The best autumn activities in Groningen

What to do in the month of Oktober in Groningen? We will make a mix of recommendations for those who are active naturelovers and those who like to actively explore the city of Groningen during autumn. Also a little bit of party is added to the list.

The start of of Autumn is officially each year on 21^st of September and goes on until the Winter starts at the 21^st of December. Some days are more chilly but can also be surprisingly warm, sometimes rainy.

Ofcourse we dream about heading to a warmer climate after a full week of rain, but what we would dearly miss about the Netherlands is the change of the nature due to the passing of the seasons. It is lovely to do hikes around this time of the year. So we will start of with a list of the nicest forests to walk around Groningen:

We love the hikes around Appelbergen in Glimmen. There dogs can be unleashed and it is also a nice area for kids with the Appelbergen Paviljoen as a good starting or ending point with the big pink elephant to climb up to. For mountainbikers there are special paths and same for horseriders.

For the birdwatchers and waterlovers it is nice to do a hike a Het Friese Veen. It is in Haren at Meerweg 136, you can park your car at the former Café Vriezeveen (probably they will build something new here in the near future) and follow the paths. In spring you will see the swans with their nests and baby swans. And many other birds! There is a high birdwatchershouse to climb up to and see the whole area.

Also nearby and especially the place if you like to do sportfishing (karpervissen). For us it is a place to do a nice hike and finish at Paviljoen Sassenhein with some ‘bitterballen’ and a refreshment.

A special place if you like the dunes and the water is the area around Zeegser Duinen. We always start and most of times end our hike in Schipborg at Café Drentsche Aa. The Aa river streams by and it is an amazing view and especially when the sun starts to go under, it is really photogenetic. We guess there were many painting artists who made paintings of these views!

Okay when you are done hiking around Groningen and want to explore the city in a more cultural but yet active way, then we have some unique suggestions.

For the party people who love beer! Okay, we must admit the real deal is ofcourse the OG Oktoberfest in München. Where it all started. Every year over six million people attend Munich Oktoberfest to experience the crazy atmosphere and drink litres upon litres of Bavarian beer. But, we offer Oktofest at the EM2 Suikerunieterrein in Groningen. Be prepared for mugs of beer, dirndls, lederhosen, flammkuchen, schlager and especially viel Spass! Another party in the same weekend is in the venue of DOT and it is Discodots. The place to be if you like some oldschool disco and discodancing.

When Autumn starts we tend to stay more inside and to head to a pub can be really fun!

When you like to combine games and beers then we highly recommend to go to a pubquiz in Groningen. Most of the time you answer trivial/ common knowledge quistions in a team. The best places to go for a pubquiz in Groningen are, café de Kale Jonker, de Toeter and café Buckshot.

Running – events in Groningen. We have lot’s of them but one of the biggest in Groningen is the 4 Mijl van Groningen. A running event that has been held every year on the second Sunday of October since 1987. The route leads from the Kromme Elleboog in Haren to the Vismarkt in the center of Groningen. This event has become one of the largest running events in the Netherlands, because the distance of four miles (6437 meters) is suitable for many runners. Until the 2004 edition, the distance covered was 6666 meters. From 1996, the 4 Miles of Groningen was organized by Topsport Noord Nederland. Since 2016 this has been Golazo Noord Nederland. About 23,000 people participate in the 4 Mile, divided into a recreational run, competition run, youth run and company run. Traditionally we welcome sportive alumni of University of Groningen into our hotelapartments. We have 1 apartment still available at this moment! Check this link to book now for St. Patricks on the second Sunday of October, the Luxurious two bedroom apartment A kwartier Center.

It is actually located at the finish line of the 4 Mijl so perfect if you don’t want to walk too far anymore after your run 😉

For those who love marketplaces then Groningen city is your place to be. The Groninger Marktendag is a Google word for you from now on. It is the biggest Marketplace in the North of the Netherlands. Held on the 3^rd of October you can find books, antiquities, vintage, clothing and handmade products. But of course all kinds of fresh food products just like every week on Tuesday. The normal marketdays are held on the Vismarkt and Grote Markt in Groningen an are a big treat for foodies. Every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday! Don’t miss this out when you are in the City.

Are you a real fashion lover, you should not miss 050&Mode. This yearly event organized by Groningen City Club gives a stage to fashion shops and designers in the city of Groningen. The shops that join this event, will give an extra warm welcome with drinks and activities in their shops. There is a contest for The Best Dressed Groninger and the price will be awarded by Elma van Keulen, the most well-known online content creator about fashion, style and travel, located in Groningen! Really great to follow her Instagram, she has more than 33K followers! Whilst you are on it, follow us as well 😉

On rainy autumndays we can’t let you miss these two locations. The first one is Groninger Forum, there you book a ticket to Camera and then especially we have one favourite cinema hall. The most luxurious and chill way to watch a movie is to go to Camera 3 De Luxe! In general it is nice to pay a visit to Groninger Forum, but here you can book your ticket to experience this upmost luxurious way to watch a movie cosy with your loved ones.

The second one would be to visit the Groninger Museum and then especially to visit Rolling Stones Unzipped right now. "Unzipped: The Rolling Stones" marks a groundbreaking global exhibition dedicated to the iconic rock band, making it the first of its kind. Comprising a collection of 400 authentic artifacts sourced from the Rolling Stones' private archive, this exhibition provides an exhilarating peek into the band's inner workings. Among the showcased items are musical instruments, stage designs, seldom-seen video footage, intimate diaries, iconic costumes, and album covers. Particularly noteworthy are the meticulously recreated settings of the band's London studio and unassuming Edith Grove flat, as well as an awe-inspiring Dolby surround experience that transports visitors to the heart of the band's unforgettable 2016 concert in Cuba.

If you now are convinced about your visit to Groningen, check our website!

We still have many nights available during the Autumn holiday but also some weekends are free.

Loft 6 is located nearby Groninger Museum and Central Station of Groningen and Suite 30 is actually nearby the Noorderplantsoen park. Ideally if you bring your dog! Dogs are also welcome at the Lakehouse. This idyllic lakehouse with a reed roof has 3 bedrooms and a big fully private and enclosed garden with a trampoline for the kids. It is available as well in October. It is directly located at the Paterswoldsemeer. For foodies we advise to combine the booking of Lakehouse with a visit to Culinair Haren. This is being organized in the same weekend as the 4 Mijl (6 – 8 okt). The village of Haren is cosy and has lovely shops, for boardgames, beauty and fashion! During Culinair Haren all restaurants will present the most amazing food on the village square and all villagers come to taste good food and drinks!

See you soon in Groningen!