Urban exploring Groningen, you must see this!

🚶‍♂️ Are you thinking about spending a day urban exploring in Groningen? Then you've chosen the right location! The city is full of abandoned places and historic sites waiting to be discovered. Urban exploring, also called urbex, allows you to see the city from a different angle in an adventurous way. Whether you're looking for factory buildings, tunnels or ruins, Groningen has it all. In this blog we share eight places you can't miss during your urbex adventure in Groningen.

The sugar factory

🏭 The former sugar factory in Groningen is the perfect place for urban exploring. This enormous industrial complex, where sugar was produced for years, has a long history. The abandoned halls, old machines and graffiti art make it a real urbex location. During special events you can legally visit parts of the factory, but the site itself is already impressive to look at. The location brings a lot of history with it combined with beautiful murals.

• Address: Suikerlaan 10

• Type of building: former sugar factory

• How to get there: bike or car, parking at the main entrance

Former site of the Hunzecentrale

⚡ The Hunzecentrale, once a power plant on the edge of the city, has many abandoned buildings and industrial history. Urban explorers love coming here because of the size of the site and its location by the water. Although the power plant itself isn't always accessible, the surroundings offer enough to discover. There are old constructions and interesting graffiti art. The site has a mysterious atmosphere which makes it a good place for photography and adventure.

• Address: Sontweg 10

• Type of building: former power plant

• How to get there: car or bus, parking nearby

Nature area Reitdiep

🌿 For a nature area with hidden locations tucked away inside, you need to go to Reitdiep. In this quiet area you'll unexpectedly come across all sorts of things. Think old bridges, abandoned farmhouses and all kinds of walking paths that lead to other hidden locations. Bring your camera, because the old constructions that are overgrown with greenery make for beautiful images.

• Address: Reitdiepgebied

• Type of building: old bridges and abandoned farmhouses

• How to reach: bike or car, park at designated nature areas

Het Peerd van Ome Loeks (old location)

🗿 The old location of het Peerd van Ome Loeks is a lesser-known spot that's interesting for urban exploring. Even though the original statue has been moved, the old location still carries the memory of this Groningen legend. There's an abandoned atmosphere that makes it the perfect place to pause and reflect on the city's past. This spot gives an iconic image of Groningen.

• Address: Old site Hoofdstation

• Type of building: historic site

• How to reach: on foot from the station

De Eemshaven

⚓ De Eemshaven is located just outside Groningen and consists of active and abandoned industrial buildings. This is a popular spot among urban explorers due to the old warehouses and shipyards that were part of the harbor. The harbor is still in use, but there are plenty of spots to discover. De Eemshaven gives an image of abandoned industry combined with a beautiful view over the water.

• Address: Eemshaven

• Type of building: Industrial harbor

• How to reach: car, parking available at the harbor

Old train stations

🚉 Around Groningen you'll find several old train stations that are barely in use anymore. These places give Groningers a nostalgic atmosphere. You'll see many abandoned platforms and old railway lines. There's plenty to discover here about Groningen's railway history. Especially during early morning or late afternoon these places are at their most beautiful, and offer a good spot for photography.

• Address: various locations around Groningen, for example station Woldjerspoor

• Type of building: abandoned train stations

• How to reach: car or bike, depending on the location

Grain silos in the Oosterpoortwijk

🌾 The grain silos in the Oosterpoortwijk are a well-known location for urbex enthusiasts. Several of the silos have been given new purposes, but there are still plenty of remnants of the original complex to be found. These structures attract many photographers and explorers.

• Address: Oosterpoortwijk

• Type of building: former grain silos

• How to get there: bike or on foot, easily accessible from the city center

Former shipyards at the Winschoterdiep

⛴️ The old shipyards at the Winschoterdiep offer a unique location for urban explorers. You can find everything here from abandoned sheds to ship parts. When you walk around there, you go back in time to the era of shipbuilding. Some parts are still in use, but there are plenty of places where time has stood still.

• Address: Winschoterdiep

• Type of building: former shipyards

• How to get there: car or bike, parking nearby

Ready for your urban exploring adventure in Groningen?

🗺️ Groningen is a city full of urbex locations, from historic buildings to industrial sites. Visit these places and see Groningen from a different perspective. You'll discover the spots that everyone would normally walk past.

🔍 Curious about more tips and inspiration around urban exploring? Then check out our page about urban exploring and delve deeper into this interesting subject!