Discover the hotspots in the north of the Netherlands
Come spend the night in Groningen and discover the beauty this province has to offer.
The iconic capital of the province is known for its rich history. The former Hanseatic city was a powerful city, especially in the 15th century, which makes staying in Groningen interesting. Museums such as the Northern Maritime Museum bring that history to life. You can taste the cozy atmosphere of the city at one of the many cafes on the Grote Markt or during a walk through the parks in the city. For example, settle down in the Noorderplantsoen or the City Park.
The Martinitoren is not to be missed when visiting Groningen. With its 97 meters high, it is the eye-catcher of the largest city in the North. The Martinikerk was built in the fifteenth century and the national monument was miraculously spared during the battle in Groningen during the Second World War.
You can spend a romantic night in Groningen on the many canals that the city has to offer. For example, walk along the A and cross the water via a suspension bridge, or view the city from the water. There is a good chance that you will see students sitting on the terraces, because Groningen is a real student city. About 1 in 4 inhabitants is a student. If you come to spend the night in Groningen, you will not miss the fun of students.
The province
The northern province has much more to offer besides the city of Groningen. With its extensive nature reserves, it is one of the least densely populated provinces. Groningen as a province has just under 600,000 inhabitants, making it the province with the fewest inhabitants after Drenthe and Flevoland.
Another name for Groningen is Grunn, and Grunnegs is therefore the name of the regional language. You can recognize the language by its own accent and vocabulary. If you are going to spend the night in Groningen, you will notice that the ‘and’ is often swallowed in a word. For example, “walk” becomes “loo’m” and “even” becomes “ee’m.” Would you like to become more acquainted with the Groningen dialect while staying overnight in Groningen? Then learn the national anthem, the Grönnens Laid, which is written in dialect.
Besides the city of Groningen, you can spend the night in many more beautiful places in Groningen. For example, visit Lauwersmeer National Park, which is known as a bird paradise and water sports resort. Moreover, it gets so dark in this area at night that it is an official Dark Sky park: the perfect place for a special overnight stay province of Groningen.
Do you like sniffing more culture? Fortress Bourtange is located in the east of Groningen against the German border. Imagine yourself in the eighteenth century in this reconstructed fortification. If you want to spend a romantic night in Groningen, then you have come to the right place in the vicinity of Vesting Bourtange.
Peat was extracted from the Groningen soil from the Middle Ages up to and including the seventeenth century. The name peat colonies refers to the city of Groningen that owned these peat areas. Various cycling routes run through the peat colony area that are worth while staying overnight in Groningen. You cycle along various canals that were formerly used for peat navigation. Rest at one of the idyllic restaurants along the water or visit the Veenkolonial museum. Special overnight stay in the province of Groningen? Spend the night in the peat colonies. The area has several sustainable campsites and B&Bs.
Once in the northernmost province of the Netherlands, you may want to try Groningen regional products. Gasterij Natural Smeerling is located in Onstwedde, where you can taste sustainable and local products. Try the boer’n buttermilk or Marne mustard soup. You can taste regional products prepared by a chef at De Piloersemaborg. You can stay on the farm and thus both dine sustainably and spend the night in Groningen.
A well-known place in Groningen is Winsum, which was even named the most beautiful village in the Netherlands according to the ANWB. If you choose Winsum to spend the night in Groningen, you will find yourself in a lively village, with the coziness of small streets and a harbor on the Winsumerdiep, which flows through the middle of the village.
You can also choose Appingedam if you want to stay overnight in Groningen. This place is known for the hanging kitchens, which is literally the kitchen area of the houses. They have been developed in such a way that they hang above the water, which gives a unique appearance. If you prefer to spend the night in a quiet picturesque village, Niehove is the place to be. This is a mound village, which means that it used to be built on a hill to protect it against high water.
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