Valentine’s Day in Groningen: The Best Places for a Romantic Day

Celebrating Valentine’s Day in Groningen? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re going for an elaborate dinner, a relaxed date, or a full weekend away, this city has plenty to offer. No clichés, just concrete tips for a great day together. We regularly receive events categorized under Valentine’s Day—check out the Valentine’s Events in Groningen.

Romantic dining in Groningen

For a special evening

Café Lily (Kleine Leliestraat) - Small restaurant with changing menus and personal service. Book well in advance; they only have a handful of tables.

Vive La Vie (Oosterstraat) - French restaurant with dégustation menus. Fine dining atmosphere, excellent food. Budget approximately €70–90 per person.

Relaxed and accessible

47 Anno Domini (Rademarkt) - Cozy restaurant with an international menu. A good choice for meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes. Warm atmosphere and friendly service.

Osteria da Vinci (Turfsingel) - Italian as it should be. No frills, just authentic food. Homemade pasta and good prices.

Noor (Hoogkerk) - Just outside the city, but well worth it. Modern cuisine with seasonal products. Beautiful presentation and a calm atmosphere. Ideal if you want to escape the crowds.

Fun outings and activities

Strolling around

The city center is compact enough to wander around easily. Walk via the Vismarkt to the Aa Church, cross over to the Hortus district, and finish at the Noorderplantsoen. February can be chilly, so a hot coffee at Black & Bloom (Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat) or Cappuvino is recommended. In good weather, the terrace of Zondag in the Noorderplantsoen is a popular place to sit. For a longer walk, the Hofjeswandeling takes you past hidden courtyards and quiet corners of the city.

Museums and culture

Groninger Museum - Striking building with changing exhibitions. Admission €15 per person. Combine it with coffee in their café overlooking the water.

Forum Groningen - More than a library. Go to Hall 5 on the 5th floor for lounge seats with a view over the city. Free entry, perfect for a break.

University Museum - Smaller and quieter. Nice if you prefer to avoid crowds. Free admission.

GRID Graphic Museum - For lovers of graphic art and design. Small but interesting.

Something active

Escape room - Escape Hunt Groningen (Het Hout) offers various themes. Requires some teamwork and can be a lot of fun.

Karaoke booths at Wijck - Private karaoke booths where you can sing together. Fun if you’re not afraid to be a little silly.

Canal cruise - Probably too cold in February, but from March onward you can enjoy a romantic cruise. You can also rent a private boat.

Ending the evening with a drink

The Happy Traveler Rooftop - Covered and heated rooftop terrace with a romantic atmosphere. Perfect for a relaxed drink with a city view. Highly recommended.

Bramble - Cocktail bar with excellent drinks and an intimate setting. Ideal for a nightcap.

Stockroom (Oosterstraat) - Cocktail bar with creative cocktails and a cozy ambiance. A must for cocktail lovers.

Vin Natural Wine Bar (Nieuwe Kijk in 't Jatstraat) - Quiet wine bar with natural wines. Relaxed atmosphere, perfect for ending the evening calmly.

Staying overnight in Groningen: romantic hotels, B&Bs and unique stays

City center hotels for a perfect Valentine’s stay

The Market Hotel - (Grote Markt) Modern hotel in the heart of the city. Stylish rooms, great location, and extensive breakfast. From €140 per night.

Hotel The Happy Traveler -  (Kleine Kromme Elleboog) Hotel with the best rooftop terrace in Groningen. Covered, heated, and romantic. Ideal for a special weekend getaway.

Hotel Schimmelpenninck Huys (Oosterstraat) - Characterful building with modern rooms and a personal atmosphere. Five minutes’ walk from the Grote Markt. From €100.

Unique places to stay in Groningen

Suite 30 - Luxury suite with a king-size bed where you can enjoy complete privacy. Perfect for a romantic weekend with extra indulgence. Book Suite 30 in Groningen.

Wellnessboat De Michiel De Ruyter - Stay overnight on a boat with wellness facilities on board. A unique and very romantic experience. Book the Wellnessboat in Groningen.

Hotel Watertoren West - Unique hotel in a converted water tower. Characterful rooms with history and charm.

Valentine’s gift ideas in Groningen

Local shops for Valentine’s shopping in Groningen

Walhalla (Folkingestraat) - Concept store with gifts, home accessories, and fun small items. You’ll always find something original.

Godert Walter (Zwanestraat) - Independent bookstore with great recommendations. Or visit De Stripspecialist (Poelestraat) if your partner loves graphic novels.

Chocolate & Candy - Chocolate Company or Heerlijk Chocolade for a unique chocolate box. Leonidas (Folkingestraat) for classic pralines. Or visit Droppie to pick nostalgic sweets by weight—fun to do together.

Fun Valentine’s activities in Groningen

Wine tasting - At Barrel Wijnlokaal (Gelkingestraat) you can book wine tastings. Small-scale and cozy, with great explanations.

Cooking workshop - Various locations offer these, but dates and availability vary. A quick search for “cooking workshop Groningen” shows current options.

Canal cruise - Book a private canal cruise for a romantic experience on the water.

Practical tips

• Reservations are essential - Popular restaurants fill up quickly around February 14. Call at least a week in advance, preferably two.
• Parking in Groningen - We previously wrote about parking rates in Groningen and the cheapest parking garages in Groningen. Paid parking applies in the city center until 11:00 PM. Garages include Westerhaven, Zuiderhaven, and Ossenmarkt. Or take public transport if you’re coming from outside the city.
• Budget - Expect around €80–150 for an evening (dinner + drinks) for two, depending on your choices. With a hotel: from €180 total.
• Weather - February weather can be unpredictable. Having a backup indoor plan is useful if it rains.
• Alternative dates - The weekend before or after Valentine’s Day is often quieter and easier to book.

Planning a full day?

Sample itinerary for Valentine’s Day in Groningen:

• Afternoon: Arrival, hotel check-in, coffee at Cappuvino or around the Folkingestraat area
• 4:00 PM: Walk through the city center + Noorderplantsoen
• 6:30 PM: Drinks at Grand Café Pakhuis (Schuitendiep) or Barrel Wijnlokaal
• 8:00 PM: Reserved dinner
• After dinner: Finish with a cocktail at Bramble, then walk through the park back to Suite30 in Groningen
• Next morning: Extended breakfast, final stroll through the city

Final checklist

• Restaurant reserved and confirmed?
• Hotel booked?
• Debit card with you (contactless payment isn’t accepted everywhere)
• Gift arranged?
• Checked the weather?

Plan your Valentine’s weekend in Groningen

Don’t want to miss anything this Valentine’s weekend? Check out all events in Groningen, discover more great locations, and plan an unforgettable day full of romance, great food, and unique experiences.

Enjoy your time in Groningen!