A varied week away with your motorhome: it's possible in Groningen. One day you can be by the Wadden Sea and the next in the woods of Westerwolde. Climb the Martinitoren and walk a plank path in the middle of nature. Visit a borg or drive past a cute village. We put together a motorhome route that lets you experience Groningen's versatility in a week.
Day 1 and 2 | City and Midden-Groningen
Start your trip on day 1 in the city of Groningen. That way, you'll start in the hustle and bustle, only to find more and more peace and quiet later in this weekend trip. It might be a bit tricky to get into the city with your campervan, so leave it at a P+R site and catch a bus towards the city. On day 2, you can revisit the city if you are a fan, or orientate yourself a bit more to the area around the city.
Sleeping at?
- Camping de Kleine Wereld: hip campsite with a cosy bistro
- Camping Groningen Internationaal: quiet stay in green surroundings
- Parking De Lijte: a free car park on the south shore of the Paterswoldsemeer lake
There is, of course, super much to do and see in the city of Groningen. Want to catch the real highlights? Then climb the Martinitoren, visit the Groninger Museum and take a tour of the almshouses. Prefer going out near the city? Around Groningen you can enjoy the great outdoors at Het Mammoetpad, or hike part of 't Roege Pad. Or spend a day in Haren and discover its many quaint boutiques or the Hortus Botanicus.
Day 3 and 4 | Westerkwartier & Waddenland
For days 3 and 4 of your trip, head more to the north-west of Groningen. In Westerkwartier, discover more about Groningen's heritage and wierden and visit a special borg. In Waddenland, experience what true space and peace is like, and get to know our upstairs neighbour: the Wadden Sea.
Sleeping at?
- Marenland: large campsite on the water where you can also rent a canoe
- De Kleine Molenpolder: small-scale and green camper van site
- Camping Wilgenheerd: Small nature campsite on the Hoornse vaart canal
On day 3, be sure to visit borg Nienoord and take a walk through the gardens there too. Walk the plank path at the Letterberterpetten or discover more about the Groninger landscape and visit wierde village Ezinge. On day 4, you head into Waddenland and then, of course, you have to get to know the Wadden Sea. Enjoy this piece of Unesco World Heritage at the Wadden Tribune or go for the real thing and go mudflat hiking. Or discover the National Park Lauwersmeer on foot, by bike or by boat. Prefer something quieter? Then head to De Theefabriek (the high tea here is fantastic), eat a fish in Zoutkamp, or go on a podwalk through cute Winsum.
Day 5 and 6 | Veenkoloniën and Westerwolde
For days 5 and 6 of your campervan trip, you'll travel to the underside of Groningen. Westerwolde is the perfect base for a nice walk in super-green surroundings. And the Veenkoloniën contains a lot of history: which you'll see off in its quaint villages.
Sleeping at?
- Camperplaats Loosterstee: a rural camper van site with panoramic views
- Motorhome site on Streek: located in the region of Westerwolde with its beautiful nature reserves
- Camperpark Veendam: a lovely spot with beautiful views over the water.
- Camperpark Noord: the nicest and cosiest camper park in the north
On day 5, you will travel through the Veenkoloniën. To learn more about this area, the Veenkoloniaal museum is a must. Afterwards, have a drink at Wieke Distillers. Or walk the Veenjagerspad also fun with children). For your last day in beautiful Groningen, check out the extraordinary fortified village of Bourtange. But the centuries-old monastery in Ter Apel is also worth a visit. Nature in Westerwolde is beautiful, visit for example the Lieftinghsbroek: one of the oldest forests in the Netherlands.
Day 7 and 8 | Oldambt and Eemsdelta
The last two days are spent in the north-east of Groningen. In Oldambt, you can taste the peace, space and history of the Groningen countryside. Eems Delta has beautiful villages, where space and dynamics come together.
Sleeping at?
- Camping de Bouwte: rural and green surroundings
- Camping Holland Poort: located on the Dutch-German border near a beautiful nature reserve
- Marinapark camping Zeestrand: a unique campsite by the Wadden Sea
- Jachthaven Winschoten: green, centrally located and attractive marina
- Motorhome park Landgoed Winschoterzijl: nature, peace and space
In Oldambt, you will enjoy peace and nature. Cycle around the Dollard and stop at bird hide De Kiekkaaste, the only Dutch bird hide outside the dikes. Afterwards, settle down at Brasserie Old School in Scheemda for a delicious high tea. The last day starts in Appingedam, where you can sail on the Damsterveer and take a tour along the famous hangende keukens. End your day with a visit to the Museum Møhlmann, where you can find beautiful painting in a special setting.
