9 Boat Tours in Groningen Worth Your Time

1.City Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 895 reviews · 1 hour · from $20Our pick

Join family-run Rondvaartbedrijf Kool for a one-hour cruise through Groningen’s canals. You’ll pass the Martinitoren, Groninger Museum, Tasman Tower, medieval houses, and handsome bridges while an audio guide explains the city’s maritime past. Choose an open roof in good weather or a heated closed cabin in rain or winter, with drinks and snacks available aboard.

“The cruise and service were really good. The audio commentary on various landmarks along the cruise was recorded in several languages. Unfortunately for us when it came to English the land mark had already passed and was lost on us. Still would do again.”

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2.Terrace Boat Experience with a Cozy Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 307 reviews · 1 - 1.5 hours · from $18

Board Terrasje Speciaal beside Groningen Central Station for a relaxed 1 to 1.5 hour cruise on a floating terrace. Buy beer, wine, or warm vegetarian snacks at the onboard bar, then settle into cushioned seating beneath an open or closed cabriolet roof. This is a social boat ride, not a guided historical tour.

“Schönes Schiff mit super Personal. Sehr lieb und zuvorkommend. Um diese Zeit trotz Heitstrahler, an Bord etwas kalt. Daher etwas mehr anziehen.”

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3.Open Boat City Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 250 reviews · 1 hour · from $27

Board Boot Groningen at Schuitendiep 82 for a one-hour open boat ride through Groningen. Your English-speaking skipper, such as Jan, Dheis, or Paulina, shares stories about canals, architecture, and local life while drinks are included. Expect low bridges, a large step into the boat, and no sailing if rain is forecast.

“Clean boat, our guide was knowledgeable, well Spoken and interactive brilliant time spent would go again”

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4.Open Boat City Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 154 reviews · 1 hour · from $26

Spend one hour on the spacious electric Pronkjewail, cruising Groningen’s old canals between the railway station and Groninger Museum. You’ll receive one drink, such as water, Pepsi, Sisi, beer, or wine, while an audio guide explains the city in English, Dutch, or German. The boat is open, though a covered boat may replace it in rain when space allows.

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5.Evening Cheese and Wine cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 54 reviews · 1 hour · from $35

Spend one hour cruising Groningen’s canals with an English-speaking guide, an open bar, and a cheese platter. See Central Station, Hoge en Lage der Aa, and the living boats of Noorderhaven. Guides including Huib and Jelle keep the trip friendly and informative. Expect a small boat, a step aboard, and cancellation if rain is forecast.

“Het was een erg leuke rondvaart. De gids vertelde vol passie over de stad Groningen en wij vonden het erg leuk en leerzaam! De kaas en wijn was ook top! Wij zouden het zeker aanraden en wij willen Jelle enorm bedanken voor deze leuke ervaring!”

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6.Terrace Boat Experience with a Cozy Bar: 1 hour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 35 reviews · from $17Best value

Board a cozy bar boat at Oosterhaven for a one-hour cruise past Groningen’s harbor, Central Station, Peerd van Ome Loeks, and the Groninger Museum. Drinks and snacks cost extra, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices available. There is Wi-Fi, music, a restroom, and a roof that folds open in good weather.

“Very nice and unique experience on the water of Groningen. Because of the good weather we stayed 3 hours on the boat. The vibe is relaxt and the personal is very friendly. Would recommend this for everyone who wants to enjoy drinks aRead more”

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7.City canal cruise (with unlimited drinks)

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 29 reviews · 1 - 1.5 hours · from $27

Join De Borrelvloot at Schuitendiep 1022 for a 1 to 1.5 hour Groningen canal cruise with Dutch or English guidance, music, and unlimited drinks. You’ll pass historic city sights while your skipper shares local stories. Add a snack platter, barbecue, or beer tasting for a private celebration or group outing.

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8.Terrace Boat Experience with a Cozy Bar: 1.5 Hours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · from $22Top rated

Spend 90 minutes on Groningen’s first floating terrace, cruising past Oosterhaven, the central station, Peerd van Ome Loeks, and the Groningen Museum. Order drinks and hot snacks from the onboard bar, enjoy WiFi and a toilet, and open or close the roof as the weather changes. This is a scenic social cruise, not a guided tour.

“It was an hour with a boat that sailed in the most boring canal outside the city center, until a point, then did a U turn and came back... no guide, no interesting sights, loud music, a stolen hour that costs a lot... the team however were nice”

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9.Informative city canal cruise + drinks & cookies

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 8 reviews · 1 - 1.5 hours · from $27

Join skipper Bente or another Dutch or English-speaking guide for a relaxed one-hour cruise through Groningen. You’ll pass historic warehouses and bridges while hearing local stories, with unlimited coffee, tea, water, soda, beer, wine, and Dutch cookies included.

“Rondje Groningen met Bente. Ze deed het fantastisch en gaf goede tips over bezienswaardigheden om na de boottocht te doen. We hebben genoten! Dank je wel Bente!”

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