7 Things to Do in Hannover Germany (2023)
Every one has heard of German cities such as Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Nuremberg but what about Hannover Germany?
We visited Hannover Germany as more of a “stop over” city on our way from Copenhagen to Heidelberg and we were so glad that we did, there are so many things to do in Hannover that it made for the perfect two night stop over
Hannover is a beautiful city, especially during autumn with the beautiful bright coloured leaves. There are some many gardens around the City of Hannover to wander around and enjoy the autumn colours.
During WWII Hannover Germany was subject to 8 different air raids and many residents were injured and many many lives were lost. Due to the bombings a lot of Hannover’s buildings were destroyed. Many of the buildings and houses you see today around the city have been rebuilt.

Are you planning a trip to Hannover Germany? Check out these posts to help plan your trip
The Ultimate Guide to the Eurail Pass
Schloss Marienburg: The best guide to visiting Marienburg Castle
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Things to do in Hanover
1. The Red Thread Tour

My number one recommendation when visiting Hannover Germany, is that you head to the tourist information center and pick up “The Red Thread” Guide book.
The tourist information center is located directly opposite the main station or there is one inside the New Town Hall. I recommend the tourists information center opposite the main station as it is easy to find and it is bigger.
“The Red Thread Tour” is based on a guide book that will cost you 3€ and it is yours to keep. The guidebook is available in ten languages!
“The Red Thread” is painted on the pavement and weaves its way around the city of Hannover. On your tour you will cover 4.2km (don’t worry the walk is very easy and the ground is flat) and you will pass 39 of the main attractions within the city.
At each stop, there is a big number painted on the ground, locate the number in your guide book and you will find the information for the stop you are at.
We spent 2 -3 hours walking around Hannover and reading about the history, architecture and stories behind each stop.
You can go as fast as you would like or take your time, it is up to you! The Red Thread Tour has all the perks of a traditional tour, except it is entirely up to you how you go about your tour.
2. Get an amazing view with the most unique elevator

The New Town Hall is one of the prettiest buildings in Hannover Germany and it is also one of the most popular attractions in Hannover. Not only because of it’s beauty but also because of it’s elevator. It is one of the most unique hotels in the world. The lift curves and take you up on a 17 degree angle.
Once you have “survived” this dizzy experience you will be rewarded with some stunning views over Hannover. However, the elevator does get extremely busy, especially on the weekends.
Only 5 people are permitted in the elevator at a time, so it is best to get to the town hall early so you don’t miss out!

The inside of the New Town Hall is just as stunning as the outside so make sure you take the time to wander around the interior of the New Town Hall.
Inside you will also find four models of Hannover Germany, which depict how Hannover has evolved since 1689 including the devastating effects of WWII.
3. Take in the stunning Old Town

Hannover’s Old Town is not as large or as grand as other Old Towns around Europe but it is still a very cute Old Town. The half time houses make you feel s though you are walking through a Disney movie!
The Old Town is very central to the rest of Hannover and makes the perfect stop on your Red Thread Tour. Why not stop and grab a drink at Broyhan Haus, the oldest pub in Hannover. It is super cute inside so be prepared to still be there at dinner time. Lucky the food is as good as their drinks.

Interestingly, Hannover’s Old Town isn’t actually that old. Along with much of Hannover Germany, the old town was bombed and destroyed during World War II. The Old Town that we see today is a reconstruction using facades from around the city that survived during World War II.
4. Grab a snap with Nanas statues by Niki de Saint Phalle

As you walk along the river, you can’t pass by the statues of the “Nana’s. When these statues were first installed in the 1970s the locals were outraged! However, today they are adored and make up part of the eclectic culture in Hannover Germany.
5. Relax in one of the beautiful parks

Lucky for nature lovers, Hannover has a breezy 10 minute rule. The 10 minute rule means that no matter where you are in Hannover, you are never more than 10 minutes away from a park. Whether it Maschsee lake, which by the way is man made, or the largest municipal forest in the world!
No kidding, in the middle of Hannover Germany is is 640 acers of forest for you to explore!
On a beautiful sunny day, you will see locals and tourists mingling in one of the amazing Hannover parks.
6. Check out the museums on a Friday
If you are travelling on a budget, or like me, you just like to save some money when you can, then you need to check out some of the best museums in Hannover on a Friday.
The museums in Hannover are free every Friday. One of the best museums in the city is the Hannover History museum. The museum details medieval Hannover and how the British have influenced their history. As you walk around the museum you will find historic paintings, clothes from the 1800s and King George V’s royal carriage.
In order to get the most out of your visit to the museum you will want to ask for an English audio guide from the front desk.
Another great museum to visit is the Lower Saxony State museum where you will find a collection of art from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century, archaeology, ethnology and natural history.
For the full list of museums in Hannover (and there are more than you would think) check out the tourism’s website.
7. Visit Marienburg Castle

Whilst Marienburg Castle in not in fact in Hannover, it is only an hour away by train, or half an hour if you’re keen to drive.
Marienburg Castle was built by King George the V for his wife as a birthday present!!
Not long after the Castle was completed, the Royal family was sent into exile in Austria and no one returned to the castle until 1945. Because of this, Marienburg Castle is one of the best preserved Castles.
I can’t recommend a day trip to Marienburg Castle enough! If you are interested in visiting Marienburg Castle (or Schloss Marienburg) check out this post
Getting around Hanover
Hannover is a very easy city to navigate. It is a very walkable city, most locations you will want to visit are within walking distance of each other.
However, if you would refer not to walk taxis are available and are safe for tourists to hail on the side of the road, you can hire a bicycle from the main train station and there is also a fantastic bus and tram network.
Getting to Hanover Germany

Flying to Hannover
Flying to Hannover from is a short and painless flight from many European and UK cities. Airlines such as Lufthansa, Flybe, Eurowings and British Airways all have flights to and from Hannover Germany.
If you are flying in from abroad, such as the US or Australia you will have a connection, but there are usually included in your overall flight itinerary.
Driving to Hannover
Hannover is accessible from any European country by car. Germany has a fantastic network of motorways (autobahn) were there are no speed limits.
Driving on the autobahn is normally on tourists lists of things to do when visiting Germany.
In Germany, you will be driving on the right hand side of the road and it is very easy to hire a car if you do not have your own.
By car, Hannover Germany is located 1 hour and 30 minutes from Bremen, 3 hours from Berlin and 6 hours from Munich.

Taking the train to Hannover
Travelling around Europe via train is a great alternative to flying or driving. Germany has a fantastic rail service. Their trains run on time and are efficient.
By train, Hannover is roughly 8 hours from London, 1 hour and 30 minutes from Berlin, 4 hours and 20 minutes from Munich and 2 hours and 20 minutes from Frankfurt.
If you are planning on travelling around Europe on the trains and you don’t have a fixed plane, I recommend checking out the Eurail pass.
Travelling on the Eurail pass is fantastic if you are looking for some flexibility without spending a fortune on train tickets.
Have you been to Hannover Germany? Would you recommend it to others? Let me know in the comments below.

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