5 things to do in Groningen

Groningen is a gem of a city hidden in the far north of the Netherlands. And as they say “Er gaat niets boven Groningen” (there is nothing above Groningen) - literally, it is that far north!

With over 50.000 students living there, this Dutch city definitely caters to the young at heart, so there are loads of things to do on your next trip to Groningen!

Must-do activities in Groningen

If you want to make the most of your visit to Maastricht, there are a few activities that you should add to your list. 

1. Climb the Martini Tower

They say that if you get lost in Groningen, you can just look to the skies. You will see the Martini Tower and be able to find your way back to the city. Well, just imagine your view of the city if you are at the top of this church tower.

Built more than 500 years ago, the Martini Tower is located in the heart of Groningen city and stands at a whopping 97 metres tall. To get to the top, you’ll have to climb 260 steps, but it is all worth it for the spectacular view and photo opportunities you will get.

2. Have a drink at Europe’s largest pub

After climbing the Tower, you are probably in need of some refreshments. So head on over to the Drie Gezusters, conveniently located just across from the Martini Tower on the Grote Markt.

The pub has space for more than 3.700 people and has 20 bars under one roof. If that wasn’t spectacular enough, take a look at the interior! The pub itself has an old-school charm, which is difficult to find nowadays among all the hipster cafes you see cropping up. It truly has a luxury feel to it, thanks to its high ceilings and chandeliers.

There is even a heated terrace in front of the pub, so you can admire the city while having a drink and staying warm.

3. Go shopping on Folkingestraat

Groningen is full of charismatic little streets that are perfect for a little shopping. Make sure to walk through Folkingestraat, considered the best shopping street in Groningen. With a unique blend of boutiques, antique shops, art galleries and cafes, this street is a shopper's paradise.

If you're looking for something more vintage, take a stroll along Oude Kijk in ‘t Jatstraat, Steenstilstraat, Carolieweg, or practically any other street in Groningen and you are bound to find a vintage shop with surprising goodies.

4. See a film at DOT Groningen

If you venture a little out of the city, you may wonder what that spaceship-like building is being used for. Well, it’s multifunctional, but one thing is for sure, seeing a film at DOT is an incredible experience.

And we're not just talking regular 2D and 3D films; they also show planetarium performances in a stunning full-dome 360 degrees at the DOT Dome cinema. There are 234 luxury seats, so after a packed morning, what better way to spend the afternoon than chilling out in an extraordinary cinema? You can also pop over to the cafe on the ground floor for some snacks, or to the bar for a refreshing drink. 

5. Picnic in Het Noorderplantsoen

Why not finish up your day with a picnic in the city park Het Noorderplantsoen? Situated within walking distance of the city centre, this park is the perfect place to sit and enjoy the sun with a picnic.

Relax on the soft grass and watch the ducks swimming across one of the many lakes. Be aware that if the sun is shining, it might be difficult to find the perfect spot, as practically the whole of Groningen flocks to this park.

If you don’t have a picnic with you, don’t worry; there are a few supermarkets close by where you will be able to stock up on tasty treats. If you don’t fancy a picnic, there are also places to eat in and around the park, such as restaurant Zondag.

Bonus: Climb one of the tallest free-standing climbing objects in the world

If you are a climbing fanatic, then this is a definite must during your trip to Groningen. Considered the tallest freestanding climbing tower in Europe and quite possibly the world, Excalibur is 37 metres tall. Weighing 50 tons, the massive structure is kept in place by a metre-thick concrete slab and 36 beams, which are anchored nine metres into the ground.

It’s not just your bog-standard straight up straight down climbing wall either; it has an arch of 11 metres built into it to give you that real mountain climbing feel. Excalibur is for advanced climbers and you can even sleep at the summit. If you’re not experienced but you still want to have a go at climbing this beast, you can always book a climbing session with an instructor.

A fun day out in Groningen

There you have it: a variety of activities to enjoy in Groningen that will give you the best overall experience of the city. Have fun and feel free to explore further and stop in at any other exciting locations that spark your interest - you never know what you might find!