Location

On 27 June 1909 the Academy Building was newly inaugurated after the building was entirely destroyed by fire in 1906. It was built according to the early seventeenth century North Netherlands Renaissance style the patrons used to refer to the period in which the university was established. Sculptor Petrus Ackermans designed five allegorical sculptures. Minerva  is standing in full suit of armour on top of the Academy Building with a helmet on and carrying a spear and coat of arms.  Scientia  and  Historia  represent science and history respectively. Prudentia stands for wise policy and Mathematica  for mathematics.

The Pintelier Belgian café, which is associated with the Alliance of Beer Houses (A.B.T.), has been a household word in Groningen for years. Located in one of the oldest entertainment areas in Groningen, enjoy some Flemish hospitality. Be surprised by the extensive drinks list; with 23 draught beers and another 80 bottled ones, the Pintelier is the perfect place to enjoy your favourite abbey beer or Trappist beer. If you would you like to experience something entirely different, you will certainly be enthusiastic about our extensive selection. Opening hours: Sunday through Wednesday from 3 pm until 2 am Thursday through Saturday from 3 pm until 3 am

Hotel de Doelen is located in a historical building at the foot of the Martini tower: a classic hotel with modern facilities, comfort and personal attention. The building at the Grote Markt, which has been a hotel for over 200 years, has a wonderful view of Groningen’s bustling city centre. The rooms are very comfortably furnished with a bath or shower, toilet, telephone, mini bar, and colour television. Guests may choose from a comfortable standard room, deluxe room or a fancy VIP room. The stairwell of Hotel de Doelen is an element in its own: the beautifully stained leaded dome above it is of particular value. This hotel can be booked directly  online .

Hotel Groningen - Zuidbroek A7 is located a mere 15 minutes by car from the lovely city of Groningen, in the center of the province. The hotel is characterized by its easy accessibility and is highly valued by its guests as an operating base to the city of Groningen with its huge selection of shops, museums, cafés, and market squares, or to enjoy the tranquillity and space of the immediate vicinity. Enjoy a culinary visit to our charming restaurant and choose from our menu with various seasonal and regional dishes and other options. Go to our friendly hotel bar to conclude the day together while enjoying a drink or snack. Our hotel rooms are spacious and include every amenity, such as free Wi-Fi, bath, shower, bathroom, table and chairs, a flat-screen TV and a balcony or patio. We also have a Sportshall, a small health club, infrared sauna, tennis courts, and an events hall. There is free parking and an electric vehicle charging station (GreenFlux).

Wherever you are in Westerwolde, there is always a tourist information point nearby. The many enthusiastic volunteers, who have taken Westerwolde to their hearts, are more than happy to tell you where best to walk, cycle, play golf or sail a boat. Tourist information for the south-eastern part of the province of Groningen is provided by Tourist Info Westerwolde. Tourist Info Westerwolde has 14 offices across the region. Thanks to the collaboration between the municipalities of Bellingwedde, Stadskanaal and Vlagtwedde, tourist information is available across the whole of Westerwolde. We will be delighted to welcome you to wonderful Westerwolde!

Bus stops involve people waiting, which makes them a perfect location for a work of art. In the Oosterstraat a news ticker has been installed between two stainless steel columns. Instead of passenger information, texts are displayed about travelling, buses, and heart and lungs. The texts were written by author Jacques Brooijmans and most of them are poetic or philosophical.  In the Oosterstraat is a transparent synthetic heart in neon light above the columns. In the Gelkingestraat, that runs parallel to the Oosterstraat, lungs are placed above the columns. The organs refer to the centre and periphery of the city. When you enter the city by bus, you first pass the red heart, a symbol for the centre and the dynamic liveliness surrounding it. When leaving the city via the Gelkingestraat, buses pass the green lungs that refer to the tranquillity and space in the suburbs.

This land sculpture was designed by architect and artist Gunnar Daan. He was inspired by Emeritus Professor in biological psychiatry Rudy van den Hoofdakker, who is better known as poet Rutger Kopland. In 1966 Van den Hoofdakker published a thesis about sleep disorders, and Daan distilled the theme of sleep from this for his work or art featuring a sleeping woman, man, dog and cat. The figures are embedded in the slope and surrounded by a stainless steel rim. The steel functions as some kind of low profile (hence its title  Low Profile ) filled with earth.

The historic city hotel Corps de Garde is located in the very heart of the bustling and charming city of Groningen. The historic elements are still visible in our recently renovated rooms and the combination of designer furniture and Auping beds results in a unique ambiance. Book a deluxe room styled by Bart Vos (Maupertuus) or spend the night in a standard deluxe room with authentic joist ceiling. Each of our 19 rooms is distinctive, so that you can enjoy plenty of variety during your stay here! An unparalleled hotel at a singular location. Corps de Garde; feels like home.

We hold tours through the city of Groningen and its environs. Options include artificial dwelling hill tours, historic farm tours, city tours and moonlight tours. Information about the neighbourhood and places of interest along the way is provided. These tours are possible with a horse and carriage, coach and horse tram, and are suited for family celebrations, student and children’s parties, anniversaries, etc. Also suitable for large groups (up to 80 people). We can provide food and drinks and/or overnight accommodation. Departures from the Vindicat building (nearby the Tourist Information Office); other starting locations in consultation.

Located near Vlagtwedde in the southeast of the province of Groningen between the province of Drenthe and Germany, Parc Emslandermeer has comfortable 6, 7 and 10 person bungalows at the water’s edge and in wooded areas. There is plenty for active tourists to do, with a subtropical swimming pool, tennis courts, two 9-hole golf courts, bicycle hire and miniature golf. Relax at our beauty salon or have a delicious meal in our restaurant or snack bar. The scenic beauty and unlimited opportunities for activities and relaxation ensure that this is the perfect place for cyclists, hikers, water sports enthusiasts, anglers, culture fans and those looking for some peace and quiet. The saying ‘There’s no place like Groningen’ is oh so true!

Ons Blauwe Hart (Our Blue Heart) is a work of art that provides access to much more art. Artist Erwin Stienstra has hidden a large number of QR codes in the patterns of the giant Dutch tile tableau. Scanning these codes with a telephone provides information about various topics concerning Groningen city centre, such as poems by city poet Stefan Nieuwenhuis in addition to portraits of Groningen residents that the OOG TV broadcasting station recorded in the Gelkingestraat; historic stories and ‘just’ a list of current places of interest. The digital work or art between the old-Dutch looking tiled wall is constantly changing because it is continuously updated with new information.

The Bleyendael monastery farm is the perfect pause for visitors to Westerwolde. This organic dairy farm is located in a very distinctive property, built on the rich history of the Ter Apel monastery. Peter & Anita Kuijer milk their Blaarkop cows with respect for nature, the environment and animal well-being. Regional products are available in the refectory and shop. Enjoy a delicious cup of organic coffee with homemade cake or a real beef burger (because a proper eater goes to Brother Peter) and reflect as you watch a film about the monastery life. See the adorable calves in the barn and the advanced equipment to obtain an idea of how things can be done differently. Brother Peter takes all the time to compile a day package for your family, friends or company in consultation. Kloosterboerderij Bleyendael has respect for the past and confidence in the future.

De Borgmeren holiday park is located in a quiet and natural area near the bustling city of Groningen. The park has a large number of spacious bungalows (with three or four bedrooms) which include a refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher. The six-person bungalows have two bathrooms and are very suitable for a lovely week or longer stays. De Borgmeren also has an indoor swimming pool, tennis court and a 9-hole par 3 golf course. The café serving food is open throughout the year. Our restaurant caters for family gatherings and personnel outings, and can be compiled according to your every wish.

The Olifant (Elephant) fountain was created by artist Wladimir de Vries. The sculpture of the elephant carrying a boy on its back is as old as De Wijert, the district where the statue is located. For many people, the De Wijert housebuilding plan (around 1960) was a huge improvement in their housing. The work of art was a gift from the ‘Maatschappij tot verbetering van woningtoestanden’ (society for the improvement of housing issues) to the municipality of Groningen. During winter the Elephant is stored by city maintenance to prevent frost damage.

Luxurious and tastefully furnished apartment on one of the most beautiful spots in the city of Groningen. Living room, bathroom and bedroom with seating in front and behind the house. Ideal for business trips or families up to 4 people. The house is fully furnished and has a living room, kitchen and bathroom. The bedroom is equipped with a luxury 2-person box spring, in the living room the sofa can be converted into a sofa bed for 1 adult or 2 (young) children. If desired, an extra guest bed can be placed in the bedroom or living room. Coffee and tea, Rituals bath articles, luxury towel and linen sets, fast (wireless) internet connection, 2 TVs (with movie channels), own washing facilities (washing machine and dryer) and various safety features are present in the house. The house has its own entrance. Guests have access to the full floor (ground floor). Use can be made of the seats in front of and behind the house. The backyard is enclosed and only accessible from the house. The Pottebakkersrijge located on the canal 'A' is in line with the Lage / Hoge der A a wonderful quiet place in the city center, but still within walking distance of the train and bus station in Groningen. Because of the many activities in the city, there is always something going on throughout the year. The stage at the front of the house is an interesting meeting place for artists and musicians. Perfect view of the Academy Minerva and the adjacent city garden makes this one of the most beautiful places in the city.

Waiting need not be boring. It can also be a good time to quietly look around, think things over or check your mobile phone for new messages. Graphic designer Peter de Kan realised a work of art below the Oosterbrug for people coming from the city centre who have to wait for the bridge. He applied the poem ‘Gestadige beweging’ by Werkman under the bridge, the aluminium letters of which hang from one point and gently sway when the bridge opens. Werkman is known mostly from his paintings and printed matter and less from his literary work. His sound poems are light and playful and are about sounds more than content. He combined existing words and English and French words into some kind of mumbo jumbo, as a result of which people waiting always see and recognise something else under the bridge, no matter how often they have to wait…

Hotel Resort Landgoed Westerlee is located in a historic manor in the very heart of the Oldambt region. In addition to fourteen beautifully decorated rooms and a honeymoon cottage, the resort has a restaurant with à la carte menus, a garden house, terraces and a beauty salon. There is a rural-styled sauna facility, a heated outdoor swimming pool with a Jacuzzi and a sun lawn. The barn has been transformed into a winter garden and is ideal for weddings, celebrations, parties, congresses, seminars and other meetings. The rural estate consists of a park with meandering paths, a pond with an island and a large orchard with old varieties of fruit trees. Take a walk to escape from your frenetic daily life.

Restaurant chain Humphrey’s northernmost establishment is located at the Vismarkt in the very heart of the city, a ten-minute walk from the station, and is where Groningen’s well-known fresh food market takes place every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. The restaurant seats 300 people and has a special room for large groups. Humphrey’s interior has been selected with care, there is a warm and friendly atmosphere and its specialty is the formula consisting of a three-course menu for a fixed price: choose from six first courses, six main courses and six desserts. Quality at a very reasonable price.

Do you ever want to grow up? Kim Hoetjes and her employees sure don’t! They think playing games is a wonderful activity with lots of fun, no matter what age you are. They are happy to provide advice for personal purchases as well as gifts. Wirwar is a specialist shop with thousands of games, puzzles and brainteasers and a wide selection of classic and well-known as well as less known games, 5-minute games and games that can last an entire day, for all ages. They feature jigsaw puzzles by all famous brands in addition to minor brands and brainteasers to try. Are you up for the challenge? After all, you are never too old for this!