Appingedam, A Beautiful Hidden Gem

Merely 215 km from Schiphol Airport is a quaint medieval city (it’s believed the city dates to the year 1200), namely Appingedam, a beautiful hidden gem.

The small city is pleasing to the eye with its small bridges and beautiful houses along the streams. An amazing find for a laid-back break.

Location
Language
Climate
Time

Appingedam (Dutch: ɑpɪŋəˈdɑm) lies in the Groningen Province in the northeastern Netherlands.

Dutch and English.

The warmest months are July and August.

Generally, the coldest months in Appingedam are from November to January, with January the coldest month of them all.

Check out the climate and weather averages to help you plan your holiday.

CEST (Central European Summer Time)

UTC/GMT +2 hours

Check out the dates when Daylight Saving Time is adjusted.

Currency
Airport
Holidays & Observances

Euro

215 km from Schiphol Airport (AMS).

Netherlands’ summer school holidays usually stretch from around mid-June to the end of August.

Check out holidays and observances in Appingedam from January 1 to December 31.

It’s not the kind of city that’s in the top ten beautiful destinations in the world. However, it’s picturesque and affordable enough to have you enjoy a relaxing 2-night stay. Combined with hiking, cycling, local exploring, and day trips, it has enough options to fill even a long weekend.

Appingedam (they received city status in 1327) is one of those cities with a small-town feeling. Surprisingly, it is the only other city in the Groningen Province apart from the Groningen city.

The city is known for its hanging kitchens (Dutch: Hangende Keukens) above the Damsterdiep (previously known as the Delf River).

TRAVEL TIP: By the way, the ideal view is from the bridge at the Gouden Pand. It’s one of my picture-perfect moments. That moment when you think “wow, this is the ultimate…”.

And, if you’re lucky like me, you’ll spot the drawbridge over the Damsterdiep in action, allowing access to the larger boats.

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The entire City Centre was declared a Heritage Area. Consequently, it’s a real treat to wander the streets where buildings up to 600 years can be seen. There sure is enough to keep you busy for two days, depending on your likes and dislikes.

This little hidden gem has many surprises, so let’s get into them…

Much of the city’s turbulent historical heritage is preserved with great pride, like the Jewish community, dating back to 1563. Visit the Synagogue Appingedam on Broerstraat, built in 1801 and the oldest in Groningen Province.
The Groningen Silver Room has an extensive collection made from the 17^th to the 20^th centuries.
Schildmeer is the place to go for the most exquisite sunset photos.
In addition to it being an Instagram spot, it’s also a hiker’s little paradise. Schildmeer is about 10 km via Damsterweg.
Boating on the Damsterdiep river.
Go see Nicolaï Church, a Romano-Gothic Hall Church, which originates from 1225–1450.
Then there are the two fortified Castles of Ripperda and Snelgersma.
The ancient city hall, built in 1630 is another pitstop.
The old courthouse.
Boat tours through the Canals.
Sail around the center with the Damsterveer, sloop, or canoe and make a stop at the new Marina. The harbor is in the center of the city, behind the Nicolaï Church.
Cycle along the Waddendijk and let the wind clear your head.
If you’re into contemporary realistic and figurative art, you must visit the private Mohlmann Museum, set in a paradise garden.
View more about the city’s wealth and history at Museum Stad Appingedam.
Build sandcastles on the beach of the pleasant harbor town, Delfzijl, about 6 km away via the N360. You can get to Delfzijl via train, bus, taxi, or walk. It’s a nice hour-long walk that will help you reach your daily quota of steps. You can always take any of the transport options back.

213 km via A27 lies the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site. “The Wadden Sea is the largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world. The site covers the Dutch Wadden Sea Conservation Area, the German Wadden Sea National Parks of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, and most of the Danish Wadden Sea maritime conservation area. Wadden Sea is one of the last remaining large-scale, intertidal ecosystems where natural processes continue to function largely undisturbed.” – UNESCO
About 24 km away via the N992 lies the Point of Reide (Punt van Reide), a beautiful nature reserve full of salt marshes and with traces of an impressive history dating to World War II when it was a German defense site. Contrary to today’s oasis of tranquility with birds and seals living side by side.