Top 10 attractions
Places you must see
In Groningen, it's all remarkably close together. The liveliness of the city, the silence of a courtyard, the vastness of the surrounding countryside and the traces of an ancient past. Here you can stand eye to eye with icons such as the Martinitoren and the Forum, but just as easily in the middle of nature, on a mound or in a fortress. Discover the 10 sights you want to see in City and Countryside.
Martinitoren
In the past 500 years, the Martinitoren burned down, lightning struck and it was on the verge of collapse. Wars were won and lost on its doorstep. The tower stood its ground and, at 97 metres tall, is still the city's tallest building. Climb up for a piece of tangible history and, above all, a fantastic view.
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National Park Lauwersmeer
Of course there was a plan behind the closing off of the Lauwerszee in 1969. But no one could have predicted that the Lauwersmeer area would become one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the Netherlands. You won't find this combination of vistas on the horizon, magnificent flora, unique fauna and so much space for recreation anywhere else.
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Borgen
Scattered across the province, stately houses tower above the surrounding fields. They are surrounded by trees and sometimes even a moat. The are borgen that were inhabited by jonkers in previous centuries. Once, there were over a hundred in the province. Only 16 of them made it to the present. Here you stap the past and discover how the rich used to live.
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Forum Groningen
At the heart of the city is the Forum. The city's living room. A place you can walk right into seven days a week. Be surprised by Storyworld, changing exhibitions, 5 cinema rooms, the Smartlab, restaurants, the city library and Groningen's highest roof terrace with phenomenal views and a rooftop cinema.
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The Wadden
The Wadden Sea revolves around the Wadden Islands? Literally maybe, but figuratively certainly not. For the splendour of the Wadden, you don't have to go to an island. The coast of Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site offers incredible things to see and do, from the endless horizon in Oldambt to the nature in National Park Lauwersmeer.
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Courtyards
In the past, Groningen’s ‘courtyards’ (courtyard houses) provided free accommodation to the poor, widows and the sick. Nowadays, all sorts of private residents live in these oases of tranquillity in the city centre. You can pop into a handful of them for a moment’s peace and quiet. Some of the trees in the flower-filled gardens are so old that they date back to the time of the courtyards’ former residents.
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Kiekkaaste
The water undulates across the mud flats while birds peck at their food. You get a splendid view of this agile nature from vogelkijkhut De Kiekkaaste near Nieuwe Statenzijl. This is the only Dutch bird hide outside the dykes. Ready for a walk? Don't forget your binoculars and brave the blubber.
Fort Bourtange
The defences had barely been completed when the pro-Spanish forces were already at the gates. Thanks to the combination of the bastions and the marshy terrain, the enemy soon retreated. Even the Bishop of Münster failed to capture Bourtange. Step inside Groningen’s impregnable fortress, restored to its former glory.
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Groninger museum
The creative energy practically bursts from the walls. Beautiful or ugly? The Groninger Museum has stood there since 1994, but is still the subject of debate regarding modern architecture. Let that be reason enough to pay a visit. The diverse collection and the innovative, occasionally quite provocative exhibitions round off the experience.
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Wierde villages
Anyone who thinks Groningen is as flat as a dime is wrong. In many places in Groningen's landscape, you will come across hilltop villages that were formed in an era without dykes, when the land was still regularly flooded. To still be able to live safely and dry, the villages were built on wide hills.
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