- Infant with less than 6 years old, we do not recommend this tour.
- Cancellation due to any of the above unfulfilled conditions, will not be refunded.
- The trip offers small open boat, if customers wish to take a big boat (covered, with 40 passengers on board, shared with other groups), at own cost, arrangement and subject to availability
- Not recommended for travellers with reduced mobility.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 267 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
267 verified traveler reviews for Small Group Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans w/ Pickup & Small Boat. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
This trip was outstanding...
This trip was outstanding made by the fact that the guide Mr Mukti did an exceptional job in every aspect. One of the key things he did was to change the sequence of visits which helped us avoid crowds in Giethoorn and zaanse... It was a very successful trip
Response from the operator: Dear Channadandra, Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so happy you had an outstanding trip. Mukti will be delighted to hear your kind words. One of the advantages of our small-group tours is the flexibility to adjust the itinerary for a more comfortable experience. Combined with our unique small electric boat canal cruise in Giethoorn, it makes the tour more personal and fun. Thank you for choosing Cherry Tours. We hope to welcome you again soon for our other fun tours!
via Viator
Great tour and a fantastic experience! I really enjoyed it. The guide was amazing, friendly
I had an amazing time on this tour and enjoyed every moment of it. The guide was excellent, very friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience enjoyable and memorable. Everything was well organized, and I learned a lot while having fun. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
Response from the operator: Dear Ahmed, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had an amazing time and enjoyed every moment of the tour. Creating fun, memorable, and informative experiences is exactly what we strive for, and your kind words mean a lot to our team. Thank you for recommending us to other travelers. We hope to welcome you again on one of our other small-group adventures from Amsterdam, such as Bruges, Cologne, Maastricht, or Giethoorn. Safe travels, and we look forward to seeing you again soon! Warm regards, Cherry Tours
via Tripadvisor
Great countryside
VIP service start to finish with Cherry tours. She is a wealth of knowledge & full of energy! Passion is her middle name lm sure as she loves Amsterdam & all of its history. Showing us the out of the way places to enjoy so much of the culture & countryside. Cherry made everything special on our tour, she was even the surprise caption on our canal tour in Giethoorn & deserve a badge of honour for maneuvering around all those canals. Highly recommend this tour. Excellent value!
Response from the operator: Dear Verona, Wow, reading your review truly touched my heart. Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. It was an absolute pleasure spending the day with you and Rex. Showing you some of my favorite places in the Netherlands. Your comment that "passion is my middle name" made me smile—I genuinely love what I do, and reviews like yours make all the hard work worthwhile. I'm especially happy that you enjoyed our little surprise in Giethoorn! Being your captain on the canals was great fun, and I'm honored to have earned a "badge of honour" from you! Thank you for your recommendation and support. Guests like you are the reason I run these tours with so much passion. I hope our paths cross again one day, whether in tulip season or on another Dutch adventure. Warmest regards, Cherry
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic experience!
It was a fantastic experience, we saw beautiful places and we had great fun with Cherry! Definitely recommended! 😊
Response from the operator: Dear Louiza, Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so happy to offer your lovely family a personalised tour, felt like travelling with friends—that’s exactly the experience we aim to create. It’s wonderful that you enjoyed the beautiful places and had such a fun time. Your recommendation truly means a lot to us 😊 We hope to see you again on another adventure soon! Kind regards, Cherry Tours
via Tripadvisor
Fun and Interesting Tour!
This was a wonderful and very informative day! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and explained everything about the region throughout the drive and the tour. I would highly recommend it!
Response from the operator: Hello Mike, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you had such an informative and enjoyable day exploring the region. It’s great to know our guide’s knowledge and explanations throughout the drive and tour helped bring the destinations to life for you. We always aim to share not just the sights, but also the stories and history behind them. Thank you for your recommendation — we truly appreciate it and hope to welcome you again for another memorable experience in the Netherlands, Belgium or Germany! 🌷
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 93
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Small Group Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans w/ Pickup & Small Boat: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Amsterdam.
How much does Small Group Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans w/ Pickup & Small Boat cost?
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Prices start at $138 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Amsterdam usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Small Group Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans w/ Pickup & Small Boat take?
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Plan for about 9 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Amsterdam is not rushed.
Is Small Group Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans w/ Pickup & Small Boat worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 267 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Amsterdam, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Small Group Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans w/ Pickup & Small Boat?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Small Group Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans w/ Pickup & Small Boat suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Small Group Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans w/ Pickup & Small Boat?
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Around 93 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Amsterdam can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Amsterdam and add a light layer if any part of the 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Small Group Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans w/ Pickup & Small Boat start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Amsterdam within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Amsterdam?
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On Outty we rank every Amsterdam experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Amsterdam Canal Cruise with Local Guide and Small Group, Guided Bike Tour of Amsterdam's Highlights & Hidden Gems, Amsterdam: Luxury Canal Cruise including Cocktails & Snacks. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Amsterdam?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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