landmark
Giethoorn
Car-free village known as the 'Dutch Venice' where thatched-roof farmhouses are connected by canals and wooden bridges.
8 km · about 15 min drive
EuropeNetherlandsOverijssel
Blokzijl
Overijssel, Netherlands · Europe
About Blokzijl
Blokzijl is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Vollenhove, 38km from Houtribdijk.
Blokzijl is in Overijssel, Netherlands, with about 1,100 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Vollenhove, about 5 km away.
Blokzijl is a small city located southwest of Steenwijk in the province of Overijssel, the Netherlands. The city is a major tourist destination near the De Weerribben-Wieden National Park and attracts many water sports enthusiasts.
Blokzijl was founded in the 1580s as a trading post for peat. After the Siege ofRead more
Steenwijk (1580–81) in the Eighty Years' War, the Dutch built a fortified lock or in local dialect zijl or siel. The monumental houses around the picturesque harbour were built during 17th century. Blokzijl received city rights in 1672, but was stripped of them a few years later. Until 1973, it was a separate municipality, when it became a component of the new municipality Brederwiede; it is now part of Steenwijkerland.
One the interesting sights of the city is an old cannon, located on the harbour quay. This cannon was not used for defense purposes, but as a warning device during storm and high tide. Flooding was a real danger before the Noordoostpolder and the Afsluitdijk were constructed in the 1930-40's. One residential building shows the height the water reached during a flood in 1825. In 1926, a fire destroyed part of the centre and damaged the church.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Blokzijl?
Within an hour or so of Blokzijl: Giethoorn (8 km), Schokland (16 km), De Librije (25 km), Walibi Holland (34 km).
Are there any good drives near Blokzijl?
The nearest famous roads are Houtribdijk and Afsluitdijk.
Where is Blokzijl?
Blokzijl is in Overijssel, Netherlands, about 5 km from Vollenhove.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 1,110
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Netherlands
- Region
- Overijssel
- Timezone
- Europe/Amsterdam
- Coordinates
- 52.7267, 5.9611
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Netherlands
Watch for cyclists. They generally have priority.
Full driving guide for NetherlandsTags
Worth the detour from Blokzijl
7 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Schokland
Former Zuiderzee island now stranded in the Noordoostpolder, the Netherlands' first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
16 km · about 20 min drive
restaurant
De Librije
The Netherlands' only three-Michelin-star restaurant, set in a former prison complex in Zwolle, where the late Jonnie Boer's team under chef Nelson Tanate has held the top rating since 2004.
25 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Walibi Holland
Dutch thrill park near Amsterdam known for intense roller coasters and a fun Halloween Fright Nights event.
34 km · about 40 min drive
famous road
Houtribdijk
A 26 km dike road (N302) running straight across the water between Enkhuizen and Lelystad, splitting the IJsselmeer from the Markermeer with sea views on both sides.
38 km · about 45 min drive
racetrack
TT Circuit Assen
The Cathedral of Speed -- the only circuit to have hosted a MotoGP round every year since the championship began in 1949.
46 km · about 55 min drive
famous road
Afsluitdijk
A 32km causeway sealing off the Zuiderzee, this dead-straight engineering marvel is one of Europe's great driving roads.
57 km · about 65 min drive
Driving roads near Blokzijl
- 38 kmHoutribdijkA 26 km dike road (N302) running straight across the water between Enkhuizen and Lelystad, splitting the IJsselmeer from the Markermeer with sea views on both sides.
- 57 kmAfsluitdijkA 32km causeway sealing off the Zuiderzee, this dead-straight engineering marvel is one of Europe's great driving roads.
Driving in Netherlands
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€2.04/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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