The ultimate relaxing summer feeling is a nice picnic in the open air. And relaxing is best while sitting or lying in the grass, with a good book, a cold drink and snacks brought from home. So grab your blanket and picnic basket with delicious local produce under your arm and discover these great picnic spots in Groningen.
Picnicking on the water
De Maren - A big green lawn is of course the ideal place for a picnic. But you can also do it a little differently. Picnic on the water. While sailing on the Maren you can enjoy the Groningen landscape around Winsum. Hire a boat from Marenland and take a well-stocked picnic basket with you. They will prepare it for you. Everything for a wonderful day on the water.
Public transport: 25 minutes by local train from the city.
Car: 27 minutes' drive from the city.
Fairytale picnic
Fraeylemaborg - The Slochterbos behind the Fraeylemaborg is a beautiful nature reserve with large, old trees that provide shade for a lovely picnic. Every season there has its own colours, scents and sounds: in spring stately plants bloom and in autumn you will find all kinds of mushrooms. The stately borg is located on a historic estate, once inspired by Versailles and later transformed into an English landscape garden, complete with restaurant and exhibition space.
Public transport: 39 minutes by bus 178 from the city.
Car: 25 minutes' drive from the city.
Greener than green
Heemtuin & Natuurpark Tussen de Venen - It could hardly be greener at de Heemtuin and nature reserve Tussen de Venen. Everywhere you look you see wild flowers and plants, old varieties of fruit trees and other greenery. Those who lay down their picnic blanket here can enjoy themselves all day. Relaxing with a snack and a drink, you unwind in nature. And when you are recharged, take a look at the many gardens, the apiary and the natural forest. Plenty to do for nature lovers. Young and old.
Public transport: 1 hour and 13 minutes by local train and bus 174 from the city.
Car: 25 minutes' drive from the city.
With your rug on the dyke
Punt van Reide - Being outdoors is the best thing there is. But what about picnicking in the open air. Or even better: picnicking on top of the dike at the Punt van Reide. This narrow outer dike spit of land in the middle of the Dollard is an oasis of peace and quiet. While you wolf down your homemade snacks, watch nature having free rein here and admire the many birds. You might even spot a seal from behind the zeehondenkijkwand.
Car: 51 minutes' drive from the city.
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With stately views
Landgoed Nienoord - At Landgoed Nienoord you can have a picnic while looking out over the vast estate with its stately borg. Place your picnic basket around the pond, by the rose garden or in the woods and enjoy the sun, nature and the view. After your picnic, take a look inside one of the most beautiful borgen in Groningen. And stroll through the beautiful contemporary garden, laid out in the atmosphere of yesteryear.
Public transport: 35 minutes by bus 3 from the city.
Car: 21 minutes' drive from the city.
Along the winding river
The dal van de Ruiten Aa - Along the meandering little river Ruiten Aa, there are plenty of nice places to picnic. For example, by the hand-powered cable car. Or at the artwork 'Theater van de Natuur'. Everywhere, you are surrounded by woods, meadows and fields. Don't feel like making your own picnic? At Gasterij Natuurlijk Smeerling they are happy to let you enjoy all the goodies from the region. Take the 'Verrassend Doordachte' lunch and enjoy a picnic in the varied nature of the dal van de Ruiten Aa.
Public transport: 1 hour and 28 minutes by local train and bus 14 from the city.
Car: 43 minutes' drive from the city.
You reap the benefits of that
Reiderwolde - Adjacent to Blauwestad lies nature reserve Reiderwolde. You know, with that distinctive red tower. Together with artists, farmers and the rest of the population, the area has been transformed into a diverse nature reserve. The ideal place to settle down with your picnic basket full of local goodies. And you can also pick the fruits yourself: in autumn you can find apples, blackberries and pears. Your picnic could hardly be fresher and more local.
Public transport: 1 hour and 13 minutes by local train and bus 17 from the city.
Car: 34 minutes' drive from the city.
Unique company
Vriescheloo - In the woods around Vriescheloo, you can take a very special walk. Here you can join a donkey on an adventure through the surroundings. From Ger’s Ezelstal, you can take beautiful walks through the surrounding nature in the company of a donkey. Along the way, there are several beautiful spots where you can lay down your rug for a picnic. Ideal: you don't have to lift your food yourself, the donkey will do that for you.
Car: 44-minute drive from the city.
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Winding paths and jetties
Hoornsepad - For years, residents of the city have been heading towards the Hoornse- and Paterswoldsemeer for some cooling down during the hot summer days. On the east side of the Hoornsemeer lies the Hoornsepad. An ideal spot for a picnic. Cycle along the nice winding cycle path and settle down on one of the jetties along the water. Or lay out your rug on the large lawn near the windmill. It might even be warm enough for a dip.
Public transport: 39 minutes by bus 8, 9, 10 or 19 from the city.
Car: 6 minutes' drive from the city.
Chilling out in a National Park
Lauwersmeer - On the border of Groningen and Friesland, you may find one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the Netherlands; the Lauwersmeer. The nature here is so special that the area has been declared a national park. In the peace and space of the vast landscape, there is much to discover. Special flowers, huge numbers of birds and vast vistas. The ideal place to relax on your rug.
Public transport: 1 hour by bus 163 from the city.
Car: 43 minutes' drive from the city.
