Why go
- City and municipality in the Netherlands.
- Served by Leeuwarden Air Base (LWR).
History
Groningen is the capital city and main municipality of Groningen province in the Netherlands. Dubbed the "capital of the north", Groningen is the largest city as well as the economic and cultural centre of the northern part of the country; as of January 2025, it had 244,807 inhabitants, making it the sixth largest city/municipality in the Netherlands and the second largest outside the Randstad. As of 2025, the Groningen metro area had a population of 557,369 inhabitants.
Where to stay
Lopendediep 1001, 9712 NV Groningen, Netherlands · overnachteninstijl.nl
Molenstreek 11, 9738 AC Groningen, Netherlands · bbmolenstreek.nl
Kerklaan 11, 9717 HA Groningen, Netherlands · bnbkerklaan.nl
Tuinstraat 11, 9711 VA Groningen, Netherlands · pakhuisemden.nl
Oude Boteringestraat 74, 9712 GN Groningen, Netherlands · hotelcorpsdegarde.nl
Oude Boteringestraat 43, 9712 GD Groningen, Netherlands · hotelhalbert.nl
Hoge der A 4, 9712 AC Groningen, Netherlands · hotelmissblanche.nl
Doctor C. Hofstede de Grootkade 48, 9718 KC Groningen, Netherlands · bedr.com
Grote Markt 31, 9712 HS Groningen, Netherlands · themarkethotel.nl
Engelberterweg 96, 9723 EP Groningen, Netherlands · dehelleborus.nl
Martinikerkhof 23, 9712 JH Groningen, Netherlands · prinsenhof.nl
Kleine Kromme Elleboog 5, 9712 BS Groningen, Netherlands · thehappytraveler.nl
Gelkingestraat 46-48, 9711 NE Groningen, Netherlands · gelkingehof.nl
Grote Markt 36 - 39, 9711 LV Groningen, Netherlands · dedriegezusters.nl
Ganzevoortsingel 2-1, 9711 AL Groningen, Netherlands · asgardhotel.nl
Suikerlaan 4, 9743 DA Groningen, Netherlands · bamboolodge.nl
De Kaai 159, 9723 LE Groningen, Netherlands · bbdekadegroningen.nl
Borchsingel 53, 9766 PP Eelderwolde, Netherlands · vandervalkhotelgroningenhoogkerk.com
Radesingel 50, 9711 EK Groningen, Netherlands · hotelgroningencentre.nl
Laan Corpus Den Hoorn 300, 9728 JT Groningen, Netherlands · hotelgroningenzuid.nl
Hanzeplein 132, 9713 GZ Groningen, Netherlands · nh-hotels.com
Indoor
Oude Badweg 1, 9766 TJ Eelderwolde, Netherlands · scandinavischdorp.nl
Boterdiep 113, 9712 LM Groningen, Netherlands · labnul50.nl
Oosterstraat 53, 9711 NR Groningen, Netherlands · schimmelpenninckhuys.nl
Expositielaan 7, 9727 KA Groningen, Netherlands · all.accor.com
Stationsstraat 6, 9711 AS Groningen, Netherlands · overnachteninstijl.nl
Gedempte Zuiderdiep 8, 9711 HG Groningen, Netherlands · martinihotel.nl
Damsterdiep 94, 9713 EK Groningen, Netherlands · antonio-recommends.com
Boterdiep 9, 9712 LH Groningen, Netherlands · thesocialhub.co
Winschoterdiep 33, 9711 BB Groningen, Netherlands · antonio-recommends.com
Indoor
32A Eemskanaal Noordzijde tegenover schip MS Mecklenburg, 9713 AB Groningen, Netherlands
Restaurants & places to go
Fine Dining, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Sa 18:30-24:00, Sa 12:00-16:30,18:30-24:00 Wikipedia: nl:Noor (restaurant) · 38 Zuiderweg, Groningen, 9745AD · noor.nl
Restaurant · Wikipedia: nl:Herberg Onder de Linden · 3 Burg van Barneveldweg, Aduard, 9831RD · herbergonderdelinden.com
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating · 30 Poelestraat, Groningen, 9712KB · hetconcerthuis.nl
Venezuelan, Friture, Fast Food · Snackwagen met enkele tafeltjes Opening hours: Su 12:00-20:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, step-free access · lassabrozas.nl
Tapas, Restaurant · Opening hours: 12:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating · 6 Rodeweeshuisstraat, Groningen, 9712ET · zusje.nl
Coffee Shop, Sandwich, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-17:30; Sa-Su 08:00-18:00 Features: takeaway · 18 Turfsingel, Groningen, 9712KR · annemax.nl
Burger, Chicken, Grill, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Tu 16:00-21:30, We-Th 12:00-21:30, Fr-Su 12:00-22:00 Features: vegetarian options · 13 Brugstraat,… · beren.nl
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 17:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 16:00-22:00; Su 16:00-21:30 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 48 Poelestraat, Groningen, 9712KC · depizzabakkers.nl
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00 · 56 Oosterstraat, Groningen, 9711NX · happyitaly.nl
Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Su 11:30-21:30; Fr-Sa 11:30-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 19a Groningerweg, Haren Gn, 9752XR · loetje.nl
Sushi, Poke, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-21:30; Sa-Su 11:30-21:30 Features: takeaway, vegan options, halal · 15 Oude Ebbingestraat, Groningen, 9712HA · sushito.nl
Asian, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-21:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 19 Astraat, Groningen, 9718CP · woktogo.nl
Swedish, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-We 09:30-19:30; Th-Fr 09:30-20:30; Sa 09:30-18:30; Su 12:00-17:30 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 9 Sontweg,… · ikea.com
Mexican, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 16:00-22:00 Features: takeaway · 68 Vechtstraat, Groningen, 9725CW · tacomundo.com
Japanese, Sushi, Restaurant · Opening hours: Fr-We 16:00-22:00 · 21b Grote Markt, Groningen, 9712HR · fujiyama.nl
International, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Tu closed; We-Th,Su 17:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-01:00 · 33 Schuitendiep, Groningen, 9711RA · talesgroningen.nl
Mediterranean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 18:00-24:00; Su 18:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating · 2 Nieuweweg, Groningen, 9711TD · zestegroningen.nl
Friture, Fast Food · Friture fast food · 1 Loefzijde, Groningen, 9733EA · groningen.family.nl
Chicken, Fast Food · Chicken fast food · 4 Guldenstraat, Groningen, 9712CE · kipperij.nl
Korean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 16:00-22:00 · 39 Poelestraat, Groningen, 9711PK · 5smaken.com
Bubble Tea, Dessert, Sandwich, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-18:30; Su 11:00-18:00 · 44 Vismarkt, Groningen, 9711KV · beetea.nl
French, Bistro, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-We 17:00-21:00; Th-Fr 17:00-21:30; Sa 16:00-21:30 · 13 Grote Kromme Elleboog, Groningen, 9712BJ · bellamisbam.nl
Kebab, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 16:00-23:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 55 Ypemaheerd, Groningen, 9736ME · bistrobeiroet.nl
Pancake, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-16:00; Sa-Su 08:30-16:00 Features: outdoor seating · 9 Nieuwe Markt, Groningen, 9712KN · bluebananas.nl
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Fr 16:30-22:00 · 72 Noorderhaven, Groningen, 9712VM · cafedesleutel.nl
Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 16:30-22:00 · 5 Gelkingestraat, Groningen, 9711NA · chofah.nl
Meat, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Su 11:00-20:00 · 59 Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat, Groningen, 9712EC · restaurantcosman.nl
Crepe, Bubble Tea, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,We,Th 12:00-22:00; Tu,Su 13:00-22:00; Fr 15:00-22:00; Sa 12:00-21:00 Features: halal · 19 Zwanestraat,… · crepeking.nl
Sandwich, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-17:00 · 4 Oude Boteringestraat, Groningen, 9712GH · hetopstapje.nl
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Th-Mo 14:30-21:30 "restaurant opens at 17:00"; Tu,We 16:00-21:30 "restaurant opens at 17:00" Features: takeaway,… · moghul.nl
Habesha, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 14:00-02:00; Th 14:00-24:00; Su 14:00-24:00 · 68 Nieuwe Ebbingestraat, Groningen, 9712NN · light-headed-scope.000webhostapp.com
Local, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-We 17:00-00:00; Th-Sa 12:00-00:00 · 75 Gedempte Zuiderdiep, Groningen, 9711HC · ouwebrandweer.nl
Falafel, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-20:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 44 Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat, Groningen, 9712EL · falafel.nl
Greek, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 16:45-21:30 · 6 Korreweg, Groningen, 9715AA · fortunadoris-groningen.nl
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 13:00-20:45 · 79 Verlengde Hereweg, Groningen, 9721AH · happygarden.nl
Vietnamese, Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Tu 15:00-21:30, Th-Su 15:00-21:30 Features: takeaway · 28 Vismarkt, Groningen, 9711KT · hocksieng.nl
Ice Cream, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-15:30 · 23 Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat, Groningen, 9712EA · jaxonsgroningen.nl
Cake, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo 11:00-19:00; Tu-We 10:00-19:00; Th-Sa 10:00-20:30; Su 11:00-19:00 · 57 Oude Ebbingestraat, Groningen, 9712HC · opznkop.nl
Breakfast, Cake, Coffee Shop, Local, Tea, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-18:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options · 1 Verlengde Grachtstraat,… · mahalo.nu
North African, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 16:00-21:00 · 38 Folkingestraat, Groningen, 9711JX · mechoui.nl
Nikkei, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Tu off; We-Su 18:00-23:00 · 7 Nieuwe Markt, Groningen, 9712KN · pachagroningen.nl
Italian Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: We-Su 16:00-21:00 · 51 Friesestraatweg, Groningen, 9718NB · pizzeriarossini.nl
Donut, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-18:00, Su 11:00-18:00 Features: step-free access · 10 Vismarkt, Groningen, 9711KS · puregroningen.nl
Lebanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-20:00, Su 12:00-18:00 Features: vegan options · 14 Oude Boteringestraat, Groningen, 9712GH · semsom.nl
Salad, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-20:30; Su 12:00-20:30 Features: takeaway, vegan options · 21 Brugstraat, Groningen, 9712AB · ilovesla.com
354 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Groningen Airport Eelde (GRQ) 10 km to the centre
Groningen, DR, NL — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 2 airlines (Transavia Holland, Ryanair) · direct flights to 5 destinations incl. Palma de Mallorca, Faro, Gerona, Gran Canaria, Maastricht (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 5 direct destinations
- Transavia Holland HV (737-800) · 4 routes: Faro, Gran Canaria, Maastricht, Palma de Mallorca
- Ryanair FR (737-800) · 2 routes: Gerona, Palma de Mallorca
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Borkum Airport (BMK) 44 km to the centre
Borkum, NI, DE — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Drachten Airfield 31 km to the centre
Drachten, FR, NL
Oostwold Airfield 31 km to the centre
Oostwold, GR, NL
Stadskanaal Airfield 39 km to the centre
Stadskanaal, GR, NL
Hoogeveen Airfield 54 km to the centre
Hoogeveen, DR, NL
Getting there by ferry
Rondvaartbedrijf Kool
Ferry terminal · 0.1 km from the centre
voetveer Boterdiep
Ferry route
Noordlaren Osdijk - Recreatiegebied Meerwijck
Ferry route
Trekpontje Waterschapsheuvel
Ferry route
Reitdiepveer
Ferry route
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Leeuwarden Air Base (LWR); 10 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: GRQ has direct flights to 5 destinations on 2 airlines (incl. Palma de Mallorca, Faro, Gerona, Gran Canaria, Maastricht). By water: 1 ferry terminal within 20 km (nearest: Rondvaartbedrijf Kool, 0.1 km); routes include voetveer Boterdiep, Noordlaren Osdijk - Recreatiegebied Meerwijck, Trekpontje Waterschapsheuvel.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Groningen, Netherlands. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Trains & rail
National rail
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.