Province of Groningen

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are popular cities and villages in Groningen?

  Groningen city, Delfzijl, Appingedam, and Bourtange are popular cities to visit in the province of Groningen. The city of Groningen is a vibrant, multifaceted university city with lots of culture and events, beautiful historic buildings, and great shopping streets. Delfzijl is a fortified city with a unique maritime character. It has plenty of great shops, cafés and restaurants. Appingedam is a city with a lovely ambiance. The old fortified city is drenched in history and invites you to explore the streets with their centuries old residences on foot. Another real attraction in the province of Groningen is Vesting Bourtange. This extraordinary unbreachable fortress boasts breathtaking city walls, old houses, and beautiful surroundings. It is a real pearl of the North.

• What are fun outdoor activities in Groningen?

  Among the most popular areas for outdoor activities in the province of Groningen is the Hortus Botanicus Haren. Hortus Botanicus Haren features a wide variety of gardens, from beautiful wild gardens full of plants to a sober, elegant Chinese garden. The Prinsentuin or Prinsenhoftuin can be found in Groningen city, a fantastic garden that is an oasis of peace and quiet in the center of Groningen. National Park Lauwersmeer is on the edge of the Wadden Sea, straddling the boundary between Friesland and Groningen. This nature reserve boasts lots of open water, rough grass fields, deciduous forests, orchid fields, shallow water ponds, and wide reed fields. Above all, Lauwersmeer is known for its huge wealth of bird varieties. If you love hiking, you should definitely go on a ‘wadlopen’ or salt flat hiking tour in the Wadden Sea. It is a unique way to explore the Wadden Sea.

• What are great attractions and museums to visit in Groningen?

  The province of Groningen boasts a variety of museums and attractions. You should definitely check out Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen, for instance. The tour guides at the seal center will tell you all about the management and preservation of the Wadden region. You will also discover everything that has to do with providing sanctuary and taking care of seals who are ill. Another extraordinary venue is the Visserijmuseum Zoutkamp in the monumental Rijksbetonningsloods, where you will learn more about Zoutkamp, the sea and fishery in the Netherlands. There are ship models, fishing equipment, tools and a replica of a wheelhouse to explore what a fisherman’s (or woman’s) life is like. When you visit Groningen, climbing the Martinitoren is a definite highlight. Make it to the top of the tower, which is nearly 100 meters high, to find your reward: a stunning view of the city of Groningen. The fantastic Menkemaborg Castle can be found in Uithuizen. Here, you can explore the beautiful garden with its exciting maze. You can also visit the castle or borg and discover how rich families lived several centuries ago.