• Martinitoren in Groningen at night
    Provided by: Robin Mathlener/unsplash
  • Martinitoren in Groningen
    Provided by: Alexei Maridashvili/Unsplash

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.​

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University Museum

University Museum

Groningen University Museum, established in 1934, showcases an eclectic mix of nature, culture and science. Highlights include historical medical instruments, the world's first electric vehicle from 1835, and a tribute to Dr Aletta Jacobs, the Netherlands' first female graduate. The museum's anatomical theatre has around 50 macabre anatomical preparations, as well as some skeletons and wax models. Check the official website to learn about the ever-changing temporary exhibitions.
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Excalibur Climbing Wall at Klimcentrum Bjoeks

Excalibur Climbing Wall at Klimcentrum Bjoeks

Excalibur at Klimcentrum Bjoeks, the world's tallest freestanding climbing tower, offers a unique ascent for experienced climbers. Rising 37 metres with an 11-metre overhang, it mimics real peak conditions. Climbers can connect via a dedicated WhatsApp group for partners, and rent all necessary equipment on the spot. For the adventurous, there's even an option to stay the night atop Excalibur. Bjoeks also features remarkable outdoor bouldering on concrete, a distinct experience requiring technical skill. Indoor climbing and essential facilities like showers and a kitchen make your stay extra comfortable.
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Vismarkt

Vismarkt

Vismarkt, a hub of urban vibrancy, has transformed from a 17th-century fish market into a lively centre for shopping and dining. Every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, the square is busy with market stalls offering a variety of goods. Surrounding historic buildings like the Korenbeurs and the A-Kerk add architectural charm. The Korenbeurs, a notable UNESCO monument, now hosts a supermarket, blending history with modern convenience. Vismarkt regularly hosts cultural events, making it a focal point of city life.
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Lauwersmeer National Park

Lauwersmeer National Park

Lauwersmeer National Park, straddling the border of Groningen and Friesland, emerged from the transformation of the Lauwerszee into a lake in 1969. This park, a haven for over 100 bird species and a key stopover in their migratory paths, offers a blend of open water, grasslands, reed beds and forests. Notable for its tranquillity and natural beauty, it's also a designated Dark Sky Park, ideal for stargazing. Home to unique wildlife, including Konik horses and Scottish Highland cattle, the park provides enriching experiences through hiking and boat photo tours.
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Wadden Sea

Wadden Sea

The Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers a unique blend of nature and adventure. This intertidal zone, stretching across the North Sea coast, is a haven of biodiversity and natural beauty. Traverse its mudflats for a memorable experience, or explore the pristine darkness of a Dark Sky Park. Savour local flavours with fresh seafood and regional delicacies. For wildlife enthusiasts, the 'big five' of the Wadden Sea (seals and grey seals, white-tailed eagles, porpoises and European sturgeon) are a sight to behold. Birdwatchers can revel in a diverse array of species along the Uithuizerwad dyke.
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Ancient Village Niehove

Ancient Village Niehove

The picturesque village Niehove stands as a testament to historical ingenuity. Built on a terp (a man-made hill) to outsmart the advancing sea, its layout has remained unchanged for centuries. This former capital of Humsterland is a maze of narrow church paths and red brick houses, arranged in concentric circles around a central, 13th-century Romanesque-Gothic church. Once the only stone structure in Niehove, the church now houses a visitor centre, sharing the village's rich history. This protected site, with its unique street plan and tranquil charm, invites visitors to step back in time.
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Piloersemaborg

Piloersemaborg

Piloersemaborg, a 17th-century manor in Den Ham, stands as a historical gem just a short drive from Groningen. Surrounded by avenues and canals, this sole surviving manor farm in the Netherlands offers a glimpse into the life of squires with its stately architecture and rural charm. Initially built in 1633 and later restored, Piloersemaborg now hosts a restaurant, blending its rich history with contemporary culinary delights. Sheltered by trees and encompassed by a moat, it presents an idyllic retreat into the past.
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Drents Museum

Drents Museum

The Drents Museum in Assen is a treasure trove of history and art, showcasing over 90,000 objects. Its archaeology collection, featuring prehistoric artefacts like the mummified Yde Girl and the oldest known canoe, the Pesse canoe, is among the most important in Northwest Europe. The museum also boasts a significant art collection, considered one of the Netherlands' finest, alongside an impressive array of contemporary realism art. A visit offers an immersive journey through Drenthe's rich past and artistic legacy.
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Plaza Posta

Plaza Posta

Situated half an hour southwest of Groningen, Plaza Posta is an all-embracing activity centre suitable for groups of all themes and sizes, be it family or work events. With over a dozen programmes from escape games to bowling to outdoor tours, it's all up to your definition of fun. For the essential bites and drinks, the historic De Postwagen restaurant provides a variety of options including high tea, buffets and barbecue. It's advisable to enquire beforehand about opening hours and availability, including those of the restaurant, as they may be subject to large group bookings.
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Dark Sky Park — Lauwersmeer

Dark Sky Park — Lauwersmeer

Officially declared a Dark Sky Park in 2016, Lauwersmeer National Park is just a 45-minute drive from Groningen and is mostly renowned for its rich birdlife and the popular night walks, offering a celestial escape in a country with an otherwise heavy light pollution. As one of just above 40 Dark Sky Parks worldwide — and the second in the country after Boschplaat — it promises sightings of the nocturnal wildlife, constellations and, on rare occasions, even the northern lights.
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Bourtange Fortress

Bourtange Fortress

The fortress of Bourtange, this small village sitting on the German border, is a captivating star-shaped defensive structure completed in the 16th century during the Eighty Years' War. Stroll through its cobbled alleys for a journey through time as you browse quaint shops — including a small candle workshop — alongside bars and restaurants. Regularly hosting events like markets and historical re-enactments, the fort offers both a glimpse into the past and a vibrant contemporary experience for visitors.
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