Groningen's Old Town District

The old town of Groningen is the compact historic centre of the largest city in the north of the Netherlands, and it is enclosed by a ring of water called the Diepenring. Groningen has been a trading centre since the Middle Ages and was a member of the Hanseatic League, and its centre still has the layout of the medieval city: narrow streets, squares, canals and courtyards, built on a scale that is easy to walk or cycle. The University of Groningen was founded in 1614, and with tens of thousands of students today the centre has a youthful energy that is felt at any hour.

The Grote Markt is the main square and the best place to start. The Martinitoren, the Martini Tower, rises beside it and is the city's best known landmark, close to a hundred metres high and slightly leaning. Climbing it gives views across the rooftops and the flat countryside beyond. Around the square, the town hall, cafes and shops form the main meeting place. Part of the square was rebuilt after fighting in April 1945, when the city was liberated at the end of the war, and the mix of old and new buildings reflects that history.

From the Grote Markt the old town opens out in every direction. The nearby Vismarkt and the market squares host the lively markets, and small streets lead to churches, courtyards and the quiet canals of the Noorderhaven and the Diepenring. Cafes and bars are everywhere, and independent shops, bookshops and galleries are scattered between them. The modern Forum, a cultural building with a large rooftop terrace, is a striking contemporary addition at the edge of the main square area, and the Groninger Museum, known for its bold postmodern design, stands on the water between the station and the centre.

The district works best with time to wander. The medieval street pattern rewards exploration without a plan, and the compact size means that nothing is far away. In the evening the squares fill with students and locals, and the terraces stay busy long after dark. Cycling is the main mode of transport, and you will see more bicycles than anywhere else in the country.

The old town suits history lovers, architecture fans, shoppers and people who like lively cities. Allow half a day for the sights and a full day if you include the museums, and aim for a clear day if you want to climb the tower.