Hannover Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Hannover which includes outdoor eating as well as a small group of people
With a beautifully preserved old town, a thriving cultural scene, great city parks and easy access to the Lower Saxony countryside, this German gem ticks more boxes than you might think.

Hannover’s rich array of historical attractions and its lively shopping scene attract visitors at all times of year, and in the festive season traditional Christmas markets bring an extra dose of atmosphere to the medieval streets and squares of the Old Town. Green space is Hannover’s other great strength – they city is blessed with several parks and gardens, from the formal terraces of Herrenhausen in the city centre to the great urban forest of the Eilenreide.

If it’s your first visit, begin at the beginning: the picturesque Old Town. Hannover began life as a medieval trading centre around a thousand years ago, and its historic heart is full of quaint market squares, half-timbered buildings and grand Gothic churches. For an even deeper lesson in local history, head to the Historisches Museum, situated near the banks of the Leine river.

For a sense of how Hannover has changed over the centuries, take a stroll from the medieval Old Town Hall to the New Town Hall, a grand Baroque palace completed in the early 20th century. It overlooks the Maschpark – another of Hannover’s fine green spaces – and offers fine views from its dome observation gallery. Then follow the Roter Faden (Red Thread) trail to discover the rest of Hannover’s key sights. The four-kilometre route is marked by a line on the street.

Ready for some culture? Visit the Sprengel Museum for the best in 20th century art, including works by Picasso, Ernst, Klee and Hannover-born Kurt Schwitters. Later, take a seat in the neoclassical State Opera House, which puts on a varied calendar of classical music, opera and ballet.

If you’re visiting with family, set aside some time for Hannover’s two animal attractions: Hannover Zoo, whose themed zones are packed with rides, shows and naturalistic enclosures and the SEA LIFE centre, whose tanks hold everything from colourful clown fish to mighty sharks. Like Hannover itself, they surprise and delight at every turn.

Where to stay in Hannover

Default Image

Mitte

4/5(53 area reviews)

Noted for its shopping and museums, there's plenty to explore in Mitte. Top attractions like Market Church and Hanover Christmas Market are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Waterloo U-Bahn or Markthall-Landtag U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Mitte
Default Image

Döhren-Wülfel

2.5/5(2 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the bars and live music in Döhren-Wülfel. You might want to make time for a stop at Hannover Fairground or ZAG Arena.

Döhren-Wülfel
Maschsee showing a lake or waterhole

Südstadt-Bult

Noted for its museums and bars, there's plenty to explore in Südstadt-Bult. Top attractions like Maschsee and Theater am Aegi are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Altenbekener Damm U-Bahn or Geibelstrasse U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Südstadt-Bult
Default Image

Linden-Limmer

Discover Linden-Limmer, memorable for its restaurants. Popular attractions in Linden-Limmer include Theater am Kuchengarten and Kulturzentrum Faust, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at Hannover Linden/Fischerhof Station.

Linden-Limmer
Default Image

Ricklingen

Even though there aren't top sights in Ricklingen, you can explore the larger area and take in top sights like Swiss Life Hall. Jump on the metro at Hannover-Bornum S-Bahn to see more of the city.

Ricklingen

Buchholz-Kleefeld

You might enjoy the restaurants while in Buchholz-Kleefeld. Eilenriede is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Medizinische Hochschule U-Bahn or Hannover Karl-Wiechert-Allee S-Bahn to see more of the city.

Buchholz-Kleefeld
DORMERO Hotel Hannover
DORMERO Hotel Hannover
4 out of 5
Hildesheimer Strasse 34-38, Hannover, NI
The price is £45 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
£45
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Hannover. Enjoy breakfast, WiFi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the bar and the clean rooms in ...
7.8/10 Good! (540 reviews)
"Room was very nice and clean and also quiet!"

Reviewed on 21 Jan 2024

DORMERO Hotel Hannover
H+ Hotel Hannover
H+ Hotel Hannover
Bergstrasse 2, Bemerode, Hannover, NI
The price is £96 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
£96
per night
5 Apr - 6 Apr
Stay at this spa hotel in Hannover. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (568 reviews)
"We stayed here for the Domotex Exhibition. The staff couldnt have been more helpful. Bus back and from the event was good. Rooms were simple and clean, breakfast was good, evening meals were okay, there was enough choice."

Reviewed on 3 Feb 2024

H+ Hotel Hannover
Leonardo Hotel Hannover Airport
Leonardo Hotel Hannover Airport
Petzelstrasse 60, Langenhagen, NI
The price is £76 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
£76
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Langenhagen. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and free airport pick-up. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (907 reviews)
"Excellent hotel on all counts"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Leonardo Hotel Hannover Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Gästeresidenz PelikanViertel
Gästeresidenz PelikanViertel
Pelikanstrasse 11, Hannover, NDS
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Hannover. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Hannover Zoo and Maschsee are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (46 reviews)
"It is very near to metro station, breakfast is good and staff speak English also"

Reviewed on 15 Jan 2024

Gästeresidenz PelikanViertel
Steinhuder Meer 2 room apartment by the lake, sauna, balcony, sea view, peace, sun
Steinhuder Meer 2 room apartment by the lake, sauna, balcony, sea view, peace, sun
Wunstorf, Lower Saxony
Stay at this family-friendly apartment in Steinhude. Enjoy a water park, a sauna and on-site parking. Popular attractions Lake Steinhuder and Surfstrand Mardorf ...
9/10 Wonderful! (101 reviews)
Excellent holiday
"Property was clean and comfortable. The pool was great and we used it every day. Owner was very obliging and helpful."

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2017

Steinhuder Meer 2 room apartment by the lake, sauna, balcony, sea view, peace, sun
Cozy holiday apartment on the Steinhuder Meer
Cozy holiday apartment on the Steinhuder Meer
Wunstorf, NDS
Stay at this apartment in Steinhude. Enjoy free WiFi, a Smart TV and a kitchen. Popular attractions Lake Steinhuder and Wilhelmstein are located nearby. Discover ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (29 reviews)
Erholsam
"Danke, kommen wieder"

Reviewed on 19 Feb 2024

Cozy holiday apartment on the Steinhuder Meer
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Hannover

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
21
" "5 - Excellent 42.857142857142854%
4 - Good
20
" "4 - Good 40.816326530612244%
3 - Okay
7
" "3 - Okay 14.285714285714286%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 2.0408163265306123%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
20 Jan 2020

Lovely place to visit. shopping, eating out and riverside walk were the main highlights

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
28 Dec 2019

I only go because I have relatives who live there, it is not worth going as a tourist. but if you are passing through with children, I would recommend the zoo. this zoo is one of the nicest in the world.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
22 Dec 2019

Christmas market was Absolutely Outstanding.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
21 Dec 2019

Smart city centre with good shops and restaurants

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
15 Dec 2019

Hannover is awesome...…. visit if you can.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
12 Dec 2019

A visit to the Neues Rathaus is a definite must. Also a walk along the cafe culture of the Lister Meile

Cities near Hannover