Groningen
Travel Guide Europe Netherlands Groningen Groningen
Introduction
Groningen is the capital city of the Dutch province of the same name. It is mainly known for its great student life, a big part of the population is made up by students, taking place around the big market square called "Grote Markt" and the "Vismarkt". On the Grote Markt you also find the most famous landmark of the Groningen, the Martinitoren. The center is dutch in the way that there are canals.
It is the biggest city in the north of the Netherlands and is reached most comfortably by train from Utrecht and Amsterdam in about 2 hours.
Neighbourhoods
Sights and Activities
Martini Tower
The 500-year-old Martini Tower is the main landmark in the city. It used to be possible to climb it but this has been suspended after a few suicides took place lately.
Canals
Although smaller than those in Amsterdam and Utrecht, Groningen has some canals and a one hour boat trip is something you should consider to see the historical buildings from a different perspective.
Museums
Groningen also has a good share of museums, the Groninger Museum being of the most impressive ones. It is just across the trainstation and the building just can't be missed, with striking architecture by Italian architect Mendini. The main trainstation is worth seeing itself as well by the way, with its 19th century architecture it is one of the most beautiful trainstation in the country.
Other museums include
- The Northern Maritime Museum
- The Dutch Comic Strip Museum
- The Graffic Museum
- The Museum of National History.
Events and Festivals
Eurosonic & Noorderslag
In the second weekend on January, there is one of the biggest music conventions of Europe coming to Groningen. The days of the business people are filled with seminars at the Oosterpoort, but on thursday and friday evening there is music in a lot of cafés in the centere of Groningen. If you want to watch a couple of the upcoming European bands before they become big, this is the place to be. On saturday there is Noorderslag an evening at the Oosterpoort with only dutch bands. Tickets for both events are limited.
Weather
Groningen weather is typical of what you get in the Netherlands: mild winters with rare snow, and reasonably warm summers. Generally though, both summer and winter are just a bit colder compared to places more to the south in the Netherlands, meaning temperatures around 20 °C during the day and around zero during the winter.
Getting There
By Plane
Groningen has international and domestic flights leaving from Groningen Airport Eelde, about 10 kilometres from the city centre. Destinations include Aberdeen, Antalya, Corfu, Dalaman, Faro, Heraklion, Kos, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Rhodes and Tenerife.
By Train
Although Groningen is the northern most city in the country, train connections are fast and frequent with travelling times about 2 hours from both Utrecht and Amsterdam. Check the National Railways website for details.
By Car
From Groningen the national highway A28 runs south to Utrecht. Also the A7 is an important highway running from Bremen in Germany all the way to Amsterdam through the northern provinces of the Netherlands, crossing the famous Afsluitdijk, built to prevent floodings from the sea. If is a short route from the province of Friesland to North Holland, passing by Groningen.
By Bus
Groningen is one of the places in the Netherlands that served by Eurolines. Public Express operates a bus from the Groningen trainstation to Bremen Airport.
Getting Around
By Car
Groningen is not the best city to drive around in with your car. Parkingspaces are limited and prices are pretty high. There is however the option to park your car at a so-called transferium. These are places where you can park your car, and continue to the innercity by public transport. There is one at Kardinge (N46), but also a little bit further away from the city in Haren (south along the A28), Hoogkerk (along the A7) and at Zernike there are transferiums.
By Public Transport
There are several city buses connecting all neighbourhoods, all of them start at the Central Station. Qbuzz is the main operator for these buses.
By Foot
If you stay in the centre of Groningen, it is easy enough to find your way on foot. As it is not a huge city, this is not a place where you will have blisters on your feet from walking.
By Bike
As in many Dutch towns and cities Groningen is a perfect city for using a bicycle. The only pieces that go uphill are the bridges.
Eat
A lot of the restaurants can be found in the inner city, and most of them are located at or near the Grote Markt and the Vismarkt.
For most travellers the wagamama restaurants are well-known for providing good food for a reasonable price. Groningen has one at the Vismarkt.
Drink
Just like the restaurants, most bars and cafés can be found around the Grote Markt and the Vismarkt.
Sleep
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hampshire Hotel Plaza Groningen | Laan Corpus den Hoorn 300 | Hotel | 84 |
| Hotel de Doelen | Grote Markt 36 | Hotel | 65 |
| Budgett Hostels | Rademarkt 3-3a | Hostel | 80 |
| Hostel Pension Tivoli | GedempteZuiderdiep 67 | Hostel | 100 |
Budget
Mid-Range
Upscale
Work
Keep Connected
Internet
Internet cafés certainly are not ubiqutous to say the least. Although there are a few, it's best to go on the internet in your hotel, hostel or maybe in the nearest library, as they can be hard to find.
Phone
See also International Telephone Calls
Post
The rate for sending a postcard or letter up to 20 grams within the Netherlands is €0.46 (2010). Since 2010 there are stamps available for domestic post which no longer include the value in €. Instead, there are stamps available with either a '1' or a '2' as a substitute for value. The '1' can be used for letters and postcards up to 20 grams, while 20-50 grams require you to use the '2'-valued stamps (or two '1'-valued stamps of course).
Sending items to other EU countries will cost €0.67, while the rest of the world sets you back €0.89 per piece. Stamps are sold at post offices and supermarkets; often the place where you buy your postcards can also supply you with stamps.
Sending parcels abroad is more costly. A standard-sized parcel between 500-2,000 grams will cost you €9.10 for destinations within the EU, and €17.50 to the rest of the world. Parcel service is available from major post offices only; standard-size boxes are on sale there as well.
If you need to receive mail while moving around, you can have it sent poste restante (to be called for) to a post office of your choice, where it will be kept for a month. If you come to claim it, bring a valid ID, and make sure to have told the sender that the name on the envelope must be an exact match with that in your passport. For addresses of post offices, as well as more information, consult the TNT website.
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