As the summer has officially started, there is no better time than now to explore all the amazing museums that the city of Groningen has to offer. Whether you are a student, a resident, or a visitor, this list of museums will surely captivate your interests. From art to history, Groningen has it. This blog will serve as your guide for all the must-see museums in and around the city. 

Bonus tip! Every year, you can visit all the 7 museums in Groningen for only €12,50. This is called the Groninger Museum Night, which this year will be held on the 21st of September 2024. Here, all the museums will open their doors for you to enjoy a night of fun, including participating in interactive workshops, lectures, dances, and poetry. The participating museums include the GRID Groningen in Akerk, Groninger Museum, Museum aan de A, Noorderlicht Studio, Forum Groningen, Synagogue Groningen, and the University Museum Groningen.

Museums within the City of Groningen

Everyone has seen it: the Groninger Museum. Right when you leave the train station, you cannot miss the colorful building near the water. And a fun fact: this year it is celebrating 150 years! The museum is one of the top attractions in the province as it houses a multifaceted collection of art, history, and even special exhibitions, including The Rolling Stones - Unzipped (2024), The Art of Hipgnosis (2023), and the Gianni Versace Retrospective (2022). A visit to the museum costs €10 for students and tickets can be purchased in advance online.

Universiteitsmuseum Groningen must be familiar to students of the University of Groningen, as it can be found in the center of the city right beside the academy building. The museum is host to a versatile scientific collection, including a vast array of objects relating to botany, medicine, ethnology, psychology, zoology, and mathematics, amongst others. Additionally, it presents exhibitions, including the Anatomical Theater (2024),  Animal Tales (2022), Masterminds: The History of the University of Groningen (2021). Bonus point: the museum is completely free for students of the University of Groningen! Book your ticket and reserve a time slot online.

Aside from being a go to study spot, the Forum is also home to a one-of-a-kind museum: Storyworld! The Dutch museum focuses on comics, animation, and games. Many interactive activities await you here, as it is possible to create a graphic story yourself, make your own stop-motion, and even programme your own game!  For students, tickets are only €7 and can be purchased online.

Located in the Folkingestraat, the Synagogue Groningen hosts a permanent exhibition that shares inspiring stories through displaying Jewish rituals, customs, and history throughout the building. It also allows interactive engagement, through for example learning why the Sabbath is celebrated, what the meaning is of the Passover and Hanukkah, and the dietary legislation of Kashrut within a Jewish household. The architecture from both the outside and inside is also impressive, and so being a must visit on the list of Groningen museums. The tickets cost €5,50 and can be purchased at the counter of the synagogue. Pro tip: a free tour is included in this price, which starts every hour on the hour.

Bonus Tips: Plan a Day Trip and Visit Museums Outside the City!

Can you not get enough of the museums that the city of Groningen has to offer? Why not plan a trip to different museums in the province? Below are some additional museums that you must not miss as a museum goer!

Are you curious about the history of the province of Groningen? In Appingedam it is possible to see the province of medieval origin. Through walking around the city center you will be able to see everything that traces back to the past: churches, town halls, and alleyways that lead you to the most beautiful views. Additionally, the museum hosts a vast collection of silverware, as the city once had their own silversmiths. Walking past the waters of the city you can even see the famous hanging kitchens! Only a 30 minute train-ride away from Groningen Central Station and €6 for an entry ticket, this is the perfect getaway if you want to immerse yourself in the city’s  historical past. 

Located in the middle of the forests of Leek lies Landgoed Nienoord . Beside the estate being a beautiful destination to go for walks as it moreover includes a courtyard and garden, the monumental castle also hosts a museum that is dedicated to national carriages and sleighs. To get to Nienoord, you can take a bus from Groningen Central Station that will take you there in around 30 minutes. While walking around the forest and gardens are free, entry to the museum itself is €7,50. 

In the village of Warffum, around 20 minutes away by train from Groningen, the open-air museum Het Hogeland is located. Here, you will be able to see first-hand how people used to live and work in twenty different old buildings. The museum includes arranged living rooms, bedrooms, classrooms, and workplaces, amongst others, furnished with great attention to detail, making it seem as if you have just traveled back in time. When you bring your student card, a ticket will cost you €4,25.