Blokzijl
A 17th-century harbour town on the Zuiderzee, with a circular harbour basin, a lock and Golden Age merchant houses preserved intact, the finest old town near Giethoorn.
Blokzijl was once a thriving trading port on the Zuiderzee, with frequent contact with Amsterdam in the 17th century. After land reclamation it became an inland town, but it retains its complete harbour basin (Havenkolk), a 1600s sluice, merchant houses along the quays and a Protestant church with a bell tower, and it is designated a protected village. In summer the harbour fills with sailing boats and yachts, the quay has open-air cafés, and there is a Michelin-starred restaurant. A walk around takes about an hour, and you can watch boats pass through the lock. It is about 15 minutes' drive or 40 minutes by bike from Giethoorn, and you can combine it with Vollenhove for a half-day trip.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Vollenhove
- Kalenberg
- Weerribben-Wieden National Park
- De Wieden Visitor Centre & Laarzenpad
- Dwarsgracht
- Ossenzijl & De Weerribben Visitor Centre
- Giethoorn
- Giethoorn Village Canals (Dorpsgracht)