This Village Without Roads Is Straight Out of a Fairy Tale

Put this one on your list of places to go.

Giethoorn, Netherlands, looks like it was lifted from your favorite storybook, and as far as we can tell, it probably was.

This picturesque village has no roads, and instead uses a series of canals for residents to get around. It’s located in the Dutch province of Overijssel and is about an hour and a half from Amsterdam.

The canals aren’t the only reason why this village is so beautiful. Homes have thatched roofs and perfectly cut lawns, colorful flowers bloom at every turn, and a lack of cars means only the sounds of nature will penetrate your ears.

The village has many wood bridges to aid travelers and motorized, yet quiet, boats available to use. Giethoorn is commonly referred to as the Venice of the North.

Its’ website says, “Indeed, the little village is so dependent on its waterways, many of the houses cannot be reached by road.” Even the postman travels by boat.

You might think such a beautiful and unique place must see millions of tourists, but in fact, tourism doesn’t have much influence on the town.

The easiest way to get to the village, according to the website, is to fly into Amsterdam and either take a train or drive straight there.

Once you’re there, you can rent a boat and pull up to one of the canal-side restaurants, or, if you prefer a more unique method of transportation, you can travel the canals via a giant, inflatable ball. The ball is transparent and allows you to roll or “walk” on water.

Even though this town may be relatively unknown, they still suggest you get up early to rent a boat during the high season.

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