Things to do & places to visit in Groningen Province, The Netherlands

Groningen Province #12 destination in The Netherlands 2023. The average rating score is 4.28 based on 6.336 traveler reviews, of 190 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Amsterdam, current date and time: Monday, April 29, 2024, 5:13.

Groningen Province Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in April

54°F - 41°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Cold and breezy

Feels like

21%

Chance of rain

50.0 millimeters

Amount

16.7 mph

Wind speed

76%

Humidity

13.9

Daylight length

6:36 AM

Sunrise

8:31 PM

Sunset

46%

Cloud cover

Jacket

What to wear

Top things to do (36)

Top destinations in Groningen Province 100

See more 88 destinations »

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Groninger Genever Stokerij (Jenever, likeur en whisky) (17 reviews)
- Top
Monday: Distilleries • Factory Tours • Wine Tours & Tastings

Verrassend leuk verhaal! Wij waren hier met de hele familie. Voor ieder wat wils! Heerlijke fles drank meegenomen. Hartstikke bedankt! See more..
5.0 NonFiction Photo (16 reviews)
- An exhibition worth seeing
Exhibitions

The festival features the World Press Photo Exhibition, a local response with a yearly theme, tours, talks and more. Language English and Dutch for exhibitions and events. NonFiction Photo is a platform for art with a mission: socially engaged photography. This nonprofit does pop-up exhibitions in Northern Netherlands and a yearly festival in Groningen. See more..
4.5 Groninger Museum (1.369 reviews)
- Loved the exhibitions
Monday: Art Museums

What a find in Groningen (Art) Museum. Their temporary exhibition on ‘Colour’ was well curated and imaginative. And housed in Alessandro Mendini’s amazing post modern exhibition space extending below the water line. First time I’ve come across the early 20th C artistic collective called De Ploeg based in Groningen - loved their work. Spent a well worth couple of hours loitering there. See more..
4.5 Prinsentuin (532 reviews)
- Beautiful Gardenn but very small
Monday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Gardens

This is a bit outside the city center, but you still get a nice feel of nature within this garden. ts very beautiful and the best time to go would be in June since that's when all the roses are bloomed. The entrance is free See more..
4.5 Vismarkt (224 reviews)
- Make sure your visit to Groningen is on Market Day!
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Farmers Markets

Make sure your visit to Groningen coincides with one of the Market days! A visit to the city centre isn't complete otherwise. Here you can experience a bit of the real Dutch culture, talk with many of the truly lovely Dutch people, and sample lots of amazing cheeses I ate a type of monster sized scampi I have never seen before. Delicious oh and the coffee was incredibly good. Went back for another cup See more..
4.5 Hoofdstation Groningen (185 reviews)
- Beautiul old style railway station
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

Beautiul old style railway station right at the edge of the center of the city. The architecture is beautiful, the central hall is amazing. See more..
4.5 Museum aan de A (opvolger van het Noordelijk Scheepvaartmuseum) (159 reviews)
- A pleasant place to spend 1-2 hours in Groningen
Monday: Speciality Museums

Museum aan de A is the successor to the Northern Maritime Museum, which is definitely changing course after 90 years. From a museum about the Northern Netherlands shipping to a museum about the city and province. About the life of the (extra)ordinary Groningen residents. About successes and downsides. From Rabenhaupt's victory in 1672 to Groningen's involvement in slavery. Of course we will also continue to tell stories about Groningen shipping. Because Groningen would not be Groningen without shipping. We need a few more years for the transition. So work in progress. For lovers of a smooth historical snack and the cultural and historical gourmet: Museum aan de A is for everyone. See more..
4.5 Forum Groningen (148 reviews)
- The cultural hotspot of Groningen
Monday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM Spent 1-2 hours Movie Theaters • Architectural Buildings • Libraries

Another eye-catching building is added to the skyline of Groningen's historic city centre. Forum Groningen, open since november 2019, was designed by Amsterdam-based NL Architects for the City of Groningen. It covers a surface area of 17,000 m2 on ten floors, is open seven days a week and hosts a diverse array of activities around one coherent ambition: explore the world, discover the future. Forum Groningen's ambition is to let today's world and tomorrow's opportunities inspire the residents and visitors of Groningen. It hopes to achieve this with international exhibitions, film and literature festivals, as well as courses, workshops and talks. Forum Groningen challenges the public to keep an open mind while exposing them to the latest social and technological developments. To this end, the Forum hosts exhibitions and has the interactive Storyworld museum, five cinemas, a multi-purpose events venue, the city library, study and work places, a Medialab and a Smartlab. See more..
4.5 Brouwerij Martinus (106 reviews)
- Tour of Brewery
Breweries

I visited in October with friends and was very impressed with the beers, food and ambience. Friendly people and thoroughly enjoyable See more..
4.5 Universiteitsmuseum Groningen (106 reviews)
- Very interesting museum!
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

A museum featuring the wonders of science. The collection is linked to the University of Groningen. On a permanent basis there is a collection of human anatomy and a chamber featuring the first famous dutch female doctor Aletta Jacobs. There are also temporary exhibitions which can be check out on our website. See more..
4.5 Veenkoloniaal Museum (102 reviews)
- Great exhibitions
Monday: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Monuments & Statues • History Museums

I'm not informed if there is such thing as prize given to the best museum in NL, but Veenkoloniaal Museum Veendam is Nr.1 at least on my list. In respect to permanent collection many museums do excell, but Veenkoloniaal is exceptional in well thought out and executed shoert term exhibitions. Kudos goes to the one and only Mr. Riga (director of museum Hendrik Andries Hachmer). Recommended without reservations! See more..
4.5 Fraeylemaborg (96 reviews)
- Beautiful Castle
Speciality Museums

It was good to be back to this castle again as it's a beautiful small castle. Well managed and it's also a wedding location. This time we had a chance to take a look the attic. There was a video about the owner of the castle in the attic. We took a walk in the garden, too and then closed our visit by having a drink in the castle restaurant See more..
4.5 Nationaal Park Lauwersmeer (72 reviews)
- Wonderful area
Spent More than 3 hours National Parks

Been coming here for a few years now. And love it at any time of the year. Summer months are best though. For rest and non, or few tourists, the other months are best. Many nature walks available, good for cycling,sailing, heading over to the island of Schiermonnikoog, birdwatching. So much to do. Also the area is one of 2 dark sky parks in the Netherlands, so good for some stargazing or astrophotography (with unobscured views) in otherwise very lightpolluted Netherlands. See more..
4.5 Menkemaborg (64 reviews)
- Lovely historical building, beautifully decorated, in a large garden
Speciality Museums • Architectural Buildings

We visited this site a few times, every time we enjoyed our visit very much. It is a beautiful furnished mansion, in the East-Northern part of Holland in the village of Uithuizen, called a 'Borg" with a lovely garden surrounded by a moat. You get a very good impression of life here in the 18th century. There are a number of rooms to visit with description. There is also an old stable which is turned into a restaurant, very cosy. Including a drink or lunch in the restaurant, the mansion and garden a visit takes about 2,5 hours. Admission fee is € 7,50 p.p. See more..
4.5 Openluchtmuseum het Hoogeland (49 reviews)
- Very interesting
Speciality Museums

We enjoyed our two hours here looking at the little houses and artefacts. The vets house appealed to us with the various instruments for dealing with animals. The Jewish butchers house was also interesting. We could park immediately outside the museum. The cafe was good too. Seeing the children’s games took us back to our own childhood and the desks in the school with ink wells. The shop sold Persil and Sunlight soap in old packaging. See more..
4.5 Noorderplantsoen Park (31 reviews)
- Noorderplantsoen; a large spacious 19th century park dating from 1879-1881
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 2-3 hours Parks

Noorderplantsoen is the largest park in central Groningen and the mature trees and small hills make it a scenic place to enjoy nature in the city.A very popular place when the sun comes out. See more..
4.5 The Bare Feet Trail (23 reviews)
- Getting Down & Dirty in Opende
Hiking Trails

A fab afternoon on this most enjoyable trail. After a weeks rain I imagine it was muddier than normal but that just added to the adventure. Free activity, shop at the end & a dip in the pond to rinse off made this a very enjoyable afternoon for us all, children aged 14,10 & 18months. Was v glad of other reviews suggesting the towels & change of clothes. Only regret was that I didn't take a picnic as it would have ended it up perfectly! Will def return before we go home to Ireland. See more..
4.5 DelfSail (23 reviews)
- Festival of Energy
Historic Walking Areas

A small place, a small harbour, but a great festival for young and old people. Good organized. Peacefull and in big harmony. More as 20 Tallschips and over 100 old inlandwater ships. A pleasure for all. See more..
4.5 Museumspoorlijn STAR (20 reviews)
- Big show
Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums

Museumrailway STAR is a heritage steam railway based in Stadskanaal (Netherlands). Get on our train and enjoy on a journey through the past! See more..
4.5 Grootegast Legio museum (19 reviews)
- Voor jong en oud
Spent 2-3 hours Children's Museums

Het Legio Museum bestaat alweer een aantal jaar uit 3 musea onder 1 dak, ondergebracht als het Museumplein Grootegast.
Museumplein Grootegast bestaat nu uit:

Legio Museum
Museum Drukkerij
Victory Museum 1940-1945

Tevens is er een American Diner restaurant aanwezig waar men vanalles te eten en drinken heeft.

Men koopt bij de kassa 1 kaartje voor 3 musea en dat voor maar 8 euro p.p.!!

Museumplein Grootegast is voor jong en oud. Hier kun je gerust een hele dag doorbrengen!
See more..
4.5 Dijkstra wadlooptochten (19 reviews)
- Flat walking has never been so exciting
Walking Tours

Don't miss a tour of the wad with Dijkstra. The guides are friendly and knowledgeable about the surrounding nature. An unforgettable experience! See more..
4.5 Theater Geert Teis (19 reviews)
- warm theater
Theaters

It has a variatie of shows in a smal theater. Therefore the interaction with artists and audiance is great. See more..
4.5 Landgoed Verhildersum (19 reviews)
- Beautiful sculptures
Speciality Museums

The sculptures of Eddy Roos in this garden follow the principle of the golden section, this is unique to experience, the peace, silence and beautify. The walk in the garden was beautiful experience. After the garden we went to Eddy Roos museum in Uithuizen. This combination is a completion. See more..
4.5 Termunten Village (18 reviews)
- Land's end
Historic Sites

Behind the Industrial zone of Delfzijl and 18 km from the German border at Statenzijl. A small village with a population of just over 400 people on a "terp" or "wierde" (elevated terrain for protection against floods). Quite different from the (former) communist villages more land inward as fishing and not working for a landlord was a major activity. If you cycle along the sea dike to Statenzijl you will encounter only sheep and birds. Quite extraordinary for the Netherlands where usually there is a village about every 5 km. Here the nether land ends.Paradise for peace and quiet seekers. See more..
4.5 Pieterpad (17 reviews)
- Excellent experience to see Holland in details
Hiking Trails

Walking the 2nd etappe of the Pieterpad long-walk it was a excellent chance for discovering this part of Holland. 21km walk from Wirsum to Groningen. Open fields and great atmosphere. Wonderful route. See more..
4.5 St Bernardushof Kloostermuseum (16 reviews)
- dit moet je zien!!!
Spent 2-3 hours History Museums

een groot deel van Groningen is ontstaan door monnikenwerk, letterlijk! De vroegere bewoners van het helaas afgebroken klooster van Aduard hebben daar een zeer grote rol in gespeeld. Op zeer beeldende wijze wordt getoond hoe dit klooster is ontstaan in de fraai opgezette tentoonstelling "van klein naar klooster". De vroegere ziekenzaal is deels in ere hersteld, naast de functie van kerkgebouw. De rondleiding is geweldig boeiend See more..
4.0 Martinitoren (724 reviews)
- Recommended, but necessary to buy on-line tickets in advance
Architectural Buildings

It turns out that you no longer can get coins at the VVV to climb up the Martinitoren . You now can only reserve on-line. There are a few tours a day with limited capacity, so it is necessary to reserve timely, especially if you want to go up in the weekend. We got a time slot for 10 am on Sunday morning. It was early and bad weather. However still worth doing the climb. The tour guide explains about the tower at the various stops during the climb (255 steps), which was interesting. We recommend a visit. See more..
4.0 Vesting Bourtange (345 reviews)
- Impressive
Spent More than 3 hours Military Museums

It is very important that we still can find places which are not locked down during this COVID-19 time. Of course musea are closedown but you can enter this impressive fortress which was never captured by enemies. In the form of five-pointed star it is surrounded by canals. The town behind the walls and embankments has beer restored in 20-th century but looks pretty similar as original drawings. You can spend all day long at this place. See more..
4.0 Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen (295 reviews)
- Donateuren dag
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Zoos • Educational sites

We are Sealcentre Pieterburen, one of the oldest and best seal rehabilitation centres in the world. On our campus and field station live and work volunteers and researchers from all over the world. By our collective passion and multidisciplinary approach we form a learning community. We transfer our passion to the public and make them aware of our mission. For years we have a passion and take care for the seal, including its environment. A clean and healthy Wadden Sea is very dear to us. This unique piece of nature has the title 'World heritage' and we should treat it accordingly; for now, for later and for our children. This puts a great responsibility on as human beings and as a social enterprise. The role of the seal is crucial; it is the indicator of a clean sea. We measure, monitor, rehabilitate and share our knowledge. To keep both the seal and its habitat healthy and to offer our knowledge and expertise internationally. See more..
4.0 Hanging Kitchens (76 reviews)
- The Hanging Kitchens over the Damsterdiep
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Appingedam is a small town with many original medieval premises that's still be found in the centre. The most famous sight is the hanging kitchens over the Damsterdiep canal. It's fun to see this special sight but seeing the beautiful bridges over the canal is also very nice. See more..