14 Things to Do Before You Graduate
14 Things to Do Before You Graduate
The ultimate Groningen checklist
Summer is fast approaching, which means it is graduation season. This charming Dutch town has quite a few fun and unique activities. Whether you are leaving this city soon or have a couple more years left, make sure to explore this city to the fullest while you can!
1. Eierballen
The infamous Eierballen can be found on the markets and in a few stores around the city. Made of an egg deep fried in ragout and batter, this hot and flavourful street snack is Groningen’s speciality. While you’re at it, grab a few Olieballen and Stroopwafels to take home as well.
2. Actually buy fish at Vismarkt
Vismarkt was previously known as Langestraat before being renamed in the 15th century. Merchants used to sell fish there, and today it is a bustling market square in Groningen. On market days, you can find various stalls selling fresh and fried fish. As long as your diet permits, it's a great opportunity to make a purchase and pay homage to the area's history
3. Attend one of Grotemarkt’s themed fairs
There are multiple themed fairs happening at Grotemarkt throughout the year. From the German Oktoberfest to Bloemenjahrmarkt, the largest plant and flower festival in the northern Netherlands, Groningen always delivers with seasonal events for townies to enjoy.
4. Grab a drink at De Drie Gezusters
While at Grote Markt, you may as well wander into the biggest bar in Europe to grab a drink with your friends. The beers are pretty much the same as anywhere else, but this record is a sweet detail to brag about later on.
5. Climb to the top of the Martini Tower
Yes, it’s a lot of steps. Just do it.
6. Take a selfie from the Forum rooftop
This is a more accessible rooftop with escalators and lifts offering a breathtaking view of the Groningen cityscape. Visit at sunset for the best golden hour lighting!
7. Pub Crawl
Now that all the cliche activities are out of the way, we can get to some more of the fun stuff on this list. Groningen is a great place for pub crawls, as all the bars have free entry and are all connected through the same 2-3 streets. This city might be on the smaller side, but its nightlife is one of the best in the Netherlands.
8. Attend (or sneak into) a Consti
Consti or Constitutieborrel is a very Dutch tradition of student associations, getting very drunk after being hammered in as a Board. They occur at the beginning of the academic year in bars and are truly unlike any other party out there. Accept an invitation from a board you know, attend your association’s consti or simply get lucky stumbling upon one, you too can witness this chaotic tradition with your own eyes.
9. Noorderzon and ESNS
Noorderzon is a massive festival of performing arts and society, gathering up to 150,000 people annually. Similarly, ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag), is a huge annual showcase festival dedicated to discovering new Dutch and International music. With Noorderson taking place in August and ESNS in January, you have an abundance of options to spend your tickets on - from contemporary dance performances, to music concerts and experimental theatre, These festivals are worth attending at least once.
10. Throw a picnic or barbecue at Noorderplantsoen or Stadspark
Buy some snacks from the supermarket and throw a blanket in a sunny spot, or char some meat on an open flame — take advantage of these warm days (in between studying, because that is still mandatory, unfortunately).
11. Boat tour
We’ve all seen the party boats, cruising the canals with people enjoying drinks and the views from the water. There are plenty of tour options to choose from, so you have no excuse not to experience the famous canals of the Netherlands yourself.
12. Take a dip at DOT
If you don’t have the means to travel to a sea or lake further away, look no further than the city beach at DOT. Crowded and fun, you can take a splash in the waters as well as enjoy a nice lunch and cocktails in the restaurant.
13. Visit the Groningen Museum
It’s free for students. What’s your excuse?
14. Take a day trip to a nearby village
While the Groningen city centre is pretty old, with beautiful architecture and plenty of activities to entertain you, it can get stale. There are many smaller towns and villages in the Groningen province alone that are worth visiting to discover some traditional and charming Dutch settlements with lots to see! From Appingedam’s hanging kitchens to Fort Bourtange, delve into the beauty and history of these underappreciated places.
15. (optional) - have your bike stolen
Now we don’t recommend leaving your bike unlocked in a public space or even at home. Nevertheless, having your bike stolen is one of the quintessential experiences of living and studying here. While it is incredibly annoying in the moment, it makes for a relatable story to tell in the future. Although, if you do manage to avoid that, it definitely counts as a bigger flex.