What are the best things to do in Groningen?
Top picks in Groningen include Wall House II, Groninger Museum, Noordelijk Scheepvaartmuseum, Universiteitsmuseum. See the full list and itinerary on this Groningen travel guide.

Travel guide for Groningen, Netherlands — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Groningen is a stop in Netherlands, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Wall House II, Groninger Museum, Noordelijk Scheepvaartmuseum instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 120–250 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds
Weather
Temperate, with warm summers and cool winters
Wall House II
Groninger Museum
Noordelijk Scheepvaartmuseum
Universiteitsmuseum
Martiniplaza
Day 1
Day 2
Budget
USD 55–90
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 120–250
per person / day
Luxury
USD 290–475+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Groningen, Netherlands. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Typical mid-range for Groningen
Estimated total (USD)
$3,125
≈ $1,563 per person · $446 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $185/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Groningen mid-range ground costs (budget 55–90 · mid 120–250 · luxury 290–475+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Local favourites
Kaashandel van der Ley
Van der Ley is one of the best cheese stores in the world. Look for local organic varieties, such as green pesto cheese or farmers crumblech
Groninger Kaasboetiek
Eeterie De Globe
Three different main courses each day (one meat, one fish, one veg.). Many customers eat here several times per week.
Land van Kokanje
For big and great lunch-salads and nice hamburgers.
FEBO
In case of emergency! If you've left it too late before heading out for food and the restaurants have closed their kitchens, you can get all
Het Concerthuis
Indie-styled restaurant and bar. Food-sharing is the credo here and lovely place for alternative drinks.
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Simplon Youth Hotel
This youth hostel has been around for a long time and remains a popular budget pick. Bunk-beds starting at €18.50. Rooms for up to 6 people
Apollo Hotel
In the La Liberté high-rise building, nice views.
City Hotel Groningen
This large hotel has simple but modern rooms and a nice rooftop terrace. It can be a little bit noisy at times, but overall this place gives
Hotel Corps De Garde
Housed in a monumental 1634 building. Although equipped with all the modern day facilities you'd expect, it manages to retain its historic a
Hotel de Doelen
This hotel has been receiving visitors for some 200 years and the decorations clearly intend to maintain the characteristic feel, but all mo
Photos: JAHensens — via Wikimedia Commons
Top picks in Groningen include Wall House II, Groninger Museum, Noordelijk Scheepvaartmuseum, Universiteitsmuseum. See the full list and itinerary on this Groningen travel guide.
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds.
Plan at least 2 days in Groningen for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Popular stays in Groningen include Simplon Youth Hotel, Apollo Hotel, City Hotel Groningen. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
On the ground in Groningen (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 55–90 per person per day, mid-range about 120–250, and luxury about 290–475+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Groningen, Netherlands. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.