Groningen: Climb the Martinitower

The best part of climbing Groningen’s Martinitoren is that the view comes with a real sense of effort. This is not a quick lift ride to a viewing deck. You climb more than 250 steps through a tower that has survived fire, lightning, war, and the threat of collapse. At 97 metres, the Martinitoren remains Groningen’s highest building, and the climb lets you feel its age one cramped stairway at a time.

I like the changing stops along the way, especially the 39-metre gallery, the small cinema, the old bells, and the clock faces. I also like the price: at about $7 per person, this is one of the better-value ways to see Groningen from above. The catch is clear. There is no lift, and parts of the climb are narrow and somewhat damp, so this is not a good choice if you have heart problems, are pregnant, or dislike tight spaces.

Key points to know before you climb

• More than 250 steps: The tower has no lift, so expect a genuine uphill workout rather than a simple sightseeing stop.
• A 39-metre outdoor gallery: Step outside partway up for an early view around Groningen and a useful rest.
• A small cinema inside the tower: Watch a short film that tells Groningen’s story through the eyes of the Martinitoren.
• Old bells and clock faces: Higher up, you reach the bell tower and can stand between the clock dials.
• A low-cost city view: Admission costs $7 per person, with the Martinikerk church entrance priced separately.
• Plan enough time: The climb itself can take about an hour, but two hours gives you room to stop at each level.

Why the Martinitoren is worth your time

Groningen is a lively university city, but its old centre is easiest to understand from above. The Martinitoren rises beside the Grote Markt, placing you directly over the city’s historic heart. From the top, you can look across Groningen and its surroundings, then trace the streets and open spaces below.

The tower is also called d’Olle Grieze, or the Old Grey One. That nickname fits the building’s weathered appearance, but the name is more than a bit of local colour. The tower has lasted through roughly five centuries of trouble. Fire and lightning have damaged it, and at one point it nearly collapsed. Wars have been won and lost on its steps, while the tower itself continued to dominate the city.

That history matters because the climb is not simply a trip to a high platform. As you work your way upward, you pass tangible parts of the building’s past: church vaults, old ornaments, huge bells, and tall flagpoles. The route gives the tower a physical presence that a photograph from the square cannot provide.

Picking up your admission at Forum Groningen

You do not go straight to the tower with your voucher. First, exchange it at the Groningen Store inside Forum Groningen. That is the required starting point for access to the Martinitoren, so allow time to find the tourist office before heading to the tower.

The activity is valid for one day, and starting times depend on availability. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your plans are still moving around.

The tower entrance is not the same as entrance to the Martinikerk. Your ticket covers the Martinitoren only. If you want to visit the church as well, you need to pay separately.

The first steps through a historic tower

The climb begins with more than a little work. Since there is no lift, you move upward through narrow passages and stairways rather than being carried to the top in a few seconds. Most people take around an hour for the visit, though I would allow closer to two hours if you want to watch the film, pause at the galleries, and spend time at the top.

The stairways can feel tight. One recent winter visit described the route as narrow but worthwhile, while another visitor warned that people with claustrophobia may struggle. That is fair advice. The tower’s confined sections are part of its character, but they are not comfortable for everyone.

Wear comfortable clothes and sensible footwear. The official advice specifically calls for comfortable clothing, and the number of steps makes that practical rather than decorative. You may want to climb at a steady pace instead of trying to reach the top quickly. The tower has enough points of interest to make regular pauses worthwhile.

As you rise, look for the details that would be easy to miss if you treated the visit as a race. The church vaults and centuries-old ornaments give the lower part of the climb a strong connection to the Martinikerk. Heavy bells and giant flagpoles provide a sense of the tower’s working life, not just its appearance from the street.

The 39-metre gallery and the little cinema

The first major reward is the gallery at 39 metres. Here, you can step outside and walk around the tower. It is a useful halfway point, both for the view and for catching your breath.

You do not need to wait until the summit to see Groningen. From this height, the city begins to open up below you, and the Grote Markt becomes easier to place within the surrounding streets. The gallery also breaks up the climb, which is helpful if more than 250 steps sound daunting.

This level has a small cinema showing a short film about Groningen’s history from the Martinitoren’s point of view. The film adds context to what you are seeing inside the tower. Instead of treating the building as a hollow stairwell, it helps explain why this particular tower matters to Groningen.

Families may find this stop especially useful. Children have been given a puzzle during the visit, which provided a simple way to keep them involved between the steps and views. The activity is not designed as a full children’s tour, but the puzzle and cinema can make the climb feel less like an endurance test.

The gallery and cinema are also why I would not plan this as a rushed one-hour dash. You can technically complete the visit in about an hour, but two hours gives you time to pause without feeling that you are holding up your own schedule.

The bell tower, clock faces, and final ascent

After the gallery, the climb continues through narrower and somewhat damp passages. This section may feel more demanding than the first part, particularly if you are uncomfortable in enclosed spaces. It is also where the tower’s age feels most immediate.

Eventually, you reach the bell tower. The feeling changes here. After the tight passageways, the space around the bells can seem surprisingly open. You can hear gulls above and people in the market below, a pleasing connection between the high tower and the square far beneath it.

The route takes you between the clock dials, giving you an unusual view of the machinery and the city beyond. You can also ring the bells, according to the activity details. Take care around the working parts and follow any instructions given at the tower, since the bells and clock features are substantial pieces of equipment.

The final views are the main prize. From high above Groningen, you look across the city and its surroundings, with the Grote Markt directly below. On a clear day, the height gives you a broad sense of Groningen’s shape. On a stormy winter day, the view may be cloudy or hazy, as one January visit demonstrated, but the tower’s interior sights still give the climb value.

The descent is easier for some people and harder for others. Going down can put different pressure on your legs, and the narrow stairs still require patience. Leave enough time before closing, since you can enter only until one hour before the tower closes.

How much time should you allow?

The stated duration is one day because your admission is valid for that day, not because you spend a full day inside the tower. The actual visit generally takes about an hour, while two hours is a more comfortable plan if you want to enjoy each level.

A sensible visit might look like this:

• Pick up or exchange your voucher at the Groningen Store inside Forum Groningen.
• Walk to the Martinitoren and begin the climb at an unhurried pace.
• Pause at the church features, ornaments, bells, and flagpoles.
• Spend time outside on the 39-metre gallery.
• Watch the short history film in the small cinema.
• Continue to the bell tower and clock faces.
• Enjoy the view, then make the descent.

This timing works well before or after exploring the Grote Markt. Since the tower rises directly over the market area, you can pair the climb with a walk around the square rather than treating it as an isolated attraction.

Is $7 good value?

Yes, provided you are comfortable with the physical effort. At $7 per person, the Martinitoren offers more than a view. You get access to a historic building, several interior displays, the gallery, the small cinema, the bell tower, and the high viewpoint.

The value is especially strong because the experience lasts longer than many paid viewpoints. You are not simply walking into a room, taking a few pictures, and leaving. The climb creates a gradual story, with different features appearing at each level.

The price does not remove every extra cost. Admission to the Martinikerk is not included, so check the separate church entrance if you want to see both buildings. Still, the tower ticket alone is inexpensive for a central Groningen activity.

The main question is not cost. It is stamina. If you cannot manage more than 250 steps, the low price will not make the climb worthwhile. For people who are fit enough and comfortable with narrow stairs, the combination of history and views makes the ticket an easy recommendation.

Who should book the Martinitoren?

I would choose this activity if you want a strong view of Groningen and prefer historic places with something to do along the way. The tower suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who enjoys old buildings, bells, clock mechanisms, and city panoramas.

It also works well for a short city break. You can fit it into a day of exploring the centre, and the climb gives you a clear sense of where Groningen’s major streets and market area sit in relation to one another.

Families should know that children may enjoy the puzzle, film, and changing levels, but the climb remains physically demanding. Keep your pace steady and allow time for breaks.

I would think twice if you have a heart condition, are pregnant, or dislike confined spaces. The supplied safety information specifically lists pregnancy and heart problems as reasons not to take part. The narrow, damp passages may also be unpleasant for anyone with strong claustrophobia.

Weather affects the summit view. A stormy winter day can make the panorama less clear, but the interior route, cinema, bells, and clock faces remain available. If the weather is poor, the attraction still has substance, though the final view may not be at its best.

Practical details that matter

You need to exchange your voucher at the Groningen Store inside Forum Groningen before entering the tower. Admission to the tower is included, but admission to the Martinikerk is not.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled visit, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check availability for the starting time you want, and remember that entry is allowed only until one hour before closing.

Bring comfortable clothes. The tower’s more than 250 steps, narrow sections, and descent make comfort more important than dressing for a quick photo stop.

The experience is listed with an average rating of 4.5 from 365 reviews, and the most consistent praise centres on the view, the value, and the pleasant surprises along the route. That matches the design of the visit: the summit is excellent, but the intermediate galleries and displays keep the climb from becoming a plain staircase.

Should you book it?

Book the Martinitoren if you want Groningen’s best high view and do not mind earning it. For $7, you get a genuine historic experience with a film, bells, clock faces, a 39-metre gallery, and the chance to look down over the Grote Markt.

Skip it if you need a lift, have heart problems, are pregnant, or find narrow passages distressing. For everyone else, wear comfortable clothes, allow about two hours, and treat the climb as part sightseeing and part workout. The sore legs may last longer than the visit, but the view and the old tower details make the effort worthwhile.

FAQ

How many steps are there in the Martinitoren?

There are more than 250 steps, and the tower has no lift.

How long does the visit take?

Most visitors take about one hour, but allowing two hours gives you time to stop at the galleries, watch the film, and enjoy the view.

Where do I exchange my voucher?

Exchange your voucher at the Groningen Store inside Forum Groningen before going to the Martinitoren.

Is entrance to the Martinikerk included?

No. The admission covers the Martinitoren only. Entrance to the Martinikerk is not included.

What can I see during the climb?

You can see church vaults, old ornaments, heavy bells, giant flagpoles, a cinema showing a short history film, the 39-metre gallery, the bell tower, and the clock dials.

Can I enter shortly before closing?

You can enter the tower until one hour before closing.

Who should not take this activity?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems. The narrow passages may also be difficult if you have claustrophobia.