Groningen
Groningen is the capital of its province and the largest city in the north of the Netherlands. Its Martinitoren, a tower of 96.8 meters, stands on the Grote Markt, students make up about a quarter of residents, and cycling is the main way to get around the center.
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Groningen is the capital of Groningen province in the northern Netherlands and the largest city in the north. Locals call it simply Stad, and residents are called Stadjers. The city is also nicknamed Martinistad after its best-known landmark, the Martinitoren, a tower built in the late 15th century that stands on the Grote Markt, the central square. The University of Groningen, founded in 1614, is the second oldest university in the Netherlands after Leiden, and students make up roughly a quarter of the population.
The Groninger Museum, opened in 1994 to a design by Alessandro Mendini, stands on an artificial island in the Verbindingskanaal and has a colorful, futuristic look. Bars cluster around the Grote Markt, Vismarkt, Poelestraat and Peperstraat, and many stay open until early morning. Cycling is the main way to get around the center, and about 57% of residents use a bicycle for regular commuting. Summers are mild and humid, with daytime highs averaging about 22 °C, but students arrive in August and September, and lodging is busiest then.
Groningen in five
- Start at the MartinitorenVisit Groningen points to the Martinitoren for views over the city's rooftops. Check the opening hours and any ticket rules on its site before you plan a climb.
- Use the tourist office at ForumThe Groningen Store tourist office is at Nieuwe Markt 1, inside Forum Groningen. Ask for walking routes and events before you head into the province.
- Plan the province, not just the cityVisit Groningen features Waddenland (seabed walks, a Dark Sky and the Lauwersmeer national park), the Westerkwartier windmills and Appingedam's hanging kitchens. Pick one for a day.
- Use Groningen for SchiermonnikoogIts ferry sails from Lauwersoog, north of the city, and tickets are booked online or at terminal machines. The Frisian Islands guide has the ferry rules.Frisian Islands
Things to do in Groningen
See all attractions in Groningen
Need to know
- Airport
- Groningen Eelde (GRQ) for a few routes; Schiphol (AMS) by train
- Getting there
- NS trains from Amsterdam and Utrecht; check 9292.nl for times
- Getting around
- On foot and by bike in the center; buses for the province
- Best base
- Inside the canal ring, near the Grote Markt
- Time needed
- 2 days; 4 with the province
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain15 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low2°Cold, greyJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, grey
- FebruaryRain12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low2°ColdFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh10°Low3°CoolMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Spring, mildAprilRain
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, mild
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Mild, long daysMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, long days
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain15 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Warm, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°WarmAugustRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Mild, calmerSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calmer
- OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Wet, windyOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, windy
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Wet, windyNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, windy
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh7°Low3°Dark, short daysDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, short days
Average daily high and low in Groningen, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Groningen
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
11
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 81%
- Wind
- 23 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Groningen
09:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°10°100%Monday: Rain. High 14°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue11°6°41%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Wed10°4°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu9°4°0%Thursday: Clear. High 9°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri9°2°2%Friday: Clear. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat5°2°4%Saturday: Fog. High 5°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sun6°4°9%Sunday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 9%.
Updated 06:30 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Frisian Islandsby bus then ferrySchiermonnikoog sails from Lauwersoog; the other islands need longer routes.Read the guide
- Frieslanda train or drive westLeeuwarden and the lakes for a quieter slice of the north.Read the guide
- Waddenland coasta drive or bus northUNESCO tidal flats with guided mudflat walks.
Before you go to Groningen
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Rules for Groningen, checked
- Entry to the Netherlands follows Schengen rules. Check which documents you need with the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) before you book.Source
- The historic center is split into traffic sectors, and cars cannot pass directly between them. They must use the inner ring canal.
- Loading and unloading by cars and trucks in the city center is allowed only within set time windows. Check the times before you drive in with bags or goods.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in the Netherlands.
Plan around Groningen
Schiermonnikoog, Ameland and the other islands
Read the guideFrieslandThe lake province just west
Read the guideUtrechtThe rail hub on the way north
Read the guideAmsterdamThe usual arrival point
Read the guideTransport in EuropeRail tickets and when a pass pays off
Read the guideAll of the NetherlandsThe north in the context of a wider Dutch trip
Read the guideGroningen FAQ
Is Groningen worth visiting?
Yes, for a lively student city, a tall church tower and easy access to the Wadden coast. It is quieter than Amsterdam and suits a weekend.
How many days do you need in Groningen?
Two days cover the center, the museums and a canal walk. Add two more to see the province or the islands.
What is Groningen known for?
Its university, its cycling culture, the Martinitoren and its nightlife. The wider province is known for the Wadden Sea and the Appingedam hanging kitchens.
Can you reach Schiermonnikoog from Groningen?
Yes, as a trip of its own via Lauwersoog: a bus or drive to the harbor, then the Wagenborg ferry. The Frisian Islands guide covers booking rules and the other islands.
Do you need a car for Groningen?
No for the city, where bikes and walking cover everything. A car helps for the countryside and the Wadden coast.