Four architects collaborated on the Groninger Museum building: Alessandro Mendini designed it together with Philippe Starck, Michele de Lucchi and Coop Himmelb(l)au. Its four pavilions host changing exhibitions and public programmes. The permanent exhibition brings together historical objects relating to Groningen’s history, Asian ceramics and paintings by the Groningen art group De Ploeg. In this way, different collection areas are presented alongside changing themes.

Art, Film and Stories

At Forum Groningen, Storyworld focuses on comics, animation and games. At 14 interactive installations, you can draw, animate and try out games yourself. The Forum also has five cinema screens; its programme includes new releases, classics, arthouse films, documentaries and film festivals. The rooftop terrace is 45 metres high and offers a lovely view.

The Groningen Synagogue also offers a gateway to the city’s history. Guided tours are available every hour on the hour. On Sundays, guides take visitors through old Jewish Groningen. If you are interested in the city’s history from different perspectives, this offers a different approach from the museum exhibitions.

Architecture and Historical Traces

You can climb the Martinitoren for an unobstructed view over the city of Groningen. The climb is on foot via stairs; there is no lift. Another historical trace is the Helperlinie, also known as the Linie van Helpman: it was an extension of the fortress surrounding the city centre and ran across the Hondsrug.

The De Helper windmill was built in 1863 beneath Helpman, on the eastern side of the Noord-Willemskanaal. In 1970–1971, it was rebuilt on the east bank of the Paterswoldsemeer. Noorderplantsoen, meanwhile, was laid out as an English landscape-style park in the late 19th century, on former defensive ramparts and along former city moats; the moats were transformed into ponds. Every year, the park provides the setting for the Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival Groningen.

Wall House #2 showcases architecture on a different scale: its striking wall is 18.5 metres wide and 14 metres high. The building was constructed in 2001 in a residential neighbourhood by the Hoornsemeer in Groningen.

Gardens and Green Ways

Stadspark is a green oasis in the city, with places to stroll and a petting zoo. Various concerts and festivals take place on the Drafbaan in Stadspark in July and August. The Heemtuin Stadspark adds a botanical dimension: the garden features special plants and flowers, as well as a range of areas, including an herb garden, a sandy area and a wooded section. It is freely accessible at all times.

You can stroll through the Prinsentuin for free during the day. The rose garden, herb garden and leafy arcades give an impression of how the princes used to spend their afternoons here. If you would rather combine several kinds of activity, the Kardinge nature area offers opportunities for picnicking, walking, running, inline skating and swimming. The Beijumerbos in Kardinge also has an accessible Beleefpad with wide, paved paths, making this natural area accessible to everyone. At Hoornseplas, there is a play and splash pool on the beach for young children.

Haren and Archaeological Discoveries

Haren lies south of the city of Groningen and can be reached by bicycle from the Grote Markt in less than half an hour. Special plants from around the world grow at Hortus Botanicus. The Chinese Ming Garden is considered the only one of its kind in Europe. Another discovery awaits at the De Vork archaeological walking park, where you will find, among other things, a reconstruction of an Iron Age farmstead. Visitors can learn more about remarkable finds and how people lived there in the past.

Haren has a railway station where Sprinter trains between Groningen and Zwolle stop several times an hour. Check the timetable before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Groningen, Pekela, Stadskanaal, Menterwolde, Zuidhorn, Slochteren, Leek, Hoogezand-Sappemeer.

Back to the main travel overview: Groningen.