Hotels The Netherlands
Drenthe and Groningen
Heather and Forest, Beautiful Villages, Farms and Tranquility
Discover the finest hotels and cozy bed and breakfasts in the beautiful countryside and old farm villages of Drenthe and Groningen. Stroll through the historic towns of Bourtange and Appingedam in Groningen or bike through the heath and peat areas of Drenthe.
Drenthe
Drenthe is the least populated province in the Netherlands and is known for its beautiful green nature, heathlands, peat bogs, national parks, and charming villages. It is a great place to unwind and enjoy cycling and walking.
Dwingeloo
Dwingeloo is one of the most popular villages in Drenthe. It features a unique church from the 15th century and traditional farms. It is nestled next to the Dwingelerveld, a national park with the largest wet heathland in Europe, along with vast forests and ponds where you can spot unique bird species like the crane. You can enjoy stargazing at the Planetron planetarium in Dwingeloo. The area is great for cycling and walking.
Hotel Wesseling - Dwingeloo
Brink 26, 7991 CH Dwingeloo
This family hotel has been welcoming guests since 1962 and is beautifully situated on the green village square known as De Brink. There are two separate buildings, with rooms on the ground floor or the first, accessible via an elevator. Guests can enjoy a lovely restaurant, a sun lounge, and a terrace for relaxation.
Boutique Hotel de Drentse Liefde - Dwingeloo
Drift 4, 7991 AA Dwingeloo
Small hotel located in the charming village of Dwingeloo and features 11 unique rooms, each with its own theme. The rooms are decorated in warm colors and have a stylish design. There are also suites on the ground floor that come with their own terrace. Guests can enjoy a cozy lounge, and within walking distance, there are plenty of nice restaurants to choose from.
Boutique hotel Villa BlauwHemel - Diever
Hezenes 6, 7981 LC Diever
Nice hotel housed in a renovated farm near the Drents-Friese Wold National Park, only 5 kilometers from Dwingeloo. The comfortable rooms come with private terraces, and there is a restaurant specializing in Norwegian and Finnish cuisine.
Orvelte - Exloo - Westerbork - Borger
Westerbork
Westerbork was a transit camp for many Jews from the Netherlands who were sent to concentration camps during World War II, including Anne Frank. It is an impressive site to visit, there is a museum dedicated to the Holocaust.
Orvelte
In the traditional village of Orvelte, visitors can explore old farms and houses, providing a glimpse into the lives of farmers and residents of Drenthe from long ago.
Exloo
Exloo is another picturesque village in Drenthe, located on the Hondsrug, a UNESCO Global Geopark with a vast sand plain formed during the Ice Age. This area is home to many dolmens, or 'Hunebedden,' and guided excursions are available, including bike rides to locations visited by Vincent van Gogh or walks through prehistoric landscapes.
Borger and Dolmens ( Hunebedden)
The regions around Borger and Exloo are rich in dolmens, ancient burial chambers from around 3000 BC, constructed with massive stones stacked on top of each other. Some of these stones weigh over 20 tons, and it is believed they were transported to the Netherlands from Scandinavia during the Ice Age. In the visitors center in Borger you can find out everything about these graves and book an excursion.
Hunebedcentrum, Hunebedstraat 27, 9531 JT Borger https://www.hunebedcentrum.eu/en/
Hotel Abdij de Westerburcht - Westerbork
Hoofdstraat 7, 9431 AB Westerbork
This popular hotel is located in the heart of the village of Westerbork. It offers various types of comfortable accommodation, ranging from single rooms to luxurious family suites. Some rooms feature a hot tub and a terrace. There is a restaurant with a terrace, and next to the hotel, guests can indulge in the wellness center. The hotel is 5 kilometers from the museum village of Orvelte. It is close to the Memorial Camp Westerbork.​
The Barnyard Bed & Breakfast - Garminge
Garmingerstukken 2, 9438 TA Garminge
This beautifully restored farmhouse offers spacious, bright rooms with private entrances, set in the serene countryside. Located between Dwingeloo and the traditional farm village Orvelte. It is just 4 kilometers from Westerbork and the memorial camp.
't Rond Bargie - Exloo
Polweg 3 A, 7875 CG Exloo
Cozy bed and breakfast experience in a renovated farmhouse near Exloo. All rooms are conveniently located on the ground floor, featuring private bathrooms, sitting area and terraces that overlook the picturesque countryside. There is also a family room available for 3 to 4 guests, and Exloo boasts several delightful restaurants. With a locked bicycle shed with charging points. Adjacent to the B&B, you'll find a burial mound from the Bronze Age, known locally in Drents as 't Rond Bargie.
Hotel Bed & Breakfast De Poffert - Borger
Hoofdstraat 87, 9531 AD Borger
This family-run hotel provides comfortable accommodations with private bathrooms, including ground-floor options. Guests can relax on the terrace, enjoy a delicious breakfast, and the owners are also very friendly. In Borger you'll find the Dolmens centre.
Het Doktershuys - Gieten
8 Asserstraat, 9461 GC Gieten
This bed and breakfast is situated in a former doctor's residence in the village of Gieten. It offers two bright and comfortable rooms, each with its own bathroom. The property is near the beautiful nature reserve of the Drentsche Aa, which boasts forests, brooks, distinctive farms, and picturesque villages. The bed and breakfast is located along the Pieterpad, a popular 500-kilometer walking route that stretches from the north to the south of the Netherlands.
Herberg De Eexter Os - Eext
Annerweg 4A, 9463 TA Eext
Cozy bed and breakfast nestled in the green landscape of Drenthe, providing easy access to beautiful forests. It features comfortable rooms and a wooden chalet is also available for rent. Guests can enjoy a garden, terrace, and a delicious breakfast made with local products. The B&B is 15 kilometers from Assen and close to the charming brink villages of Annen and Eext, where visitors can see historic farms and dolmens in Eext.
Hof van Yde - Yde
159 Norgerweg, 9494 TA Yde
This nice bed and breakfast is nestled among the fields and adjacent to a nature reserve. It features a luxurious double room and a suite with its own terrace. Guests can unwind in the sauna or relax in the garden with a terrace, and a delicious breakfast is provided. The B&B is located 15 kilometers south of Groningen. Yde is famous for the "Girl of Yde," a bog body from the Iron Age discovered in 1897, which was fully reconstructed in 1994. You can see her at the Drents Museum in Assen.
Bij Boon - Peize
12 Hoofdstraat, 9321 CE Peize
Bed and breakfast in a renovated farmhouse dating back to 1844. On the first floor, there are eight stylishly decorated rooms, each with its own bathroom. The property also has a restaurant, bar, and terrace. Boon is located in a small village, directly across from a historic windmill. It serves as an excellent base for visiting Groningen, which is just 10 kilometers away and easily accessible by a good bus connection.
Groningen Province
Beautiful Villages - Tranquility - Vistas - Wadden Sea
The province of Groningen lies in the north-east of the Netherlands, with the city of Groningen as its capital. The landscape is green and flat with lots of agriculture and terp villages: small villages built on a hill with beautiful old houses and farms. The North of Groningen borders on the Wadden Sea. From Holwerd and Lauwersoog you can take the ferry to the Wadden islands. From May to October you can also walk across the mudflats to the islands.
Bourtange Fortress
One of the most stunning fortified towns in the Netherlands, located near the German border, was constructed as a defense structure in the 16th century under the orders of Willem van Oranje. By the mid-19th century, it transitioned from a fortress to a farming village. Strolling through the fortress, you can admire the traditional houses, the church, and the historic mill.
Enjoy paddling through the canals in a canoe, rowing boat, or electric "whisper boat." The beautiful surroundings of Bourtange are perfect for walking and cycling. At the interactive museum Terra Mora, you can discover what life was like centuries ago.
Hotel Vesting Bourtange
W. Lodewijkstraat 33, 9545 PA Bourtange
Family run hotel located just outside the Bourtange fortress offers rooms with traditional bedsteads. Guests can enjoy private bathrooms and ground floor accommodations, including options for three or four people. The hotel features a spacious garden and serves breakfast made with organic delicacies.
B&B De Konik - Bourtange
4 Boerweg, 9545 TP Bourtange
This bed and breakfast is set on a farm in the scenic Westerwolde nature reserve, just 1 kilometer from Bourtange, one of the most stunning fortified towns in the Netherlands, near the German border. The decor is stylish arranged, with a room available for three or four guests. Guests have access to a shared kitchen and living area, along with a large garden.
Appingedam
A fortress town that was an important port and trading place in the Middle Ages. With its narrow streets, old houses, canals and bridges, Appingedam is a very nice town to visit. Unique to the old buildings are the so-called hanging kitchens. When Appingedam was a rich and bustling trading city there was no place for cooking in the warehouses other than above the water, so the kitchens were separately added to the houses.
Places of interest are the Nicolai church, the town hall and the oldest street of Appingedam, the Solwerder street. With a boat trip you can see the old houses, bridges and hanging kitchens from the water. The boat trips leave from the Nicolaïkerk. You can also rent a canoe and paddle through the canals.
De Vijgenhof - Appingedam
Broerstraat 6, 9901 EK Appingedam
This bed and breakfast is located in a former school building that used to be a synagogue. The rooms are beautifully decorated and include seating areas and terraces. A studio is also available for rent, and the property is within walking distance of Appingedam's center and train station. The host can help arrange a visit to the synagogue.
Pieterburen
Pieterburen is a village close to the Wadden Sea, famous for its seal sanctuary. The area is great for walking and cycling, and you can spot many rare birds. Boat tours are available to see seals on the mudflats.
The Pieterburen Seal Center cares for sick and weak seals until they can return to the Wadden Sea. Visitors can watch seals swimming in various pools. The center also organizes activities and provides information to help protect the seals' natural habitat in the Wadden Sea. https://www.zeehondencentrum.nl/en/
Lauwersoog
Lauwersoog features the Lauwersmeer National Park, a stunning nature reserve with plenty of recreational options. You can enjoy boat trips or go on land safaris. www.lauwersoog.nl/en/activities. The boat to Schiermonnikoog also departs from here.
Groningen City
In the late Middle Ages, Groningen developed into an important trading city. The city center and squares like the Grote Markt and Vismarkt showcase the city's vibrant past. Visitors can enjoy shopping, take leisurely walks along the canals, or relax in the Noorder Plantsoen park, which features lovely ponds and green spaces. Today, Groningen is a lively student city and serves as an excellent starting point for exploring nearby villages.
Groninger Museum
The Groninger Museum is a modern art museum featuring various temporary exhibitions housed in a striking, futuristic building designed by Alessandro Mendini. It is conveniently located near the train station https://www.groningermuseum.nl/en/
Grote Markt
The Grote Markt, the main square of Groningen, dates back to 1810 and is surrounded by historic buildings, including the town hall and the elegant 'Goud Kantoor' (Gold Office). This lively area also offers cozy terraces and a market that operates on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Martini Tower
A 16th century church on the Grote Markt, from the tower (300 steps) you have a wonderful view of the city.
Canal tours
With a tour boat you experience the city from the water. You can also enjoy paddling in a canoe or renting a Standup Paddle Board (SUP) for a fun experience on the canals. https://www.sup2thepeople.com/rental-locations/groningen-189/
Shopping
For shopping enthusiasts, Folkingestraat and Zwanestraat offer a variety of small boutiques selling clothing, jewelry, and unique items, while larger retail chains can be found on Herestraat. A local treat to try is the Groninger cake, available at Knol’s Koek, located at Gedempte Zuiderdiep 154. The Vismarkt and Grote Markt host markets almost every day, adding to the city's vibrant atmosphere.
Hotel Miss Blanche - Groningen
Hooge der A 4, 9712 AC Groningen
A boutique hotel that features uniquely decorated rooms and suites spread across eight renovated historic buildings. Some accommodations offer terraces and picturesque views of the canals, all situated near the Vismarkt and the city center.
Round Trip Drenthe and Groningen
10 days to 2 weeks
Heather, Farmlands, History, Fortress Towns
Dwingeloo - Orvelte, Westerbork and Hunebedden - Bourtange - Appingedam - Groningen City
SEmbark on a Round Trip through Drenthe and Groningen lasting from 10 days to 2 weeks, exploring heather fields, farmlands, and historical sites in fortress towns. Start your journey in Dwingeloo, cycling through beautiful landscapes, and visit traditional farming villages like Orvelte, Exloo, or Borger, where you can unwind for a few nights and marvel at ancient burial mounds. If you are interested in the history of the Second World War a visit to the Westerbork transit camp is very impressive.
Continue your adventure in Groningen Province, spending the night in the historic fortress town of Bourtange before heading to Groningen city. This relaxed student city boasts a fantastic museum and opportunities for canoeing in its scenic canals. As you venture northeast, explore the charming village of Appingedam, known for its quaint alleys and unique hanging kitchens.
If time permits, travel further north in Groningen to catch a ferry to the Wadden Islands, or for a more adventurous experience, walk across the mudflats to reach Ameland or Schiermonnikoog.
Amsterdam to Dwingeloo - 1 hour and 30 minutes by train to Meppel, then 40 minutes by bus to Dwingeloo
Dwingeloo to Orvelte, Exloo or Borger - 50 minutes to 1 hour and 10 min by bus
Groningen City to Bourtange (40 minutes by train to Winschoten, then 40 minutes bus to Bourtange)
Groningen City to Appingedam - 30 minutes by train
Appingedam to Pieterburen (a very nice route) - 1 hour and 10 minutes by train and bus
Groningen to Lauwersoog - 1 hour