Groningen is the main municipality as well as the capital city of the eponymous province in the Netherlands. It is the largest city in the north of the Netherlands and has 231,037 inhabitants (31 January 2019) on a total area of 180.21 km2 (69.58 sq mi), and land area of 168.93 km2 (65.22 sq mi) with a population density of 1,367 per km2 (3,540 per square mile).

The city centre of Groningen is perfect for shopping. There are countless markets and antiques and fashion shops. The Groninger Museum lets you dive into art and culture. Relax in one of the cafes or restaurants on Grote Markt. You can climb the Martinitoren for a view encompassing the entire city.

Try to combine your visit to Groningen with the Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival. This international art manifestation is held in August and draws over 125,000 visitors every year. The Groninger Koek is a culinary treat from the region. Other highlights in the province, like Bourtange, Hortus Haren, and Pieterburen, are within easy reach from Groningen.

Founded in 1874, the Groninger Museum remains one of the most advanced art galleries in the Netherlands. In a splendid post-modern building on the banks of the Verbindingskanaal, its three main pavilions host impressive exhibitions of modern and contemporary art from local and international artists, as well as works from the museum's permanent collections. Highlights of his permanent collections focus on the history and culture of Groningen and include archaeological finds, portraits, regional arts and crafts, as well as applied arts. The collection also includes examples of china and paintings from China and Japan, works by the painters of Groningen, Jozef Israëls and Hendrik Willem Message, as well as the famous silver Groningen.