Groningen

Boating in Groningen

A creative buzz runs through the old streets of Groningen, with vibrant cafes spilling over with students, and breathtaking pieces of architectural history elegantly posed alongside grand canalside residences. And like all the best towns in the Netherlands, Groningen can be explored by boat along numerous scenic canals taking in modernist museums and charming historic houses from the water. Head east and you could, if you wish, follow the Ems River across the border to Germany, or go west and the picturesque natural sights of Friesland might be your next destination.

Hiring A Boat In Groningen

Boaters are exceptionally well-served in Groningen, with yachts, cabin cruisers and, kayaks available across multiple marinas both in the city and out in the countryside.

Mooring options are omnipresent, with no less than five marinas available for overnight anchorages close to the centre of Groningen city with the Reitdiep city marina providing a scenic backdrop of colourful houses. It's also on the standing mast route of Delfzijl, through Groningen city to Friesland making it a popular stop for sailing yachts.

Explore Groningen By Renting A Boat

Groningen's delightful traffic-free centre was one of the first cities in the Netherlands to strip motorised vehicles from its old towns, leading many more to follow suit, replacing cars with bicycles. Today more than 60% of all trips in the city are made by bike, with numerous inner-city bike lanes leading to stunning themed trails that lead alongside the Reitdiep, along the Kiek Over Diek, and through the Veenkoloniën. But perhaps the most interesting is the 'pre-historic' route that runs from the colourful Grote Markt and takes in sights as varied as the former monastery, the Hortus Botanical gardens, the Rijksstraatweg and De Hondsrug UNESCO Global Geopark.

But the best way to see the city is from its glorious canals. Hire a boat in Groningen Centrum and sail under bridges, past historic warehouses, beneath lines of trees, and drop anchor across from a historic sailing ship just in time for lunch in one of Groningen's busy waterside restaurants or cafes. Head out into the countryside to indulge in a spot of bird watching at Hut De Kiekkaaste, spot Highland Cows, far away from their native Scotland in the Lauwersmeer National Park and explore the mudflats, home to the various birds and seals of the Dutch Wadden.

Groningen has an intensely busy events schedule with arts festivals in tiny Hongerige Wolf (Hungry Wolf), music festivals in the old warehouses of the city centre, and iconic Noorderzon.

Best Areas To Hire A Boat In Groningen

Groningen city centre is ideal for day boat hires to see the historic sights that line up against elegant twists of canals, while Hoornsemeer is best for sailing. Haren and Zoutkamp, with their direct access to various lakes, are good bases for exploring the Groningen countryside.

Groningen

There are various moorings within Groningen's old town, each ideal for exploring the city by boat. But those wanting to explore more of the countryside can sail the tree-lined Eemskanaal, which leads all the way to the river Ems, providing plenty of sights along the way.

Hoornsemeer

The idyllic Hoorsemeer rests just 5KM south of Groningen and is an ideal spot for sailors looking for a base in the countryside that's not too far from the centre of the city. It's busy in the spring and summer with yachts and row boats, but by winter you're more likely to spot the various migratory birds that arrive for the cold months than any fellow boaters.

Haren

In the southern suburbs of Groningen, little Haren, with its scenic coastline along the Paterswoldsemeer, offers a slightly more relaxed alternative to hiring a boat in Groningen and has easy access to both the lake and Groningen city.

Zoutkamp

Situated in the westernmost reaches of Groningen county, Zoutkamp is a good option for those intending to sail through the width and splendour of Groningen. Begin here in the west and wind your way through the hazy curves of the Reitdiep and its myriad sights and attractions. Alternatively, stay in Zoutkamp to sample the delicious fresh seafood, a staple of the town since antiquity.

Types Of Boats To Hire

Tenders and small motorboats, capable of navigating the slim canals of the city centre are the most popular options, although a variety of sailing boats, kayaks and yachts are available for sailors hoping to travel away from the city.

Tender

Tenders are available throughout the canals of Groningen Centrum, with covered and part-covered options available, should the weather turn moist.

Cabin Cruiser

For extended trips, cabin cruisers, with useful amenities such as a kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms provide everything you need for a peaceful, all-inclusive sailing trip in Groningen.

Yachts

You'll find a small collection of bareboat yachts on the Hoornsemeer just south of the city, perfect for open sailing on both the Hoornsemeer and the Paterswoldsemeer. Though most sailing yachts here are small, with berths for up to 6 people.

Kayaks

Kayaks and other small row boats are available across lakes such as the Hoorsemeer and the Leekstermeer and provide an easily accessible route to exploring the Groningen canals and lakes for any age or expertise level.

Do you need a licence to hire a boat in Groningen

For the most part, you will not need a boat license in Groningen. Regardless of whether you're hiring a motorboat, tender, cabin cruiser or a small yacht.

But if you decide on a larger boat (for example a 20-foot yacht or a speedy motorboat), you'll need to show your ICC (International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft) in order to prove your competency on the water.

Best Times To Hire

The city centre generally slows down over the winter, but some hire options will stay open for the season, but they are only recommended for day trips and quick jaunts into the countryside (as long as the canals haven't frozen over). Spring and summers are the most popular time to travel to Groningen, with warm breezes sending the mercury above 20 degrees and providing ideal summery days for watersports, while autumns bring with them a touch more rain, and more reason to ensure your boat hire has adequate cover.

How much does it cost to hire a boat

Kayaks, SUPs and row boats are the cheapest rental options, starting from €6 per hour, while small, one-person sailboats are available on the Leekstermeer from €11 per hour. Open sailboats for five or more people are available from €21 per hour and small electric motor tenders from €24 per hour while sailing yachts with enough room for six start at €100 per day.