- Groningen city is the obvious base
- The star-shaped fortress of Bourtange is a highlight
- Guided mudflat walks leave from Pieterburen
- Expect quiet roads, big skies and very few tourists
- Airports
- Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), Groningen Eelde (GRQ)
- Best time to go
- May-September
- Type
- Province
The province of Groningen fills the north-eastern corner of the Netherlands, bordering Germany and the Wadden Sea. Beyond its lively capital, it is a landscape of wide fields, dykes, medieval brick churches and villages built on mounds to stay above the floods.
It is ideal for travellers who want to get off the usual tourist trail, cycle on quiet lanes and see a rural side of the country. Our Netherlands guide has the overview.
Why go to Groningen province
- Groningen city: the student capital of the north, with the Martinitoren, the Groninger Museum and great nightlife.
- Bourtange: a restored star-shaped fortress village near the German border, with ramparts, moats and windmills.
- Wadden Sea coast: guided mudflat walks (wadlopen) leave from Pieterburen at low tide. The Wadden Sea is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Pieterburen seal centre: a well-known rescue centre for seals from the Wadden Sea.
- Menkemaborg: a moated manor house in Uithuizen with period rooms and formal gardens.
- Terp villages: Ezinge and other villages built on artificial mounds (wierden) to escape flooding, often topped by a medieval church.
- Lauwersmeer National Park: a former sea inlet that is now a wetland for birdwatching, with the ferry to Schiermonnikoog leaving from nearby Lauwersoog.
- Medieval churches: the province has dozens of Romanesque and Gothic brick village churches, some with historic organs.
Where to stay
- Groningen city: the best choice of hotels, restaurants and transport.
- Coastal villages: B&Bs near Pieterburen and the dyke for walking and birdwatching.
- Westerkwartier: green countryside west of the city, good for cycling.
- Bourtange and Westerwolde: stay inside the fortress or in the wooded south-east.
Getting there
By air: fly to Amsterdam Schiphol and take the train to Groningen, which takes about two to two and a half hours. Groningen Eelde Airport is just south of the city but has very few international routes.
By ferry: DFDS sails from Newcastle to IJmuiden near Amsterdam, and P&O from Hull to Rotterdam. Groningen is roughly two to two and a half hours' drive from either port.
By train: from London, take Eurostar to Amsterdam and continue north by train.
A car or bike is the best way to explore the countryside, as rural buses can be infrequent. Leeuwarden and the province of Friesland lie to the west, and Drenthe to the south.
Best time to visit
May to September is best for cycling, mudflat walks and the coast. Mudflat walking season usually runs roughly from May to September, depending on tides and weather. Spring and autumn are excellent for birdwatching. Winters are cold and windy but good for cosy city breaks.
Mudflat walking is tide-dependent and can be dangerous, so always book with a licensed guide and never set out on your own.
Top attractions in Groningen province
MuseumAnne Frank House
The canal house where Anne Frank hid for two years and wrote her diary, now a moving museum on the Prinsengracht.
MuseumRijksmuseum
The Netherlands' national museum, home to Rembrandt's The Night Watch, Vermeer's The Milkmaid and 800 years of Dutch…
Groningen province on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Groningen province worth visiting?
Yes, if you like quiet countryside, history and nature. It sees far fewer visitors than the west of the country.
What is Bourtange?
It is a 16th-century star fort near the German border that has been restored to its 18th-century appearance, complete with ramparts and moats.
Can you walk across the mudflats from Groningen?
Yes, on guided walks from Pieterburen and other coastal points. Some routes go all the way to the islands.
What is the best base for exploring the province?
Groningen city has the most hotels and transport, and most of the province is within an hour's drive.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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