Groningen was sometimes overlooked when it comes to tourists, as many opt for cities like Amsterdam, but more and more people realise how much the city actually has to offer and how pretty it is around here.
While places like Amsterdam are overcome with the amount of tourists, and the many tourist traps that come with it, Groningen still has an authentic Dutch feel. Here are some of the nicest places to visit, curated by The Northern Times;
The Groninger Museum
One of the first things you see, as you emerge from the train station in Groningen (which itself is also worth a quick glance), is the Groninger Museum. It is an unusual building with bright colours and odd shapes. If it looks as if it was designed by different people, well, that’s because it is! The silver cylinder building was designed by Philippe Starck, the yellow tower by Alessandro Mendini, and the pale blue part by Coop Himmelb(l)au.
The museum exhibits mostly modern and contemporary art from both local and national artists, but also international ones.
Besides having a permanent art collection open to the public, they also regularly have exhibitions, some of which are very famous. They have had the official exhibitions of Gianni Versace, Iris van Herpen, David Bowie, and recently The Rolling Stones.
Tickets for exhibitions may vary, but entry is usually €16.50 for adults and €10 for students. Tickets are available in the museum as well as on their website. However, if you’re on a budget, it’s good to know that the museum’s permanent collection is free to visit. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 until 17:00. On Monday’s the museum is usually closed, except during school holidays.
Climb the Martinitoren (Martini Tower)
The Martini Tower is the church steeple and belltower of the Martini Church and looks out over the Grote Markt, the town’s main square. After all these years it’s still one of the tallest buildings in Groningen and has a rich history, with bullet holes from WWII still showing.
The gothic tower was opened in 1482 and is 97 metres high, therefore climbing it is not for the faint-hearted. The tower contains almost 300 concrete steps and there is no elevator, which means it takes most people about an hour to finish this workout. But the golden bells and view from 39 metres off the ground will be absolutely worth it.
After this, you can go up even further, bringing you to the clock platform. Here you can stand among the clock faces and can have a second look out over the city.
Entry to climb the tower is €6. Tickets are available through the Visit Groningen website, and it’s open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 until 17:00 and Sunday from 12:00 until 17:00.
Visit The Forum
If climbing a tower hundreds of years old isn’t for you, you can escalate yourself up to The Forum’s rooftop where you can enjoy an equally impressive view of the city for free.
The Forum is one of the newer buildings in Groningen and was opened in 2019.
It has something for everyone. There’s a library, cinema, cocktail bar, study spots, cafés, and a restaurant. It also hosts a walk-in Smart Lab where you can 3D print your own designs.
The Forum regularly organises events, festivals, lectures, special film screenings, exhibitions, and more.
The Dutch Literature Festival of the North and the International Film Festival Rotterdam for example have been hosted at The Forum. The Forum is open for from Monday to Thursday from 09:00 until 22:00, Friday and Saturday from 09:00 until 23:00, and Sunday from 10:00 until 21:00. Entry is free as is access to the study spots and general seating areas. The rooftop closes every day at 18:00.
Visit the Prinsentuin (Prince’s Garden)
For days when the weather is a bit nicer, the Prinsentuin is perfect for a stroll. Located behind the Prinsenhof hotel there are two entrances: one on the canal side at the back and one on the side.
Translated to English, Prinsentuin means prince’s garden. The name comes from the princes of Nassau, who were the stadtholders (provincial executive officers), and the garden was made for them in 1626, which makes it a Renaissance garden. The garden is walled and contains a rose garden, herb garden, and berceaus (paths overgrown with trees).
At the back entrance next to the sundial, which is accordingly called the sundial entrance, it reads in Latin “Tempus Praetorium Nihil Futurum Incertum. Praesens Istabule Cave Ne Perdas Hoc Tuum” which can be translated to “the past time is nothing, the future uncertain, the now unstable, make sure you don’t waste yours.”
The garden is free to visit, and the gates are open between Monday to Saturday from 10:00 and 18:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 16:30.
Walk through the Noorderplantsoen
The Noorderplantsoen is one of the best-known parks in Groningen. In summer it’s packed with people sitting on the grass, walking around, or playing sports. It has many ponds and a stunning fountain.
But besides the fun in the park, it also has an interesting history. There were many wars fought here, and the hills in the park were formed by land ice. The banks of the ponds still show remnants of the city walls in some places, these were built in the 17th century together with canals, but then changed in the 19th century for a park in a more English landscape style, where the canals were turned into ponds.
Nowadays, there is a restaurant in the middle of the park that does breakfast, lunch and drinks. Alternatively, you can play checkers, basketball, or just sit on the grass.
Photograph the colourful houses at the Reitdiephaven
The colourful houses at the Reitdiephaven are one of the most photographed places in Groningen and are famous worldwide for their architectural beauty and cheerful colours.
These often photographed houses are located on the Reitdiephaven, which is a harbour located on the edge of the city. They are inspired by both Scandinavian houses and ones from the Dutch Caribbean. The row of houses is located on 4 seperate piers and are all fully waterproof.
Next to the houses, there’s a small shopping centre and a marina where you can hire a boat to go on the canals, into the inner city. The houses can be seen every day and the harbour is accessible to everyone.
The University Museum
The University Museum is a science museum with a large collection including nature, culture, and science sections. It has been a museum since 1934. The collection is kept by the University of Groningen and contains collections of 3 former museums in the city.
The museum was founded in 1932 by the rector magnificus of the University, Anton Gerard Roos. The collection was only based on gifts from professors and alumni. When it started, the museum was located in Corps de Garde, now a hotel. During the Second World War closure, they restarted the museum in the attic of the Academy Building. In 1987, the museum was located in the former University library, and in 2004 it got a new building to attract more people, the place where it is today in the Oude Kijk in ‘t Jatstraat.
Tickets for the museum are €7.50 for adults and €4.50 for students unless you study at the University, then it’s free. Tickets and information can be found on the University Museum’s website. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 until 17:00 and Sunday from 12:00 until 17:00.
Disc golf at Stadspark
There are many sports you can play at Stadspark, one of them being a bit lesser known: disc golf, basically what you get if you combine frisbee and golf.
The baskets you have to throw your frisbee in are all over the park, so in between holes you can have a nice look around too and explore the park. You can hire some frisbees with some friends at the kiosk next to the petting zoo and get going.
The disc golf course at Stadspark is the first official one in the Netherlands and was created with the help of the Municipality of Groningen in 2016. The course consists of 12 holes and is easily accessible.
The price for a set of frisbees is Є5 a person and the kiosk is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 until 16:30, starting November until April. Outside of these months opening times are Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 until 17:00. More information can be found on the website of Disc Golf Netherlands.
The planetarium at the Dot
The DOT is known for its city beach and until 2023 as a bauble during Christmas, but a bit less known is that it contains a planetarium and cinema you can visit, including a restaurant on the ground floor for a post-show snack.
DOT is a space for creatives. On the second floor, there’s a cinema, which is a full 3D-dome theatre, one of its kind in the Netherlands. It shows films and planetarium exhibitions every week, including its own full-dome show “Space and Sound”. The room includes a 3D noise system, 60 speakers and 4 subwoofers, which makes you feel like you’re actually in space.
Tickets and times for these weekly events are available on the website of DOT. Prices may vary. Make sure to confirm you’re booking the English-language shows, as there are separate English and Dutch ones.
Tour of the municipality building
For everyone looking to do something a bit different, or for those who have always wondered what’s behind that stunning Town Hall building on the Grote Markt, the municipality now gives you a chance to look inside and follow a tour. In 2023 the Municipality of Groningen started organising weekly tours.
These tours are led by students from the University of Groningen, who have been trained by the municipality.
The Town Hall is built in a neo-classical style and has been at the Grote Markt since 1810. When the council management outgrew the previous Council house, there was a need for something bigger and more representative. Architect Jacob Otten Husly was chosen for it through a competition.
The tours are held every Friday afternoon at three different times: 12:00, 14:00, and 16:00 and last about an hour. They’re only available by booking online, which can be done on the website of the Municipality. The tours are free.
featured photo: Stella Dekker Fotografie
