![The Most Beautiful Village In The World— See Photos](https://cdn.howwe.ug/__newz__/_800_500_/howwe_593a4a6c9ed2dda9a08958526c1e337d_1463133322.jpg)
Forget the waterways of Venice, there is a peaceful village in the Netherlands that is based entirely on water - and life there looks like its straight out of a fairytale.
The idyllic Giethoorn has no roads or cars, and the only access to the area's quaint houses and public buildings are by cruising its beautiful canals or walking across over 176 wooden arch bridges. Even the postman reportedly does his rounds via boat.
Around 2,600 citizens dwell in the area, with island homes backing straight onto the water highways - perfect for ice skating in winter when the water freezes over.
The magical village's four miles of canals and thatched-roof farmhouses date back to the 18th century, and unsurprisingly lure many tourists who are keen to witness the settlement for themselves.
Visitors are forced to leave cars outside the village, and then travel by whisper boats, which have noiseless engines, by foot or on bike, leading to the area getting the nickname of Venice of the Netherlands.
Located in the province of Overijssel, the rustic settlement was founded by a group of fugitives from the Mediterranean region around AD1230. The metre-deep canals were later constructed by monks who needed a network to transport peat.
Photos:
![The idyllic Giethoorn has no roads or cars, and the only access to the area's quaint houses and public buildings are by boat on its beautiful canals or by walking over 176 wooden arch bridges](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/11/16/340264EB00000578-3584981-The_idyllic_Giethoorn_has_no_roads_or_cars_and_the_only_access_t-a-16_1462981526073.jpg)
![Life on the water: Around 2,600 citizens dwell in the area, with island homes backing straight onto the water highways](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/11/16/3402652300000578-3584981-Around_2_600_citizens_dwell_in_the_area_with_island_homes_backin-a-19_1462981526121.jpg)
![Historic area: The magical village's four miles of canals and thatched-roof farmhouses date back to the 18th century](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/11/16/340264D600000578-3584981-Historic_area_The_magical_village_s_four_miles_of_canals_and_tha-a-21_1462981526123.jpg)
![Water existence: Visitors are forced to leave cars outside the village, and then travel by boats on foot or on bike](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/11/16/340264F000000578-3584981-Water_existence_Visitors_are_forced_to_leave_cars_outside_the_vi-a-31_1462981526201.jpg)
![Thanks to nearly all travel taking place on the water, the village of Giethoorn has gained the nickname of Venice of the Netherlands](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/11/16/340264C800000578-3584981-Thanks_to_nearly_all_travel_taking_place_on_the_water_the_villag-a-25_1462981526140.jpg)
![Homes in the picturesque settlement can be seen with small boats and canoes moored up at the bottom of gardens](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/11/16/3402653800000578-3584981-Homes_in_the_picturesque_settlement_can_be_seen_with_small_boats-a-23_1462981526126.jpg)
![Homes in the picturesque settlement can be seen with small boats and canoes moored up at the bottom of gardens](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/11/16/3402656800000578-3584981-Homes_in_the_picturesque_settlement_can_be_seen_with_small_boats-a-17_1462981526075.jpg)
![Located in the province of Overijssel, the rustic settlement was founded by a group of fugitives from the Mediterranean region around AD1230. The metre-deep canals were later constructed by monks who needed a network to transport peat](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/11/16/3402655000000578-3584981-Located_in_the_province_of_Overijssel_the_rustic_settlement_was_-a-24_1462981526127.jpg)
![The colourful houses look like something out of a story, with vibrant plants and bushes decorating the exterior of the homes](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/11/16/3402651A00000578-3584981-The_colourful_houses_look_like_something_out_of_a_story_with_col-a-18_1462981526076.jpg)
![Other people use canoes to get around the village](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/11/16/340264FA00000578-3584981-Other_people_use_canoes_to_get_around_the_village-a-26_1462981526141.jpg)
![In order to maintain tranquillity in the village, most people travel by whisper boat, which have noiseless engines](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/11/16/3402656C00000578-3584981-In_order_to_maintain_tranquillity_in_the_village_most_people_tra-a-22_1462981526124.jpg)
![Popular destination: Unsurprisingly the stunning village lures many tourists who are keen to witness the settlement for themselves](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/11/16/3402650100000578-3584981-Popular_destination_Unsurprisingly_the_stunning_village_lures_ma-a-28_1462981526154.jpg)
![The village boasts a number of restaurants, where guests can paddle up for a bite to eat before heading back down the canal](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/11/16/3402653000000578-3584981-The_village_boasts_a_number_of_restaurants_where_guests_can_padd-a-20_1462981526122.jpg)
![Despite the busy action on the canals, the aquatic area is said to be very quiet and peaceful, thanks to the lack of cars](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/11/16/340264E100000578-3584981-Despite_the_busy_action_on_the_canals_the_aquatic_area_is_said_t-a-27_1462981526152.jpg)
![Everyone from residents to the postman has to do their commute on the water, docking their boats as they go](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/11/16/3402652C00000578-3584981-Everyone_from_residents_to_the_postman_has_to_do_their_commute_o-a-30_1462981526177.jpg)
MailONLINE
![Howwe App](/src/images/app/icon.jpg)