Groninger Market Day

Just as one can miss the famous cheese market in Alkmaar by a few days, there is also the opposite version.

We plan to visit Groningen today, Saturday. Not on Sunday, as there is likely not much happening in town, and not on Monday, when many smaller shops and museums are closed. So it has to be Saturday, as there will definitely be a crowd in the city – a contrast to our usual countryside life, so to speak.

We will take the suburban train from Rooschool on Saturday morning – in just 5 minutes we can ride our bike from our campsite to the small train station and reach Groningen in three-quarters of an hour. The train station hall in Groningen must first be admired and photographed. Then we'll head to the historic city center of Groningen. And here comes the surprise of the day: This Saturday, the big autumn market is taking place, just like every year on the first weekend of October. “Autumn market” doesn't necessarily do it justice, as we will later find out, there are actually 7 markets set up in all the squares of the downtown area on this Saturday! There is everything from fish to meat, cheese, and vegetables to delicious pastries, from books to various records (vinyl!) to antiques, from flowers (bulbs), fashion, and accessories, handmade crafts to art, up to all sorts of knick-knacks to buy whatever the heart desires. And of course, the flea market must not be missing...

Accordingly, the turnout is massive – an overwhelming hustle and bustle. The restaurants are, thanks to the beautiful, warm autumn weather, filled to the last seat outside. For us