Recreation

City of Groningen, Best Inner City in the Netherlands
Cycling City 2002, Safest City 2004, runner-up for Best Market and now Best Inner City in 2005! The city of Groningen is the heart of the province. Here you will find no fewer than 160 cafés and restaurants, 15 cinema auditoriums, 7 theatres, a casino and a music complex. Groningen also boasts a varied and complete range of shops. The centre of the city of Groningen is packed with historical buildings and eye-catching architecture. Such as the famous Groninger Museum, which in 2004 attracted a good 220,000 visitors.

Lauwersmeer, the National Park of the wild orchids
The Lauwerzee was closed off with dams in 1969, and so Lauwersmeer was born. Nature has transformed this area into what it is today: National Park Lauwersmeer. The area was recently proclaimed the third most beautiful spot in the Netherlands! Lauwersoog is the departure point for the ferry to the island of Schiermonnikoog.

Pieterburen, seal capital of the world
Known especially as a seal village as the home of Lenie ’t Hart seal refuge centre. But also the starting point for the Pieterpad walk and Wadden Sea mudflat walks.

Bourtange, the country’s best reconstructed fortified city
A settlement restored to its former glory in east of Groningen. Never invaded and situated in a region dominated by history.

Borgen, the proud stately homes of Groningen’s landed gentry
Long ago sanctuaries in troubled times, later the luxury homes of the wealthy. These days bursting with captivating places of interest.

Groningen’s churches and organs, a paradise for enthusiasts
Typifying elements of Groningen churches with their sober architecture, modest interiors and world-famous organs. There are many churches where you can collect the key from the neighbours and walk right in.

Dwelling mounds, our oldest response to rising sea levels
Centuries-old manmade hills. For a thousand years, they protected the people living in Groningen’s clay land regions.

Groningen is also the province with the widest views and the most beautiful skies conceivable set in a characteristic landscape. But that landscape also features a lot of variety. Such as Oldambt with its never ending horizon and the peat colonies with their ramrod straight waterways and canals.
Or Westerwolde with its woods, ashes and enclosed landscapes. Or the semi-open landscape of the Westerkwartier. Open and closed areas alternate and the entire area is crisscrossed by winding roads and waterways. And then there is the dike landscape. Here and there you will see dwelling mounds. And here there are far, far views… and water… water… and more water.

More information:
Marketing Groningen (vvv): www.vvvgroningen.nl (in English)
Groninger Uitburo: www.groningeruitburo.nl
South Groningen: www.vvv-zuid-groningen.nl
North Groningen: www.vvv-lauwersmeer.nl (in English)
Schiermonnikoog: www.vvvschiermonnikoog.nl

For an impression of the province: www.provinciegroningen.nl/stappen/flash.html
For city clips: www.groningen.nl
Feature articles on Groningen www.mooigroningen.nl