A short walk from Groningen Hoofdstation to the Groninger Museum connects two distinctive sides of the city: The museum is about 300 metres from the station and is the largest museum for art and design in the northern Netherlands. Hoofdstation itself is a state-protected monument and continues to serve its original function as a railway station.
Art, architecture and a view over the city
The Groninger Museum’s permanent collection includes historical objects relating to Groningen’s history, Asian ceramics and paintings by the artists’ group De Ploeg. The postmodern building has stood on the Diepenring since 1994. A visit therefore brings together a range of subjects: regional history, ceramics and the paintings of a Groningen artists’ group.
Forum Groningen adds a different architectural accent. Its building is 45 metres high and has ten storeys. Two towers are connected by escalators, and there is a terrace on the roof. In fine weather and with a little luck, you can see Schiermonnikoog from there. Admission is charged for events at the Forum, while the open spaces adjoining the atrium are freely accessible. This distinction is useful when planning a visit to the building without necessarily attending an event.
Harbour district and city history
Hoge der A and Lage der A make up Groningen’s oldest harbour district. For a long time, the district was directly connected to the sea: at high tide, Hoge der A was used for loading and unloading, and at low tide, Lage der A. A walk along the quays takes you past 28 state-protected monuments and 11 municipal monuments. Here, the two quays can be understood not just as historic names, but also in terms of their different roles at high and low tide.
Groningen’s hofjes (courtyard almshouses) tell another part of the city’s history. In the past, they provided free accommodation for the poor, widows and the sick; today, private residents live in these quiet oases in the city centre. Pelstergasthuis is Groningen’s oldest inn.
City gardens and park history
Prinsentuin was laid out in the 17th century by stadtholder Willem Frederik and his wife Albertine Agnes. This lush, flower-filled city garden invites you to stroll among the plants, read on a bench or drink tea in the tea house. During the summer months, the tea room there serves drinks. If this seasonal visit is important to your plans, check availability for your travel dates.
Noorderplantsoen also combines green space and history: the park was created on the former city ramparts and on the site of city moats, which were laid out in the 17th century and later converted into ponds. The Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival Groningen takes place there every year; the programme changes with each edition. Check the dates if you would like to include the festival in your stay. Stadspark lies in the southwest of Groningen and offers another park option in a clearly specified location.
Towers, the station and cycling trips
If you would like to see Groningen from above, you can climb the Martinitoren independently during its daily opening hours. The top offers a view over the city; opening hours may vary by period, so it is worth checking the latest information before your visit. At Hoofdstation, it is worth looking at the hall: its features include an ornate papier-mâché ceiling, stained-glass windows, tile panels with symbolic depictions by Groningen artist F. H. Bach, and a tall wrought-iron lantern.
There are different ways to explore by bike. Guided cycling trips in Groningen visit well-known sights such as the Forum, the Martinitoren and Peerd van Ome Loeks; booking details may change. The historic Groene Parels cycling route is 42 kilometres long and passes through Groningen and the surrounding area of Haren. The options therefore differ mainly in the destinations listed for the guided trips and the stated length of the route. Check booking or route details in advance.
Beyond the city, the province of Groningen offers a setting of its own for further discoveries: you can explore it by car, on foot or by bike. Routes connect, among other things, centuries-old artificial dwelling mounds, distinctive churches, the Wadden Sea and the city of Groningen. You can focus on the city or add impressions of the province to your stay, without treating both as the same route.
For the wider travel overview: Groningen.
