Do you want to experience the best of Groningen but have you run out of ideas? Here is a comprehensive list of various activities that will give you the full Groningen experience. This dynamic city has always something to offer and there is always something to do. Put the following activities on your bucket list and tick them off one by one for an amazing summer experience in Groningen. 

1. Climb the Martini Tower

Climb the 311 steps of the Martini Tower and see the panoramic views of Groningen. As one of the highest buildings in the city and the symbol of Groningen, this is a must-do.

2. Eat an Eierbal 

Translated to a literal “egg ball”, this fried snack is typically from Groningen. It consists of a whole boiled and peeled egg in a ragout with curry. You can buy it from the famous wall at the Grote Markt! 

3. Attend the Noorderzon

The famous Noorderzon Festival is an annual festival in Groningen, which takes place in the Noorderplantsoen. Taking place in the summer and lasting a couple of days, it is filled with music and good food.

4. Visit the Drie Gezusters, the Biggest Pub in Europe

A lot of people do not know this, but the Drie Gezusters is the biggest pub in Europe. Located at the Grote Markt, it is composed of four connected buildings and five entries.

5. Seal Centre Pieterburen 

In Pieterburen, not far away from Groningen, you can find the Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre. The centre works hard to rehabilitate the seals and ensure that they return to the Wadden Sea healthily. You can even adopt a seal to contribute to their recovery! Visit their website for more information.

6. Petting Zoo in Stadspark

The Petting Zoo is located in the centre of the Stadspark and is home to goats, peacocks, and chickens, it is free to enter and animals freely roam around the grounds. 

7. Spot the Scottish Highland Cattle in the Park 

Sometimes you will be able to see a herd of the Scottish Highland Cattle in Stadspark, roaming around. While already visiting the Petting Zoo, you can also move a little further on for the full experience.

8. Walking Tour of Groningen’s Old Town 

Different free walking tours are continuously available and organised around Groningen, showing you all the interesting places. This is a must if you want to learn more about what the city has to offer.

9. Take a visit to the University Museum

Discover and experience the University Museum firsthand! As a student, you even have free entry. Located in the city centre near to the University, you will be able to learn a lot about science.

10. Day trip to Bourtange

Bourtange is a little village that is actually originally a fortress. Through exploring the village on foot, you can see all of the history that the place has to offer. 

11. Visit the Hidden Guesthouses and Almshouse Courtyards

Groningen is home to different hidden guesthouses and almshouse courtyards. There are a lot of them and thus a must-visit!

12. Picnic or Barbeque in the Noorderplantsoen

Spend a day in the Noorderplantsoen with friends for a picnic and barbeque! This is a must-do in the summer to cool off and enjoy good company. 

13. Biking tour of Groningen

There are a lot of different bike routes in the city of Groningen but also outside the city. Try to find a route that attracts you and spend a day biking around and admiring the Dutch landscapes!

14. Prinsenhof and Prinsentuin

Located in the middle of the city, the Prinsenhof and Prinsentuin is a must not miss! 

15. See the Colourful Houses in Reitdiephaven

Arguably one of the most picturesque and Instagrammable places in Groningen, seeing the colourful houses in Groningen is a must-experience!

16. Watch a Show at Stadsschouwburg 

The Stadsschouwburg is one of the theatres in Groningen. Here you can enjoy live music, dance, and theatre performances, amongst others. 

17. Watch a football match of FC Groningen

Football Club Groningen is the Dutch professional football club in Groningen, playing in the Eredivisie which is the highest tier of football in the Netherlands! Seeing a game live is one of the must-do activities in the city of Groningen!

18. View the sunset from the roof of Forum Groningen

Who can miss the Forum? Go up to the Rooftop and see the sunset of the city in the background.

19. Visit the Groningen Museum

The Groninger Museum is one of the first buildings you will see when arriving in Groningen from the Groningen Central Station. This is a must-visit for the museum lovers!

20. Swim in the city beach

Did you know that Groningen has a city beach? On a hot and sunny day, swimming on the beach is a nice activity to cool off.

21. Walk along the picturesque Lage der A and Hoge der A

Another Instagrammable spot in Groningen is the bridge between the streets Lage der A and Hoge der A. Walk past it or sit by the water to see the canals and the Dutch architecture surrounding it. 

22. Climb the World’s Highest Climbing Wall: The Excalibur Climbing Wall

Considered the tallest freestanding climbing wall in the world, the Excalibur will definitely provide you with a unique climbing experience.

23. Discover the canals of Groningen through the waters

Through a boat tour, you will be able to explore Groningen from another angle.

24. Visit the tulip fields

Unfortunately, this depends on the season. Usually, tulip fields in Groningen can be seen from the middle of April until May.

25. Try the Groninger Poffert

Another Gronings delicacy, the Groninger Poffert is traditionally made from wheat flour, buckwheat flour, yeast, currants, raisins, milk, and eggs.

26. Learn some words from the Gronings dialect

The typical dialect of Groningen is Gronings. Did you know that around 65% of the population of Groningen can speak and write it?

27. Eat fresh kibbeling at the Vismarkt

Where is a better place to eat kibbeling, a Dutch snack made of battered fish, than at the Vismarkt (translated - the fish market)?

28. Tour the historic buildings in the city centre

There are several historical buildings around the city centre. Some offer free tours, such as the Municipality Building at the Grote Markt, which allows visitors to engage more in the history of the city.

29. Ice skate in Kardinge

Do you want to go ice skating? The Sport Centre Kardinge offers various skating possibilities! 

30. Try the trampolines at Jump XL Groningen

Groningen also hosts an indoor trampoline park! Jumping is a fun activity not only for children but for all ages! 

31. Visit the Hortus Botanicus in Haren

The Hortus Botanicus is a botanical garden in Haren, Groningen. Visitors can enjoy scenic walking routes year-round, seven days a week.

32. Try kart racing in Groningen

Challenge yourself with a day of indoor karting in Groningen!

33. Visit one of the Wadden Islands of the Netherlands 

One of the benefits of living in Groningen is the possibility to easily travel to the Wadden Islands. Visit one of the 5 islands for beautiful scenic nature views.

34. Explore the Other Villages Near the City of Groningen 

If you want to see more of the Dutch countryside, a lot of villages near Groningen hold a lot of history and offer scenic walking routes. Some of the famous villages include Appingedam, Bourtange, and Kloosterburen.

35. Join a pub quiz organised in one of the many Groningse pubs

You will never go wrong with signing up for a pub quiz with your friends!

36. Attend the Museum Night

For the real museum fans, annually, a museum night is organized in Groningen. If you have always wanted to visit the museums in Groningen, this is a tip for you to score tickets with a discount.

37. Go to a planetarium show at the DOT

The DOT is known as the city beach, however, did you know it is also home to a planetarium? The building hosts a live planetarium with 3D sound!

38. Spot the street art around the city

The talented artists of Groningen have taken over walls in the city with colourful street art. From landscapes to odes to other artists, street art in Groningen can be seen in every corner.

39. Try a new sport using the facilities at ACLO

With more than 100 sports, the ACLO offers a lot of opportunities for the students of the RUG. Some activities include beach volleyball, boxing, kite surfing, and underwater hockey, amongst others.

40. Attend Eurosonic

Eurosonic Noorderslag happens annually and is a four-day music festival and conference in Groningen. Usually held in January, one of the notable guests that have participated in the event is Dua Lipa.