Groningen walking tour & city guide
The lively student capital of the north.
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Groningen is the largest city in the north of the Netherlands and one of its youngest, with around a quarter of the population made up of students. It is famous for being a bicycle paradise, for its lively nightlife, and for a historic center of canals, warehouses and grand churches.
The Grote Markt and the Martinitoren
The Grote Markt is the city's main square, with the neoclassical City Hall and the Martinitoren, the tower of the Martinikerk, nicknamed 'd'Olle Grieze'. At nearly 97 meters, it was once the tallest building in the north, and you can climb it for views over the flat countryside.
Next door, the Prinsenhoftuin is a small hidden garden with a sundial and herb beds. The Vismarkt, the old fish market, holds lively markets several days a week.
Museums and canals
The Groninger Museum, a colorful postmodern building standing in the canal in front of the station, is known for bold art and design exhibitions. The Noorderplantsoen is a popular park, and the canals around the center are lined with old warehouses and houseboats.
Groningen pioneered car-free planning in the 1970s, dividing the center into zones that cars can't drive between. Today, more than half of all trips in the city are made by bike.
Visiting tips
Groningen is about two hours from Amsterdam by train. The Eurosonic Noorderslag music festival in January and the Noorderzon arts festival in August are big events. The Wadden Sea, a UNESCO site where you can walk on the mudflats at low tide with a guide, is nearby.
Top sights in Groningen
- 1
Martinitoren
The tall church tower of the north.
- 2
Grote Markt
The main square with the City Hall.
- 3
Groninger Museum
A colorful museum of art and design.
- 4
Prinsenhoftuin
A hidden historic garden.
- 5
Noorderplantsoen
A popular city park.
- 6
Canals and warehouses
Old waterways around the center.
Food markets & where to eat in Groningen
Vismarkt
The old fish market square with market stalls.
Folkingestraat
A street of cafés, delis and shops.
Poelestraat and Peperstraat
The main nightlife streets with bars and snacks.
Grote Markt
Terraces and weekly markets.
Food to try in Groningen
Groninger koek
A spiced honey cake from the region.
Eierbal
A fried snack with a whole egg inside ragout.
Mosterdsoep
Northern Dutch mustard soup.
Fries
Thick-cut fries with mayonnaise from a snack bar.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Groningen
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in GroningenCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Groningen.
- eSIM for NetherlandsStay online from the moment you land.
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