Hannover coat of arms

Plizio Visual Lab

Hannover

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
State capital
—°4927
Hannover (Germany)
ℹ️

Practical info — Hannover

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Follow the 'Red Thread' painted on the pavement for an easy, free self-guided walking tour connecting the main sights.
  • Ride the unique curved elevator in the New Town Hall up to the dome; the diagonal ascent is a truly memorable experience.
  • The Maschsee Festival in summer is fantastic, but if you want to avoid massive crowds, visit the lake early in the morning instead.
  • The Üstra tram network is extremely efficient and connects the whole city; buying a day pass is highly recommended.
  • The Herrenhausen Gardens are expansive; plan your visit for the morning to enjoy the baroque landscaping in peace.

🍽 Food

🍽
Welfenspeise

Try this historical two-layered dessert made of vanilla cream and wine foam at a traditional cafe in the Old Town.

🍽
Lüttje Lage

Hannover's cult drink combining beer and corn schnapps; at a local festival, ask a local to show you the special way to drink it.

🍽
Currywurst at the Markthalle

Grab a hearty Currywurst at the Markthalle food market, affectionately known as the 'belly of Hannover'.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Kröpcke and Georgstraße

The central shopping district where you will find all the large department stores and well-known international brands.

🛍
Markthalle

Head inside the market hall for international delicacies, fresh regional produce, and great casual street food.

🛍
Lister Meile

Stroll down this pedestrian street in the List district for a more relaxed shopping vibe featuring smaller boutiques.

🧘
Eilenriede Forest

Europe's largest urban forest; rent a bike and ride for hours along the leafy green paths without ever leaving the city.

🧘
Berggarten at Herrenhausen

Less crowded than the Great Garden, this botanical garden provides wonderful, peaceful plant displays.

🧘
Maschsee Banks (Morning)

Take a walk along the lake's shore very early in the morning, when the mist rises and the city is still asleep.

Highlights of 2026

4

Hanover, the capital of Lower Saxony, is a significant economic hub and world-renowned as a major trade fair destination. The city's history is deeply intertwined with the House of Hanover, which provided the British monarchs for over 120 years. An architectural highlight is the New Town Hall, a magnificent building from the Wilhelmine era famous for its unique curved elevator. The Herrenhausen Gardens are among Europe's most important Baroque gardens, attracting countless visitors each year. Hanover also has the Eilenriede, the largest inner-city forest in Europe, giving the city a remarkably green character. As the host of EXPO 2000, Hanover modernized its infrastructure and established itself as an international host city. Economically, the region is shaped by the automotive industry and the insurance sector. The Leibniz University Hanover underscores the city's scientific importance. Culturally, Hanover provides a rich program through its State Opera and various museums. Hanover did not host Euro 2024 but remained central as a trade-fair city through Hannover Messe and CeBIT successor events. Lower Saxony under Premier Stephan Weil focused in 2024-2025 on expanding the hydrogen economy.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C114913171918151052
Rain mm695050386062786955596268

Live webcam – Hannover

See what it looks like near Hannover right now.

Hanover › South-west · 0.8 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
515,140
Coordinates
52.37500, 9.73300

Facts

  • Hanover has about 545,000 inhabitants (as of 2023).
  • The Hanover fairground is the largest in the world, spanning 496,000 m².
  • The curved elevator in the New Town Hall ascends at an angle of up to 17 degrees.
  • The Eilenriede forest covers 640 hectares, nearly twice the size of Central Park.
  • Hanover was linked to Great Britain by personal union from 1714 to 1837.
  • The Herrenhausen Gardens were established starting in 1666.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Hannover (9)

New Town Hall

Inaugurated in 1913, this eclectic building features a 97-meter high dome with a unique curved elevator path.

Herrenhausen Gardens

A major Baroque garden from 1666 featuring the Great Fountain, which reaches a height of 70 meters.

Maschsee

Man-made lake completed in 1936, measuring 2.4 km long, serving as a hub for water sports and summer festivals.

Marktkirche

Built in the 14th century in Brick Gothic style, it is the highest church tower in the old town area.

🕒 10:00-18:00

Hanover State Museum

Features extensive collections of art, archaeology, and natural history in a grand building near the New Town Hall.

Eilenriede

One of Europe's largest city forests at 640 hectares, providing vast green space and trails in the city center.

Leine Palace

Neoclassical palace on the banks of the Leine river, acting as the seat of the Lower Saxony Parliament since 1962.

Sprengel Museum

One of Germany's most important museums for 20th and 21st-century art, focused on German Expressionism.

🕒 Mo off; Tu 10:00-20:00; We-Su 10:00-18:00💶

Strandleben🎡 recreation

The Strandleben area is located in Hannover.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 'Red Thread'?
A 4.2 km long red line painted on the ground that leads tourists to the 36 most important sights in the city center.
How do I get to the Herrenhausen Gardens?
From the city center, you can easily reach the famous Baroque gardens in about 10 minutes using tram lines 4 and 5.
What is special about the New Town Hall?
It features a world-unique arched elevator that travels up into the dome at a 17-degree angle.
Is there a lake in Hanover?
Yes, Maschsee is an artificial lake near the center, well-suited for walking, jogging, or boat trips in the summer.
Which trade fairs take place in Hanover?
Hanover has the largest fairground in the world; most famous are the Hannover Messe and Agritechnica.
Hannover: where is it located?
Hannover is located in Lower Saxony, Germany.
Hannover: what is there to see?
Highlights include New Town Hall, Herrenhausen Gardens, Maschsee.
Hannover: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Hannover: why is it worth visiting?
Hanover, the capital of Lower Saxony, is a significant economic hub and world-renowned as a major trade fair destination.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Germany →

Nearby cities