Appingedam City
City in Groningen, Netherlands
Appingedam’s canals and famous hanging kitchens reward slow walks; cyclists use the town as a base to explore Groningen’s polderland, windmills and seafood at waterside cafés.
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Why Visit Appingedam?#
This Groningen town stands out for its medieval center and the famous ‘hanging kitchens’ that project over the Damsterdiep canal. Historic churches, narrow streets and quirky waterfront architecture give Appingedam a storybook quality, while annual festivals and cozy cafés make it a pleasant stop on a northern Netherlands itinerary. It’s especially rewarding for fans of unusual architecture and canal-side charm.
Best Things to Do in Appingedam#
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Appingedam Bucket List#
Hanging kitchens of Appingedam - See Appingedam’s famous hanging kitchens above the Damsterdiep canal and quay.
Old town hall and market square - Visit the old town hall and market square for traditional architecture and weekly markets.
Waaggebouw (Weigh House) - Discover the historic Waaggebouw with exhibits on local trade and weighing practices.
Canal-side pancake cafés - Sample Dutch pancakes at a family-run café overlooking the canal.
Cycle routes through countryside - Rent a bike and explore flat cycling routes through dykes and farmland.
Groningen - Short train ride to Groningen for the Groninger Museum, shops, and lively cafés.
Lauwersmeer National Park - Visit Lauwersmeer National Park for birdwatching, dunes, and coastal wetlands.
Best Time to Visit Appingedam#
Appingedam is nicest in summer when mild temperatures suit biking, canal walks and outdoor cafés. Winters are cool and damp; spring and autumn offer quieter, atmospheric visits.
December - February
-3°C to 6°C (27°F to 43°F)
Cold, gray winters bring brisk winds and occasional frost; canals can feel chilly but town life continues calmly.
June - August
15°C to 22°C (59°F to 72°F)
Cool, pleasant summers are perfect for cycling, canal-side cafés and exploring Groningen province without intense heat.
March - May & September - November
6°C to 15°C (43°F to 59°F)
Unpredictable shoulder seasons with fresh breezes and showers; great for quieter visits and seeing flowers or autumn marshland tones.
Appingedam's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (787 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 80 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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How to Get to Appingedam#
Appingedam in Groningen province is well connected by regional rail to Groningen city, and the closest airport is Groningen Eelde (GRQ). Trains provide the simplest way into town from the region or from longer rail journeys arriving via Schiphol.
Groningen Airport Eelde (GRQ): GRQ is the closest airport for Appingedam, about 25-40 km away. From the airport you can get to Groningen city and then take a regional train to Appingedam; total travel time is usually under an hour. Airport shuttle and taxi services connect to Groningen station; taxi fares to Appingedam vary but are commonly in the €40-€70 range.
Schiphol Amsterdam Airport (AMS): Schiphol provides the most international connections; take a direct train from Schiphol to Groningen (about 2.5-3 hours) and then a short regional train to Appingedam (20-30 minutes). Total journey time is typically 3-4 hours and fares depend on booking choices (NS and connections).
Train: Appingedam has its own railway station (Appingedam) on the Groningen-Roodeschool line served by Arriva/NS regional trains. Trains from Groningen take about 20-30 minutes; fares are modest (usually a few euros).
Bus: Local buses serve routes between Appingedam and surrounding villages; use buses for destinations not directly on the rail line. Regional schedules are coordinated with train services in many cases.
How to Get Around Appingedam#
Regional trains from Groningen and local buses make Appingedam easy to reach and navigate. For day trips around the province, cycling or a rental car add flexibility.
- Regional train (Arriva/NS) (€2-€8) - Appingedam station sits on the Groningen regional line with frequent services to Groningen and Roodeschool. Trains are punctual and comfortable; buy tickets at machines, via app or on the train if necessary for small regional services.
- Local bus (€1.50-€4) - Buses connect Appingedam with nearby villages and rural areas where trains don’t run. Timetables can be less frequent on weekends and evenings, so check the local schedule in advance.
- Taxi (€10-€50) - Taxis are available for airport transfers, early-morning connections and trips to rural destinations. They are reliable but more costly than public transport-use for convenience or when schedules don’t match.
- Bicycle (€6-€15/day) - The region is extremely cycle-friendly with flat terrain and dedicated cycle paths-cycling is an ideal way to explore the countryside and nearby Wadden area. Rentals are common in Groningen city and some local providers.
- Car rental (€30-€70/day) - A rental car is useful for visiting the wider province and the Wadden coast; roads are excellent and parking in Appingedam is manageable. Useful if you plan to visit remote spots or travel off-peak.
- Walking - Appingedam’s compact centre is best explored on foot; the historic streets and the famous hanging kitchens are all within easy walking distance. Walking is the recommended way to absorb the town’s character.
Where to Stay in Appingedam#
Appingedam / Groningen - €40-90/night
Appingedam has a few local B&Bs; budget travelers often look to nearby Groningen for more choices and lower prices.
Appingedam guesthouses (local listings) - Small B&Bs and economy rooms
Van der Valk Hotel Groningen-Hoogkerk - Budget to mid-range outside city centre
Groningen - €90-160/night
Mid-range accommodation is best in Groningen (20-30 minutes); Appingedam itself has pleasant small hotels and historic guesthouses.
Van der Valk Hotel Groningen-Hoogkerk - Reliable mid-range with good facilities
Hotel Prinsenhof Groningen - Boutique comfortable stay in Groningen
Groningen - €160+/night
Appingedam lacks high-end hotels; for luxury-level rooms and services, stay in Groningen where boutique and upscale hotels are available.
Van der Valk Hotel Groningen-Hoogkerk (superior rooms) - Upscale rooms and dining available
Hotel Prinsenhof Groningen (boutique) - High-comfort boutique option in city centre
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Appingedam’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Appingedam#
Shopping in Appingedam focuses on small independent shops, local bakeries and periodic markets. The town offers basic retail and a few specialty stores, but for major shopping trips you’ll want to visit nearby Groningen. The centre’s character is more about historic charm than large-scale retail therapy.
Nightlife in Appingedam#
Nightlife in Appingedam is limited and low-key. Evenings are typically spent in cafes or small bars, with occasional cultural events and performances drawing the most lively crowds. There is no substantial club scene; larger-nightlife options require travel to Groningen.
