You can experience the ultimate relaxing summer feeling with a lovely picnic in the open air. And the best way to relax is sitting or lying in the grass, with a good book, a cold drink and some snacks you’ve brought from home. So grab your blanket and picnic basket filled with delicious local produce and discover these lovely picnic spots in Groningen.
Picnicking on the water
De Maren – A large green lawn is, of course, the ideal spot for a picnic. But you can also do things a little differently. Have a picnic on the water. As you sail across De Maren, you can enjoy the Groningen countryside around Winsum. Hire a boat from Marenland and take a well-stocked picnic basket with you. They’ll prepare it for you. Everything you need for a lovely day on the water.
Public transport: 25 minutes by local train from the city.
By car: a 27-minute drive from the city.
A 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 centre.
By car: a 25-minute 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.
By car: a 25-minute drive from the city.
Spread out your blanket on the dyke
Punt van Reide – Being outdoors is the best thing there is. But how about a picnic in the open air? Or even better: a picnic on top of the dyke at Punt van Reide. This narrow spit of land outside the dyke, right in the middle of the Dollard, is an oasis of tranquillity. As you tuck into your homemade treats, you can see how nature has free rein here and admire the many birds. You might even spot a seal from behind the zeehondenkijkwand.
By car: a 51-minute drive from the city.
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With a magnificent view
Landgoed Nienoord – At Landgoed Nienoord , you can enjoy a picnic whilst looking out over the vast estate with its stately manor house. Set up your picnic basket by the pond, in the rose garden or in the woods, and enjoy the sun, nature and the view. After your picnic, be sure to take a look inside one of the most beautiful borgen Groningen has to offer. And take a stroll through the stunning contemporary garden, designed to evoke the atmosphere of days gone by.
Public transport: 35 minutes by bus 3 from the city centre.
By car: a 21-minute drive from the city.
Along the winding little 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.
By car: a 43-minute drive from the city.
That’s where you’ll reap the rewards
Reiderwolde – Adjacent to Blauwestad lies the Reiderwolde nature reserve. You know, the one with that distinctive red tower. Together with artists, farmers and the local community, the area has been transformed into a diverse nature reserve. It’s the ideal spot to settle down with a picnic basket full of local delicacies. And you can even pick the fruit yourself. In autumn, you’ll find apples, blackberries and pears there. Your picnic could hardly be any fresher or more local.
Public transport: 1 hour and 13 minutes by local train and bus 17 from the city.
By car: a 34-minute drive from the city centre.
Unique company
Vriescheloo – In the woods around Vriescheloo, you can go on a truly special walk. Here, you can set off on an adventure through the countryside accompanied by a donkey. From Ger’s Ezelstal , you can enjoy lovely walks through the surrounding countryside in the company of a donkey. Along the way, there are several lovely spots where you can spread out your blanket for a picnic. The best bit is that you don’t have to carry your food yourself – the donkey will do that for you.
By car: a 44-minute drive from the city.
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Winding paths and jetties
Hoornsepad – For as long as anyone can remember, the town’s residents have headed to the Hoornse and Paterswoldsemeer lakes on hot summer days to cool off. The Hoornsepad is situated on the eastern side of the Hoornsemeer . It’s an ideal spot for a picnic. Cycle along the lovely winding cycle path and settle down on one of the jetties by the water. Or spread out your blanket on the large lawn by the windmill. It might even be warm enough for a refreshing dip.
Public transport: 39 minutes by bus 8, 9, 10 or 19 from the city centre.
By car: a 6-minute drive from the city centre.
Chilling out in a National Park
Lauwersmeer – On the border between Groningen and Friesland lies what is perhaps one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the Netherlands: the Lauwersmeer. The natural environment here is so special that the area has been designated a national park. There is plenty to discover amidst the peace and space of the vast landscape: unusual flowers, vast numbers of birds and sweeping views. The ideal spot to relax on your picnic blanket.
Public transport: 1 hour by bus 163 from the city centre.
Car: a 43-minute drive from the city.
