Authentic, down to earth, relaxed – Hannover offers the ideal mix for visitors. The city centre impresses with is a true shoppers’ paradise, while the Old Town offers the opportunity to stroll along medieval lanes or relax on the banks of the river Leine. Visitors to the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen experience garden art in perfection. At Hannover Adventure Zoo, a discovery trail leads through lovingly designed themed worlds.
Feel city life and enjoy culinary delights
Hannover is green and at the same time colourful, diverse and unspoilt. Shopping in Hannover starts centrally at Ernst- August-Platz. Cross the Kröpcke and head into the alleys of the Old Town, where you will find small boutiques, cosy cafés, quaint pubs and first-class restaurants. A few metres further on, you can relax in one of the cafés on the promenade along the banks of the Leine. Just a stone’s throw away, the Maschsee lake exudes Mediterranean flair and invites you to enjoy a cool drink in several beer gardens. Hannover’s iconic districts offer a relaxed attitude to life: hip shops, trendy cafés, culture beyond the mainstream, street art worth seeing and graffiti can be found here. A special tip is the district of Linden. Limmer Straße and Lindener Marktplatz are bustling with colourful life.
Explore the city on your own
The historic half-timbered buildings of the Old Town are among the city’s special sights. Stroll through picturesque alleys, enjoy your breakfast outdoors in one of the numerous cafés and then discover the New Town Hall in the idyllic Maschpark – one of the top photo motifs in Hannover. A unique arched lift leads up to the town hall dome. From here you can enjoy a unique view over the city and the region. In the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, visitors experience garden art in perfection. The impressive garden ensemble to the north of the city centre delights with the grotto artistically designed by Niki de Saint Phalle, baroque garden splendour, opulent historic fountains and the outstanding botanical garden “Berggarten”. Tip: The sights of the city centre can be discovered perfectly on the Red Thread or our Culture for Free tours!
On two wheels
or a wave
Hannover can be wonderfully explored from the saddle: Six attractive cycle routes lead to the most beautiful corners of the state capital – along the Mittelland Channel, to the Park of the Senses and through “Hannover’s green lung”, the extensive city forest of around 640 hectares, the Eilenriede. A must here is a detour to Hannover Adventure Zoo with its themed worlds designed with great attention to detail, daily animal shows and public feedings.
On the lake Maschsee route you can enjoy the maritime flair along Hannover’s most beautiful lake in the middle of the city or be enchanted by the historical ambience of the Herrenhausen tour. And in the heart of the Old Town, Hanover’s newest attraction will beckon from May: the “Leinewelle” (wave on river Leine) will turn Hanover into a cool surf spot!
Discover nature and culture
Hannover’s surrounding countryside offers experiences for the whole family: Marienburg Castle in the south of Hannover is the former summer residence of the Guelphs and delights with its fairytale appearance and colourful programme of events. Hiking and biking are a pleasure in the low mountain range of the Deister. The Steinhuder Meer offers ideal beach fun, water sports facilities, exciting cycling and hiking trails and, like the Deister, can be reached by climate-neutral public transport.
Hannover is always in season
Hannover can be wonderfully explored from the saddle: Six attractive cycle routes lead to the most beautiful corners of the state capital – along the Mittelland Channel, to the Park of the Senses and through “Hannover’s green lung”, the extensive city forest of around 640 hectares, the Eilenriede. A must here is a detour to Hannover Adventure Zoo with its themed worlds designed with great attention to detail, daily animal shows and public feedings.
On the lake Maschsee route you can enjoy the maritime flair along Hannover’s most beautiful lake in the middle of the city or be enchanted by the historical ambience of the Herrenhausen tour. And in the heart of the Old Town, Hanover’s newest attraction will beckon from May: the “Leinewelle” (wave on river Leine) will turn Hanover into a cool surf spot!
Worth knowing: British Kings from Hannover
From 1714 to 1837, for 123 years, the British Kingdom was ruled by the Electors from Hanover. Electress Sophie of Hanover was the last living Protestant granddaughter of the Stuart King James I and was appointed heir to the throne by the British Parliament in 1701 (Act of Settlement). After her death 1714, her claim to the throne passed to her son George Louis, who ascended the English throne as George I a few weeks later, following the death of Queen Anne. With the coronation of the Hanoverian Elector as King of Great Britain on 20 October 1714 in Westminster Abbey, the personal union became legally binding, subsequently passing to George’s legitimate heirs, Kings George II to George IV and William IV. Various traces of the Royal House of Hanover can still be found in the city, such as the famous Royal Garden of Herrenhausen.
Information:
Direct flight connections are available from London to Hanover. Hannover’s direct location on the A2 and A7 motorways and as a junction in the Deutsche Bahn ICE network also make travelling by car or train quick and easy.
Tips for visiting Hannover:
Hannover Card tourist:
Free use of local public transport and reduced admission to a wide range of highlights.
Hop-On Hop-Off city tour:
Daily during the summer season. Round trip in a double-decker panorama bus with stops at the city’s sights.
Experience packages for individual travellers and groups at www.visit-hannover.com/erlebnispakete.
