The Herrenhausen Gardens in Hannover offer a fantastic gardening experience. Book a full day for castles, parks, sculptures, fountains, museums and botanical gardens. Or sit back for a picture bomb!
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Share
ShareTable of contents
Herrenhausen Gardens
The Herrenhausen Gardens (Herrenhäuser Gärten) are one of Hannover's biggest attractions, attracting around half a million visitors every year. We spent a whole day here, taking time to explore the large garden, museum, Berggarten and Georgengarten.
Herrenhausen Gardens are located in Hannover, Germany, just over 4 kilometres northwest of the city centre.
Grosser Garten in Herrenhausen gardens
The Great Garden (Grosser Garten) was originally laid out in 1666 by Duke Johann Friedrich. At the end of the same century, the garden was further developed by a woman named Sophie von der Pfalz, who was inspired by French garden art. The work resulted in a masterpiece - a staggeringly large garden filled with a variety of plantings, fountains, labyrinths and statues.
It takes quite a while to walk through the large garden, and everywhere there are new surprises. For example, there are plenty of beautiful fountains of all kinds.
There are also plenty of statues, both white and gold coloured, in various poses.
In one place, a small piece remains of the former palace, which was destroyed in 1943.
The garden is surrounded by water, with bridges over it, and is decorated with a sea of beautiful flowers. We saw workers almost everywhere working on the flower beds, and you can see that a garden like this requires a lot of maintenance.
The cave in the Herrenhausen gardens
The large garden also contains the 'cave', which was built in the 18th century. The former decorations have disappeared, but since 2002 the cave has been decorated again, by the artist Niki de Saint Phalle. A delightful spot in the centre of the garden!
Museum in the castle
The castle (Schloss Herrenhausen) was the former summer residence of the "Haus Hannover".” in the district of Herrenhausen. The original palace was destroyed in a British bombing raid in 1943, and a new palace was rebuilt between 2009 and 2013.
Today the castle contains a museum, where you can learn more about the garden and its creation.
Nearby is a beautiful old gallery building and the Arne Jacobsen Foyer (not pictured), built by Danish architect and designer Arne Jacobsen.
Berggarten - a botanical garden
Right next to the large garden is the Berggarten (Mountain Garden). This is a historic botanical garden filled with plantings, flowers, greenhouses, exotic trees and winding paths.
A greenhouse was filled with cacti and outside we saw lots of trees with citrus fruits. Among other things, we saw a pear-shaped citrus fruit, which we do not know if we have seen before. Could it be pomelo perhaps?
We also walked among flowers in every amazing colour imaginable. The sign in the picture below gives a small indication of how big it is. Which direction to choose?
We didn't want to miss "Paradise" (who does?) and ended up in an exotic place among tall bamboos.
We also had a lot of fun photographing amazing flowers and buds. This photo report could be so much longer, but we have tried to limit ourselves.
It's not only the flowers that are amazing, but also the trees. In one place we saw a tree growing into and around a fence in a way we've never seen before.
Sometimes other surprises appear in the park, such as the large columned mausoleum.
Also in Berggarten is Sealife, with its aquarium and terrarium.
Georgengarten - large park right next door
Right next to the large garden in the Herrenhausen Gardens you will find the Georgengarten. This is a large and lush park, where you can take your bike if you wish.
This park is perfect for strolling in a relaxing and green environment, or why not pack a picnic?
The park also houses the Wilhelm Busch Museum. Wilhelm Busch was a 19th century German cartoonist known for his picture books in verse.
Film from Hannover and Herrenhausen gardens
More to see and do in the neighbourhood
In the neighbourhood of Herrenhausen Gardens, you can of course take the opportunity to discover the city of Hannover, where you will find the beautiful town hall and its lovely park. It's also not too far from nice and interesting cities like Bremen, Magdeburg and Hamburg.
Amusement parks in northern Germany - 6 exciting parks
Have you visited any amusement parks in northern Germany? There are several classic amusement parks with exciting and...
Things to do in Bamberg - 14 tips for a lovely German town
What to see and do in Bamberg, Germany? This fine and delightful German city, whose...
Things to see and do in the Hanseatic City of Wismar
There is much to see and do in the Hanseatic city of Wismar in Germany. We've been here...
10 magical castles in Germany you won't want to miss
Today we're sharing 10 magical castles and palaces in Germany that feel like they are...
Visit to the German town of Waren - on Lake Müritz
The German city of Waren is a picturesque little town that sits nicely on the large lake....
Christmas in Germany - inspired by German Christmas traditions
Christmas in Germany offers everything from tasty pastries and delicious Christmas food to atmospheric Advent music. I...
The half-timbered road in Germany - a cosy holiday route
The half-timbered road in Germany is a wonderfully cosy holiday route. This is a perfect route to follow for...
Things to do in Wittenberg - 11 tips for the Lutheran city in Germany
What to do in Wittenberg, Germany? In this city, officially called 'Lutherstadt Wittenberg'...
Castle Favorite in Rastatt - exclusive German summer palace
Castle Favorite in Rastatt is an exclusive 18th century summer palace in western Germany. Also...
Things to do in Würzburg - 12 sights and experiences
What to do in Würzburg, Germany? This beautiful and historic city is a real gem,...
Restaurants in Hamburg - our top 7 tips
Restaurants in Hamburg we can tell you about today! During our visit to Hamburg we had time to eat ...
Wörlitzer Park in Germany - Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom
Wörlitzer Park is part of the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to...
Residence in Würzburg - stunning German baroque palace
The Residence in Würzburg is a stunning baroque palace, and is considered one of the finest examples of...
What to do in Bremen - 17 tips for the city of musicians
What to do in Bremen? This northern German city is perhaps best known for its fairytale...
Mines and caves in Germany - 7 exciting tips
Did you know that there are many exciting mines and caves in Germany to visit? We have...
Camping and Moselle wines in Traben-Trarbach, Germany
Traben-Trarbach in Germany's Moselle Valley is beautiful and has world-famous Moselle wines. This is a cosy...
What to do in Quedlinburg - 12 tips for a cute half-timbered town
What to do in Quedlinburg, Germany? This city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for...
Things to do in Celle, Germany - 12 tips for the half-timbered village
What to do in Celle, Germany? This historic little town offers a fantastic range of...
Things to do in Dresden - 18 sights and experiences
What to do in Dresden, Germany? This historic city offers magnificent sights in the centre of...
Carnival in Germany - a colourful celebration
Schwedenfest in Wismar, Germany
Every year on the penultimate weekend of August, the town of Wismar celebrates, with much fanfare, the...
The island of Usedom - cycling between Poland and Germany
The island of Usedom is located on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea and is shared by Poland and Germany. We are on a sailing trip...
Experience the whole world in Germany - 6 surprising locations
Experience the whole world in Germany! Germany is a large and diverse country, with many types of landscapes...
Moritzburg Castle near Dresden - a fairytale hunting lodge
Moritzburg Castle near Dresden is a beautiful and fabulous hunting and baroque castle, well worth a visit....
Festung Königstein - mighty fortress in Germany
Festung Königstein in Germany is Europe's largest existing mountain fortress, rising mightily above the River Elbe....
Templin in Germany - among cowboys and Indians
We hung out with cowboys and Indians in Templin, Germany. Really fun actually! We have to...
Wine festivals in Germany - experience autumn wine festivals
Wine festivals are currently taking place in Germany and will continue throughout October and November. If you are...
Trier in the Moselle Valley - Germany's oldest city
Trier is Germany's oldest city, located in the Moselle Valley (Rhineland-Palatinate), near the border with Luxembourg. This...
Ingolstadt, Germany - a visit to a Swedish blogger
Ingolstadt is a city in the state of Bavaria in Germany. We travelled here to meet Linnea,...
Things to do in Baden-Baden - 16 tips for an ancient German spa town
What to do in Baden-Baden, Germany? This town is an ancient and beautiful spa...
Have you visited Herrenhausen Gardens?
Have you visited Herrenhausen Gardens in Hannover? Tell us about it!
Facts about Herrenhausen Gardens
- Address: Herrenhäuser Strasse 4, Hannover
- Federal Republic of Germany: Lower Saxony
- Country: Germany
- Read more: You can find more information at the garden's website.
Services and practical information
- Opening hours: The large garden opens every day at 09:00, while closing times vary. The museum is open 11-18 in the summer season (April-October) and 11-16 in the winter season (November-March) (2022).
- Prices: All-in-one ticket (access to the large castle garden, the museum and the mountain garden) €8/person for adults and €5/person for reduced ticket. Children up to 12 years old enter for free and children 12-17 years old pay €4/person. (2022)
- Audio guide: Audio guide to the museum can be borrowed for €2/person. (2022)
- Parking: Parking spaces are available nearby, both for cars and caravans. The fee is paid in a vending machine.
- Food service: Gauwinkels Schlosskuche is located at the castle. It offers breakfast, food, pastries and picnic boxes.
You might also like:
Regenstein Castle in Blankenburg - and sandstone caves
Wörlitzer Park in Germany - Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom
Sanspareil rock garden and Zwernitz castle in Bavaria
Germany's longest suspension bridge - Titan RT in the Harz Mountains
Thale in the Harz - among witches and devil walls
Bastei in Saxon Switzerland - dramatic nature in Germany
English (UK) 
Svenska 
Deutsch 
Suomi 
Polski
Barbro Becker says:
Once again on this journey, we have been close to each other. We passed Hannover yesterday on our way north and towards home in Sweden. We spent the night at Heide Park's car park in Soltau. The park is perhaps more for children and young people, an amusement park that accommodates everything. This time we just stayed overnight, I think we have grown up so much that carousels are not attractive anymore.
Our trip is different from yours, we haven't seen any sights but just travelled here and there and experienced nostalgic memories. It has been really nice, the weather is fantastic and we have a few more days to enjoy this country. Now we go on to Heiligen Hafen and Grossenbrode and on the 20th we go with Finnlines over to Malmö.
I also write a blog, albeit in a smaller format than you, so if you want to know more about our journey you can go to babsanokent.bloggo. nu
15 May 2022 - 11:29
Helena says:
Some day we might manage to meet too, it would be nice! 🙂 It sounds like you had a nice trip! Wish you a good trip home! (Have also peeked in and read your blog and commented there :))
16 May 2022 - 7:47
bmlarstravellingblog says:
We have never thought about Hannover as a stop on a trip to Germany but this park was really something very special. It might be a stop here next time because there will be more trips to Germany in the future ...
15 May 2022 - 15:15
Helena says:
The gardens are really worth a visit! We liked Hannover as well, but there is no good parking place there (what we found anyway), so it was a regular car park for us.
16 May 2022 - 7:48
BP says:
What a lovely post. If you like gardens, you have come to heaven. What I liked most is the modern paintings in the "cave" - a real culture clash with the rest. Such things are appreciated:-)
15 May 2022 - 19:36
Helena says:
The gardens here are really amazing! And the cave yes, it is delicious, we also liked it! 🙂
16 May 2022 - 7:48