Sarah Veldman
The Netherlands is famous for its capital city, Amsterdam, but the country has much more to offer visitors.
As a local who moved nearby to Groningen about 10 years ago, I think you're missing out if you don't take a two-hour train ride up north to escape the many tourists and high prices.
In my opinion, my city has everything Amsterdam has to offer without the crowds, gimmicky T-shirts, and bus tours that seem to be at every corner.
Groningen is a student city in the northern Netherlands. Here, you can walk along a canal, stroll through a park, or eat poffertjes on the street. If you visit, you'll likely actually hear passersby speak Dutch, too.
I've made it my home and can truly say that if you're traveling to the country for an authentic Dutch experience, this is where you need to be.
Sarah Veldman
Earlier this year, an eatery in Amsterdam went viral for supposedly selling stroopwafels for 10 to 13 euros a pop. Many Dutch locals balked since they can usually be bought from street trucks for just a few euros.
This is just one example of how sky-high prices can be in Amsterdam, especially when it comes to food. After all, it is one of the most expensive cities to visit, according to data collected by travel company Rustic Pathways this year.
Generally, I've found many prices are lower in Groningen than in Amsterdam. And if you want a stroopwafel, head to our Vismarkt to get one the size of your face for no more than 3 euros.
Vondelpark in Amsterdam is a well-known park as it sits to the side of the famed Rijksmuseum.
It's beautiful, but it gets so busy with about 12 million visitors a year. It's often full to the brim with children playing, people gathering with food, and folks going on strolls.
Fortunately, Groningen has beautiful parks, like Noorderplantsoen, that welcome fewer visitors and feel less crowded.
The large public park has a pond surrounded by a playground, lots of grassy spaces, and a little café where you can stop for a coffee or lemonade.
On a warm day in the Netherlands, Noorderplantsoen is the place to be — students mingle, families take strolls, and the entire vibe is incredibly carefree.
If Noorderplantsoen feels like a bit too much for you, the Prinsentuin is a quieter alternative, especially if you enjoy greenery.
The Prinsentuin sits in the center of Groningen — just behind the Martini Tower, the tallest church steeple in the city — and has gardens with benches, archways, a café, and a tea house.
Sarah Veldman
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is one of the biggest in the world and houses iconic artworks, from Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" to several Van Gogh and Monet paintings.
But Groningen also has its own art scene in the form of the Groninger Museum, a unique building across from the train station that houses an array of modern art pieces, countless exhibitions, and even a Van Gogh of its own.
And in Grote Markt (the main square of Groningen) is the Groninger Forum, which is kind of like the nucleus of the city. It has a library, photo exhibitions, a movie theater that shows foreign films, and countless activities every day of the week.
From its rooftop terrace, you can see an incredible view of Groningen, including major landmarks like the Martini Tower, the Vismarkt, and the Grote Markt.
