Things to do in Hanover – 14 attractions and experiences

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | What to do in Hannover? We visited the capital of the German state of Lower Saxony because we wanted to visit the Herrenhausen Gardens, and at the same time took the opportunity to look around. Here are our best tips!

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!

3. Check out 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.

4. See the ruin of the church Aegidienkirche

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.

5. Live the 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.

6. Check out the Leineschloss Palace

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.

7. Hang out at outdoor cafes by the Leine River

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.

8. 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 impressive hall is completely free of charge. Here you can also get a dizzying experience from the 97.73 meter high top of the city 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.

9. Stroll in 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.

10. Get the holiday feeling at Lake Maschsee

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, there was a fantastically lovely atmosphere around the lake. People were paddling, pedaling around in pedal boats and enjoying themselves at outdoor cafes around the water. Every summer, the big Maschseefest is also arranged around the lake, with food, drinks, music and various events.

11. 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)

12. 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

13. Stroll through 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.

14. Be fascinated by Marienburg Castle

The magnificent Schloss Marienburg was built between 1858 and 1867 as a gift from King Georg V of Hanover to his wife Marie. The castle is located about 30 kilometers south of central Hanover. The castle itself is currently closed for extensive renovations, so check for current information before visiting.

More things to do in Hanover

If you have more time in Hannover, there is of course even more to discover. Here are some more attractions and experiences that may be worth adding to your visit.

Hannover Adventure Zoo

Erlebnis-Zoo Hannover is one of the city's great family attractions, with animals from different parts of the world and themed environments. A good option if you're visiting Hannover with children.

rush line

Eilenriede is Hanover's large urban forest and a popular area for walking, cycling and relaxing. The large green area is located close to the city center and is sometimes described as Hanover's "green lung".

SEA LIFE Hannover

SEA LIFE is located near the Herrenhäuser Gärten and is a good place to combine a visit to the gardens. It features aquariums with fish and other aquatic animals from different environments.

Georgengarten

Georgengarten is a large English-style landscape park and is part of the Herrenhäuser Gärten area. Unlike the Großer Garten, the park is free to visit.

Hanover State Opera

Hanover's opera house is a grand 19th-century building in the city center. It hosts opera, ballet, and concerts, but the building is also worth checking out from the outside.

Shooting Festival Hannover

Every summer, the Schützenfest Hannover is held, a large folk festival with a long tradition. The festival combines shooting with parades, a funfair, food, drink and folk life.

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

Of course, there is more to see and do near Hannover. Here you will find reports and tips:

• Things to do in Hamburg
• Things to do in Bremen
• Things to do in Magdeburg