A plan for Hannover

Hanover was one of the hardest-hit cities during World War II, leaving it with only a few historical landmarks. Don't expect to see beautiful centuries-old buildings; even the Old City (Altstadt) area is "new", as all the old houses left standing after the war (around 40) were taken from throughout the city and collected in one place. This area is surrounded by some 1950s and 1960s buildings that give a somewhat heavy atmosphere to the streets. However, there are still several residential neighborhoods consisting of late-19th-century housing stock with often elaborate historicist (Victorian) and Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) decorations just outside the downtown area, such as Oststadt, List and Linden.

Hanover has large green areas, with forests and big parks. The landscape is mostly flat, with the river Leine going through the city. The lake Masch (Maschsee) is rather spectacular, considering its size as a man-made object.

The city had a special relationship to the late French artist Niki de Saint-Phalle. She had several of her works in public spots in Hanover (i.e., "the Nanas", "the Cave" in the Great Garden) and also in the Sprengel Museum. To honor her contribution to Hanover, she was granted an honorary citizenship from the city government. Moreover, the renovated "underground" shopping passageway from the central station to Kröpcke was named "The Niki de Saint-Phalle Promenade".

Hanover's public services are excellent, due to major reconstruction for the World Expo 2000. The shopping area under the train station was renovated in 2005-2006 in preparation for the World Cup.

1 Great Garden of Herrenhausen (Herrenhäuser Gärten / Großer Garten) (by tram, go to stop named "Herrenhäuser Garten"; by car, "Herrenhäuser Str. 4"). From 09:00, closing times vary on month from 16:00-20:00. The world-famous baroque gardens of Herrenhausen were created in the 17th century to copy the Versailles Garden in France. A must see! Even in the winter one can still see its beauty, but it reaches its best at the end of spring until end of summer. There is also a glimmering cave decorated by Niki de Saint Phalle. The Berggarten, a botanical garden, is also very beautiful. Various rates, Summer Ticket "All-in-one": €10 for adults, €8 reduced. (updated Apr 2026)

2 Hanover Zoo (Erlebnis-Zoo Hannover), Adenauerallee 1, ☏ +49 511 936 77 0, info@erlebnis-zoo.de. 9:00 – 18:30. A very modern zoo, supposed to be one of the best in Europe. About 2,000 animals from all over the world live in six impressive zoo worlds. The ticket is pricey but should is worth it for a whole day's fun. Day tickets cost €29.20 for adults, for children 3–16 years: €19.20 and "young adults" 17-24 yr: €22.70. Better rates are available when you book onlin: https://www.zoo-hannover.de/english Open year-round. In wintertime, visit the WinterZoo - a charming Christmas market with ice show, ice skating, slides, food & drink, etc. (updated Apr 2026)

3 Sea Life, Herrenhäuser Straße 4A (Tram 4 or 5, stop: Herrenhäuser Gärten), ☏ +49 511 123300, hannover@sealife.de. Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00; Sat Sun 10:00-18:00. Hanover Aquarium, has an array of fish and also a rain forest inside. It is open from 10:00 daily. Tickets are usually available at a discount rate online: https://www.visitsealife.com/hannover/en/tickets/ Tickets adult (age 15+): €23.00; child: €18.00,. (updated Apr 2026)

Hanover Opera (Opernhaus). Kröpcke – Hosts a number of operas played by international singers, as well as ballets and classical music. Operas by German composers are performed in German; Italian operas are performed with German subtitles (no English). Tickets normally sell out for the popular Mozart's "Die Zauberfloete" ("Magic Flute") and Strauss' "Die Fledermaus" ("The Bat"). €14-55, €8 students (sold 30 minutes before curtain, ID required).

N.D.R. Symphoniker, Rudolf Benigsen Ufer 22, +49 511-9880. The venue for poetry readings, jazz and rock&roll concerts, as well as chamber orchestras. €15-35.

Theater am Aegi, Aegidientorplatz 2, +49 511-989330.

Cinemaxx. This multiplex movie theater right behind the main train station (Raschplatz) shows some films in original English version. Tickets: €6-7, student €5. Tuesday is the cheap ticket day (€3.50-4.50). Seats are numbered and there is an extra fee (€1) for the "better seats" (Loge, the ones upper than the first few rows). For extra long movie, another extra fee (€0.50-1).

Football: Hannover 96, Niedersachsenstadion, Arthur-Menge-Ufer, ☏ +49 511 9690 0450. Die Roten (The Reds) play soccer in 2. Bundesliga, the second tier. The stadium (capacity 49,000) is close to city centre at the north end of Maschsee. (updated Oct 2023)

Rugby Union: SC Germania List play the 15-a-side game in 1. Bundesliga, the top tier. Their home ground Sportplatz is on Schneckenburgerstraße 2 km north of city centre.

DSV 78 Hannover likewise play in 1. Bundesliga, at Ferdinand-Wilhelm-Fricke-Weg west bank of Maschsee.

Ice hockey: Hannover Scorpions. Hanover's professional ice hockey club play in Germany's premier division (DEL).

In Spring

Hannover Messe (Hanover Fairground, southeast of downtown). A well-known industrial expo in mid or late April, showcasing engineering products and components from motors to microcontrollers. Running since 1947, it usually receives about quarter of a million visitors.

Spring Festival (Frühlingfest). Schützenplatz. Annual event in spring, everyday from 2PM. Practically a knock-down amusement park. Lots of fun.

In most cafés and small restaurants, paying individually is accepted, as Germans like this system. Tips are not compulsory but most people do. In smaller cafés, if paying separately, rounding up to the next full euro is common; in bigger restaurants, 10% is best.

Food Markets

1 Markthalle (market hall). Check out the variety of food stalls. You will find almost everything from Spanish tapas to Mett (raw minced meat). $$. (updated May 2022)

Budget

At a nearby butcher shop you can get German sausages.

City centre

2 Pommesglück, Niki-de-Saint-Phalle-Promenade 22. Tasty french fries. Gluten free options are available. The sauce selection is very varied. The vegan mayo is awesome. The line can get long, especially on weekends. (updated Jan 2023)

3 Restaurant "Alexander", Prinzenstraße 10. Great schnitzel. Authentic German food. There's a large menu to choose from, and an English one is available if needed. The beer is good, with a decent selection. There's also a broader drink menu as well as desserts. Great hospitality, very pleasant attitude from the host and staff. (updated Jan 2023)

4 Riccardo Berardino Pizzeria, Goseriede 4-6. It has a history of over 40 years. The pizza is well filled, a little fried and therefore very juicy. The stuffed pizza is always worth a detour. Crispy, fluffy dough, aromatic cheese. (updated Jan 2023)

5 Hey Ferry, Niki-de-Saint-Phalle-Promenade 28. Fresh ingredients and sauces and freshly fried falafels, really crispy and tasty. Also offers döner kabab. If you're vegan they will take care not to use any dairy products. The staff is friendly and helpful and you can even try before you buy. You can sit in or take away. (updated Jan 2023)

Around the Lister Meile

6 Bistro Tomate, Drostestraße 9. Small bistro. There are indoor and outdoor spaces. The equipment is not the newest but it is tidy and gives the shop a certain charm. Customers are warmly welcomed. You have a direct view of the kitchen and can see what is being done. After you have ordered the food at the counter, you can take it with you or it will be brought to your seat. (updated Jan 2023)

Try the local beer, Herrenhäuser Premium Pilsener

Lüttje Lage is a typical alcoholic drink made of beer and korn (Schnapps) drank simultaneously from two separate glasses.

Beer gardens

Biercafé Pindopp, Altenbekener Damm 9, ☏ +49 511-806523. Open daily from 08:30-01:00. (closed since summer 2016). Smaller beer garden compared to others Hanover has to offer. Previews the football games so if you are looking for a place to come and watch a match this is the venue. It also has a pool table, darts and pin ball machines.

Waterloo Biergarten, Waterloo Straße 1, ☏ +49 511-5643. Open daily from 11:00. Gets its name from being close to Waterloo square and on Waterloo road. Huge beer garden surrounded by trees, very busy during the summer.

Uni-Biergarten, Wilhelm-Busch-Str. 2, ☏ +49 511-1698191. 11:00-24:00. Calm and relaxing beer garden in the midst of the city. Quite often a place where students and professors meet or go to have a sneaky drink. Food is available.

Lister Turm Biergarten, Walderseestr. 100, ☏ +49 511-7242617. Surrounded by trees this is one of the largest beer gardens in Hanover. With the Lister building, in the backdrop as well as all the trees, makes this an idyllic drinking spot. It is family friendly and business savvy as there is a playground for children and WiFI for laptops. The pub also serves food if you're hungry or need a break from drinking.

Und der Böse Wolf, Heesestr. 1, ☏ +49 511-453834. From 17:00 daily. Quirky pub that attracts a lot of football fans as the owner is a Hannover 96 supporter. Serves Thai food!

Restaurant Café Steintormasch, ☏ +49 511-7000717. In der Steintormasch, adjacent to the mansions gardens. – Serves food and hot meals which can be enjoyed in their beer garden. Open every day except Monday.

Cocktail bars

Lunablu, ☏ +49 511 13 1001. Schaufelderstraße 11. Interior designed by Jorge La Guardia and the flamenco musician gave it a distinct Mediterranean and international feel which has proved to be very popular. Whilst sipping on your cocktail try some of the very reasonably priced, exotic dishes. Open daily from 10:00-01:00.

By public transportation

Hanover has a fantastic network of public transportation, so it's best to park your car and ride. If you plan to make more than two trips by tram, bus, or subway, a day ticket is your best bet, buying you unlimited travel on the public transport system. Day tickets are valid until the last connection of the day (which normally ends sometime after midnight). The public transportation adopts an honor system for tickets, but they do have ticket inspections once in a while (also late at nights and early mornings). The fine is quite high (€60), so make sure you have a ticket all the time. Be aware that some tickets will need to be validated (stamped on the 'blue box'), and some not, depending on the machine.

Hannover Card. This tourist card offers free unlimited travel on all local public transport (bus, tram, and regional trains) within the entire Hanover Region (including Steinhude, Springe, and Neustadt). It also provides discounts of up to 50% on various attractions, including museums, theaters, city tours, and selected restaurants. The card is valid from the chosen date until 05:00 the following morning (or 05:00 after the final day of validity). Available online or at the Tourist Information office (Ernst-August-Platz 8) opposite the main station.

Single: 1 day €13, 2 days €20, 3 days €26.

Group (up to 5 people): 1 day €22, 2 days €32, 3 days €46.

Hanover is normally very safe. Before and after a soccer match there might be quite a few drunken people around, especially in the central station, but there always are police patrolling.

In Kröpcke you may get asked for money by the homeless. Pickpockets may act in crowded areas such as inside the trams during a big exhibition.