Hannover Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

New Town Hall which includes a lake or waterhole and heritage architecture
Hannover which includes outdoor eating as well as a small group of people
Berggarten which includes a garden and interior views
New Town Hall showing heritage elements and interior views
Photo provided by TourismusMarketing Niedersachsen GmbH

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

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Mitte

4/5(53 area reviews)

Noted for its shopping and museums, there's plenty to explore in Mitte. Top attractions like Hanover Christmas Market and Old Town Hall 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
Lower Saxony State Museum showing interior views, a statue or sculpture and heritage elements

Suedstadt

5/5(1 area review)

Suedstadt is a destination travellers like for its bars, and you might hop aboard the metro at Geibelstrasse U-Bahn or Altenbekener Damm U-Bahn to explore sights like Maschsee.

Suedstadt
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Calenberger Neustadt

While you're in Calenberger Neustadt, take in top sights like Schuetzenplatz and jump on the metro at Waterloo U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Calenberger Neustadt
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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
Hannover Zoo which includes boating and a river or creek

Zoo

You'll enjoy the restaurants and parks in Zoo. You might want to make time for a stop at Eilenriede or Hannover Zoo.

Zoo
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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
DORMERO Hotel Hannover
DORMERO Hotel Hannover
Hildesheimer Strasse 34-38, Hannover, NI
The price is £49 per night from 24 Jul to 25 Jul
£49
24 Jul - 25 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hannover. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,075 reviews)
"Top"

Reviewed on 11 Jun 2025

DORMERO Hotel Hannover
Prize by Radisson, Hannover City
Prize by Radisson, Hannover City
Hamburger Allee 50, Hannover
The price is £59 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£59
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Hannover. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (345 reviews)
"Very clean rooms with good air conditioning, walking distance to Hannover central station and bus terminal. I totally recommend this place"

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Prize by Radisson, Hannover City
Maritim Airport Hotel Hannover
Maritim Airport Hotel Hannover
Maritimstrasse 1, Langenhagen, NI
The price is £81 per night from 18 Jul to 19 Jul
£81
18 Jul - 19 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Langenhagen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Nice hotel, right there at the airport. Very convenient for early morning travel Rooms are very well maintain, clean, roomier Staff is polite, welcoming Very nice experience overall"

Reviewed on 3 Jun 2025

Maritim Airport Hotel Hannover
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 eco-certified aparthotel in Hannover. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Hannover Fairground and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (92 reviews)
Quirky place, lovely staff
"Lovely stay in this quirky hotel!"

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2025

Gästeresidenz PelikanViertel
The last apartment before the Steinhuder Meer *sea view *WLAN *kitchen *south balcony
The last apartment before the Steinhuder Meer *sea view *WLAN *kitchen *south balcony
Wunstorf, NDS
Stay at this apartment in Wunstorf. Enjoy a sauna, laundry facilities and balconies. Popular attractions Lake Steinhuder and Promenade Steinhude are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
"Wir waren sehr zufrieden waren das erste Mal am Steinhuder Meer kommen bestimmt wieder Wohnung war sehr sauber es fehlte an nichts"

Reviewed on 15 Jun 2025

The last apartment before the Steinhuder Meer *sea view *WLAN *kitchen *south balcony
Aparthotel Messe Laatzen
Aparthotel Messe Laatzen
Hildesheimer Str. 513A, Laatzen, NDS
Stay at this apartment in Laatzen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Hannover Fairground and ZAG Arena are located ...
"No check in data at 18.00! Electricity Circuit / cut off electricity in the Appartement at 18.30 - No reception in the building and poor communication via cellphone with property office, staff doesn’t like to take calls („we have so many calls“) but call back if u r lucky. No Technician available ..."

Reviewed on 23 Dec 2022

Aparthotel Messe Laatzen
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 43%
4 - Good
20
4 - Good 41%
3 - Okay
7
3 - Okay 14%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 2%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

Christmas market was Absolutely Outstanding.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Smart city centre with good shops and restaurants

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

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