If you typed “Excalibur Groningen” into a search engine, you are probably looking for a particular shop, venue or event in the northern Dutch city of Groningen. The name Excalibur is popular for businesses, from game shops to restaurants and clubs, and I cannot confirm from here which one you mean or whether it is currently open. This guide helps you check that quickly and then points you to what else is worth doing in the city.
Excalibur groningen: how to check which Excalibur you need
Names like Excalibur are used in many places, so confirm the exact one before you travel.
1. Search a map app: type the name along with Groningen and look at opening hours, photos and recent reviews.
2. Look for an official page: a business with a website or social media page will list its address and times. Treat unofficial listings with caution.
3. Check recent reviews: if reviews stopped years ago, the place may have closed or moved.
4. Call or message: a short email or call is the surest way to confirm details such as events, prices and reservations.
5. Ask locally: if you are in the city, the tourist information office or a nearby shop owner can usually help.
If you are searching for a specialist hobby shop, a role-playing game group or an event, you can also look on the local forums and on student association pages, since Groningen has a large student population and many clubs.
Getting to Groningen
Groningen is the main city in the north of the Netherlands. Trains from Amsterdam Centraal take roughly two hours to two hours and a half, depending on the service. From Utrecht, it is a little over two hours. The railway station is at the edge of the centre, and a short walk takes you to the Grote Markt. Check the NS journey planner for current options.
What to do in Groningen
The Grote Markt and Martinitoren
The main square is lined with cafés and historic buildings. The Martinitoren, or Martini Tower, is the city’s symbol and can be climbed on certain days. It rewards you with a view of the surrounding flat landscape.
Groninger Museum
Located next to the station, this museum is known for its colourful, deconstructivist building by the architect Alessandro Mendini and others. It shows art, design and fashion in a bold setting.
The canals and harbours
Walk along the canals, called singels, and the Noorderhaven, where old boats are moored. In summer, many people sit by the water with a drink.
Student life
Groningen is a youthful city, with many students at the University of Groningen and the Hanze University of Applied Sciences. The evening scene around the Peperstraat and Poelestraat is lively, with bars and music venues.
Local food
Try local favourites such as “Groninger koek”, a spiced cake, and “mosterdsoep”, a mustard soup. Cafés serve sandwiches, pancakes and Dutch dishes. Restaurants in the centre cover many cuisines, and prices are often lower than in the western cities.
Day trips from Groningen
- The Wadden Sea coast: a UNESCO-listed tidal landscape with birdlife and mudflat walking in season, with a guide.
- Schiermonnikoog and other Wadden islands: reachable by ferry.
- Appingedam and Delfzijl: small towns with hanging kitchens and port history.
- Fortified villages such as Bourtange: a star-shaped fortress village, now a museum.
Tips
- Groningen is a cycling city. Be careful with bikes in the centre.
- Weather in the north can be windy, so bring a windproof layer.
- Check if shops and venues are open on Sundays and Mondays.
- Book accommodation early during major events such as Eurosonic Noorderslag in January.
Conclusion
Mehr Orientierung in Groningen
Wer nur einen Tag hat, kann den Grote Markt, das Groninger Museum und den Noorderhaven zu Fuß verbinden. Der Weg ist flach und dauert mit Pausen etwa einen halben Tag. Wenn dein Ziel ein bestimmter Laden oder Veranstaltungsort ist, plane ihn zuerst ein und füge die anderen Punkte rund herum an. So verlierst du keine Zeit, und falls das gesuchte Ziel geschlossen ist, hast du Alternativen in der Nähe.
Excalibur Groningen is a search term that could refer to several places, and the safest approach is to confirm the details with an official source. Meanwhile, the city itself is well worth a visit. Its bars, museums and canals make for an easy and enjoyable trip, and the northern landscapes are a refreshing change from the busy west of the country.
More like this: browse our Netherlands section.
