Groningen City Guide

Local dishes like eierbal and Groninger mustard soup are popular. The city has diverse international food and good vegetarian/vegan options. Some late-night snack bars are open around the center.

Nightlife centers on the student population with many bars, pubs, and clubs near Grote Markt and Poelestraat.

Developing specialty coffee scene with local roasters and cozy cafés.

Tipping is optional but appreciated. Usually you round up or leave 5-10% for good service in restaurants and taxis.

SIM cards are easy to buy at phone shops, supermarkets, and electronics stores. Major providers are KPN, Vodafone, and T-Mobile. eSIMs are available. Prepaid plans usually don't require ID registration.

Generally clean streets and efficient waste recycling.

Some late-night pharmacies and emergency clinics available but all-night stores are rare. Late-night food mainly from snack bars.

Supermarkets like Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl, and Aldi have good international products. Fresh markets like Vismarkt offer produce and fish. Shops usually open 8 AM to 9 PM on weekdays, less on weekends; Sundays often shorter or closed.

Most places accept cards, especially Maestro, Visa, and Mastercard. Cash is rarely needed except for some small shops or markets.

ATMs are common around banks and shopping areas. Non-EU cards may have fees set by your bank.

International School Groningen offers education in English. Local schools teach in Dutch. Admissions and waitlists vary.

Smaller digital nomad scene with some meetups and good work-friendly cafes.

Large parks like Noorderplantsoen and Stadspark plus canals provide green, shaded spots for walking and running.

Safe and scenic running routes in parks and along canals with good infrastructure.

Several gyms and sports clubs are available for fitness and sports activities.

Multiple tennis and padel clubs with online booking and some equipment rental.

Several padel clubs offer courts and rentals.

Various yoga studios and meditation classes with English-speaking instructors.

Many martial arts schools offering BJJ, Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, and Boxing with English-speaking instructors.

No natural ski resorts nearby; indoor ski centers exist but are far.

Kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and windsurfing available on canals and nearby lakes with rentals and clubs.

Surf spots are several hours away near the North Sea coast, not convenient from Groningen.

Limited diving in freshwater lakes and the North Sea with often low visibility.

High-quality public healthcare with English-speaking staff at University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). Pharmacies provide prescriptions, while drugstores sell OTC meds. Emergency number is 112.

Tap water is clean and safe to drink.

Many playgrounds and kid-friendly cafés, some with play areas. Attractions like Storyworld and Groninger Museum welcome families.

Highly accepting and open city with LGBTQ+ venues and pride events.

Pet-friendly city with parks allowing dogs, many vets, and some pet-friendly hotels and restaurants.