Groningen, or as the locals say: Grunn, is the perfect place for a sustainable city break. From eco-friendly hotels to second-hand shops and sustainable restaurants - Groningen has it all! In this article, we share the best tips to give your city break a green twist. So, what are you waiting for? Let's go green in Grunn!
Groningen, the perfect city break destination
In collaboration with Visit Groningen
Groningen is a city that has it all! Climb the famous Martinitoren for fantastic views. Immerse yourself in the vibrant student life and stroll along the cosy canals and the lively Grote Markt square. Groningen is compact and therefore ideal for walking or cycling around, not for nothing is Groningen known as one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in Europe! Whether you want to discover local markets, soak up culture in museums or just enjoy the Noorderplantsoen, Groningen offers something for everyone.
And even better: Groningen is super easy to reach by train! From the Randstad or anywhere else in the Netherlands, you can be at the characteristic main station within a couple of hours. No hassle with traffic jams or parking costs, you just step straight into town. Perfect for those who like to travel green and want to start a fun trip relaxed!
Shopping in Groningen: discover the best local shops
Whether you spend a day or a night in Groningen, you naturally want to discover the best shops. Luckily, you don't have to search long! The Lutje Lokaal route shows you the way. Be taken to the most beautiful boutiques, interesting speciality shops and cosy restaurants. Choose a theme that suits you, follow the route and discover the city's hidden treasures.
A few hotspots not to miss: at Kokotoko you will find trendy, sustainable clothing and accessories. For delicious vegan macarons and chocolates, be sure to visit Flaakaron are one of the city's best-kept secrets. In vintage heaven Oosterstraat you can get your second-hand fix at shops such as Apple & Egg, Reshare Store, Mamamini and From Yesterday Vintage. Also don't forget to stroll through the cosy Folkingestraat and Zwanestraat, perhaps the nicest streets in town!
Want to follow a route? The Lutje Lokaal City Guide is available for free at participating shops, the VVV and tourist information points in the city. And with a bit of luck, one will already be waiting for you in your hotel room. That way you can be sure not to miss the best places!
Sustainable shopping at Kokotoko on Groningen's Oosterstraat and the unusual vintage items at Under the Linden (Steentilstraat) is also worth a short walk.
Discover the most beautiful nature and parks
Besides its vibrant city life, Groningen also has plenty of green oases where you can relax. Whether you feel like having a picnic, going for a walk or just relaxing, the Noorderplantsoen is always a good idea. Settle down at Sunday eatery where it is weekend every day or learn more about the park's residents. IVN runs excursions there every month with a nature guide! This place is also regularly the setting for festivals and events, such as the famous Noorderzon Festival (every year in August).
Want to get out of the city for a while? Just a 15-minute cycle ride from the city centre you'll find City Park. This is a quiet place full of walking paths, ponds and a petting zoo. Be sure to check their online calendar, as they regularly organise cool (green!) events such as a wild-picking walk, a car boot sale, excursions with a forester and much more. In short, ideal for a green break without leaving the city.
Child-friendly tips in Groningen
Groningen is a great city for children, with plenty of activities to keep them entertained. At the Forum you will find Storyworld, where young fans of comics, animation and games can have their fill. Want to get out of town for a while? Then the Kardinge Adventure Park the ideal place with a climbing forest and skate track. For little Freek Vonkjes DoZoo a real hit. Here, children get to touch animals and discover all about nature. And for adventurous kids Bjoeks Climbing Centre the place to be, with the tallest artificial climbing wall in Europe!
Sustainable and vegan restaurants in Groningen
Groningen also has a lot to offer in terms of sustainable food. Whether you want to eat vegan, vegetarian or simply conscious, the city is full of nice places where tasty and responsible food take centre stage. At Pernickel enjoy seasonal and organic dishes, with a focus on local produce and minimising food waste. Prefer plant-based? Then The Herbivore your go-to place with healthy, vegan meals prepared with fresh local ingredients.
For a delicious smoothie or vegan bowl, visit the colourful Feel Good, which is all about organic and local produce. At least as colourful and adorable is a Mahalo - this café looks like the set of a romantic film - but is also the perfect place for a vegan and organic meal.
Find more goodies at Wadapartja, a cosy restaurant with a creative, sustainable twist on traditional dishes. Here they love local, with beers from Baxbier, Eggens and Martinus, coffee from Koffiestation Groningen, and vegetables from biodynamic nursery Eemstuin.
For lovers of healthy bowls and salads, there is Rå Bowls highly recommended. The bowls here are not only Insta plates, but also the perfect comfort food after a day of strolling around the city. For example, try the Asian Style Duck Bowl with hoisin sauce or the fresh Low-Carb Salad. At Café Kult you will enjoy delicious dishes, with sustainability and local produce at the centre. Kult serves simple but delicious food, with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Even their tableware is entirely second-hand and they count on you to have a doggybag asks if you can't go all out. See, that's how we like it!
Fancy a unique experience? Then visit Tasty Backstory, where you can enjoy vegan fine dining in an eclectic setting. For a delicious dinner, you can also drop in at Brussels Praise. Here, vegetables, cheese and locally caught fish dominate the menu, with many of the vegetables even coming straight from their own organic vegetable garden. They also offer workshops where you can join them on the road to collect fresh plants, flowers and mushrooms.
Other pearls are Brasserie Green, where you can enjoy sustainable, responsible dishes prepared with organic and seasonal produce. At Fatoush taste the most delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes from the Middle East. Lebanese cuisine is already originally sustainable thanks to its many plant-based dishes. At both Semsom as La Mezza you can enjoy fresh, plant-based dishes such as hummus, tabouleh and falafel - typical signature dishes from this region.
The Stockroom, a hidden cocktail bar on Oosterstraat, sustainable lunch at Pernikkel and the artisanal chocolates of Smaakaron #madeingroningen.
Sustainable accommodation in Groningen: sleep well and greener
Spending a night in Groningen? Then you can stay not only comfortably, but also extra green. Here are the nicest green places to sleep:
- In the middle of the Grote Markt lies The Market Hotel, certified with Green Key Gold, which means they take sustainability very seriously. Think of the whole rambam: energy conservation, reduced water use and organic produce. And after a day wandering around, you can relax in their wellness area. So luxury and green, what more could you want? Want to know more? Take a look at The Market Hotel.
- Flonk Hotel Groningen Centre is also a proud owner of the Green Key Gold certificate. Here, they also tackle sustainability thoroughly with energy-efficient lighting, organic meals and even bike rentals. A nice place to stay, close to the bustling city centre. For more information, go to Flonk Hotel Groningen Centre.
- Prinsenhof Hotel, located next to the beautiful Prinsentuin, combines luxury with sustainability. They work with seasonal products and reduce their waste and energy consumption. A perfect place for a responsible overnight stay. Find more details at Prinsenhof Hotel.
- On the beautiful Oude Boteringestraat you will find Hotel Halbert, where style and sustainability go hand in hand. They cook with local produce and ensure a small ecological footprint. Read more at Hotel Halbert.
- Hotel Miss Blanche is a hip design hotel in the Ebbinge Quarter. They work with local suppliers and offer electric bike rental. So you can enjoy your stay feeling good. Check out Hotel Miss Blanche for more information.
Location, location, location! The Market Hotel on De Grote Markt in Groningen and a more sustainable choice too.
Cultural hotspots in Grunn
Ready to soak up culture? Climb the Martinitoren for top views or stroll through the Prince's Garden for a moment's peace in the city. Also pay a visit to the impressive Forum Groningen, a modern meeting place with exhibitions, a cinema and the best view from the roof terrace. Art lovers should not miss the Groninger Museum not to be missed, with its unusual architecture and changing exhibitions.
Ready for your sustainable city break Groningen?
With all these tips under your belt, you're all set for a green exploration of Groningen! From sustainable hotspots for shopping and eating to cultural excursions and child-friendly activities... Groningen has everything for a city trip you will not only enjoy, but also have a green heart. Whether you explore the city by bike, discover the best boutiques or relax in one of the hotels with a green label (yes, that means you sleep like an eco-king(s)!), you will find that travelling responsibly here is easy and fun. Do you have another golden green tip for a visit to Groningen? Let us know! We are always looking for the best green hotspots!
More travel tips at home
- Want to discover more near Groningen? Take the boat to Schiermonnikoog!
- Do you love the north? Go on a city trip to Dokkum!
- Go on a road trip: tips for a week away in Friesland.
- Fancy a sustainable city break? Check out our tips for a day of sustainable doing in Zwolle here.
Sources: Cycling Association. Photo credits: main image: Softlife (Pixabay) & thegreenlist.nl. Other: thegreenlist.nl.
