Hannover

Travel Guide
Hannover featuring outdoor eating as well as a small group of people
The capital of Lower Saxony, one of the areas hardest hit by the Second World War, Hannover is now a major center in northern Germany.

One of the largest cities in northern Germany, Hannover lies at the heart of modern German culture. As a center of trade, the city holds a number of major annual commercial fairs, as well as the world’s largest marksmen’s festival and the second largest Oktoberfest in the world.

It is also home to a range of tourist attractions.

Head straight for the Town Hall to gaze upon models of the cityscape from four very different points in the history of Hannover: 1689, 1939, 1945 and 2000. Then take an elevator up to the dome in order to observe a commanding view of the city as it stands today.

Among the many sights you will be able to spot is the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen. These world-renowned Baroque gardens date back to the 17th century and were inspired by the gardens at the Palace of Versailles in France. Captivating at their greenest in summer, they also offer a pleasant stroll in winter. Explore the Cave within the garden grounds, decorated brightly by Niki de Saint Phalle. 

Other garden features include a Gallery Building, an Orangerie, and two Pavilions made by Remy de la Fosse. At the center of the Nouveau Jardin, meanwhile you will be able to view upon the tallest garden fountain in Europe.

Elsewhere in the city, take a trip to Hannover Zoo to see one of Europe’s most spectacular zoological gardens. The zoo is made up of several themed areas containing rare species from all over the world as well as a tropical house, a jungle house and a show arena. Be one of more than a million visitors that visit each year. The Sea Life aquarium is also a popular attraction, complete with a rainforest.

A little out of town, 19 miles (30 kilometers) south of Hannover, visit Castle Marienburg, one of the most important neo-Gothic historical structures to be found in Germany, evoking still today the traditional life of the Hannoverian court. Tours of the castle and its halls and state rooms are on offer too.

Where to stay in Hannover

Opera House

Mitte

4.5/5(16 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
Mittelfeld

Döhren-Wülfel

4/5(1 area review)

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
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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
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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

Buchholz-Kleefeld

Buchholz-Kleefeld is a destination travelers like for its restaurants, and you might hop aboard the metro at Medizinische Hochschule U-Bahn or Hannover Karl-Wiechert-Allee S-Bahn to explore sights like Eilenriede.

Buchholz-Kleefeld
H+ Hotel Hannover
H+ Hotel Hannover
Bergstrasse 2, Bemerode, Hannover, NI
The price is CA $154 per night from Apr. 5 to Apr. 6
CA $154
CA $164 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 5 - Apr 6
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 our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (569 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 Feb. 3, 2024

H+ Hotel Hannover
DORMERO Hotel Hannover
DORMERO Hotel Hannover
4 out of 5
Hildesheimer Strasse 34-38, Hannover, NI
The price is CA $81 per night from Apr. 1 to Apr. 2
CA $81
CA $87 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Hannover. Enjoy breakfast, WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. 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 Jan. 21, 2024

DORMERO Hotel Hannover
Leonardo Hotel Hannover Airport
Leonardo Hotel Hannover Airport
Petzelstrasse 60, Langenhagen, NI
The price is CA $122 per night from Apr. 28 to Apr. 29
CA $122
CA $130 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 28 - Apr 29
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 Mar. 26, 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 center. Popular attractions Hannover Zoo and Maschsee are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (43 reviews)
"It is very near to metro station, breakfast is good and staff speak English also"

Reviewed on Jan. 15, 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
Stay at this family-friendly apartment in Steinhude. Enjoy a water park, a sauna, and onsite 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 Aug. 4, 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
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 Feb. 19, 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.

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Reviews of Hannover

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
6
" "5 - Excellent 46.15384615384615%
4 - Good
5
" "4 - Good 38.46153846153846%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 7.6923076923076925%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 7.6923076923076925%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Jun. 15, 2019

No

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
Jun. 12, 2019

I used to live there and things have drastically changed as it has grown to be a much more commercial city. Having visited other german cities on this trip, the people in hannover seemed quite unfriendly and reluctant to try to communicate in English

5/5 - Excellent

Anneke
Nov. 9, 2018

A very historic old city well maintained...a nice discovery!

Cities near Hannover