Like most cities in The Netherlands, Groningen's city centre is surrounded by a canal. And like most cities in Europe, Groningen's museums are generally closed on Mondays. With those points in mind, here are some of the interesting sights:
The Groninger Museum (http://www.groningermuseum.nl/). Just opposite train/bus station. Spectacular architecture. Hosts state of the art of contemporary art in the world. One of the five most progressive modern/contemporary art collections in the world.
Het Noordelijk Scheepvaartmuseum
(http://www.noordelijksche...). The northern museum of water transport. Shows the history and role of transport over water until the 1970s.Synagogue
(http://synagogegroningen....). The synagogue was built after the oriental design of the New Synagogue in Berlin. Shortly after WWII the Jewish community was forced to sell the synagogue since only a mere 7% of the entire Jewish community of Groningen survived the war. In 1981 the building was renovated and rehabilitated.The Tabaksmuseum (http://www.noordelijksche...). Tobacco museum, 'roommate' of the scheepvaartmuseum. Collections moderately interesting, but housed in very beautiful, old, authentic warehouses.
The Universiteitsmuseum (http://www.rug.nl/museum/index) is a strange and wonderful little museum located just off Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat. Temporary exhibitions, often of a technological bent, are held on the first floor; upstairs past an elaborate stained-glass window in the stairwell is an eclectic collection in the Victorian style, with everything from anatomical specimens and taxidermied animals to early scientific instruments.
The Aa-kerk (http://www.aakerk.nl/). Beautiful church built in the middle ages.
The Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (http://www.rug.nl/), the University of Groningen, is the second-oldest university in the Netherlands and one of three State Universities of the Netherlands. It was established in 1614. While the university has its share of modern buildings, both in and out of town, the Academiegebouw is an old and attractive building with a tower and worth strolling past.
The Grote Markt great market and the Vismarkt fish market are two large market squares in the center of the city.
There are several late-medieval Guest Houses Gasthuizen scattered through the city centre within the ring of canals. During daylight hours these courtyards can be visited for free. Be mindful that the houses themselves are not open to the public and that the people living in them enjoy their quiet and privacy. Visitors are welcome in the courtyards. Access is through gated doorways that will be unlocked during daylight hours and locked during the evening/night. The largest one is in the Pelsterstraat, next to the church and consists of several courtyards connected through archways. Another one is located behind the Vroom and Dreesman shopping centre in the Rode Weeshuisstraat Red Orphanage Street. In the Peperstraat, near the end on the left when viewed from the Poelestraat, is the Peperstraat Guest House. Part of the medieval city wall is still visible from the courtyard. The St. Anthony Guesthouse is located opposite the police headquarters on the Rademarkt just south of Zuiderdiep.
Oude RKZ, Old Roman Catholic Hospital
(http://www.orkz.net/). This is an old Roman Catholic hospital in the South of the city, in Helpman. The hospital itself was abandoned in 1978, after which it was squatted. Until 1986 the Oude RKZ was the largest squat in The Netherlands and possibly in the whole of Europe. In 1986 the government allowed the squat to be legalized. Nowadays it is a vibrant place where 250 people from all ages find a place to live and to share what is important. The former squat has cheap folk kitchens on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. There are also 2 bars, a cinema, yoga and capoeira sessions and many many other things. Being a motor for the Dutch alternative and artist scene, the Oude RKZ is a well known place to many people from all over Europe. If you want to eat at the folk kitchen it's best to call on the same day to reserve a meal. Meals are served at 18:30 hrs and the number for the reservations is +31505257601.