Valentine’s Day in Groningen

Student-Friendly Date Ideas (With or Without a Partner)

Valentine’s Day is coming, and suddenly every store in Groningen turns aggressively pink. Your FYP is full of roses, soft launches, and girlfriends selling their boyfriends’ favourite belongings because they forgot to ask them to be their Valentine. 

Whether you’re in a relationship, single, or deep in the “it’s complicated” phase, one thing stays true: in a city like Groningen, where everything is five minutes away by bike and every café feels a little cosy, there’s really no excuse not to romanticise the day a little. 

Valentine’s Day as a student barely matches the version we always see on social media. I used to feel like Valentine’s Day had to look a certain way, until I realised that as students, we honestly just make it work with what we have. Most people aren’t booking fancy restaurants or buying expensive gifts. They’re checking their bank balance and wondering if a two-for-one meal deal counts as a date. Between lectures, jobs, and deadlines, keeping things simple usually makes the most sense. 

So regardless of your relationship status, bank balance, or procrastination habits, keep reading because we’ve collected our favourite student-friendly ways to spend a lovely Valentine’s Day. 

Love on a student budget

For couples, classic student Valentine’s plans are often more low-key than you might think. Staying in and cooking a fun meal together is always a good date idea since it’s cheaper and far less stressful than trying to book somewhere last minute. 

If you want to make it feel more special, agree on a small theme beforehand - Italian night, exotic tapas, “never tried before”, or even childhood favourites. It keeps it fun without making it complicated. Picking a recipe you’ve been wanting to make, splitting the cost of ingredients, and putting some nice music on in the background can make a normal evening feel more special. Even if the food doesn’t turn out perfectly, it still counts as a fun activity (and at least you tried!). 

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If cooking feels too stressful, you could also turn it into a “DIY pizza night” where everyone decorates their own pizza. It’s cheap, easy, and even if it looks chaotic, that’s half the fun. You can get the dough from the supermarket and your favourite toppings (hopefully the Italians keep reading after this suggestion). 

Movie nights are another good option, either at home with snacks or at Pathé or Forum with student discounts. If you go to Forum, try to check the schedule earlier in the week, as tickets for popular films tend to sell out quickly around Valentine’s Day. 

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Going for a walk in the park or by the canals and grabbing a coffee or matcha with some pastries earlier in the day can also be a nice alternative. Think a slow walk through Noorderplantsoen, sitting by the Aa-kerk, or grabbing something sweet at your go-to coffee spot in the city. If the weather allows it, bring a small thermos with tea or coffee. It makes a simple walk feel much more intentional. 

Especially since Valentine’s is on a Saturday, why not use the whole day for fun date activities? I believe Valentine’s Day should be about showing that you care about the other person; it shouldn’t be about big presents or fancy restaurants, but about appreciating each other. So, dedicate this Saturday to small, meaningful gestures. 

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Who needs a date when you have friends

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples, it’s about shared love, and that can absolutely be between friends. It’s less about the actual date and more about having an excuse to see your friends and spend a fun day together. 

Baking something together, having brunch (everyone brings one food item, like a small potluck), doing a movie marathon, or having a chill evening with snacks and maybe even playing some games are all great ideas. My friends and I love playing murder mystery games. They’re available online to print and are so much fun. 

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To keep it affordable, set a small budget limit per person or decide on one category each - one brings the drinks, another the desserts, another the snacks, the list can go on. You could also set a small theme like “pink only” or “heart-shaped food only” to make it feel like a proper Valentine’s event without spending much. 

You could also plan a casual night out, going to some bars or even a club to celebrate your friendship. Everywhere in the city will probably be busy on a Saturday night, so you might want to make a reservation. If you don’t want to deal with crowded clubs, try going out earlier in the evening for drinks and heading home before midnight, it will be much less chaotic. One of my favourite spots is Het Concerthuis - it has a cosy atmosphere and a huge variety of games. 

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Romanticizing solo dates

Of course, you can spend Valentine’s Day on a solo date, which honestly deserves more credit. Being single on Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean sitting in your room dramatically eating ice cream like in the movies (unless that’s your thing). A fun solo date can mean spoiling yourself and ordering your favourite takeaway, watching a show or a film, or going for a walk with a good podcast or audiobook. You could even romanticise your own room a little - light a candle, tidy your desk, wear something comfy but cute, and make it feel different from a normal study night. 

For some of us, it’s also a great excuse to take a proper night off from studying and go to sleep early, which might just be the most romantic plan of all. We should normalise scheduling time for ourselves in the same way we schedule lectures or group meetings. At the end of the day, Valentine’s Day as a student doesn’t need to be impressive. Whether it’s a date, a Galentine’s plan, or a night to yourself, keeping it relaxed, affordable, and low-pressure usually makes it much more enjoyable. 

Gifts that won't break the bank

Gifts can feel like a lot of pressure on Valentine’s Day, especially on a student budget, but they really don’t need to be expensive. Here in Groningen, you can easily check out places like Action, Flying Tiger, supermarkets, and even second-hand shops for nice but affordable gifts. The classics like chocolate, candles, mugs, or cosy socks are always easy options. Flying Tiger usually has affordable cards and funny small gifts, while Action is perfect for candles, mugs, and cute packaging if you want to wrap something nicely. 

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You can also check out the markets in the city for a fresh, cute, and affordable bouquet of flowers. But even a card with a handwritten message often means more than anything fancy. You can print a few photos at a store like Kruidvat and create a small scrapbook or make a playlist with their favourite songs. If you’re short on time, even printing one photo and writing a short note on the back can feel really personal.  And if none of these options feel right, everyone loves a homemade sweet treat. 

But let’s be honest, sometimes your energy is just low, not because of your partner or a friend. And spending all day running from store to store searching for a present might not be the most enjoyable thing to do. Grabbing a coffee in the morning or around lunch, when places aren’t as crowded, and having a nice conversation can be ten times more enjoyable than an overcrowded restaurant in the evening. 

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The thing that counts most is always the thought and effort you put into it. So, whether you spend €2 or €50, it’s the intention that matters. In a student city like Groningen, where most of us are figuring life out one deadline at a time, love doesn’t have to be extravagant - just genuine. And maybe that’s the best part about celebrating it here: it’s not about perfection, it’s about connection. 

Author's Info

  • A person standing on a beach with a cloudy sky. They are wearing a blue puffer jacket, light blue jeans, and white sneakers. They are holding a light blue handbag and smiling at the camera. The sea and a distant shoreline can be seen in the background.

    Greta Dudley

    My name is Greta, I am 20 years old, and a second year Physiotherapy student at Hanze. I am originally from America and Germany, and enjoy writing short stories or articles, and since this isn't a really prominent part in my study, I love writing articles for our student blog here! Besides this I love travelling and working out, and spending time with my friends!

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