Att göra i Hannover - 15 sevärdheter och upplevelser

What to do in Hannover? We visited the capital of the German state of Lower Saxony because we wanted to visit the Herrenhausen gardens, while also taking the opportunity to look around. Here are our top tips!

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Hanover

Hannover has some great sights, in the form of gardens, castles and a magnificent town hall. Otherwise, we did not feel that this city stands out in any way, but the atmosphere in the city was very nice, with plenty of cosy outdoor cafes and parks.

Hannover is located in the state of Lower Saxony in Germany, about 15 kilometres south of Hamburg.

What can you do in Hannover?

So what can you see and do in Hannover? We've done our homework, strolled around and made various excursions. Here's a list of our top tips.

1. strolling in the Altstadt

When you come to a city as a tourist, it is often nice to visit the old parts of the city, and this is also the case in Hannover. The old town (Altstadt) offers fine neighbourhoods and many beautiful half-timbered houses.

Here you can see the 'Leibnizhaus' (large picture below) where the mathematician and philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz lived from 1698 to 1711. The house was destroyed in an air raid in 1943, but a reconstruction was built in the 1980s.

You can also check out the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) which was originally built in 1410, making it the oldest non-religious building in Hannover. The building was heavily damaged during World War II, but has been restored in medieval style.

In the beautiful streets of the Altstadt, you can also enjoy a coffee, a beer or an ice cream at one of the many outdoor cafés.

2. Relax at Ballhofplatz

One of our favourite places in Hannover is the square called 'Ballhofplatz'. Here, greenery grows densely on the walls of the houses and the outdoor cafés are furnished with sun loungers. So charming and relaxed!

4. take a look at the Marktkirche church

When visiting a major city, you should of course check out one of the city's churches. In Hannover, you can check out the Marktkirche (Marktkirche St. Georgii et Jacobi). Built in the 14th century, the church was partially destroyed during World War II, but was later rebuilt.

6. See the ruins of the Aegidienkirche church

A church that was also destroyed during the war, but not rebuilt, is the Aegidienkirche. The church, which also dates back to the 14th century, now stands in the centre of the city as an anti-war monument.

6. Live city life at Kröpcke Uhr

Kröpcke Uhr is a 19th century clock that serves as a meeting point for many Hanoverians. The area around the clock is filled with cafés and especially shops. If you want to go shopping, this is the right area.

7. check out the palace Leineschloss

Located on the River Leine, the Leineschloss palace is the former residence of Hanover's dukes, electors and kings. Currently, it is the seat of the Parliament of Lower Saxony.

The first palace was built in the 17th century and rebuilt in the 19th century. The building was completely destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt.

8. Hang out at outdoor cafes on the River Leine

Along the river Leine, not far from the Leineschloss, you'll find several outdoor cafés that are nicely situated by the water. Here you can also see the occasional canoe gliding by.

9. Admire the new town hall (Neues Rathaus)

One of the biggest sights in the centre of Hannover is the New Town Hall (Neues Rathas). This magnificent building, which looks more like a castle or palace, was completed in 1913 and serves as the seat of the Mayor of Hannover.

Entering the lobby to see this mighty hall is completely free of charge. Usually, when there is no pandemic, you can also get a dizzying experience from the 97.73 metre high top of the Town Hall.

It has a diagonal lift that is unique in the world. At a 17-degree angle, it covers the 43 metres to the top of the dome. There are windows at the bottom and top of the lift, which can be made transparent if you wish. Not for the faint-hearted, perhaps, but from the top you will be rewarded with a fantastic view.

10. Walk in the Maschpark

Next to the new town hall is the beautiful Maschpark park. Here you can take a walk, relax on the grass or find great photo angles of the town hall.

11. Get the holiday feeling at the Maschsee lake

Not far from the new town hall and Maschpark you will find the artificial lake Maschsee. When we were here on a sunny May day, the atmosphere around the lake was fantastic. People were paddling, pedalling around in pedal boats and enjoying the outdoor seating around the water. Between certain dates in the summer, the "Maschseefest" is organised with a food focus and around two million visitors.

12. Visit museums

There are a number of museums in Hannover, ranging from history to art. Here you'll find a bunch of them:

Hanover Historical Museum is a historical museum. (Pferdestrasse 6)
Lower Saxony State Museum is also a historical museum. (Willy-Brandt-Allee 5)
Aviation Museum (Ulmer Str. 2, Laatzen)
Museum August Kestner is an art gallery (Trammpl. 3).
Sprengel Museum is an art museum featuring modern and contemporary art. (Kurt-Schwitters-Platz 1)
Wilhelm Busch Museum tells about the cartoonist Wilhelm Busch. (Georgengarten)

13. Experience the Herrenhausen Gardens

What we found most amazing in Hannover was the Herrenhausen Gardens. This is a large and incredibly beautiful park filled with plantings, statues and fountains. There's also an ornate cave and a museum in the castle building. Next door is the Berggarten botanical garden and the larger Georgengarten park.

READ MORE: Herrenhausen gardens in Hannover - amazing splendour

14. Strolling in the Berggarten botanical garden

Right next to the Herrenhausen Gardens is the Berggarten Botanical Garden, which can be visited with the same All in One ticket. This garden is also huge and offers lots of flowers, plants, fruits and trees of all kinds and origins.

15. Be fascinated by Marienburg Castle

Last but not least, we have to mention a place that we didn't visit this time, but that we will probably have to go back to see at some point. The magnificent Schloss Marienburg was built between 1858 and 1867, as a gift from King George V of Hanover to his wife, Marie of Saxe-Altenburg. The castle is located about 20 miles south of the centre of Hanover, and here you can both take guided tours and go up to the viewing platform in the main tower.

More things to do in Hannover for culture and history lovers

Want to experience even more in this German city? Here are more suggestions for things to do in Hannover and the surrounding area for those interested in culture and history.

Ernst August monument is a statue on Ernst-August-Platz.
Lüttje position is Hannover's 'national drink' - a drink of beer and brandy, traditionally drunk in two glasses.
Opera House (Staatsoper Hannover) is a powerful and beautiful 19th century building where various operas are performed (Opernplatz 1).
Shützenfest is one of the largest shooting festivals in the world, dating back to 1529.

More things to do in Hannover for nature and sport lovers

Here are also some more suggestions for things to do in Hannover for nature lovers.

rush line is a green urban park considered the largest 'urban forest' in Germany.
Georgengarten is a lovely park next to the Herrenhausen Gardens.
Hannover 96 is Hannover's football club, where you can watch the club's home games.
Hannover Tiergarten is a park with deer (Tiergartenstrasse 117).

More to do in Hannover for those travelling with kids or teens

Travelling with children or teenagers? Then you'll find a few more tips for things to do in Hannover here.

Zoo experience is a zoo. (Adenauerallee 1)
Sealife shows life under water (Herrenhäuser Str. 4a).
International Firework Competition is organised every year in the Herrenhausen Gardens.

Where can you live or stay with your campervan?

There are of course many different hotels and other accommodation options in Hannover to choose from. We visited Hannover with a motorhome and had some difficulty finding a good spot.

We aimed at Parking Hannoversche Schützenplats which is a large free car park, in a good location. Unfortunately, there was a prohibition sign here when we arrived, which may have been temporary, so we did not dare to stand here. Instead, we chose a regular car park where you pay in a machine, right next to the lake Maschsee. There are other possible car parks in town, as well as campsites a bit out of town, to choose from.

Things to do in Hannover - on film

More to see and do near Hannover

There is, of course, more to see and do in the neighbourhood of Hannover. For example, you can visit the exciting city of Hamburg, which has a lot to offer. We can also recommend visits to Bremen and Magdeburg.

READ MORE: Things to do in Hamburg - 23 sights and experiences
READ MORE: What to do in Bremen - 17 tips for the city of musicians
READ MORE: Things to do in Magdeburg - 12 tips for the Ottostadt in Germany

More tips for things to do in Hannover?

Have you been to Hannover? Tell us about your experience and your relationship with the city! Do you have even more tips for things to see and do in Hannover?

Facts about Hannover

Country: Germany
Federal Republic of Germany: Lower Saxony
Residents: More than 532 000 (2016)
Read more: You can find more information at the city's website

Travelling to Hannover

Flight: For example, you can fly from Stockholm Arlanda with SAS or Lufthansa, with one stopover.
Car/caravan: You can take the Öresund Bridge and drive to Hannover (about 6.5 hours from Malmö). Other options include taking a ferry, for example Finnlines Malmö-Travemünde, Nynäshamn-Rostock, Göteborg-Kiel or Rödby-Puttgarden.

4 Comments

Add yours →

Maria/emjis.se says:

Marienburg Castle looks awesome!
The gardens look inviting. And ice cream!!! Nothing beats Italian, right? 😉

17 May 2022 - 18:37

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  The gardens were amazing! The ice cream was good, but no, it doesn't beat the Italian one 😉.
  
  17 May 2022 - 19:35
  
BP says:

You forgot one thing - Hannover Messe, one of the largest industrial fairs in the world. I have attended it twice, which was impressive. The city of Hannover, on the other hand, is somewhat overshadowed by Hamburg and especially Bremen.

17 May 2022 - 19:31

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Ah, it's true, it sounds like a big fair!!!
  
  17 May 2022 - 19:36

What to do in Hannover - 15 sights and experiences

Hanover

What can you do in Hannover?

1. strolling in the Altstadt

2. Relax at Ballhofplatz

4. take a look at the Marktkirche church

6. See the ruins of the Aegidienkirche church

6. Live city life at Kröpcke Uhr

7. check out the palace Leineschloss

8. Hang out at outdoor cafes on the River Leine

9. Admire the new town hall (Neues Rathaus)

10. Walk in the Maschpark

11. Get the holiday feeling at the Maschsee lake

12. Visit museums

13. Experience the Herrenhausen Gardens

14. Strolling in the Berggarten botanical garden

15. Be fascinated by Marienburg Castle

More things to do in Hannover for culture and history lovers

More things to do in Hannover for nature and sport lovers

More to do in Hannover for those travelling with kids or teens

Where can you live or stay with your campervan?

Things to do in Hannover - on film

More to see and do near Hannover

More tips for things to do in Hannover?

Facts about Hannover

Travelling to Hannover

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4 Comments

Maria/emjis.se says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

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