Capital Of Lower Saxony: 10 Things To Do In Hannover, Germany

1. Herrenhausen Gardens

To say that the Herrenhausen Gardens are big would be an understatement. They comprise of the Georgengarten, a gorgeous English-style park, and the Berggarten, a botanic garden with orchids and different cactus houses. These aren’t the only places inside the gardens though, to the north stands the Mausoleum of King Ernest Augustus and Queen Friederike which was built in 1846. It also contains the tomb of George I of Britain. The recently rebuilt Herrenhausen Palace which is home to numerous antiques and documents belonging to Hannover’s Baroque era is also accessible from the gardens.

Herrenhausen Gardens

Address: Herrenhäuser Str. 4, 30419 Hannover, Germany

Website: Herrenhausen Gardens

2. Hannover Opera House

Many cities in Germany are home to some of the richest history in music and Hannover is no exception. Built in 1852, the Hannover Opera House is a majestic structure which is now home to Staatsoper Hannover, a professional opera company. Opera fans will have a first-class experience if they visit the Opera House during its season which runs from September to June every year.

Hannover Opera House

Address: Opernpl. 1, 30159 Hannover, Germany

Website: Hannover Opera House

3. The Maschsee

This artificial lake in the heart of Hannover was completed in 1936 and extends an amazing 2.4 kilometers (1.4 miles). Since then it has become one of the busiest sports and recreation areas in the city. Activities range from boating and swimming to other water sports and picnics. The lake is circled by nicely made pathways for tourists to take a stroll on throughout the day. On the west side of the lake is the Niedersachsen-Stadion stadium which was built in 1954 after World War 2.

The Maschsee

Address: Arthur-Menge-Ufer 3, 30169 Hannover, Germany

Website: The Maschsee

4. Hannover Adventure Zoo

Situated on the edge of Eilenriede Park, the Hannover Adventure Zoo was completed in 1865 and is currently the fifth oldest zoo in Germany. It was recently remodeled along the style of a theme park which has made the zoo even more popular and is visited by an estimated half a million people each year. Visitors can enjoy the winter zoo with its Christmas-themed activities in the winter or take their kids to the Mullewapp, an area with a petting zoo and rides.

Hannover Adventure Zoo

Address: Zoo Hannover Adenauerallee 3, 30175 Hannover, Germany

Website: Hannover Adventure Zoo

5. Eilenriede

Covering an impressive area of 1,600 acres (647 hectares), the forest of Eilenriede is situated to the east of Hannover. It is the largest inner-city forest in Europe, containing footpaths and open spaces for the relaxation of tourists visiting this recreation area. Also known as the Grüne Lunge, it is right next to the Hannover Adventure Zoo and the Tiergarten, which is a hunting park with red deer, wild horses, and pigs.

Eilenriede

Address: Niemcy, Hohenzollernstraße 28, 30161 Hannover, Germany

Website: Eilenriede

6. Sprengel Museum

The Sprengel Museum is home to one of the most important art collections in Germany and it is a must-see for all art lovers. It was opened in 1979 and contains both private and state-owned collections. Tourists can enjoy the works of world renowned artists like Max Ernst, Picasso, and Paul Klee. A collection donated by artist Niki de Saint Phalle can also be viewed here along with a large metal sculpture on display by Alexander Calder.

Sprengel Museum

Address: Kurt-Schwitters-Platz, 30169 Hannover, Germany

Website: Sprengel Museum

7. New Town Hall

Built between 1901-13, the New Town Hall is located in the Hannover Trammplatz area. It is one of the most interesting structures in the city, built on a foundation of almost 6,000 beech piles with a domed tower that is 100 meters (328 feet) high, dominating the Hannover skyline. The tower can be accessed by tourists via a unique elevator that lifts them at a sloped angle. Models of the town can be viewed inside the halls and a 1913 painting called The Oath of Loyalty can also be seen in the Hodler Room. Guided tours are available for those who would like to learn more about the history of the town hall and the city.

New Town Hall

Address: Trammplatz 2, 30159 Hannover, Germany

Website: New Town Hall

8. Marktplatz

The Marktplatz is situated in the center of Hannover’s Old Town. It is home to some of the most important historic buildings of the city. The 15th-century late Gothic style Old Town Hall can also be visited here. A large number of small shops and galleries can be seen here and visitors can also view the Neo-Gothic Market Fountain which was built in 1881.

Another big tourist attraction here is the Market Church, also known as the Marktkirche, which has an impressive tower with a height of 97 meters (318 feet). It was built in the 14th-century and still features some of the beautiful 15th-century bronze artwork and a carved altar. The Kramerstrasse can also be visited from this part of town which still preserves the atmosphere of old Hannover and contains nice half-timbered houses.

Marktplatz

Address: Marktstraße, 30159 Hannover, Germany

Website: Marktplatz

9. HDI Arena

The HDI Arena, previously known as AWD Arena, was built between 1952 and 1954. It is located at about 1.5 kilometers (0.9 mi) south of Hannover and tourists can take a 5-minute walk from the main rail station as well. The stadium is surrounded by countless other parks and the Schützenplatz fairground. It is home to all the Hannover 96 matches, the tickets for which can be bought online, by phone or the fan shop at the arena. Ticket prices start at 22 USD for seats behind the goal while central seats at the main stand can range up to 44 USD. Tours of the stadium are also run a few times a month with the price starting at around 8 USD.

HDI Arena

Address: Robert-Enke-Straße 3, 30169 Hannover, Germany

Website: HDI Arena

10. Exploring Old Town

Old Town is one of the most pleasant areas to explore when visiting Hannover. It is home to some of the important historical buildings like the Leineschloss which is the state parliament building and the residence of Duke Georg von Calenberg. Tourists can also check out the New Town Church, a 17th-century structure with the tomb of the famous German philosopher GW Leibniz.

The Ballhof, Hannover’s finest half-timbered building, can be visited for different music events with genres ranging from pop and jazz to opera. Other options for exploration include the small town of Celle, home to more than 400 half-timbered houses on the banks of River Aller and only 40 kilometers (25 mi) northeast of Hannover.

Old Town

Address: Hanns-Lilje-Platz 4, 30159 Hannover, Germany

Website: Exploring Old Town

Experience rich Hannover culture

Hannover is a city you should definitely check out on your next trip to Germany. The countless attractions that are both modern and historic will ensure that you experience everything that this beautiful city has to offer.