There’s so much to do in Groningen that you almost need a guide to help you uncover the city’s hidden gems. For this final edition before the summer break, the regular editors at UKrant will be that guide. What’s our favourite venue and which events in the upcoming week are absolutely not to be missed?
Hangout: Café de Sigaar
The Hoge and Lage der A form, to me, the picturesque heart of the city. Between the historic warehouses runs the canal where, on sunny days, locals float along in boats, tourists cruise past, and students shout along to their favourite tunes with a cold beer in hand.
The difference in height between the Hoge and Lage der A also clearly shows that the canal was once connected to the sea. This allowed goods to be loaded and unloaded at the warehouses both at high and low tide – a beautiful piece of history.
From here, you can take in everything that makes Groningen so special
Close to the A-brug, nestled between listed buildings and old warehouses, you’ll find Café de Sigaar. In my opinion, it has the most beautiful terrace in the city. From here, you can take in everything that makes Groningen so special: history, water, and the vibrant city life. Enjoy a lovely beer – or two – right on the water’s edge, and watch the boats float by and the city traffic rumble steadily across the A-brug.
Step inside and find yourself in an authentic Dutch ‘brown café’ with stained-glass windows, impressive chandeliers, and Balinese art. The interior of De Sigaar feels like an eclectic mix of decor pieces – and that’s exactly what makes it such an intriguing place. It’s a spot for everyone: day-trippers, students, and locals alike.
Want your friends or family to fall in love with Groningen too? Take them to Café de Sigaar on a sunny afternoon. [Rohan Hoeksma]
Café de Sigaar
Hoge der A 2
Opening times: Mon-Fri from 8 a.m., Sat/Sun from 9 a.m.
Where you’ll find us this summer:
Stadspark | Springervijver
When: when the weather allows
Price: zilch, zip, nada
Forget the city beach and say goodbye to heat stress! There’s now a perfect swimming spot for the urban open-water swimmer – right in the middle of the city jungle that is the Stadspark: the new official swimming zone in the Springervijver. Just make sure to put on your swimwear at home, as there are no changing facilities. And really, who wants to awkwardly wrestle with a large beach towel just to change clothes out of sight? [René Lapoutre]
Zuipla
When: anytime
Price: free
Everyone knows what Nopla is. But Zuipla? That’s the Zuiderplantsoen – a green oasis between the Hereweg and the Winschoterdiep, where not long ago the southern ring road used to run. The cars and exhaust fumes are now underground, and above it all lies a brand-new park. Sure, the trees and shrubs are still young and tiny, so nature needs a bit more time to flourish – but what a difference it already makes! [Rob Siebelink]
Prinsentuin | Dichters in de Prinsentuin
When: 26-29 June
Price: regular programme Sat/Sun free
Listening to poetry in one of Groningen’s most beautiful spots? That’s exactly what you’ll be able to do at the annual festival Dichters in de Prinsentuin. This year’s theme is ‘Shards and Frayed Edges’ – about the beauty in what’s broken. And the best part? A large part of the programme is free! The festival is mostly Dutch-language, but there are a few international poets as well. [Christien Boomsma]
Noorderplantsoen | Noorderzon
When: 14-24 August
Price: entrance to the park is free, ticket prices for performances vary
Plenty of (inter)national theatre, art and music: it all comes together at Noorderzon in the Noorderplantsoen (and various other venues across the city). For eleven days, you can relax in the park with a drink, enjoy great food, and of course, catch some shows. Tickets for international performances are already available, the rest goes on sale on 7 July at noon. Be quick – they sell out fast! [Giulia Fabrizi]
Piccardthofplas
When: anytime
Price: free
A true hidden gem of nature: thanks to the mix of fresh and saltwater layers (a halocline – this is the only lake in the Netherlands that has it!), the water is crystal clear. Unfortunately, swimming isn’t allowed, but you’ll find beautiful plant life and a variety of unique water birds and fish to spot. Dogs are welcome too. Spend an afternoon here and feel like you’re on holiday, right in your own city. [Mirjam van der Wal]
Noorderplantsoen | Smaak Festival
When: 3-6 July
Price: free entrance
Gone are the days when you could visit a food truck festival in Groningen almost every weekend during summer, but luckily, there’s still one chance left in July to take your friends on a culinary Tour de Noorderplantsoen. Grab a gourmet hot dog, bulgogi skewer, or whatever the trendy food truck dish of the moment is, find a table with a view of the pond, and enjoy. [Saskia Jonker]