Groningen Travel Forum

Hi,

I'm thinking about a home exchange offer from someone in Groningen but I know nothing about thie city and it's climate. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

A very nice small city with a noted university, a pleasant old center and some handsome churches. Interesting contemporary art museum, good pubs, mediocre food, nice but reserved people. Good rail connections to elsewhere (Amsterdam approx two and a half hours away).Can't speak for the nightlife.
Climate? Yuck. Cold, gray, and damp. Fog, rain, sleet, wind, deep dark clouds and long long nights. You'll cherish the occaisional sunny day.
DN

Thanks for the info - much like I expected.

I think I'll stay home in Victoria, BC Canada for the winter.

First of all I am pleased you'd be interested in visiting Groningen, rather than following the bulk of tourists to Amsterdam.
It can be grey and wet in those months. But our winters are reasonably mild.
More importantly, Groningen is a lovely town, plenty of nightlife (it's a student town), good restaurants, old center, nice shopping, walkable, and then there is also the absolutely fabulous museum of modern arts, the Groninger Museum. I try to visit once every year, even though it is a 3 hour drive (literally the other side of the country).

www.groningermuseum.nl
and if you like, do see my little Groningen page.

I live near the city of Groningen and I appreciate it for the calmness and easy going life, so unlike the cities in the west, it seems people there are far more in a hurry and noisier too. ;-)

Except for the summer months, Groningen is a lively city because of the many students.

There s some nice things to see and most people that first visit here, are pleasantly surprised by what Groningen has to offer.

December and January can be all the negative mentioned above but the last few winters were pleasant and not too cold or wet.

December of course is a pleasant month because of Sinterklaas on December 5th (as you got yr Santa Claus) and the Christmas Days.
Streets are decorated with lights and I think it is not too bad a month.
January is more quiet but if the weather cooperates you might then have the chance to either explore the city or go out into the country.

That s what comes to mind right now, if you got any more questions, I will be happy to answer.
Oh and of course I too have a page ;-).

Good luck, Roelien