In the north of the Netherlands lies the province of Groningen, where about 585,866 people live. Would you like to know more about the various cities in the province of Groningen and are you wondering which city has the most inhabitants? In this article you will find a list of the 10 largest cities in Groningen, which sights can be found here and which places you should visit at least once.
10. Appingedam
Of the city of Appingedam with a population of 11,533, it is still not certain when the city was founded. The oldest archaeological finds date from about the 10th century, some of which can be seen in the museums of Appingedam. You can also admire a few buildings in the center of the city that date from the Middle Ages, such as the Nicolaïkerk and the Renaissance town hall. If walking and cycling are not for you, you can always visit Museum Nienoord, where various antique carriages are exhibited.
9. Leek
The special thing about the Groningen city of Leek is that the center is directly adjacent to the city of Nietap in the province of Drenthe. Leek has about 11,676 inhabitants and contains a number of beautiful sights, such as the Nienoord estate, which can easily be visited during a walking or cycling trip. For example, in the Noorderplantsoen there are beautiful walking routes along various art sculptures.
8. Hoogkerk
Hoogkerk was an independent municipality until 1969 and now belongs to the municipality of Groningen. After the merger with Groningen, Hoogkerk grew from a separate village into a larger city with a population of about 12,210. However, you will not completely escape the old village feeling during your visit to Hoogkerk. An important part of the city’s history can be seen at De Olle Church from the 13th century. The tower of the original church was destroyed during a battle with the Saxons in 1514.
7. Delfzijl
In the city of Delfzijl is the most important port of the Northern Netherlands, namely the port of Delfzijl. The former naval port is the sixth largest port in the Netherlands and is directly connected to the high seas. Delfzijl contains about 15,291 inhabitants and merged in 2021 together with the municipality of Appingedam and Loppersum into a new municipality called Eemsdelta. When you visit Delfzijl, you should definitely make a stop at the Zeeaquarium museum. In addition, there are a number of walking and cycling routes that lead you along the harbor of Delfzijl.
6. Haren
Just like the city of Hoogkerk, the city of Haren has been part of the municipality of Groningen since 2019. Due to the construction of the Harener Holt district, the population in Haren increased to the current number of 17,950 inhabitants. Haren is home to the largest botanical garden in the Netherlands, called Hortus Haren. Here you will find various types of plants that originate from all over the Netherlands and various regions from the rest of the world. In addition, cultural activities and performances are regularly organized here.
5. Winschoten
The city of Winschoten is the capital of the municipality of Oldambt in the province of Groningen and has about 17,917 inhabitants. Winschoten is the second largest shopping city in Groningen, where the shopping center ‘t Rond is located. In this shopping center there really is something for everyone, because you can find both small and large retail chains here. Whether you are looking for new clothes, an original birthday present or simply want to eat somewhere good, you will find it all in ‘t Rond. Of course there are also plenty of national monuments in the city of Winschoten, such as the Catholic St. Vitus Church and the Edens windmill, which you can visit.
4. Stadskanaal
18,985 inhabitants live in Stadskanaal. The place originated as a peat colony. For this, the canal was also dug with the same name as the city. The peat was transported to Groningen over the canal. Many houses have been built along the canal, all the way to Ter Appel. It seems as if the houses are in a ribbon, this is also called ribbon development. Stadskanaal is therefore one of the longest cities in Europe.
3. Veendam
With a population of 21,525, the city of Veendam is one of the shopping cities in the province of Groningen. The city was founded in 1655 as a peat colony and to this day still contains the typical peat colonial ribbon structure. With just a simple walk through the city, you can learn a lot about the history of Veendam. However, as mentioned earlier, you can also enjoy shopping in Veendam in the covered shopping arcade. For a little more peace and quiet, you can visit the Julianapark for a relaxing walk.
2. Hoogezand
The second largest city in the province of Groningen with a population of 21,830 is Hoogezand. The city owes its name to the high sandy spot in the peat, where peat was cut in the 15th century. Would you like to know more about the history of Hoogezand? Then a visit to the Open Air Museum Het Hoogeland is highly recommended. Are you looking for something more art? Then the Gorechtpark is the place to be. Various works of art by various artists are exhibited throughout the park. In addition, you can immediately enjoy a wonderful walk along beautiful ponds.
1. Groningen
As you might have guessed, the largest city of the province of Groningen has the one and only capital Groningen. Groningen has a population of about 190,690, making it the seventh most populous city in the Netherlands .
In the 14th century, Groningen was part of the North German trade network, as a result of which the city developed further into an influential power center in the following years. There is of course a lot to see in the capital. For example, the Martinitoren and accompanying church are real symbols of the city. You will also find the Groninger Museum in the city of Groningen, where you can admire various historical collections of the city. If you want to relax, you can enjoy a refreshing drink and snack on a terrace in the sun at various catering establishments in the center of the Grote Markt.