Although most tourists generally visit Amsterdam and the other big cities Utrecht, Rotterdam and The Hague when in the Netherlands, venturing more north to experience true heritage and the peace and quiet of the Dutch countryside around Groningen is well worth it.

Groningen is the biggest city in the north of the Netherlands, located near Leeuwarden. It's a 2 hours’ drive from Amsterdam airport and 2,5-3 hours by public transport with direct train connections. Therefore I would recommend to go at least 2 days, as with so many nice activities, terraces, shops and sights to see, staying overnight is a must.

This student city houses several universities, is buzzing with nightlife, has many cute squares with a big range of restaurants and is full of history. The city’s origins even date back to 1040, after which Groningen became an important area of commerce when trading through the northeastern sea was expanded via the many waterways and canals created throughout the city.

But the surrounding countryside and province of Groningen, bordered by the Wadden Sea, is also worth exploring and makes the perfect combination of tranquility and nature with a visit to this lively city.