Assen and Groningen event weekends: what to do between sessions
Assen is a small Drenthe town known for the TT Circuit. Groningen, 30 minutes north, is the lively university city most visitors use as a base.
Events we cover in Assen and Groningen
Arriving
Groningen Eelde (GRQ) is small; most fans fly into Amsterdam (2 hours by train).
Where to stay
| Budget | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Assen campsites | Campsites around the circuit on TT weekend. |
| Mid-range | Groningen | City hotels with bars and restaurants, 30 minutes by train. |
| Splurge | Drenthe countryside | Country hotels in the forest. |
Three hotels we would book
- Budget: Hotel De Jonge
- Mid-range: Martini Hotel Groningen
- Splurge: Landgoed Lauswolt
Tours
Where to eat
With kids
- Wildlands zoo in Emmen.
Rainy-day backups
- Drents Museum.
- Groninger Museum.
Free things to do
- Dolmens (hunebedden) of Drenthe.
- Drents Museum area in Assen.
Getting around
- Trains run Assen–Groningen every 15 to 30 minutes.
- Tap in and out with a contactless bank card on Dutch trains, trams and buses (OVpay).
- Bikes are the local way around; rent an OV-fiets at stations.