Hanover

Understand

Hanover was one of the hardest-hit cities during World War II, leaving it with only a few historical landmarks. Don't expect to see beautiful centuries-old buildings; even the Old City (Altstadt) area is "new", as all the old houses left standing after the war (around 40) were taken from throughout the city and collected in one place. This area is surrounded by some 1950s and 1960s buildings that give a somewhat heavy atmosphere to the streets. However, there are still several residential neighborhoods consisting of late-19th-century housing stock with often elaborate historicist (Victorian) and Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) decorations just outside the downtown area, such as Oststadt, List and Linden. Hanover has large green areas, with forests and big parks. The landscape is mostly flat, with the river Leine going through the city. The lake Masch (Maschsee) is rather spectacular, considering its size as a man-made object. The city had a special relationship to the late French artist Niki de Saint-Phalle. She had several of her works in public spots in Hanover (i.e., "the Nanas", "the Cave" in the Great Garden) and also in the Sprengel Museum. To honor her contribution to Hanover, she was granted an honorary citizenship from the city government. Moreover, the renovated "underground" shopping passageway from the central station to Kröpcke was named "The Niki de Saint-Phalle Promenade". Hanover's public services are excellent, due to major reconstruction for the World Expo 2000. The shopping area under the train station was renovated in 2005-2006 in preparation for the World Cup.

History Hanover was founded in medieval times on the bank of the river Leine and became a comparatively large town in the 13th century. Its original name Honovere may mean "high (river)bank". There was a time of personal union of the crowns of the United Kingdom and Hanover (1714–1837). Soldiers from Hanover emigrated to Great Britain, leading to the formation of the King's German Legion, which was the only German army to fight throughout the entire Napoleonic Wars against the French. They later played an important role in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. After World War II, Hanover became the capital of Lower Saxony, a state created from several disparate elements and the most sparsely populated of the old Federal Republic but also the second biggest by area of all 16 states of reunited Germany. Hanover profited from its new status as capital and is the northern endpoint of Germany's first (opened 1991) and still longest high speed rail line, linking Würzburg and Hanover along a No

Getting there

By plane 1 Hannover Airport (HAJ IATA), Petzelstraße 84 (about 11 km (6.8 mi) north of the city centre), ☏ +49 511 977-0, [email protected]. This airport is served by many European network airlines (through their respective hubs) and some budget airlines flying point-to-point. The airport is the ninth busiest in Germany by passenger numbers. Despite its comparatively modest passenger numbers, the airport has two runways. (updated Apr 2026) On line S5, S-Bahn (stations are indicated by this sign) trains run twice-an-hour from the airport to central station (Hauptbahnhof) (and on to Hamelin or Paderborn). A 2-Zone ticket is needed from the airport to city centre. The fare is €4.70 (2026) for a single ticket (see chapter public transportation for other ticket options) and will take around 18 minutes. The last train departs around midnight. A taxi ride to the city centre costs about €40 and will take about 15-20 minutes. The airport offers the option to check in the day before your departure (18:00-21:00) for some airlines (Condor, Croatia Airlines, Sky Airlines, and TUI).

By train Due to its location, Hanover has good connections from all major cities in Germany through Deutsche Bahn (DB), the German rail service. There are also direct trains to the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Austria several times a day, including a few sleeper trains operated by (Nightjet). Hanover is well-connected by regional trains. Travelers can use the 'Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket', which allows unlimited regional travel across Germany for one day. It costs €51 (2026) for a single person, with a reduced per-person rate for groups of up to five. If you are already traveling within Lower Saxony, the 'Niedersachsen-Ticket' is a more affordable option at €29 (2026); it also covers travel to Bremen and Hamburg. Hanover is a major hub for high-speed Inter City Express (ICE) trains, with direct connections to most major German cities. Travel times are approximately 1 hr 20 min from Hamburg, 1 hr 30 min from Berlin, 2 hr 20 min from Frankfurt, and 4 hr 30 min from Munich. Fares vary significantly depending on when you book. While a flexible Flexpreis ticket from Berlin to Hanover typically costs around €75 (2026), travelers can find much cheaper deals by booking in advance. Sparpreis or Super Sparpreis tickets (valid only for a specific train) can be found for as little as €29.99 (2026) if purchased several weeks or months before the journey. Flixtrain serves the city. DB tickets are not valid here.

By bus

2 Intercity bus station. Hanover is linked to the rest of Germany an

Getting around

By public transportation

Hanover has a fantastic network of public transportation, so it's best to park your car and ride. If you plan to make more than two trips by tram, bus, or subway, a day ticket is your best bet, buying you unlimited travel on the public transport system. Day tickets are valid until the last connection of the day (which normally ends sometime after midnight). The public transportation adopts an honor system for tickets, but they do have ticket inspections once in a while (also late at nights and early mornings). The fine is quite high (€60), so make sure you have a ticket all the time. Be aware that some tickets will need to be validated (stamped on the 'blue box'), and some not, depending on the machine.

Hannover Card. This tourist card offers free unlimited travel on all local public transport (bus, tram, and regional trains) within the entire Hanover Region (including Steinhude, Springe, and Neustadt). It also provides discounts of up to 50% on various attractions, including museums, theaters, city tours, and selected restaurants. The card is valid from the chosen date until 05:00 the following morning (or 05:00 after the final day of validity). Available online or at the Tourist Information office (Ernst-August-Platz 8) opposite the main station. Single: 1 day €13, 2 days €20, 3 days €26. Group (up to 5 people): 1 day €22, 2 days €32, 3 days €46. Ticket and Cards Regions. It may be confusing to understand the zones of Hanover public transportation. The key is to know that there are "tickets" and "cards". The term "tickets" applies to the ones bought at the machine or elsewhere, while "cards" are the ones with (monthly) subscription. Inside the city area, you only need a 1-zone ticket as it already covers a good part of the city. However, for the airport you will need a 2-zone ticket, as it is located outside Zone 1. Tickets are valid on bus, tram, fast tram (S-Bahn), and regional train. Ticket Price (2026) Single-trip ticket (valid for 2 hours): €3.70 (1 zone), €4.70 (2 zones), €5.70 (3 zones) Day ticket (valid until 05:00 the next morning): €7.40 (1 zone), €9.40 (2 zones), €11.40 (3 zones) Group day ticket (up to 5 persons): €13.60 (1 zone), €17.00 (2 zones), €20.40 (3 zones) Short-trip ticket (up to 3 stops for tram and 5 stops for bus): €1.80 Reduced ticket (children 6-14y, also valid for dogs): €1.40 (single), €2.80 (day ticket, all zones) Note Single and short-trip tickets do not allow return or round trips. Ensure your ticket is validated (stamped) at the blue machines on platforms or inside buses if it doesn't alread

See

1 Great Garden of Herrenhausen (Herrenhäuser Gärten / Großer Garten) (by tram, go to stop named "Herrenhäuser Garten"; by car, "Herrenhäuser Str. 4"). From 09:00, closing times vary on month from 16:00-20:00. The world-famous baroque gardens of Herrenhausen were created in the 17th century to copy the Versailles Garden in France. A must see! Even in the winter one can still see its beauty, but it reaches its best at the end of spring until end of summer. There is also a glimmering cave decorated by Niki de Saint Phalle. The Berggarten, a botanical garden, is also very beautiful. Various rates, Summer Ticket "All-in-one": €10 for adults, €8 reduced. (updated Apr 2026) 2 Hanover Zoo (Erlebnis-Zoo Hannover), Adenauerallee 1, ☏ +49 511 936 77 0, [email protected]. 9:00 – 18:30. A very modern zoo, supposed to be one of the best in Europe. About 2,000 animals from all over the world live in six impressive zoo worlds. The ticket is pricey but should is worth it for a whole day's fun. Day tickets cost €29.20 for adults, for children 3–16 years: €19.20 and "young adults" 17-24 yr: €22.70. Better rates are available when you book onlin: https://www.zoo-hannover.de/english Open year-round. In wintertime, visit the WinterZoo - a charming Christmas market with ice show, ice skating, slides, food & drink, etc. (updated Apr 2026) 3 Sea Life, Herrenhäuser Straße 4A (Tram 4 or 5, stop: Herrenhäuser Gärten), ☏ +49 511 123300, [email protected]. M-F 10:00-17:00; Sa Su 10:00-18:00. Hanover Aquarium, has an array of fish and also a rain forest inside. It is open from 10:00 daily. Tickets are usually available at a discount rate online: https://www.visitsealife.com/hannover/en/tickets/ Tickets adult (age 15+): €23.00; child: €18.00,. (updated Apr 2026)

4 New City Hall (Neues Rathaus), Trammplatz 2. See the models of Hanover at four different points in history: 1689, 1939, 1945, and the present, and then take a sloped elevator (€5 adults, €4 children) to the dome for a beautiful view of the city. (updated Apr 2026) 5 The Nanas (at the Leibnizufer). Created by Niki de Saint Phalle in 1974, these three colorful, oversized sculptures on the banks of the Leine represent the beginning of Hanover's Sculpture Mile. While initially controversial, they are now a central landmark of the city and host Germany's oldest flea market every Saturday. (updated Apr 2026) 6 University of Hanover (Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover), Welfengarten 1. The main building was the winter palace of the Kings of Hanover. The summer palace was in the Great Garden complex. However, it was

Do

Hanover Opera (Opernhaus). Kröpcke – Hosts a number of operas played by international singers, as well as ballets and classical music. Operas by German composers are performed in German; Italian operas are performed with German subtitles (no English). Tickets normally sell out for the popular Mozart's "Die Zauberfloete" ("Magic Flute") and Strauss' "Die Fledermaus" ("The Bat"). €14-55, €8 students (sold 30 minutes before curtain, ID required). N.D.R. Symphoniker, Rudolf Benigsen Ufer 22, +49 511-9880. The venue for poetry readings, jazz and rock&roll concerts, as well as chamber orchestras. €15-35. Theater am Aegi, Aegidientorplatz 2, +49 511-989330. Cinemaxx. This multiplex movie theater right behind the main train station (Raschplatz) shows some films in original English version. Tickets: €6-7, student €5. Tuesday is the cheap ticket day (€3.50-4.50). Seats are numbered and there is an extra fee (€1) for the "better seats" (Loge, the ones upper than the first few rows). For extra long movie, another extra fee (€0.50-1). Football: Hannover 96, Niedersachsenstadion, Arthur-Menge-Ufer, ☏ +49 511 9690 0450. Die Roten (The Reds) play soccer in 2. Bundesliga, the second tier. The stadium (capacity 49,000) is close to city centre at the north end of Maschsee. (updated Oct 2023) Rugby Union: SC Germania List play the 15-a-side game in 1. Bundesliga, the top tier. Their home ground Sportplatz is on Schneckenburgerstraße 2 km north of city centre. DSV 78 Hannover likewise play in 1. Bundesliga, at Ferdinand-Wilhelm-Fricke-Weg west bank of Maschsee. Ice hockey: Hannover Scorpions. Hanover's professional ice hockey club play in Germany's premier division (DEL).

In Spring

Hannover Messe (Hanover Fairground, southeast of downtown). A well-known industrial expo in mid or late April, showcasing engineering products and components from motors to microcontrollers. Running since 1947, it usually receives about quarter of a million visitors. Spring Festival (Frühlingfest). Schützenplatz. Annual event in spring, everyday from 2PM. Practically a knock-down amusement park. Lots of fun. Masala World-beat Festival. Musicians from around the world play in several spots throughout the city. An annual event in spring/summer.

In Summer The Small Festival in the Great Garden (Kleines Fest im großen Garten) (Tram 4, from Kröpcke direction Garbsen). – Around 30-40 performers from around the world perform in this summer festival, including clowns, acrobatic performance, comedy theatre and many more. Every festival day lasted around 4 hours (18:00-22:30), so normally

Buy

Souvenirs Souvenirs of the city Hanover can be easily bought at the Tourism Office. Official merchandise for World Cup 2006 or Hanover 96 soccer team is sold in Karstadt Sport in Kröpcke.

Shopping Left next to the Central Station there is a huge mall called Ernst August Gallerie. There is a supermarket (Lidl) in the Central Station. It is the only one open on Sundays. A larger supermarket open M-Sa 24 hours (Kaufland) is left next to the Central Station - behind the Central Bus Station (at the other side of the Station if you are walking from the city centre). Big department stores such as Galeria Kaufhof and Karstadt can be found in Kröpcke. Check Hugendubel in Kröpcke for popular English books. Another large bookstore is Lehmanns in Georg Straße near Steintor. For sports equipments go to SportScheck or Karstadt Sport. Rossmann and Douglas provide most body care products. Rossmann also offers a good and cheap photo printing service. There is a Rossmann shop right in the Central Station. Horstman & Sander in Kröpcke (Georgstr., direction to Steintor) is a great shop for leather goods and good quality bags ranging from coin purses to backpacks to extra large suitcases. For elegant boutiques, Galerie Luise (Luisenstr.) is the best option.

Flea market A flea market located along the Leine river takes place every Saturday, 07:00-16:00. However, it's dominated by electronic goods and overpriced "antiques". Watch out for pickpockets.

Eat

In most cafés and small restaurants, paying individually is accepted, as Germans like this system. Tips are not compulsory but most people do. In smaller cafés, if paying separately, rounding up to the next full euro is common; in bigger restaurants, 10% is best.

Food Markets 1 Markthalle (market hall). Check out the variety of food stalls. You will find almost everything from Spanish tapas to Mett (raw minced meat). $$. (updated May 2022)

Budget At a nearby butcher shop you can get German sausages.

City centre 2 Pommesglück, Niki-de-Saint-Phalle-Promenade 22. Tasty french fries. Gluten free options are available. The sauce selection is very varied. The vegan mayo is awesome. The line can get long, especially on weekends. (updated Jan 2023) 3 Restaurant "Alexander", Prinzenstraße 10. Great schnitzel. Authentic German food. There's a large menu to choose from, and an English one is available if needed. The beer is good, with a decent selection. There's also a broader drink menu as well as desserts. Great hospitality, very pleasant attitude from the host and staff. (updated Jan 2023) 4 Riccardo Berardino Pizzeria, Goseriede 4-6. It has a history of over 40 years. The pizza is well filled, a little fried and therefore very juicy. The stuffed pizza is always worth a detour. Crispy, fluffy dough, aromatic cheese. (updated Jan 2023) 5 Hey Ferry, Niki-de-Saint-Phalle-Promenade 28. Fresh ingredients and sauces and freshly fried falafels, really crispy and tasty. Also offers döner kabab. If you're vegan they will take care not to use any dairy products. The staff is friendly and helpful and you can even try before you buy. You can sit in or take away. (updated Jan 2023)

Around the Lister Meile 6 Bistro Tomate, Drostestraße 9. Small bistro. There are indoor and outdoor spaces. The equipment is not the newest but it is tidy and gives the shop a certain charm. Customers are warmly welcomed. You have a direct view of the kitchen and can see what is being done. After you have ordered the food at the counter, you can take it with you or it will be brought to your seat. (updated Jan 2023) 7 La Perla Restaurant, Bürgerstraße 1. Completely Italian. The service is friendly and helpful. Short waiting times. Selection is large. Special requests are accepted and fulfilled in a friendly manner. (updated Jan 2023) 8 Urfa Class, Lister Meile 32. Turkish breakfast is fantastic here, vegetarian option with Menemen (scrambled eggs with tomatoes) are also available. Great döner kebab. Rare restaurant that cooks with charcoal. The staff is very attentive. (updated Jan 202

Drink & nightlife

Try the local beer, Herrenhäuser Premium Pilsener Lüttje Lage is a typical alcoholic drink made of beer and korn (Schnapps) drank simultaneously from two separate glasses.

Beer gardens Biercafé Pindopp, Altenbekener Damm 9, ☏ +49 511-806523. Open daily from 08:30-01:00. (closed since summer 2016). Smaller beer garden compared to others Hanover has to offer. Previews the football games so if you are looking for a place to come and watch a match this is the venue. It also has a pool table, darts and pin ball machines. Waterloo Biergarten, Waterloo Straße 1, ☏ +49 511-5643. Open daily from 11:00. Gets its name from being close to Waterloo square and on Waterloo road. Huge beer garden surrounded by trees, very busy during the summer. Uni-Biergarten, Wilhelm-Busch-Str. 2, ☏ +49 511-1698191. 11:00-24:00. Calm and relaxing beer garden in the midst of the city. Quite often a place where students and professors meet or go to have a sneaky drink. Food is available. Lister Turm Biergarten, Walderseestr. 100, ☏ +49 511-7242617. Surrounded by trees this is one of the largest beer gardens in Hanover. With the Lister building, in the backdrop as well as all the trees, makes this an idyllic drinking spot. It is family friendly and business savvy as there is a playground for children and WiFI for laptops. The pub also serves food if you're hungry or need a break from drinking. Und der Böse Wolf, Heesestr. 1, ☏ +49 511-453834. From 17:00 daily. Quirky pub that attracts a lot of football fans as the owner is a Hannover 96 supporter. Serves Thai food! Restaurant Café Steintormasch, ☏ +49 511-7000717. In der Steintormasch, adjacent to the mansions gardens. – Serves food and hot meals which can be enjoyed in their beer garden. Open every day except Monday.

Cocktail bars Lunablu, ☏ +49 511 13 1001. Schaufelderstraße 11. Interior designed by Jorge La Guardia and the flamenco musician gave it a desintct Mediterranean and international feel which has proved to be very popular. Whilst sipping on your cocktail try some of the very reasonably priced, exotic dishes. Open daily from 10:00-01:00. Pepe's, ☏ +49 511124 6086. Mexican Bar, Friesenstraße 52. A small exotic bar serving delicious food. The cocktail of choice here is the 'Caipi', more often known as, 'Caipirinha', made with sugar cane spirit and limes or the Castro Cooler with rum and calvados. The salsa music will have you up on your feet in no time, especially after a few 'Caipi'. Daily from 18:30-01:00. Bolero Bar, Nikolai Str. 3 (in front of Cinemaxx) – Bolero Bar offers a great variety of cocktails a

Sleep

As Hanover frequently hosts big exhibitions, booking your room well in advance is highly recommended as hotels can easily get full and/or raise their rates during these times.

Budget 1 Youth Hostel Hanover, Ferdinand-Wilhelm-Fricke-Weg 1, ☏ +49 511 131 76 74, [email protected]. Prices from €24.10, half board from €28.70, full board from €80 (incl. bed linen). Membership of the German or a national Youth Hostel Association is a prerequisite. Krügers Guesthouse, Bantorfer Brink 61, Barsinghausen. Set in the surroundings of the hiking paradise in the Deister Natural Park. This guest house makes a good base for those coming to view the Hannover exhibition centre. They have single, double and triple rooms as well as suites. Rooms are en-suite and breakfast is included. Haus Sparkuhl Hotel Garni Hischestraße 4. All rooms are equipped with shower/lavatory, hairdryer, telephone, modem connection, radio and cable television. Close to the centre of Hanover and good transport links to the airport, the main train station and the exhibition centre. Beds from €24. 2 Hotel Flora Hannover (Garni), Heinrichstraße 36 (in Alte Neustadt), ☏ +49 511 - 38 39-10, [email protected]. This hostel is found close to the forest in Hanover and would suit those looking for a quieter place to stay. A 10-minute walk will bring you to a train station where you could easily hop on a train to the centre of Hanover if you so wish. Beds from €25 with breakfast thrown in. single room with shared shower and WC as of €42. (updated Sep 2017) 3 Bed'nBudget, Osterstraße 37 (located in Alte Neustadt), ☏ +49 511 - 36 06-107, [email protected]. Single rooms €30, dorms €19.50 (6-person mixed room). (updated Sep 2017) 4 Bed'nBudget, Hildesheimer Straße 380 (located in Wülfel in the city South relatively near the fair grounds), ☏ +49 511 -86 50 86, [email protected]. Single rooms €27.50, dorms €17.50 (30-person mixed room). (updated Sep 2017) Bed & Breakfast Hannover, Gaußstraße 23, ☏ +49 511-1695550, fax: +49 511-1695551. Single rooms €27-46.50, Double €53.50-100, Apartments €35-108. Etap Hotel Hannover City, Runde Straße 7, ☏ +49 511-2355570. In a handy location for the train station. Single €39-44 (plus €8 for 2nd/3rd person). Hotel Marjani, Charlottenstraße 53, ☏ +49 511-2152121, fax: +49 511-2152122, [email protected]. This hotel is between Hanover and Springe, 15 km distance from Hanover Central Station. Families are welcome and children under the age of 12 stay for free. Breakfast is included in the price. Single €30-55, Double €44-85. Brea

Go next

Steinhuder Meer - a lakeside nature park located outside Hanover city, but still within Hanover Region. 30 km west of Hanover. Take a regional train (RE) or S1 (direction Minden (Westf)) to Wunstorf and continue by bus (40–50 minutes in total). Hildesheim, one of the oldest cities in the region, with Romanesque church and cathedral, 35 km south (25–30 minutes by train) Celle, old town on the edge of Luneburg Heath, almost undamaged by war, 45 km northeast (17–25 minutes by train) Hamelin, picturesque old town with Renaissance stone and half-timbered houses, setting of the Pied Piper legend, 45 km southwest (45 minutes by suburban train) Alfeld - Fagus Factory designed by Walter Gropius at the beginning of 20th century. It is one of the most important examples of early modernist architecture, in 2011 inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List. 50 km south (thirty minutes by train). Brunswick, 65 km east (30–35 minutes by intercity train) Bodenwerder - home of Baron Munchhausen. A village not far from Hanover. Baron Munchhausen was a Hanoverian storyteller who told extraordinary and often far fetched tales about his life as a soldier, hunter, and sportsman. Some of these tales were the basis for the collection The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 65 km south (about 20 km south-east of Hamelin) Göttingen, 115 km south (35–40 minutes by intercity or ICE train) Bremen, 125 km northwest (one hour by intercity or ICE train) Hamburg 150 km north (1hr 15min by ICE train) There is a special ticket called the "Niedersachsen Ticket" (one to five people, €29/€37/€45/€53/€61) which offers unlimited travel by regional trains within Lower Saxony, Bremen and Hamburg in one day. This ticket is not valid for intercity and high-speed trains (D, EC, IC, ICE) so make sure you board the right trains (RE, RB, S-Bahn, Metronom) when using this ticket. This ticket is also valid on the public transport network in some of the cities (Hanover, Hamburg, Bremen, Brunswick).