Smeerling, Groningen
© Marcel Kerkhof via Marketing Groningen

Province of Groningen

Why go?

Way up north in Holland lies the province of Groningen. The eponymous capital has a lively center with museums, historic buildings and many great restaurants. Outside the city you can enjoy natural landscapes, historic villages and water sports. Popular places in the province of Groningen are:

See & do

Eating & drinking

Groningen city is the heart of the province. It has it all: great terraces and welcoming bistros, dinner à-la-carte or a surprise menu. Outside the city ’t Kleine Oestertje in Oldenhove serves excellent fish menus, and you can enjoy a sustainable lunch made with regional produce at the Menkemaborg estate.

Go out for dinner in Groningen and discover the very best restaurants.

Where to stay

Events in Groningen

The Groningen coastline

Discover Groningen’s coastline, which is peaceful, and enjoy the beautiful vistas and unique flora and fauna.

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Discover the province of Groningen

In this northernmost province of Holland, you will enjoy a wonderful holiday. You can visit the great lake of Paterswolde, the seal crèche and the lively student city of Groningen where you can enjoy art and culture. Did you know that the village of Haren is considered the leafiest village in Holland? Houses have large gardens here and there are many green areas. 

Nature reserves in the province of Groningen 

Middag-Humsterland National Landscape is Holland’s oldest cultivated landscape. Archaeological digs have demonstrated that people lived here in 500 BC. If you travel to the northernmost tip of the province, you will see the Wadden. From Pieterburen, there is a range of hikes across the wad.

Activities in Groningen

The province has a rich history, which is easy to see. You can visit the Menkema Borg, for instance, to discover how the 17th and 18th century gentry lived. Or visit Bourtange, a fortified town that resembles an open-air museum. Discover a thousand different flowers and plants at the Arboretum Notoaerstoen, or learn all about seals at the seal crèche in Pieterburen. Sick and injured seals are brought here and cared for until they can be returned to sea.

Nature & Groningen

Category: Read

Bourtange

Discover the centuries-old fortified town near Groningen and find yourself in the Middle Ages.

Visit this unique notary’s garden and admire the countless rare trees and plants.

Category: Read

Hortus Haren

Discover the many colourful gardens at one of Holland’s oldest botanic gardens.

On the coast of the Wadden Sea at the border between Friesland and Groningen, you will find Lauwersmeer National Park and Holland's second Dark Sky Park.

Discover the extraordinary villages in the open coastal landscape along the Wadden Sea.

Explore the oldest cultural landscape with beautiful routes, monuments and views.

Visit Lauwersmeer National Park at night and roam the national reserve in total darkness.

Where is what?

Category: Discover

Groningen City

Visit Groningen, the bustling university city in the north of the Netherlands. Discover the best restaurants and terraces, walking routes, museums, and the Martini Tower.

Frequently Asked Questions