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THE 10 BEST Hannover Tours & Excursions

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1. Fritz Haarmann murder tour through Hanover's old town

2. SEA LIFE Hannover Ticket

3. City walk through Hanover

4. Personal Travel & Vacation Photography Walking Tour in Hannover

5. Hanover: Private Walking tour with A Guide (Private Tour)

6. Hop-on hop-off tour in Hanover in a double-decker bus

7. Private digital audio book scavenger hunt in Hanover old town

8. Taste and Travel Odyssey in Hanover

9. From Hamburg to Hannover - Private One-Day Trip by Car

10. Private Transfer From Hannover to Hamburg With Sightseeing Stops

11. Private Transfer From Hannover To Amsterdam, Stop in Munster

12. Hanover Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide

13. Floating, hovering at Zero Gravity Day Spa Beauty Center Bemerode

14. Spectral Peeling Laser Black doll in Bemerode

15. Private Transfer From Hamburg to Wolfsburg With a 2 Hour Stop

16. Private Direct Transfer From Hannover to Amsterdam

17. Private Transfer From Hannover to Hamburg, English Speaking Driver

18. Private 2 Hour Transfer From Wolfsburg to Hamburg

19. Hannover to Amsterdam one way Private Transfer

20. Private Intercity Luxury Transportation in Hannover

21. Private Transfer From Hanover City to Bremen City

22. Hannover to Frankfurt one way Private Transfer

23. Private audio book city rally in the old town of Hanover

What travelers are saying.

• Hop-on hop-off tour in Hanover in a double-decker bus
• Fritz Haarmann murder tour through Hanover's old town
• SEA LIFE Hannover Ticket
• City walk through Hanover
• Private digital audio book scavenger hunt in Hanover old town
• Sir Peter Morgan Outdoor Stadtrallyes und Touren
• Escape Tours - Hannover
• Find-the-Code CRASH
• Carsten Grube
• Eat The World - Culture & Food Tour

Top Tours in Hannover, Germany

Hannover tours.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Walking Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Ghost & Vampire Tours
• Private Tours
• Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
• Self-Guided Tours & Rentals
• Ports of Call Tours
• Photography Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Fritz Haarmann murder tour through Hanover's old town

2. SEA LIFE Hannover Ticket

3. City walk through Hanover

4. Personal Travel & Vacation Photography Walking Tour in Hannover

5. Hanover: Private Walking tour with A Guide (Private Tour)

6. Hop-on hop-off tour in Hanover in a double-decker bus

7. Private digital audio book scavenger hunt in Hanover old town

8. Private audio book city rally in the old town of Hanover

9. Taste and Travel Odyssey in Hanover

10. From Hamburg to Hannover - Private One-Day Trip by Car

11. Private Transfer From Hannover to Hamburg With Sightseeing Stops

12. Private Transfer From Hannover To Amsterdam, Stop in Munster

13. Hanover Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide

14. Floating, hovering at Zero Gravity Day Spa Beauty Center Bemerode

15. Spectral Peeling Laser Black doll in Bemerode

16. Private Transfer From Hamburg to Wolfsburg With a 2 Hour Stop

17. Private Direct Transfer From Hannover to Amsterdam

18. Private Transfer From Hannover to Hamburg, English Speaking Driver

19. Private 2 Hour Transfer From Wolfsburg to Hamburg

20. Hannover to Amsterdam one way Private Transfer

21. Private Intercity Luxury Transportation in Hannover

22. Private Transfer From Hanover City to Bremen City

23. Hannover to Frankfurt one way Private Transfer

What travellers are saying.

• Hop-on hop-off tour in Hanover in a double-decker bus
• Fritz Haarmann murder tour through Hanover's old town
• SEA LIFE Hannover Ticket
• City walk through Hanover
• Private digital audio book scavenger hunt in Hanover old town
• Sir Peter Morgan Outdoor Stadtrallyes und Touren
• Escape Tours - Hannover
• Find-the-Code CRASH
• Carsten Grube
• Eat The World - Culture & Food Tour

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18 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Hanover

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 27, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

The historic city of Hanover (Hannover) is situated on the River Leine and is the capital city of the Land of Lower Saxony. An important commercial center with a university and academies of music and drama, it's certainly one of the best places to visit in Germany for those seeking a fun and authentic urban experience.

It's also an important trade fair and festival center, noted for such events as Oktoberfest Hannover , one of the largest such celebrations in the world. Another important event is the Hanover Schützenfest , the world's largest traditional "marksmen" fair and so named for its target-shooting competition.

Hanover has also earned a reputation as an important cultural center and boasts numerous world-class museums, galleries, and theaters.

Its extensive parks and gardens justify Hanover's claim to be "the city in the country," and make it an ideal destination to explore on foot. Stroll along the banks of the Mittelland Canal , the country's most significant man-made waterway, which is connected to the many top tourist attractions in the city's Old Town (Altstadt) and Kröpcke center square areas via numerous footpaths.

Learn more about the best places to visit in the city with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Hanover, Germany.

See also: Where to Stay in Hanover

1. Start Your Hanover Adventure in Herrenhausen Gardens

2. indulge your green thumb at the berggarten botanic gardens, 3. take a stroll through the marktplatz and see the marktkirche, 4. climb the new town hall's tower, 5. take in a performance at the state opera of hanover, 6. get artsy at the sprengel museum, 7. hanover's old town and leine palace, 8. the ballhof and ballhofplatz, 9. explore the region's history at the lower saxony state museum, 10. enjoy a paddle on the maschsee, 11. see napoleon's caricatures at the wilhelm busch museum, 12. take the kids to hanover adventure zoo, 13. eilenriede: hanover's "green lungs", 14. hannover museum of history, 15. see the rare artworks at museum august kestner, 16. visit the ruins of aegidienkirche, 17. take a drive to aviation museum hannover-laatzen, 18. see the marine life at sea life hannover, where to stay in hanover for sightseeing, map of attractions & things to do in hanover.

Hanover's magnificent royal gardens, Herrenhausen Gardens (Herrenhäuser Gärten) is really a number of great attractions in one. It encompasses both the Welfengarten and Georgengarten, two beautiful English-style parks, and the Berggarten , a botanic garden featuring orchid, palm, and cactus houses.

It's also here that you'll find the Grosser Garten (Great Garden). Dating from 1666, it's considered the best-preserved example of an Early Baroque garden in Germany and features beautiful cascades, fountains, an orangery, and even a garden theater. At the north end of Herrenhausen stands the Mausoleum, which was built in 1846 for King Ernest Augustus and Queen Friederike, and contains the tomb of George I of Britain.

Also of note is the recently rebuilt Herrenhausen Palace . Built in 1640 and once a royal summer home, this impressive mansion was completely destroyed in WW2, only to be completely rebuilt in 2012. Today it houses the Schloss Herrenhausen Museum with its many fascinating displays of original artifacts and documents related to the city's rich Baroque era. There's also a bookshop on-site, along with a café.

One of the top things to do in Hanover at night is to participate in one of Herrenhausen Gardens' "glowing gardens" events. Held throughout the summer, these evening strolls take place against a backdrop of spectacular illuminations that kick off at the famous sundial at sunset. Along the way, you'll be accompanied by classic Baroque music, and have the chance to purchase and release your own paper lantern.

The garden also serves as the backdrop to an annual firework competition. This popular event draws entrants from around the world lighting up the evening sky with spectacular performances May through September.

Address: Herrenhäuser Str. 4, 30419 Hannover, Germany

While located within the grounds of Herrenhausen Gardens, there's enough to see in the beautiful Berggarten (translated as "Mountain Garden") to warrant a visit of its own. Able to trace its roots all the way back to the early 17th century when it was established as a kitchen and herb garden, this popular botanical garden is open year-round and is a must-visit whether you consider yourself a plant lover or not. You'll find a mix of outdoor and indoor plants here.

It's fun to wander in and out of the four large greenhouses used to house the many different species in the Berggarten collection. All told some 20,000 plants representing over 3,000 species can be seen, representing the tropics and subtropical flora from the Canary Islands.

The star of this green attraction, though, is the splendid Orchid House, said to be the largest such collection of orchids in all of Europe . You'll have a chance to see at least some of the 800 plants in bloom here.

Address: Herrenhäuser Str. 4, Hannover, Germany

Hanover's lovely marketplace, the Marktplatz, is located in the center of the historic Old Town (Altstadt), and is a great place to explore once you've seen Herrenhausen Gardens. It's here you'll find many of the city's most important buildings.

One of the most notable of these lovely structures is the 15th-century Late Gothic Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus). This attractive old building is home to a number of interesting small shops and galleries and is where you'll find the graceful Neo-Gothic Market Fountain, built in 1881.

The other important tourist attraction here is the brick-built Marktkirche or Market Church. With its impressive 97-meter-high tower, the church stands testament to the city's former importance as a royal city. Dating from the 14th century, notable interior features include a splendid 15th-century bronze font and a wood-carved altar dating from 1480.

Leading from the Marktplatz is Kramerstrasse , which still preserves something of the atmosphere of old Hanover with its many handsome half-timbered houses.

Address: Hanns-Lilje-Platz 2, 30159 Hannover, Germany

In Hanover's Trammplatz stands the majestic New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus). Built between 1901-13 in the style of the Wilhelmine period, this palace-like structure is sometimes also referred to as the New City Hall. It's one of Hanover's most interesting structures as it's built entirely on a foundation of 6,026 beech piles and crowned with a domed tower, which stands almost 98 meters high and dominates the city's skyline.

Be sure to allow a little extra time to climb the dome. From its viewing platform, which is accessed by a unique elevator that lifts passengers at an angle, you'll be treated to some of the best views over the city.

Also of interest are models of the city that show its growth and development over the centuries, and the Hodler Room has a huge painting called The Oath of Loyalty , dating from 1913. English-language guided tours are available.

Address: Trammplatz 2, 30159 Hannover, Germany

For culture lovers, one of the top things to do in Hanover is to take in a professional operatic performance. For these, you'll want to visit the Neoclassical Hanover Opera House.

Also referred to as the State Opera of Hanover , it's set along the elegant Georgstrasse and is the perfect spot to indulge your artistic leanings. This elegant building was constructed in 1852 and is now home to the city's professional opera company, Staatsoper Hannover.

Thanks to recent renovations, including improved acoustics, this stunning building offers a first-rate experience for opera fans during its season, which runs from September to June. Other notable events such as ballet performances are also scheduled throughout the year.

Address: Opernplatz 1, 30159 Hannover, Germany

Home to one of Germany's most important collections of modern art, the architecturally attractive Sprengel Museum is a must-visit for art lovers. Founded in 1979 and containing both private and state-owned collections, the gallery is known for its numerous works by local artist Kurt Schwitters, as well as from other notable artists such as Max Ernst, Picasso, and Paul Klee, among others.

The museum is also home to a collection donated by well-known artist Niki de Saint Phalle, as well as a fascinating large metal sculpture by Alexander Calder. In addition to its regular roster of visiting art exhibits, educational programs and workshops are also offered. English-language guided tours are also available and can be tailored to your specific interests.

An on-site bookshop offers a variety of related publications, including some in English, while those conducting research or wanting to learn more about the artists whose work is featured can visit the museum library.

And even if art's not your thing, the museum's bell'ARTE restaurant and café is worth a visit for its large riverside terrace. This award-winning eatery has been a leader of Hanover's dining scene for over 20 years (opt for the "year-round" garden seating if available).

Address: Kurt-Schwitters-Platz 1, 30169 Hanover, Germany

Hanover's Old Town (Altstadt) area is pleasant to explore on foot. It's here you'll find the attractive Leine Palace (Leineschloss), the state parliament building. Constructed in the 17th century on the banks of the river after which it's named, this former royal residence of Duke George von Calenberg was later altered in Neoclassical style between 1817 and 1842.

For those interested in exploring more of these charming timber-framed houses, the little town of Celle , about 40 kilometers northeast of Hanover on the banks of the River Aller, boasts more than 400 half-timbered homes in its quaint old town and makes for an easy day trip.

Address: Hannah-Arendt-Platz 1, 30159 Hannover, Germany

Also located in the Old Town, you'll find Hanover's finest half-timbered building, the Ballhof . Built between 1649 and 1665 for the then-fashionable games of battledore and shuttlecock, as well as for musical concerts, it's well worth adding to your list of must-see historic sites in Hanover.

Now home to the Lower Saxony State Theater, it's still a popular venue for music events including pop and jazz concerts, as well as operatic performances.

Just a five-minute walk away across the river is the New Town Church , or Neustädter Kirche. This 17th-century structure houses the tomb of the famous German philosopher GW Leibniz, who was buried here in 1716.

Address: Knochenhauerstraße 28, 30159 Hannover, Germany

The Lower Saxony State Museum (Niedersächsisches Landesmuseum Hannover), located opposite the New Town Hall, houses many important collections of antiquities. The most popular is the State Gallery (Landesgalerie) with its collection of European art from the Middle Ages period right up to the 20th century.

In addition to major works by the likes of Rembrandt and Rubens, there's a sizeable collection of German Old Masters and Impressionist works. Also of note are its archaeological and ethnological collections, among Germany's oldest and boasting more than 20,000 artifacts, as well as numerous species of fish and reptiles.

Be sure to also check out the Fürstenhaus Herrenhausen-Museum . Set in a fine old building dating from the 1700s, it's notable for its collections of period artwork, sculptures, and furniture.

Address: Willy-Brandt-Allee 5, 30169 Hannover, Germany

The Maschsee is an impressive artificial lake situated in the very heart of Hanover that serves as a popular focal point for a variety of activities and leisure pursuits. Completed in 1936, it extends 2.4 kilometers and is up to 530 meters wide in places.

It's the city's largest and busiest sports and recreation area, and is especially popular among boaters, whether the vessel of choice is a sailboat, paddleboat, kayak, or powered vessel. It's also popular with swimmers drawn by the chance to sunbathe on Maschsee Beach. The lake is also circled by many excellent pathways and is the perfect place for a stroll or picnic.

If you're in Hanover during the summer months, be sure to consider visiting the Maschseefes Lake Festival. This huge festival includes music, food, and fireworks and attracts upwards of two million attendees each year. Another fun thing to do is to seek out the many interesting sculptures dotted around the lake, especially at night when they're lit up.

On the west side of the lake is the Niedersachsen-Stadion stadium, built in 1954 on mounds of rubble from buildings destroyed in the war. Another pleasant area for a stroll is Herrenhäuser Allee , laid out in 1726 and including many attractive historic buildings.

The Wilhelm Busch Museum (Deutsches Museum für Karikatur und Zeichenkunst Wilhelm Busch) in Hanover covers the life and times of the famous poet and designer after which it's named. Founded in 1937, the museum is housed in the attractive 18th-century "Georgenpalais" in Herrenhausen Gardens.

Along with permanent displays of caricatures and comic art, the museum is home to the world's largest collection of Busch's work. A particular highlight is a unique collection of more than 700 caricatures of Napoleon, as well as examples of satirical art dating back some four centuries.

In addition to regular visiting exhibits, the museum hosts educational workshops, music concerts, literary and culinary events, as well as programs geared toward children.

Address: Georgengarten, 30167 Hannover, Germany

Established in 1865 on the edge of Eilenriede park, Hanover Adventure Zoo (Erlebnis-Zoo Hannover) is the fifth oldest zoological park in Germany. It is successfully remodeled along the lines of a theme park, and today an estimated 1.5 million people visit the attraction's 3,400-plus animals each year.

Highlights include areas such as the seasonal Winter Zoo with its Christmas themes and activities, as well as the kids' area, Mullewapp, with its popular petting zoo and rides. Other zoo attractions include the fascinating Meyer's Farm, where you can explore authentic, 19th-century Lower Saxony half-timbered structures, and the Disney-like Zambezi River boat ride through the open cages of animals such as rhinos and elephants.

Be sure to check the zoo's website for news of special events and scheduled feeding times.

Address: Adenauerallee 3, 30175 Hanover, Germany

Located on the east side of Hanover, the beautiful municipal forest of Eilenriede is an area of outstanding natural beauty, which covers some 1,600 acres of land. This huge recreation area, one of the largest inner-city forests in all of Europe, contains numerous footpaths and bridle paths just waiting to be explored, along with playing fields and open spaces for relaxation.

Fun things to do here include visiting Hanover Adventure Zoo, hiking and biking its extensive network of trails, enjoying a forest-top trekking experience... or sunbathing. There's also a large playground for the kids, as well as a good cafe with plenty of outdoor seating.

Often referred to as the city's "Grüne Lunge," or "green lung," it's a wonderful place to spend time when visiting Hanover, as is Hermann Löns Park , a beautiful landscaped park with an old windmill. Adjoining it is the Tiergarten , laid out in 1679 as a hunting park, with old trees and an abundance of wildlife, including some 200 red deer, wild horses, and wild pigs.

Address: Niemcy, Hohenzollernstraße 28, 30161 Hannover, Germany

A must-visit for those wanting to learn more about this once-royal city, the Hannover Museum of History (Historisches Museum Hannover) can easily be tackled in a visit of two or three hours.

Set in one of the city's oldest buildings complete with a fortified tower, the museum provides a fascinating insight into some 900-plus years of local history, from its earliest recorded events at the turn of the 12th century right up to today.

Highlights include displays explaining the city's ties to the British Royal Family, as well as exhibits of cultural and religious artifacts. Be sure to check out the four elegant horse-drawn coaches that once belonged to royalty, as well as period outfits and weaponry. Plan your visit for a Friday, and you'll be rewarded with free admission.

Address: Pferdestraße 6, 30159 Hannover, Germany

The modern-looking concrete and glass Kestner Museum (Museum August Kestner) in Hanover is of interest for its rare collection of applied and decorative arts. Some of these artworks date back over 6,000 years and were collected by the museum's namesake during his time as an official in Rome during the mid-19th century.

Highlights of its impressive collections include art-related antiquities from the Greek, Egyptian, and Roman periods. Established in 1889 and the city's oldest museum, it also holds large collections of local antiquities, coins, and handicrafts, many dating back to medieval times.

Other important artworks can be enjoyed at the Kestnergesellschaft , an interesting art gallery noted for its many modern art collections and exhibits.

Address: Trammplatz 3, 30159 Hanover, Germany

One of the few war-damaged buildings in Hanover never to have been restored, and one of three important churches located in the city's Old Town, Aegidienkirche was instead left in ruins as a war memorial. Built in 1347, the ruins reveal enough to show it must have been a beautiful structure to look at in its heyday, and in many ways, it still is.

Destroyed in an Allied air raid in 1943, along with many other landmarks in the Old Town, it has since been the recipient of notable sculptures, which together with some of the surviving Baroque features, make for a very sobering reminder of the destructive nature of war. A bell from another war-ravished city, Hiroshima, was added in 1985.

Address: 1, Aegidienkirchhof, 30159 Hannover, Germany

Take an easy 20-minute drive south of Hanover, and you'll find yourself in the town of Laatzen. This popular destination for tourists is home to Aviation Museum Hannover .

Here, you'll find an impressive collection of 36 fully-restored aircraft, including rare examples of military aircraft from World Wars I and II. You'll want to check out the rival British Spitfire and German Messerschmitt 109 machines from the 1940s.

These static displays are augmented by realistic models, many hanging from the ceiling as part of interesting dioramas. In addition, there are some 30 or so engines on display, including both jet and piston variants, all of which provide a fascinating insight into the workings of these marvelous machines.

The museum also has a rich catalog of related artifacts including clothing, documents, and vehicles. All displays carry English-language information, and English-language guided tours are also available.

Address: Ulmer Str. 2, 30880 Laatzen, Germany

One of the top family attractions in the city, SEA LIFE Hannover is a fun way to spend a few hours with the kids. Covering marine species from as close as the city's own Leine River to faraway tropical destinations such as the Caribbean, the museum offers plenty of opportunities to get close-up views of some of the 3,500 sea creatures that call the attraction home.

In its 37 pools and tanks are such fascinating species as Cuban crocodiles, stingrays, octopuses, and sharks, along with a wide array of tropical fish and turtles. Some of the best viewing experiences can be enjoyed while walking the long glass tunnel under the site's largest pool.

Feeding sessions can be watched, and educational "ranger talks" in the rainforest section are also worth joining.

Address: Herrenhäuser Str. 4A, 30419 Hannover, Germany

Hanover's Old Town, where many of its historic buildings are located, is not crowded with hotels. But there's a good selection within a reasonable walking distance, and others can be found on the city's excellent transit system. The main train station, Hauptbahnhof, is close to the Old Town, as is the park-ringed Maschteich lake, so either is a convenient location. Here are some highly rated hotels in Hanover:

Luxury Hotels :

• Mercure Hotel Hannover City has stylishly decorated rooms, some overlooking the park beside new City Hall, and is within a 10-minute walk of the Hauptbahnhof and Old Town shopping streets.
• Right next to the train station, on a shopping street, Kastens Hotel Luisenhof has a gym on the top floor.
• The nearby Grand Hotel Mussmann , also an easy walk from restaurants, the opera house, and the historical museum, includes free breakfast.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Near the new City Hall, State Museum, and Kestner Museum, the top-ranked DORMERO Hotel Hannover has high-tech rooms, free wireless, and a gym.
• Overlooking the market square in the Old Town, Concorde am Leineschloss Hotel is surprisingly quiet and has a good choice of restaurants close by.
• In the Old Town and close to the City Hall, Arthotel ANA Prestige Hannover offers discounted parking nearby.

Budget Hotels:

• Next door to the bus station, just a few steps from the train station and close to the top Old Town attractions, Ibis Budget Hannover Hauptbahnhof has basic rooms with free Wi-Fi.
• In a quiet neighborhood halfway between the Hauptbahnhof and the zoo, the family-run Hotel Flora has old-fashioned rooms, some with balconies, and all only a 15-minute walk from the Old Town center.
• Some distance north of the Old Town but on a direct tram line, Ibis Hannover City has free Wi-Fi and inexpensive on-site parking.

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Explore Northern Germany : Hanover's location makes it the perfect base from which to explore the northern part of the country. From here, you can hop aboard a train, and two hours later you'll be exploring the huge port of Hamburg , the 'gateway to Germany', and a great choice for its many maritime attractions, such as the International Maritime Museum. The city of Bremen is closer still, just an hour away by train. Here, you should begin your adventure by exploring the city's historic Marktplatz with its old Town Hall and statue of Germany's most famous knight, Roland. And although a little farther than Hamburg, the beautiful town of Schwerin is a must-visit for its magnificent palace and other well-preserved 18th-century buildings.

Something Beginning with "B" : The beautiful town of Baden-Baden is the perfect place for those seeking a romantic getaway. Everywhere you turn, you'll find elegant spas and delightful public baths, all fed by the thermal waters that have for centuries made the town popular with royalty and tourists alike. The old university town of Bamberg is equally pleasant and offers visitors a chance to explore some of Germany's most exquisite old churches. Brandenburg is another romantic small town worth exploring, as popular for its 12th-century cathedral and well-preserved old town walls as it is for its many fine shopping and dining experiences.

Germany Travel Ideas : If you're looking for some outdoor fun when it comes to vacationing in Germany, you're in luck. This large European country features everything from the superb hiking and biking experiences in beautiful Bavaria to the endless water-based activities available on lovely Lake Constance . Real adventurers, though, should explore the multitude of things to do in the mountainous Garmisch-Partenkirchen region , as popular with winter sports enthusiasts as it is with hikers and mountain bikers in the summer.

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Home » Travel Guides » Germany » 25 Best Things to Do in Hanover (Germany)

25 Best Things to Do in Hanover (Germany)

Lower Saxony’s capital is a university city and economic centre that was once the seat of an Imperial Electorate. The royal line, the House of Hanover, gave the United Kingdom three kings, and also gave this city some splendid properties like the Herrenhäuser Gardens. That mosaic of regal parks and palaces is still Hanover’s big historical attraction.

The Eilenriede park in the middle of Hanover is twice the size of New York’s Central Park, while also in the centre is the Maschsee, a man-made lake with green banks where a big festival takes place in August. The Maschseefest is just one of many major events that unfold in Hanover in summer, from the Spring Festival to an International Fireworks Competition.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Hanover :

1. Herrenhäuser Gardens

The pride of Hanover is a chain of gardens from the days of the Imperial Electors and Kings of Hanover.

The show-stopper is the Great Garden, in a Baroque French style laid out by Electress Sophia of Hanover in the 17th century.

The 50-hectare garden is fronted by a palace and enriched with sculptures, fountains, a box-hedge maze, an orangery and dainty broderies.

The orangery is a stately backdrop for classical concerts, and Sophia’s garden theatre also stages plays and music performances in summer.

That palace was almost obliterated in the war and has only been restored in the last few years.

Since 2013 it has hosted three exhibition rooms for the Hanover Historical Museum, recounting the design of the gardens and the distinguished personalities from Hanover’s past like Wilhelm Leibniz.

2. Berggarten

Another of the Herrenhäuser Gardens, the Berggarten (Mountain Garden) warrants a separate entry in the list.

It was started as a herb and kitchen garden for the palace, but Electress Sophia picked the Berggarten as a space to grow exotic plants.

An early greenhouse was built in the park in 1686 supporting crops like tobacco and mulberry trees.

Nowadays the park is one of the world’s leading botanical gardens, growing 20,000 plants from 3,000 species.

There are four greenhouses, for tropical plants, cactuses and the subtropical flora of the Canary Islands.

But the main event is the Orchid House, which has Europe’s largest orchid collection, made up of up to 800 plants from 300 species, blooming against deep tropical foliage.

3. Georgengarten

In the 1810s King George III bought an estate to the east of the Great Garden.

The property’s name was changed from the Wallmodenschloss to the Georgenpalais, and the park was renamed Georgengarten.

On a long, slender plot the gardens are in the English style with rambling lawns and groves of mature trees.

Running straight through the park from end to end is the Herrenhäuser Allee, a regal, two-kilometre lime-flanked avenue.

See if you can track down the temple erected in honour the polymath Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.

This dates from the end of the 1780s and was originally at Hanover’s parade grounds, now Waterlooplatz, before being relocated to Georgengarten.

And today the beautiful Georgenpalais houses the Wilhelm Busch museum, which we’ll talk about later.

4. Lower Saxony State Museum

With four very different departments exhibiting fine arts, archaeology, natural history and ethnology, you could say that this museum has a bit of everything.

The Renaissance and Baroque galleries are bolstered by names like Albrecht Dürer, Rubens and Rembrandt, but also a fine collection of 19th-century art by Romantics like Caspar David Friedrich and Impressionists such as Max Liebermann.

Don’t neglect the other departments through, where you’ll come across Bronze Age jewellery, and mummified human remains from Lower Saxony’s moorlands in archaeology.

There are models of dinosaurs and an aquarium in the natural history department, and some 20,000 pieces of traditional art collected from Oceania, Africa, America and across Asia in the ethnology department.

5. Sprengel Museum

Displaying a real who’s who of modern art in Germany, the Sprengel Museum is a cultural attraction that needs to be on your agenda.

The museum was founded in 1979 a decade after the chocolate manufacturer Bernhard Sprengel donated his modern art collection to the city.

This has been bolstered by Lower Saxony’s own art collections and subsequent private donations to stand as a world-class survey of 20th-century art.

Both Expressionist groups, Die Brücke and Der Blaue Reiter are here, as well as pieces by Picasso, Paul Klee, Max Ernst, Max Beckmann, Emil Nolde and Fernand Léger.

The museum also traces the major trends in art after 1945 and has works by kinetic sculptor Alexander Calder, Andy Warhol and Capitalist Realist artists like Gerhard Richter and Sigmar Polke.

6. New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus)

Hanover’s resplendent New Town Hall was built at the start of the 20th in a theatrical Historicist style.

With its soaring dome reaching, towers and location in front of the Maschteich pond, the New Town Hall looks more like a palace than a civic building.

Large parts of the interior are open to the public for tours.

Under the dome are four scale models showing Hanover at different stages in its history.

The model that shows the extent of the destruction in the Second World War is an eye-opener.

You’ll be led from hall to hall, and the Hodler Hall is unforgettable for its large mural by the Swiss Symbolist Ferdinand Hodler recording Hanover’s conversion during the Reformation.

A special elevator traces the curve of the dome and carries you to an observation platform almost 100 metres above street level.

7. Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus)

On Marktplatz the Old Town Hall is Hanover’s oldest secular building, first taking shape at the start of the 15th century.

This monument, unmistakeable for its elaborate gables, is also the southernmost example of the Northern German Brick Gothic style.

The earliest section is on the east side, on Schmiedestraße, while the west side, on Köbelinger Straße, where the Town Hall’s pharmacy used to be was updated with a Neo-Romanesque design in the 19th century.

The facade on Schmiedestraße has coats of arms and portraits of Electors and princes, but also a depiction of Luderziehen, an old-fashioned game that is like a tug of war but done by linking little fingers instead of rope.

8. Maschsee

The 78-hectare, man-made lake near New Town Hall was a product of the Great Depression.

Hanover had long suffered from spring floods, and as a means to ease both flooding and the mass unemployment of the period the city began work on a lake in the floodplain of the River Leine in 1934. An interesting piece of trivia about the lake is that it loses up to a centimetre from its water level every day, and needs to be replenished by a pump station and network of ponds on the south shore.

But for you and me, Maschsee is for watersports in summer, and walks along the leafy shore, which is dotted with public art by Alexander Calder, Georg Kolbe and Arno Breker.

9. Marktkirche

Hanover’s silhouette wouldn’t be the same without the 14th-century Marktkirche in the centre of the Altstadt.

The distinguishing feature is the tower and its four pointed gables.

The story goes that the tower was supposed to be taller, but in the 1360s money ran low because of the Black Death and so a steeple was simply added to the what had already been completed.

Although the church was hit by bombs in the Second World War, a lot of its art is still in place.

You have to allow time to marvel at the three eastern stained glass windows in the chancel, dating to 1370, and the winged high altar from 1480 that has sculpted panels of scenes from the Passion, coated with gold leaf.

10. Aegidienkirche

The easternmost of Hanover’s old town churches has a history going back to 1163, but was struck by bombs in the war.

The nave and chancel have been left in their roofless, damaged state as a memorial for victims of wars and violence.

The current layout is from the 14th century in the Gothic style, while the tower, which is completely intact was given a Baroque facade at the start of the 18th century.

Inside it is a peace bell donated by Hanover’s sister city Hiroshima, and every 6 August there’s a ceremony in the church and the bell tolls on the hour throughout the day until 18:00.

11. Historisches Museum

Hanover’s historical museum is on “Am Hohen Ufer”, an embankment on the Leine River on the west side of the Altstadt.

Hanover was founded at this location on the road from Bremen to Hildesheim.

The Beginenturm, the last fully preserved city tower, has been integrated into the museum, as well as the remnants of the 17th-century ducal armoury.

The museum will bring you up to speed on Hanover’s complicated past, leading you from the Middle Ages and Welf Duchy, through the Principality of Calenburg and the royal House of Hanover.

You’ll see how Hanover has evolved from a medieval market town to an urban centre over 750 years, and discover how rural life changed in Lower Saxony from the 1600s to the 1900s.

12. Eilenriede

Twice the size of New York’s Central Park, the Eilenriede is a city forest almost in the centre of Hanover.

The western entrance is only ten minutes or so on foot from the Hauptbahnhof.

It is one of the largest connected city forests in Europe, blessed with big swathes of oak and beech woodland interspersed with lawns, water features and playgrounds.

The park was a managed forest, producing timber for 600 years before it opened to the public in the 19th century.

There’s a handful of cafes in the park and also information posts that inform you about the deer, hares, bats and martens that make a habitat in the park.

13. Luftfahrtmuseum Hanover-Laatzen

A U-Bahn ride away in Laatzen to the south of Hanover there’s a riveting little museum on the history of aviation.

It is based on the collection of the enthusiast and entrepreneur Günter Leonhardt, who went as far as salvaging several Junkers Ju 52s from the bottom of a Norwegian lake in the Arctic Circle.

In total the museum has 36 aircraft, together with 30 piston and jet engines and almost 700 models.

Some of the rarer pieces on show are an intact Junkers Jumo 004 turbjet engine, a Focke-Wulf Fw 190, a Spitfire, Messerschmitt Bf 109 and a section from a Ju 52 that you can walk inside.

And from the post-War period there’s a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter and a MiG-15.

14. Wilhelm Busch Museum

In the Georgenpalais, this museum holds the largest collection in the world for the revered 19th-century humorist and illustrator Wilhelm Busch.

You can browse paintings, drawings and original manuscripts for works like his satirical illustrated story Max and Moritz.

The museum has also gathered thousands of exhibits for artists from the same period or who have shared Busch’s irreverent worldview.

English satirists like William Hogarth and George Cruickshank are here, along with Francisco Goya, J. J. Grandville and Walter Trier, and some 700 period caricatures of Napoleon.

There are also exhibitions for contemporary satirical cartoonists like Steve Bell, Jean-Jacques Sempé and Tomi Ungerer.

15. Leibnizhaus

The philosopher, mathematician, diplomat and historian Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz spent 40 years of his life in Hanover and passed away at this Renaissance townhouse in 1716. Well, in truth it wasn’t this exact building, as the actual Leibnizhaus didn’t survive the war.

What we see now is a reconstruction from the 1980s using the original facade but in a different location.

The reliefs around the mullioned windows on that facade are worth a photo.

The interior is used for events, but there’s also an exhibition space with some artefacts from Leibniz’s life.

Most exciting is his Rechenmaschine (adding machine), which expanded on Pascal’s calculator and uses the binary number system, the basis for all modern computers.

16. Hanover Tiergarten

Just past Hanover’s eastern outskirts is a 112-hectare park that was once a hunting ground for the Electors and Kings of Hanover.

You’ll be in no doubt about the great age of the Tiergarten when you see the 650-year-old oak tree at the entrance and the many 400-500-year-old oaks in the park’s extensive woodland.

The Tiergarten remains a game reserve where up to 150 roe, fallow and red can roam freely, and there are also huge enclosures for wild boars.

Living wild in the park are several bat species, owls, hawks, falcons, foxes, badgers and Egyptian geese.

17. Museum August Kestner

Hanover’s oldest museum was inaugurated in 1889 and has wide-ranging collections comprising ancient artefacts from Egypt, Greece and Rome, and several hundred years of European applied art.

The museum venue is deserves a mention as it’s a Neo-Renaissance building inside a cube-like superstructure broken by 5,000 small windows.

Antiquarians will be in their element inside, browsing Etruscan art, Greek vases, mummies, reliefs, papyri and sculptures from Ancient Egypt.

Also awaiting you are medieval manuscripts, and precious textiles, enamelwork, ivory and bronze decorative items up to the Renaissance.

On top of all this is the largest coin collection in North Germany, composed of 120,000 pieces across 2,500 years.

18. Ernst-August-Denkmal

On Ernst-August-Platz, right in front of the main entrance to the Hauptbahnhof is a memorial for the King of Hanover, Ernest Augustus.

His reign lasted from 1837 to 1851, and if you’re interested in the historic connections between Hanover and the British throne, he was the fifth son of King George III and the uncle of Queen Victoria.

Ernest-Augustus is depicted on horseback dressed in full hussar finery.

The bronze statue was cast in 1861 and stands atop a granite plinth inscribed with the sentence, “Dem Landesvater / Sein treues Volk”, which roughly translates to “Dedicated to the father of the country, by his faithful people”.

19. Kröpcke-Uhr

Like the statue of Ernst-August, this clock is another of Hanover’s traditional meet-up locations.

The clock is in the middle of an eponymous pedestrian zone at the intersection of Georgstraße and Bahnhofstraße.

It’s a rare piece of Classical design in a modern part of the city, going back to 1885 and named after the Café Kröpcke, which sits behind it.

Now the cafe is a big 1970s structure operated by Mövenpick.

Meanwhile the current clock is an exact replica of the first one to stand here, and its glass panels hold posters for the major events or exhibitions taking place in Hanover.

20. Marienburg Castle

If you make one day-trip from Hanover this Neo-Gothic palace about 20 kilometres south of the city would be a good shout.

Resting on the side of the Marienburg Hill, the palace was started in 1857 by King George V of Hanover as a birthday gift for his wife Marie of Saxe-Altenburg.

The reason the Marienburg can’t be missed is that it was uninhabited after the couple were exiled when Hanover was annexed by Prussia in 1860, and so remained perfectly untouched until after the Second World War.

Non-German speakers can take an audio-tour, which guides you up to the top of the 44-metre main tower, and into lavish halls adorned with period furniture from the collection of the Royal House of Hanover.

21. Hannover 96

Hanover was one of the cities selected for the World Cup in 2006, and the HDI Arena (Niedersachsenstadion) was given a refit.

Now it’s a thoroughly modern sporting arena filled with almost 50,000 fans when Hannover 96 play their home games.

As for the team, Hannover 96 have had some difficult years, but as of 2017-18 play at the highest level in the Bundesliga.

Despite not having won the league championship since 1954 full-houses are common and the atmosphere is always electric.

It’s also one of Europe’s few stadiums in walking distance from the city centre, just on the west side of the Maschsee.

The HDI Arena is a cashless stadium, so you’ll have to charge a club card, which you can then use to buy food and drinks during the match.

22. Lüttje Lage

Say you really want to blend in at a bar in Hanover, the best thing to do is to try a Lüttje Lage, if you’re brave enough.

After ordering you’ll be presented with two small glasses, one with old-fashioned top-fermented beer and the other with clear Kornbrand (grain brandy) at a minimum of 37.5% alcohol content.

After that there are a couple of ways to drink your Lüttje Lage.

The old-school method is to pour the liquor on your tongue and rinse it with the beer.

But if you want to show off, you can grip the beer between your thumb and index finger, wedge the Kornbrand between your middle and ring finger, and try to down them both in one go.

23. International Fireworks Competition

If you spend an extended amount of time in Hanover you’ll notice that the city has a love for pyrotechnics.

There are fireworks displays all summer long, from the Frühlingsfest (Spring Festival) beginning in April through to the Oktoberfest in autumn.

And for five nights spread across the summer the city stages the International Fireworks Competition at the Herrenhäuser Gardens in the Great Garden.

Before the countdown to ignition there’s live music, street theatre and all kinds of sideshows.

It all builds up to a world-class pyrotechnics display, combined with music and planned by the best pyrotechnicians in the business.

24. Maschseefest

Over 19 days in August there’s an outdoor festival on the banks of the Maschsee, attended by up to two million party-goers.

The Maschseefest is a celebration of music and gastronomy, with lots of little side events and parties going on for all the family.

Evenings are when things really take off, especially over the weekends, when there are concerts by tribute acts playing the repertoires of bands like U2, ABBA, AC/DC and the Beatles.

All along the north shore of the lake the promenade is overrun by an international array of food and drink stalls, serving up delicacies from Brazil, Spain, Vietnam, Canada, Japan and South Africa, and German staples like Currywurst.

25 Best Things to Do in Hanover (Germany):

• Herrenhäuser Gardens
• Georgengarten
• Lower Saxony State Museum
• Sprengel Museum
• New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus)
• Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus)
• Marktkirche
• Aegidienkirche
• Historisches Museum
• Luftfahrtmuseum Hanover-Laatzen
• Wilhelm Busch Museum
• Leibnizhaus
• Hanover Tiergarten
• Museum August Kestner
• Ernst-August-Denkmal
• Kröpcke-Uhr
• Marienburg Castle
• Hannover 96
• Lüttje Lage
• International Fireworks Competition
• Maschseefest

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Hannover – the trade fair and event city in the center of Europe

From ground-breaking architecture and infrastructure, to highly attractive local recreation areas in the surrounding region – the state capital of Niedersachsen boasts many interesting contrasts.

The cluster of around 50 different theatres, the state opera company, and numerous museums and galleries attract thousands of art and culture lovers every year to the many high quality performances and international art exhibitions. One of the most popular shopping streets in Germany – the Georgstraße – draws people from far and wide for stylish shopping, combined with relaxing in any of the numerous cozy cafés in the historic Old Town.

Hannover’s special pride though is its many green spaces and leafy oases. With the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, the treasured Eilenriede forest stretching into the city center, the Leine river, and the maritime flair of the Maschsee lake at the edge of the inner city, Hannover spoils its visitors with shady places to relax and a big variety of leisure and recreation activities. A diverse spectrum of sports events, open-air concerts and major festivals take place throughout the year.

Highlights include the Schützenfest (Marksmen’s Fair), the Maschsee lake festival and the International Fireworks Competition in the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, which have deservedly acquired an international reputation, drawing crowds of visitors from all over the world.

Hannover is surrounded on all sides by local recreation areas such as the Steinhuder Meer lake, the wooded ridge of the Deister, the rolling farmland of the Calenberger Land, and the water meadows of the Leine valley – offering a big range of activities for young and old. Historic half-timbered houses in many towns in the region provide a picturesque olde-worlde backdrop for shopping sprees.

Hannover has a big reputation as a warm-hearted host: as a trade fair and event city, the state capital of Niedersachsen stands in the international spotlight every year. Thousands of trade fair visitors have enjoyed Hannover’s hospitality since 1947. Hannover is the venue for CeBIT, the world’s biggest annual computer show , as well as other major trade exhibitions.

Hannover’s success as a trade show venue is largely attributable to its central location in the middle of Germany and Europe – making the city a particularly attractive business location for domestic and international visitors. Hannover not only boasts a very successful airport, but also lies at the intersection of the most important German and European superhighways. And a region-wide public transport system links up the whole area, and makes all the main tourist attractions quickly and comfortably accessible.

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Royal gardens of herrenhausen.

The Great Garden designed in the 17th century in the French manner is one of the best preserved baroque gardens in Europe. Fully rounded off in 2013 with the complete rebuilding of the original Herrenhausen Palace, plus museum. Just as interesting are the neighbouring Berggarten botanical gardens and the Georgengarten English landscape gardens.

Maschsee / New Town Hall

A maritime paradise in the middle of the city! Modern passenger ships cruise up and down the lake taking passengers on a pleasurable cruise with various stopping points along the way. Just around the corner is the New Town Hall in Loire-castle style. Travelling up to the 97-metrehight Town Hall dome in the unique curving lift is an experience itself. The four town models inside showing the development of the city.

The historic half-timbered buildings in the Old Town form one of the most attractive quarters in the city. The imposing Market Church and the Old Town Hall are the most southerly examples of the redbrick Gothic style. Stroll through picturesque alleys, and discover the trendy boutiques, cafes and restaurants. The river Leine flows gently along just a few metres away, and its river bank offers secluded places to relax.

Hannover’s Georgstraße and the neighbouring Bahnhofstraße are two of the most frequented shopping streets in Germany! And there is more – the Niki-de-Saint-Phalle-Promenade, the charming Old Town, and several shopping malls make shopping sprees in Hannover enjoyable and varied at all times of the year.

Adventure Zoo

Hannover Adventure Zoo lies in the heart of the city – a unique zoological theme park which attracts around 1.5 million enthusiastic visitors every year. Marvel at the exotic worlds and discover more than 3000 animals in seven thrilling zoological theme settings.

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Welcome to the bicycle region of Hannover!

Cyclists can explore the Lower Saxony state capital as well as the cities and municipalities in the Hannover region on various attractive routes. For all tour recommendations, foldable maps, books, or brochures are available at the Tourist Information. You can also download our cycling brochure. So, hop on your bike and enjoy discovering the Hannover holiday region!

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Culinary bike tour

City tour of a special kind: discover the green side of Hanover in the saddle and try some...

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Always on the first and last Saturday of the month: this guided bicycle tour leads you to Hannovers...

Book bike-friendly hotels

Here you can conveniently book bike-friendly hotels in the city and region of Hannover from the...