The weather’s lovely, and the sun’s shining brightly. Fancy cooling off during these hot summer days? Groningen is brimming with special places to swim. To make things easy for you, we’ve listed the best spots for a refreshing dip outdoors. Whether in or outside the city, the waterfront is a lovely place to relax. Where will you lay your towel?
Reitdiep | Garnwerd
The winding Reitdiep area is ideal for a walk or cycle ride. Fancy a break? Then take a dip in the Reitdiep, near Garnwerd. On the nearby beach, you can settle down with a refreshing drink from the Garnwerd aan Zee restaurant. Children can let off steam to their heart’s content here, as there are toys and trampolines on the beach. For those who fancy it, there’s a sunbathing area and you can go out on a pontoon.
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Lauwersmeer | Lauwersoog, Oostmahorn
On Lauwersmeer, around the new Robbengat, you will find several beaches where it is good to stay during the summer days. The names of the beaches - spoonbill, sea eagle, coot, little swan, goldeneye - emphasise the colourful company that inhabits the Lauwersmeer. After a day of swimming, visit restaurant het Booze Wijf, where the chefs work with Waddengoud products. Staying longer than a day? Then pitch your tent at Camping Siblu
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Stadsstrand | Groningen
Every year, the city of Groningen is the proud owner of a stadsstrand. At the Ebbingekwartier, next to Dot, you’ll find a section of water marked out with buoys where you can swim. But you won’t just be swimming there; on sunny days at the Stadsstrand , you can also play a game of beach volleyball, table tennis, table football or chess. The lifeguards complete the summery picture.
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Grunostrand | Harkstede
Just ten minutes from the city of Groningen, you’ll find the Break Out Grunopark in Harkstede. At this activity park, anything goes – you can build rafts, play paintball, go water-skiing and much more. The Grunoplas regularly provides the backdrop for Grunopark’s activities, whilst the adjacent beach is a lovely spot for swimming or sunbathing in the summer.
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Strandheem | Opende
In the Westerkwartier, close to the Frisian border, you will find the recreational lake 't Strandheem. Of course you can swim, float and sunbathe at the beach, but for the enthusiast there is also the opportunity to fish or row. After a day full of water fun, pitch your tent at campsite 't Strandheem or stay in one of the cosy lodges or chalets.
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Schildmeer | Steendam
Water sports enthusiasts will be in their element at the Schildmeer. As well as a lovely swim, you can also go windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking there. Around the lake, there is plenty of reed growth and rugged marshy land, but there is also a beach for those who prefer sunbathing. Around the lake, you’ll find various holiday parks where you can spend your summer days in beautiful surroundings.
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Saltwater Bath | Loppersum
In Loppersum, you can take a dip in a unique saltwater pool. This pool was dug out by hand in 1933, and the water is pumped up from a spring 112 metres deep. The sun heats the purified and healthy spring water. With changing cubicles on one side and small dykes on the other, it is an intimate and well-organised swimming pool. The 50-metre pool has a sandy bottom. There is a paddling pool and both deep and shallow areas. Behind one of the embankments lies a lovely recreation area where you can relax or play.
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Papiermolen | Groningen
If you’re not keen on sand, you can cool off in the (city) swimming pool in Groningen. The Papiermolen, renovated in 2018, is the perfect place to take a refreshing dip. But you can also visit on less sunny days, as the pool is heated then. Do you prefer to swim laps or lie in the sun? With five swimming pools, a water slide, play equipment and a large sunbathing area, there’s something for everyone. Fun fact: during the renovation work, a mural dating back more than sixty years was discovered. It has been restored to its former glory.
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