Out and about in Groningen with Katia

Last month I was invited by Katia and her family to visit Groningen for a weekend. And of course that’s something I don’t say no to! Our families get along very well and I always enjoy discovering a new city.

So Katia and her husband Alfred took us through the center of Groningen with all its nice stores and boutiques. And also to a cozy pub and a real Groningen eatery for a delicious and cozy meal. We were also given a tour of the green surroundings that Groningen has to offer.

A city with different faces

Groningen is the capital of the Province of Groningen and lies on the border with Drenthe. A city and environment that has something to offer for everyone. For example, Groningen is known as the nicest student city in the country. As a result, the city is full of cozy cafes and pubs and there is always something to do. In addition, Groningen is located in a beautiful green part of the Netherlands so you can go out and enjoy nature and the surroundings.

A tour of the center of Groningen

The weekend we were in Groningen, the weather gods unfortunately did not seem to favor us. It was that typical Dutch, drizzly weather. But that absolutely could not spoil the atmosphere and our hosts had already thought up a nice little plan for the rest of the day. We left their house in 10 minutes by bus to the city center. There we got off at the train station.

Here stands the widely known Groninger Museum. With about 200,000 visitors a year, this is one of the province’s biggest attractions. The architectural style of the museum alone makes it worth a visit.

Whether you find it beautiful or ugly, it is certainly special. It’s all about art and art history here: painting, design, photography, fashion, installations, applied art and archaeology.

We walked on to the center because we had promised our children that they could go to the cinema at Gedempte Zuiderdiep with each other. The children were lucky. It was the beginning of December and in the cinema they found Black Peters. They told them that they could put their shoe before entering the movie theater and that at the end of the movie there might be something delicious inside.

Strolling for the shopping streets

After the children dove into the movie theater, we went for a stroll through Groningen’s shopping streets. From the Pelsterstraat towards the Herestraat, along the Vismarkt, so to the Grote Markt. Here we eventually ended up at one of the cozy Groningen Brown cafes, Der Witz. A pub like so many in Groningen, but all equally brown and cozy. Just a nice casual chat with a nice drink in hand.

Good food in a Groningen eatery

After we got the kids out of the cinema again, we walked toward the water along Schuitendiep. Meanwhile, we passed many atmospheric alleys, stores and restaurants. Our final destination was Eetcafé Het Zwarte Schaap.

An authentic eatery where anything goes, as long as it’s nice and cozy. Here we enjoyed a delicious plank full of Spanish Tapas, followed by a delicious piece of meat. A tasty end to a pleasant day.

The green of Groningen

The next day we got to see a completely different part of Groningen. The Groningen Green.

From their house we took a lovely walk around the Hoornse Plas, which is on the border of the provinces of Groningen and Drenthe. This is a recreational area where the beaches and sunbathing areas are in full use in the summer. The swimming lake is separated from the Hoornsemeer where you have a beautiful view when you take a seat at Beachclub Kaap Hoorn. A beautiful beeachclub with a lovely beachy atmosphere, where you can eat, high tea and drinks.

On the other side of the lake, adjacent to the Paterswoldsemeer you will find the Scandinavian Village. This village borders not only the water, but also the beautiful nature reserve the “Onlanden”, the Drentse Aa and the forests of Eelde Paterswolde.

The Scandinavian Village

The Scandinavian Village consists of 16 Scandinavian huts built entirely of wood. Here you can spend an atmospheric night. You can also use the Finnish sauna.

You can eat in the Elanderhus restaurant. The menu includes various Scandinavian dishes for both lunch and dinner.

So we interrupted our walk for a nice lunch. Delicious sandwiches and wraps for us, and tasty hot waffles for the kids.

With a full belly we walked back to our friends’ house to say goodbye and head back to the Randstad. We had a very nice weekend and got to see many different sides of Groningen in a short time. But there is also so much we haven’t seen yet. So we would love to come back soon!

Katia and Alfred, thanks for the nice weekend and hopefully we’ll see you soon!