Groningen – What to do in Groningen

This time we were in the city of Groningen looking for beautiful sights and fun activities. Because this bustling student city has so much more to offer than just the famous Martinitoren. From cozy shopping streets and restaurants to special buildings, museums and hidden places with a special story. We have listed the best tips and activities for you.

Cozy downtown with special buildings

Groningen’s inner city is attractive and comes across as very cozy, with small alleys and special buildings throughout the city. What you quickly noticed is that in many places you saw a sign hanging on the facade of a building. In all cases these turned out to be monuments and the signs give information about the building and its history. So we passed several guest houses, churches and courtyards. For example, did you know that the church on Rademarkt is a church called the? This is because of the bells that are in a hexagonal shape, so you always see at least two bells at the same time.

Shopping in Groningen

There are also several monuments in the shopping area, but the streets with small terraces, stores and boutiques are particularly eye-catching. Around the Akerkerk is the Akerkhof, which turns into the Vismarkt and ends at the Herestraat. Here you will find well-known chain stores such as Sissy-Boy and Guts & Gusto, as well as all kinds of unique boutiques. And if you walk from these streets into a side street, you will discover even more nice stores. Also be sure to take a walk down Stoeldraaierstraat and Oude Kijk in Het Jatstraat. Between the cozy coffee shops and lunchrooms you will find the nicest stores like De Stadsakker, a real vegetable garden store.

Museums in Groningen

The Groninger Museum is a striking building (you can’t miss it!) and houses the finest art collections and changing exhibitions. Storyworld is highly recommended for comic book fans and gamers. Here you literally step into the world of famous characters such as Batman, Shrek, Aladdin and Tintin. Discover how these heroes and villains were once created – just with a pencil line on paper. And you can make your own creation here, too! With 14 interactive installations, you’ll learn what goes into making a comic book, animated film or game.

The University Museum is also great fun for kids: here you can explore, touch and learn. From mammoth bones to microscopes. And once you’ve visited the University Museum, it’s worth walking around the corner to the University of Groningen. This beautiful building is right in the center and buzzing with the energy of the students who not only study hard here, but also chill with each other on the steps in front of the university building and on the terraces around the university.

While walking around there, we stumbled upon a hidden little square. From the Oude Kijk in De Jattstraat, we walked into the Kleine Kromme Elleboog. At first glance this seemed like a dead-end alley, but at the end we came out on the Uurwerkplein, where the terraces of Café de Pintelier and restaurant De Uurwerker can be found.

More hidden spots in Groningen

During our walk through Groningen, we came across more hidden spots. Sonja already knew of the existence of the Red Orphanage, but when we stood in front of the gate, it opened automatically. Pretty exciting what you find behind the door. And in the A district, my eye suddenly caught a special building with a bust of a woman in front of the facade. This turned out to be a work of art by artist Anne Wenzel on the Vishoek, in tribute to the women who gave color to this neighborhood in the past.

Almhuizen in Groningen

I always find the most special hidden places in a city to be the hofjes. A courtyard surrounded by small houses, where in the past mainly single women were taken care of. The houses are still inhabited and surround a courtyard where you can find an oasis of peace in the hectic city. Groningen has as many as 32 of these hofjes, also called boarding houses, and several of them are free to visit. We visited the hofjes Sint Anthony Gasthuis, the Peper Gasthuis and the Midden Gasthuis. The first one in particular is special. Its inner garden extends far back and from this inner garden you have a view of the drunkard’s tower.

The Groningen canals

The center of Groningen is surrounded by canals. We started our day at Zen aan de Sluis near the Eelderbrug. Here you can get an ice cream or coffee and sit on their mini terrace enjoying the view of the lock and across the street the tower clock of the Akerk. When you cross the Sluisbrug you walk along the water to the Lage der A. There are plenty of boats here, making you feel like you are in a Groninger postcard. From here you can walk up the Noorderhaven and into the center via the Oude Kijk in Het Jatstraat.

A little further out of the center, but also fun to visit is Jachthaven Reitdiep. The colorful houses along the water give the marina a cozy vibe. You can also rent a sloop here. Sail along the canals of the center or choose the quieter routes through the greenery outside the city.

Martinitoren and Forum on the Grote Markt

Of course, you can’t miss the Grand Place either. On this square you will find the stately City Hall and on the edges of the square numerous restaurants and terraces, which are not only cozy for lunch and dinner, but also certainly if you want to dive into the vibrant nightlife. But the big attraction is of course the Martini Church with the famous Martini Tower.

For most a lesser known tower, but the Forum is also highly recommended. This modern building houses various cultural activities such as a cinema, an immense library, a museum with Smartlab and on the top floor brasserie NOK with a roof terrace, from where you have a direct view of the Martinitoren. In the summer, movie nights are also organized here. Admission to the building and roof terrace is free.

Eating out in Groningen

You can sit down at any corner of Groningen’s city center at a restaurant for lunch or a sumptuous dinner. For example, lunchroom Paais, restaurant De Betere Tijden, Vive la Vie, TOTT Groningen, Pannenkoekencafé de Blauwe Bananen or Bar Bistro NOK.

Brazanova

We chose to eat just on the edge of the center. Because at the recently opened Brazanova you can enjoy delicious Brazilian food with a special concept. Namely, it is cooked and served in a typical Brazilian way. We were welcomed by owner Janaina who took us to our table. There the concept was explained to us.

The gauchos come to your table with large meat skewers to cut off a piece of meat for you. Each gaucho has a different piece of meat with them and you can choose which piece to have cut off or not. Each piece of meat is super tender and deliciously flavorful so be careful not to overeat yourself…. 😉 Fortunately, you can use the sign on the table to indicate if you want more or take a break. Besides the delicious meat, you can scoop your own from the extensive salad bar and get fries and delicious fried banana served on the table. And for the true cocktail lover: authentic Caipirinha cocktails are made at Brazanova with fresh lime and Brazilian Cachaça, a must for dinner.

Enjoy Groningen greenery

Besides city life, you can also enjoy tranquility and greenery in Groningen. The courtyards we wrote about above are definitely recommended to enjoy the peace and quiet and surroundings. But if you’re looking for more greenery, head to the Noorderplantsoen. Throughout the park you will find ponds with green banks where you can chill out. But with its 20 acres and 4-kilometer perimeter, you can also enjoy walking here.

Just outside Groningen, you’ll find Hortus Botanicus Haren. This botanical garden is not only one of the oldest in the Netherlands, but also one of the largest – with a whopping 15 hectares of greenery and floral splendor. Stroll through no fewer than 11 different themed gardens, each with its own atmosphere and character. From fragrant herbs to tropical plants and everything in between. The absolute eye-catcher? That is without a doubt the recently restored Chinese garden.

Credits photos: OpstapmetLisa