The Netherlands · TOURS IN GRONINGEN
The 15 best tours in Groningen you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Join family-run Rondvaartbedrijf Kool beside the Groninger Museum for a one-hour cruise through Groningen’s canals. You’ll see the Martinitoren, Tasman Tower, bridges, medieval houses, and modern architecture while an audio and text guide explains the city’s maritime past. Buy coffee, beer, wine, prosecco, or snacks aboard.
“Pleasant hour admiring the city from boat, historical story, nice crew!”
Climb more than 250 narrow steps inside Groningen’s Martinitoren, known as the Old Grey One. Along the way, see church vaults, old ornaments, heavy bells, flagpoles, and a small cinema about the city’s past. Walk outside at the 39-metre gallery, then reach the clock faces for wide views over Groningen and the Grote Markt.
“very good activity. A lot of information of the tower included & also some interactive exhibits inside the tower itself.”
Board Terrasje Speciaal beside Groningen Central Station for a relaxed cruise with a bar, snacks, soft cushions, and room for 75 people. The cabriolet roof opens in fair weather and closes during rain, while winter heating keeps the boat usable year-round. This is a social boat ride, not a guided historical tour.
“Schönes Schiff mit super Personal. Sehr lieb und zuvorkommend. Um diese Zeit trotz Heitstrahler, an Bord etwas kalt. Daher etwas mehr anziehen.”
Join Boot Groningen at Schuitendiep 82 for a one-hour open boat cruise with an English-speaking skipper. See the Old Museum, Hoge and Lage der A, the AA-church, Noorderhaven, Prinsenhof, Stadsschouwburg, and Martinitoren. Drinks are unlimited, but the boat has no cover, children under 12 are not allowed, and a step into the boat is required.
“Nice tour, definitely worth the money, free drinks, nice and comfy seats and a cool tourguide. Thanks !”
Start inside Forum Groningen and walk 1.5 kilometers through the old center with a local guide. See the Martini Tower, Grote Markt, A-church, Folkingestraat, old harbor, and more. Guides include Margret and Wessel. The tour is offered in Dutch, German, and English, though language availability should be confirmed.
Spend one hour seeing Groningen from the water aboard the open, electric Pronkjewail. You get one soft drink, beer, or wine, plus audio commentary in Dutch, English, or German. The boat leaves between Groningen Central Station and the Groninger Museum, making this an easy first look at the city.
Set out from Schuitendiep 82 for a one-hour English-language cruise through Groningen. You’ll see the Oosterhaven marina, Central Station, Groninger Museum, old trading warehouses, Noorderhaven houseboats, and the Royal Garden. Guides such as Maarten add local stories, humor, and city context. The boat holds up to 25 people.
“Foi muito agradável e o guia gentil 3 simpático. Bela vista e vinho é cerveja para brindar. Como não há City tour é modo de conhecer a cidade.”
Ride through Groningen with a local guide in English, German, or Dutch. In about 2.5 hours, you’ll see the Groninger Museum, Martini Tower, Grote Markt, University of Groningen, Oosterpark, and Noorderplantsoen. A standard bike is included, with an e-bike available for an extra €10 when offered. Bert-Jan is one named guide.
“Unsere Guide war sehr sympathisch, hat auf alle Fragen sehr gut geantwortet.ich würde sie auf jeden Fall wieder buchen”
Join Boot Groningen for a one-hour evening canal cruise with an English-speaking guide, a cheese platter, and an open bar. You’ll pass Central Station, Hoge en Lage der Aa, and the living boats of Noorderhaven. Groups are capped at 15, though the boat requires a large step and has no cover in rain.
“Schöne Tour mit nettem Guide und toller Verpflegung!”
Board the floating terrace at Stationsweg 1003 for a relaxed one-hour cruise through Groningen. Sip beer, wine, or soft drinks while passing Oosterhaven, Central Station, Peerd van Ome Loeks, and the Groninger Museum. The roof opens in sunshine, closes in rain, and the boat has Wi-Fi, a restroom, and vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices.
“I booked this last minute trip with my friends and it was great. Even with the rain it was nice because there was a roof and they had the best drinks.”
Join Borrelvloot at Schuitendiep 1022 for a 1 to 1.5-hour canal cruise through Groningen. Your Dutch or English-speaking skipper shares local stories while unlimited drinks and music keep the mood relaxed. The tour suits friends, families, celebrations, and work groups, with optional snacks, barbecue, or beer tasting.
Spend 1.5 hours on Groningen’s first floating terrace, with a flexible roof, onboard bar, snacks, heating in winter, WiFi, and a toilet. The boat passes the Oosterhaven, Central Station, Peerd van Ome Loeks, and Groningen Museum. This is a relaxed boat outing, not a guided sightseeing cruise.
“It was an hour with a boat that sailed in the most boring canal outside the city center, until a point, then did a U turn and came back... no guide, no interesting sights, loud music, a stolen hour that costs a lot... the team however were nice”
This self-guided Groningen city game uses GPS, questions, and search tasks to lead your private group of up to six people around 16 sights. Start, pause, and finish when you choose, using your own smartphone and data. The roughly three-hour route begins and ends near Groningen Station.
“The organization in advance was very bumpy. The access codes came only on demand and not automatically as advertised. The game itself is very well received!Auto-translated”
Follow a self-guided Outside Escape game through Groningen with your own group of up to six. Use a smartphone to solve puzzles tied to the Groninger Museum, Academy Minerva, old churches, university buildings, and city squares. Allow about two hours for this 2.5-kilometer route. You can start between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM.
“Speel het spel met meerdere mobieltjes. Of laat een van de groepsleden foto's maken van de omgeving.”
Meet a local guide in Groningen for a private walking tour shaped around your interests. Start at your hotel, Airbnb, or a central meeting point, then get practical advice on food, groceries, transport, city customs, and places beyond the usual sights. English-language tours run from 2 to 6 hours, with public transport and entry fees paid separately.
“It was amazing and would do it again for sure!”
Pick a canal, a gallery or a road out of town.
