Every year, thousands of students are eager to start their student time in Groningen. The time that, according to many pastors, is going to be the best time of your life. And although the start of this academic year is somewhat different from other years, it is still important for students to get acquainted with their new place of residence. We like to help brand-new students along the way and introduce here the places where you are bound to spend a lot of time as a student. Finally, don't forget to also play our 360-degree game, so you can finally call yourself a real 'virtual Groninger'. Good luck in your new city!
Go to the Ap
Korenbeurs & Vismarkt – If a supermarket has no trolleys but only baskets at the entrance, and the range of ready meals is larger than that of household goods, you know you’re in a student town. Albert Heijn Korenbeurs is entirely tailored to the wishes and needs of the modern student. Situated on the Vismarkt, in a beautiful listed building, this centrally located Albert Heijn branch is an unmissable eye-catcher. Run out of student grant? On market days (Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) – especially after 4 pm – you can do your weekly shopping on the Vismarkt at very reasonable prices.
read more
The communal garden
Noorderplantsoen – Some come here to work off last night’s beers, others to relax after a week of hard studying. The Noorderplantsoen is an extension of every student’s common room. It’s not just students who love the park; locals are crazy about it too.
read more
Taking tentative steps on the dance floor
Poelestraat & Peperstraat – Nowhere else in the city are the paving stones as sticky as in Poelestraat and Peperstraat. Especially when the end of exam week turns into a week of partying. The heart of Groningen’s nightlife is home to countless student pubs, including ‘t Golden Fust, Het Feest, Shooters and De Negende Cirkel. Not really a student-style night owl? During the summer months, you’ll also find plenty of outdoor terraces in Poelestraat. And they’re incredibly cosy even if you’re not (or no longer) a student.
Where Groningen’s academic and research communities come together
Zernike Campus – Not necessarily a party venue, but certainly a place where many students gather every day, is the Zernike Campus. Alongside the University of Groningen and Hanze University of Applied Sciences, other companies and institutions with a passion for research, education and entrepreneurship are also based here. Exciting developments are taking place in the fields of Healthy Ageing, Sustainable Society and Energy. The campus is about a 10-minute cycle ride north of the city centre. It has everything you need for a full day’s study: from a supermarket to a fully-equipped sports complex and a variety of lunch and coffee spots.
read more
The Costa del Grun
Hoornsemeer & Paterswoldsemeer – When the temperature rises above 20 degrees, Hoornsemeer is a popular spot amongst students. Bring your swimwear, a towel and a few beers or a bottle of rosé, and experience the ‘Costa del Grun’. You’ll also find various bars and restaurants by the lake that perfectly capture that ‘holiday-in-your-own-city’ feeling. For example, enjoy a sumptuous dinner at Loetje, settle down on the lounge sofas at Kaap Hoorn , or choose one of the many other sun-drenched terraces by the lake. As they say in Groningen: it couldn’t be better!
Read more
Racking our brains
Broerstraat – With all the distractions, you might almost forget it, but students come to Groningen primarily to study. Broerstraat, home to the University Library (UB) and the Academiegebouw, forms the heart of academic Groningen. Especially during exam periods, there’s a lot of hard work going on in and around the UB. If you walk past very quietly, you can hear the brains of over 2,200 students in the UB working overtime.
Read more
Late-night snacking
Hoek, Hasret, Febo and others – It’s not just the pubs, but also the snack bars and kebab shops that are open late every day. And that suits many a student down to the ground, as the döner kebab is a huge hit with hungry night owls. Fancy a less meaty snack? Then pop along to the nearest snack bar and try an eierbal’. You won’t find this delicious vegetarian ragout ball anywhere else but in Grunn.
Read more
The ‘final-year students’ square
Uurwerkersplein – Students who are growing up tend to favour Uurwerkersplein, just above Peperstraat. Once life gets a bit more serious, you often can’t go out until the early hours on weekdays any more, but on Friday afternoons you can enjoy a well-deserved ‘VrijMiBo’. Tucked away behind the Kromme Elleboog lies Uurwerkersplein. Here, you can enjoy a delicious stone-baked pizza at de Uurwerker and have a speciality beer at De Pintelier to kick off your weekend.
read more
