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City and municipality in the Netherlands
Photo: Bert Kaufmann, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Groningen is a lively student city in the Northern Netherlands. It is the capital of a province with the same name and home to about 217,000 inhabitants (2023), making it the largest city in the north. A university town with some 50,000 students gives the city its famous vibe; a pleasant youthful atmosphere, some fine historic heritage and with plenty of things to do.
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Originally known as Infoversum, this remarkable structure was built as the only full-dome 3D theatre in the Netherlands, before it was turned in a modern restaurant and cultural center. Located near the city beach. In winter, the building is decorated with thousands of lights, turning it into the largest Christmas decoration in the world.
The Wall House II is a building in the south of the city located on the banks of Hoornsemeer lake. The building is one of the few realised designs to which the renowned American architect John Hejduk owes his fame. The building is a structure of reinforced concrete for the wall and columns, with a steel-framed corridor, wood stud walls, and a stucco exterior. Organised around a central axis of horizontal and vertical planes.
You may know these Scandinavian looking colourful terraced houses from Pinterest or Instagram. Built at the waterside they create a wonderful composition. Take Q-Link 11 to bus stop P+R Reitdiep.
Large cultural complex, opened in 2019. Contains the main public library of the city, two restaurants, cinema (5 screens, mostly arthouse films), exhibition spaces, the Storyworld museum (see Museums below), rooftop bar and more. The rooftop is freely accessible, with great views of the surrounding landscape. Hosts various events throughout the year, some aimed at children. Can be very crowded in weekends.
Opposite train/bus station. Spectacular architecture. Hosts state-of-the-art contemporary art in the world. Named one of the five most progressive modern/contemporary art collections in the world, this museum's changing exhibitions regularly attract visitors from all over the country.
Northern Maritime Museum
The northern museum of water transport. Shows the history and role of transport over water until the 1970s. The museum is situated in the oldest residential building remaining in the city. Not accessible with a wheelchair or rollator.
University Museum
A strange and wonderful little museum located just off Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat. Temporary exhibitions, often of a technological bent, are held on the first floor; upstairs (past an elaborate stained-glass window in the stairwell) is an eclectic collection in the Victorian style, with everything from anatomical specimens and taxidermied animals to early scientific instruments.
Museum of visual storytelling (comics, video games, animated film), located in the Forum complex. Houses the collection of the former Nederlands Stripmuseum.
The Museum Canadian Allied Forces depicts the history of the liberation of the north of the Netherlands in 1945 by the Canadians, with a particular emphasis on the liberation of the city of Groningen.
GR-ID, museum for realising GRaphic IDeas
GR-ID is a museum about graphical industry, art and design. The museum collection is mainly drawn from the province of Groningen and has been put together over a course of several decades.
Hortus Botanicus
Everyone with an interest in gardens, flowers and plants, should visit the Hortus Haren. It is without a doubt one of the most impressive botanical gardens in the Netherlands. Hortus Haren was established in the 17th century and is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the country. There are over with 15 colourful gardens.
This beautiful medieval church with its remarkable yellow-painted tower stands tall above the neighbouring Korenbeurs. Established between 1425 and 1492, the church's tower was repeatedly destroyed and replaced, with the current one originating in 1711. The building is no longer used for religious services but is open for visitors and regularly houses expositions.
University of Groningen
The Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, the University of Groningen, is the second-oldest university in the Netherlands and one of three State Universities of the Netherlands. It was established in 1614. While the university has its share of modern buildings in town and out, the Academiegebouw is an old and attractive building with a tower and worth strolling past. Although it is not intended, the building is accessible for the public. The interior of the building is magnificent, especially the stained glass, the entrance hall and the murals in the Aula and Senaatskamer (Senate room).
Goudkantoor
This beautifully decorated building on the edge of the Grote Markt is hard to miss. It was built in 1635 as the office for the city receiver. The words Date Caesari quae sunt Caesaris, Latin for "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's", still remind of this early function of the building. Later, between 1814 and 1887, it served as a gold office in the sense that this was the place where gold and silver works were authenticated and marked as real. Today, it's a café.
Martini cemetery
The Martinikerkhof used to be a cemetery, but since 1828 it is no longer in use. The cemetery has been transformed into a beautiful square, an oasis of peace. Prominent on the Martinikerkhof is the Martini Church. On the east side of the square stands the 'Provinciehuis', the seat of the provincial government. The front of this beautiful building was built in the end of the 20th century, while the rear of the building dates back to the Middle Ages. At that time the building was used as a Latin School. The north side of the square is marked by nice old houses and the Prinsenhof. At the square stands the Saint George and the Dragon Memorial (Sint Joris en de Draak Monument), the official provincial Second World War memorial. The memorial has been made in remembrance of the whole loss and suffering in the city of Groningen.
Martinitoren
One of the most important hotspots in Groningen refers to Saint Martin of Tours, the patron saint of the Bishopric of Utrecht. Locals call the tower d' Olle Grieze which means 'the old grey one' and is related to its colour. Tickets are available in the VVV (tourist information) shop just over the road. There is a wide view over the city from the top of the tower. It was built as a cruciform church in the 13th century, and was extended in the 15th and 16th centuries. Much of the wall and roof paintwork has been preserved. Of particular note is a 16th-century depiction of the life of Jesus Christ.
This is an old Roman Catholic hospital outside the city centre, now housing an art house cinema and commune. It's located just south of the city centre, in Helpman. The hospital itself was abandoned in 1978, after which it was squatted. Until 1986, the Oude RKZ was the largest squat in the Netherlands and possibly in the whole of Europe. In 1986 the government allowed the squat to be legalized. Nowadays it is a vibrant place where 250 people from all ages find a place to live and to share what is important. The former squat has cheap folk kitchens on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. There are also 2 bars, a cinema, yoga and capoeira sessions and many other things. Being a motor for the Dutch alternative and artist scene, the Oude RKZ is a well known place to many people from all over Europe. If you want to eat at the folk kitchen it's best to call on the same day to reserve a meal. Meals are served at 18:30.
Just a short walk from the Grote Markt, the lovely Renaissanse gardens of the Prinsenhof can be a remarkably peaceful place to relax for a little while. It has a rose garden a herb garden and The Prinsenhof building originates in the 15th century and was originally a wealthy mansion for the city's bishop or "stadtholder", and later was used as a military hospital. Now, a restaurant has been opened within the building. The renaissance style gardens are open for public. This garden consists of a rose garden, a herb garden and a part with berceaus. The entrance of the garden is remarkable because of a beautiful sundial on the wall above it. When the weather is nice, volunteers run a small tea house there.
St Joseph's Cathedral is the cathedral church of the diocese of Groningen-Leeuwarden. The Neo-Gothic church was built from 1885 to 1887 and consecrated on May 25, 1887. Local nickname for the tower is "drunk's tower", because there is from every direction always two clocks to be seen.
The synagogue was built after the oriental design of the New Synagogue in Berlin and has a beautiful moorish style interior. Shortly after World War II the Jewish community was forced to sell the synagogue since only 7% of the Jewish community of Groningen survived the war. In 1981 the building was renovated and rehabilitated.
The Jewish Memorial commemorates the more than 3000 Jewish inhabitants of Groningen who were deported and murdered during the Second World War. It is made by Eduard Waskowsky out of six hands each having their own expression. The 7th hand is missing, because Waskowsky died during the making of the memorial.
Remains of the old citywalls, transformed into a public park. The earth ramparts were incorporated in the park architecture and the moats were turned into ponds. The architecture is of an English garden style, characterized by meandering paths and serpentine ponds, inspired by wild nature. On a sunny day, this is the place to relax after a hard day's work for a lot of students.
The Stadspark is an approximately 140-hectare park on the southwest side of the city in the Stadsparkwijk. The park was created at the beginning of the twentieth century, designed by landscape architect Leonard Springer.
Take a one-hour tour through the old channels of Groningen aboard the "Wonderlaand" or "Goldenraand". The boat will take you around the historical centre. 2-5 trips a day, depending on the season.
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From 1 April to 1 Oct you can hire a canoe and paddle around the centre. It's a round trip that gives you a totally different view of Groningen since you are lower than the streets and you can pass very close along the many house boats in the city. Some bridges have a secret 'roof' that can only be seen when you pass under the bridge. A tour around the centre takes about 1 – 2 hours, depending on how fit you are, how many stops you take for photo shootings, and water battles.
Pitch and putt is an amateur sport similar to golf but where the hole length is typically less than 70 m (80 yard). The Pitch and Putt course in Groningen has 18 holes and is perfect for everyone, even young children. You do not need a golf license. After your little golf experience, you should take a look at the nearby Kardingerbult: a human made hill with a nice view over the city.
Groningen's best kept secret: indoor and outdoor climbing gym featuring "Excalibur". The tallest and probably the most exciting climbing wall in Europe, with an impressive height of 37 meters and 11 meters of overhang. About €10 for a day pass, €11-15 for an introductory climbing course.
Go for a game of pétanque (or "Jue de boeles" as the Dutch call it) together with a drink and a bite. Surprisingly fun to do.
The Stadsschouwburg is the main theater of Groningen. The Neo-Renaissance building dates from 1883. The theatre offers a wide range of dance, opera and cabaret.
Martiniplaza is a modern multifunctional building. It is used as an exhibition complex, theater and sports arena.
Where Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Sonic Youth, the White Stripes and many others performed. Internationally Vera is probably the best-known stage for alternative music in Groningen, and it is one of the most appreciated music venues in the Netherlands. Check the concert posters which are designed by local artists - free to take at the concert itself.
Simplon is an internationally renowned venue with an impressive history, especially in punk music. Every week on Thursday the club is dedicated to local (young) talent.
Nice cinema in the city center. All popular movies are shown here. 9 screens, capacity: 1700 guests.
Huge cinema (10 screens) in the Euroborg Stadium. Outside the city center, but easily reachable with Q-Link line 5 towards Europapark.
Repertory cinema. Lots of English and French classic movies.
Art house cinema based in the old Roman Catholic hospital. The cinema is being run by people who live in the old hospital's commune.
Van der Ley is one of the best cheese stores in the world. Look for local organic varieties, such as green pesto cheese or farmers crumblecheese (boerenbrokkelkaas).
Three different main courses each day (one meat, one fish, one veg.). Many customers eat here several times per week.
For big and great lunch-salads and nice hamburgers.
In case of emergency! If you've left it too late before heading out for food and the restaurants have closed their kitchens, you can get all your deep-fried nutritional needs met at the FEBO automat.
Indie-styled restaurant and bar. Food-sharing is the credo here and lovely place for alternative drinks.
Unashamedly touristy, the Pannekoekschip ("pancake ship") is an old sailing ship that's been turned into a pancake restaurant, serving huge and delicious Dutch pancakes.
Vibrant restaurant and bar, nice interior and tasteful pizzas. The square in front is shared with De Pintelier bar and crowded on warm nights.
Restaurant serving all kinds of dishes made from local products. The chef likes to give the recipes local character. There are also vegetarian and vegan items.
Vegetarian and vegan hotspot.
A nice little restaurant. Great food, for a nice price. The house specialty is Moroccan style marinated tenderloin. Main courses come with fries, a salad and depending on your dish, warm veggies.
This place calls itself an "organic, vegan, salad bar". And while sustainability is clearly the focal point of this popular lunch place, you'll find more than just salads here. Think burgers, wraps, soups and sweet pastries - and a daily changing menu, based on seasonal produce. Dinner is only available on Thursdays.
Fusion-style restaurant with very good dishes for a reasonable price. May get crowded in the summer and during midterms and endterms since the University's library is around the corner. Also a nice place to have a drink later at night.
Main courses including bowl of salad, baked potatoes, vegetables. Really good!
This small restaurant serves one meat or fish dish and one vegetarian dish and both dishes change every day. It is located next to the Noorderplantsoen, which makes it a good spot in the summer.
Tel-Aviv inspired food. The restyle of the building is extraordinary.
Teppanyaki restaurant - though if you want showmanship with your dinner, Fujiyama is the place to go.
This tatty-looking small Indian restaurant has an all-Indian staff, but you can only pay with cash and there is no English menu. The food is stunningly good, well worth a visit.
This fairly new Italian place claims to bake the best pizzas in town, and many of their customers agree. The selection is small, but the ingredients are fresh and the Italian pizzas are baked in a traditional wood oven.
Libanese food and mezze. Also vegetarian.
Tuscan cuisine. Great food and atmosphere. Weekly specials offer an excellent and reasonably priced 3- or 4-course menu. Make a reservation if you plan to eat after 18:00 as it can get busy.
Seventh Heaven
Excellent food and wine but quite pricey; a good place to treat yourself.
Restaurant in a picturesque part of the city with a neighborhood vibe. The chef cooks with mainly local and sustainable products.
Close to the Martini tower and Grote Markt, this cafe-restaurant is sited in a historic building, and serves excellent locally sourced food.
Great fish and vegetarian dishes. Famous for the cheese fondue.
This restaurant on the edge of the city centre offers a fine French dining experience. They operate on a table d’hôte-principle, which means that there's no menu to choose from - the chef decides what the fixed 5-course menu for the day is. The dishes rely heavily on seasonal and local ingredients. If you have any dietary restrictions or if you're a vegetarian, make sure to book ahead and inform the restaurant so they can take your wishes into account. There's a pleasant outdoor terrace too.
Cosy restaurant which serves luxurious food based on the French cuisine.
Traditional Belgian pub serving more than 80 kinds of beer and whiskey.
Another "speciaalbier" pub. Lots of bottled beers, and a few on tap. Most are Belgian or Dutch, but there are also a few American and British beers on the menu - a real rarity around here.
A 'Brown Café' on the Grote Markt in a very small building. Serving many kinds of beer.
A compact international student hangout on Peperstraat. Sells Jäger and other shots for €1 and 13-beer 'zwaards' ('a sword') for €10.
On the southwestern corner of Vismarkt. Has made a come-back and is very trendy now. Live piano music in the evening. The first Dutch socialist party was founded here.
Three Sisters
Possibly the largest bar in the Netherlands, as well as in Europe. Many bars connected in a mazelike fashion; has several façades on the Grote Markt that look like separate bars, but don't let that deceive you.
Family style. Nice terrace in summertime.
A small Irish pub with good atmosphere; the place people go to play a bit of Irish folk in the evening.
Aussie pub in Groningen and the meeting place for expats. Mostly international staff.
Irish pub. Great place to watch football. Every Wednesday live jam sessions.
Elegant urban cafe and restaurant, also a great place for dinner.
Next to dining a bar which brings the Groningen drinking scene into the 21st century. Mr. Mofongo introduced the gin wall and gin robot storing its own distilled spirits. On the roof is a greenhouse bar for street food and there is a wine bar. Absolute hotspot.
Lovely neighborhood cafe and bar. Nice vibe and local feeling. Many locals come here for a drink.
One of the many bars at Gedempte Zuiderdiep. Quite popular bar, also with students.
Groningen's only Italian-styled enoteca (wine bar).
Wine bar and gastronomy in a cellar.
A cocktail and wine bar run by a friendly family. Among the best drinks in the city. Their Purple Rain is the most photogenic cocktail in the Northern Netherlands and only costs €8.
One of the biggest clubs in Groningen. On Thursday's it's packed with students (10 beers for €10). Plays great dance music in weekends and serves fine cocktails.
Where Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Sonic Youth, the White Stripes and many others performed. Internationally Vera is probably the best-known stage for alternative music in Groningen, and it is one of the most appreciated music venues in the Netherlands. Check the concert posters which are designed by local artists - free to take at the concert itself.
An internationally renowned venue with an impressive history, especially in punk music. Every week on Thursday the club is dedicated to local (young) talent.
Beach club right in the middle of Groningen - very popular among students.
Quite alternative venue with its roots in the 1970s/1980s underground scene. Good vibe though. Best to go after 02:00.
Venue which originates from the 1960s/70s art scene. Now a popular art pop club. Many internationals meet here.
One of many student bars and clubs in this area.
Premier gay bar and gay club Galaxy. Most LGBT+ people come to this place.
People come here to see Drag Shows, Drag events, Bingo, have a drink with friends, along other things like BDSM Meets, open stage and live music.
'Normal' bar in which many LGBT+ people meet. Home bar for the gay student fraternity Ganymedes.
King of the rave clubs in Groningen. Paradigm invites many famous international artists to play in the venue. It's known for their loodsraves, Sunday afternoon collectives, Vrijdag Middag Collectief, and Paradigm invites.
Intimate techno/house/funk club down town Groningen. Every Friday and Saturday doors will open for a new night of quality music.
A popular club with electro music lovers.
Techno house collective which dwells across the city and settles for rave nights on special locations. Concepts are Like I Care (LIC) in pyjamas or in the pool, Warehouse, Festival, Tanzen auf den Boot, etc.
A cozy café with a nice selection of weed in a small alley right next to the bar street Peperstraat. Inside there's a pool table, computers for surfing and big TV screens. Upstairs there's a bar called de Zolder ("the Attic") where you can smoke. There are reggae concerts on Tuesday nights.
Nice little alternative shop, with mostly organic stuff. They serve a large variety of fresh tea.
Great stuff on Zuiderdiep, opposite the Pathé cinema. Inside there's a smoking room but no real hangout space.
A good pick up coffee shop. Can't smoke inside or stay there, but it's quite cheap. Joints for €3, also many kinds of hash (like Maroc and Afghan) for about €5-6 & weed/wiet: powerplant, sneeuwwitje (snow white), Afgaan (Afghan) €6, 10 or 20.
Open from March to October, this camping ground is in the Stadspark, a large, wooded park just outside the ring road. If you're carrying a tent, this can be a nice budget alternative. Reception closes for lunch. Bring your own toilet paper. Free Wi-Fi around reception area only. On-site restaurant/cafe.
Simplon Jongerenhotel
This youth hostel has been around for a long time and remains a popular budget pick. Bunk-beds starting at €18.50. Rooms for up to 6 people are available, too.
The only container hostel in the country. Environmentally responsible, offering breakfast and bike rentals.
Scandinavian Village Cabins
The 'Scandinavian Village' by the Paterswoldsemeer lake offers nice cabins in Scandinavian style. The cabins will provide you with a terrace, kitchen with a refrigerator, kitchenware and bathroom.
In the La Liberté high-rise building, nice views.
Its decoration is inspired by Dutch painter Piet Mondrian and beds are made when you arrive.
This large hotel has simple but modern rooms and a nice rooftop terrace. It can be a little bit noisy at times, but overall this place gives good value for money. Rooms come in different types, with the more expensive ones being quite a bit more spacious. The staff is helpful and there are facilities like a sauna and Turkish steam bath. The hotel rents out bikes for €5.
Housed in a monumental 1634 building. Although equipped with all the modern day facilities you'd expect, it manages to retain its historic atmosphere. The only downside is that there's no space for an elevator, but the staff is very helpful, the breakfast very good and the lounge quite inviting. It has bikes for rent. Car parking in the direct surroundings can be expensive.
This hotel has been receiving visitors for some 200 years and the decorations clearly intend to maintain the characteristic feel, but all modern facilities are in place. The only downsides are the steep stairs to the entrance and - as with many places in the city centre - you'll have to park your car in one of the public garages.
Guests have been accommodated in this building since 1871. It's a bit dated and the rooms are small and simple, there's a nice bar downstairs and the prices are quite reasonable too. It has triple rooms, if you're a party of three. Private parking is available but costs €12.50 and should be reserved in advance, as it is sometimes full.
This four-star hotel in the city centre is decorated with a historic touch. Some of the rooms are a bit outdated but the staff is friendly and will park your bike in the nearby public garage, although the parking fees are fairly high.
Three houses have been transformed into a hotel. In each house there are three rooms. Every room has a different theme. It's staffed by people who otherwise have few chances on the labour market and often have been on income support for a long time. At the hotel they can (re)experience what it's like to have a job and acquire the job skills. However, this place is more than a social business initiative. It's also a pleasant hotel at 5-minute walk from the old centre. Several rooms have shared bathrooms.
Prinsenhof Groningen offers a grand café, a hotel and an à-la-carte restaurant.
Shopping Centre Paddepoel has more than 80 shops and lies a few kilometers northwest of the city center. The mall offers a broad range of retail stores, mostly chains. Not open on Sundays, except for the last Sunday of every month.
Southwest of downtown lies Sontplein. This square is home to some big stores like electronics store Media Markt, sports chain Intersport, and the 3rd largest Ikea in Europe with 42,000 m².
By train
By Dutch standards, it's a fairly long way from the major destinations in the western Netherlands. Getting here, however, is not hard.
By bus
The main bus station is right next to the central train station.
By car
A myriad of roads lead to Groningen, making the city well reachable by car. The major highways are the A7 (west-east) and the A28 coming from the south.
By bike
Cycling is the best way to travel around. Getting from any place in Groningen to the centre will take at most 20 minutes. This makes the bike a fast, cheap and easy way to travel in Groningen.
By bus
If you don't have a bike, the bus is the best option for distances you don't want to walk. All buses run through (or end on) Central station.
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