15 Secret European Villages You Won't Find on Standard Tourist Maps

2. Giethoorn (Overijssel, Netherlands): The Venice of the North, Without Roads

Forget gondolas and canals; Giethoorn is a Dutch fairytale where houses are built on small islands connected by over 170 wooden bridges, and the primary mode of transport is by boat. There are no roads or cars in the historic core, forcing visitors to navigate by whisper boat (electric) or traditional punt. This deliberate car-free existence has preserved its tranquil, storybook charm. Its ingenious design, adapted from peat extraction, has created a unique watery village, offering a serene escape into a truly car-less, canal-laced landscape that feels entirely untouched by the modern world.