Groningen: Wadden Sea Coast, Nature and Historic Castles

Along Groningen’s Wadden Sea coast, tides, sturdy dikes and species-rich salt marshes shape the landscape. Fortresses, castles and museums offer a different way to explore its history. If you’re looking for a hotel in Groningen, the focus of your trip can be a helpful first question: would you mainly like to experience nature or explore historic places and their stories?

Coast, Lauwersmeer and trails

The Wadden Sea coast offers wide-open views and species-rich salt marshes; its landscape changes with the tides. When the mudflats are exposed, you can walk across the seabed. This depends on the tide and conditions. At Lauwersmeer National Park, you can explore on foot, by bike and by boat. These three ways of getting around offer different ways to discover the area.

The landscape’s history is also part of the nature experience: the area of Lauwersmeer National Park was once openly connected to the Wadden Sea. A dam was built in 1969 for fear of flooding; a new landscape developed afterward. If you like to plan your trip around cycling routes, the province has a cycling network with hundreds of kilometres of cycle paths. In Groningen, the LF Kustroute connects the Lauwersmeer and Dollard nature areas.

Discover nature for yourself

The WEC offers an interactive experience. At its field station, visitors can collect data, conduct experiments and study organisms themselves. They can also track coastal birds there. The WEC is an interactive experience for all ages; its field station emphasises observing and experimenting for yourself rather than relying solely on an explanation. This visit is especially appealing to travellers who enjoy actively engaging with nature.

Fortresses and castles

At Vesting Bourtange, you can experience the historic year 1742 in an authentic way. The fortress includes a defensive structure built on the orders of Willem van Oranje. An interactive AR tour adds to the visit. It is also useful to know when getting around the site that much of the historic buildings and ramparts is accessible to wheelchair users.

Menkemaborg was built in the 14th century and opened as a museum in 1927. From Groningen, take the train towards Roodeschool to Uithuizen station; from there, it is a ten-minute walk. Check the train timetable when planning your trip. The former farm building Schathuis is also a useful landmark on the estate: it stands next to Menkemaborg. Behind Schathuis is a formal kitchen garden with beds of vegetables and herbs.

The centuries-old Fraeylemaborg in Slochteren houses a museum and is part of an estate with a unique park. Visitors can explore the museum and walk through the park. It is open all year from sunrise to sunset, except on event days. If you’re planning a walk, take this exception into account when choosing your visit day.

Museums and regional history

Museum Borg Verhildersum presents the history of Groningen on the Wadden Sea coast from three perspectives: those of the nobility, farmers and agricultural workers. Openluchtmuseum Het Hoogeland takes a different approach to everyday life. Through historic buildings, most of which still stand in their original locations, it offers a glimpse of life around 1900. While Verhildersum presents regional history through social perspectives, Het Hoogeland focuses on everyday life around 1900.

Explore more destinations

Explore more destinations: Groningen, Haren, Hoogezand-Sappemeer, Leek, Loppersum, Marum, Menterwolde, Slochteren, Stadskanaal, Ten Boer, Veendam, Vlagtwedde, Winsum, Zuidhorn, Bellingwedde, De Marne, Pekela, Oldambt, Grootegast, Appingedam, Bedum, Delfzijl, Eemsmond.

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