Vacations to Hanover, Germany | Keytours Vacations

Discover Hannover's Wonders

Hanover Travel Information At one time the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain and later a kingdom in its own right, Hanover has a long and intricate history. Travel the many sights of Hanover by following the painted red line that runs through the city center’s 32 most important sights across 3 miles. View its extensive royal and botanical gardens, its zoo, one of the largest and most important in Europe, its historic Old Town, including the Liebniz house, and its enormous fairgrounds – the largest exhibition center in the world. Additional Germany travel information including vacation packages and escorted tours.

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Description

Thanks it its natural surroundings and an abundance of parks, the 'greenest city in Germany' offers an exceptional quality of life with all the benefits of a big city thrown in: while top-ranking events and a formidable range of museums make for a manifold experience of culture and ken, the fantastic selection of shop, restaurants, bars and clubs will guarantee a peep into the local life, and a great night out. While the city's central location and its excellent transport connections allow trips to nearby areas, the main sights – the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, Hannover's adventure zoo or Hannover's State Opera – are well worth seeing. Do also experience the city's rich and versatile music scene, as its history – contributing to the election as an UNESCO world city of music – dates back to the world's first record and the world's first CD, while it today hosts top concerts and other regular events throughout the year. Its outstanding location for business and science attracts both students and employees alike, as internationally acclaimed companies and first-class research institutions work closely together – it is also thanks to this leading status in technology and industry, that Hannover enjoys an international reputation as a trade fair and convention venue.

Useful information

Population:

City: 530,800 Region: 1,150,000

Currency:

1 Euro = 100 Cents

Emergency Info:

European Emergency Number: 110
Fire Brigade / Rescue Coordination Centre: 112

Opening Hours:

Most shops in pedestrian areas and shopping centres are open Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, while supermarkets tend to be open Mon-Sat 8am-10pm. All shops are closed on Sundays, while museums are closed on Mondays, and restaurants and cafes establish individual opening hours.

Do & See

Deister Hills

South of Hannover, nature and culture abound in and around the largely beech-covered slopes of the Deister reaching up to 405 metres above sea level, and it is filled with birdsong, rustling leaves, and delightful hiking tracks. The hillside paths offer many glimpses of the Calenberger Land stretching out into the distance below, so this is a paradise for hikers, walkers and cyclists.

Glockenspiel of Hameln

Several times a day, the eerie legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin plays out on the side of the municipality's wedding house. A little figurine marches ahead, followed by a herd of rats. In addition to this jolly version, a more gruesome version follows, with a figurine leading away the townschildren instead.

GOP Variety-Theatre

GOP Varieté-Theater stages shows have succeeded in creating a new world of variety that strikes a balance between avantgarde and traditional, and therefore added a new and valuable dimension to the concept of variety theatre in general. While making for one of the leading drama institutions in Germany, these performances also won international acclaim and publicity.

Hannover Adventure Zoo

With its seven fantastic theme worlds, Hannover Adventure Zoo is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Northern Germany, and a perfect spot for observing more than 3,000 animals. As the Canadian landscape Yukon Bay, the Sambesi boat trip or the summer toboggan runs are just a few of its highlights, this sight will take up all your day, and all your memories.

Hannover Arts Association

Hannover Arts Association annually stages numerous national and international exhibitions reflecting important developments and schools of contemporary art. Founded in 1832 already, with the aim of spreading the sense for Fine Arts, it today has more than 1,200 members and an even bigger client base of regulars that come here for experiencing great art and interesting discussions.

Hannover Museum of History

This museum is a goldmine for all those who are interested in the history of both the state and the city: while the permanent exhibition '750 years of Hannover' display the changes down the centuries, the 'History of the City' section traces back the development from a medieval town to a sizable city. The third department informs about the rural life between the 17th and the 20th century while temporary exhibitions feature different themes and numerous events.

Hannover State Opera

Built between 1845 and 1852, and rebuilt around 1950 after its destruction during World War II, the State Opera schedules great opera performances while the nearby State Theatre houses all theatre plays. The repertoire ranges from baroque to contemporary works and therefore pleases almost every taste and, once in a while, also surprises.

Herrenhausen Palace Museum

After being used as a private residence of an heir of the throne, the Herrenhausen Palace Museum reopened in 2013 and, since then, invites visitors to entertainingly explore the facets of the wide-ranging palace and the garden world in Herrenhausen. Displaying ten manorial chambers with precious furniture, sculptures and china as well as oil paintings and portraits, this exhibition will give you an insight into the wealthy way of life back in the day.

Dining

Beef & Reef

This restaurant serves, as the name already reveals, a great variety of fish and meat dishes that – accompanied with tasty sides – prove that the German kitchen is not only about sausages and schnitzel. While the wine selection is well chosen and impressively wide, the extra gin menu on top invites you to try out different drinks from all over the world.

Broyhan House

At one of the oldest half-timbered houses of Hannover, with historic arches and a terrific atmosphere, Broyhan House serves a typical Bourgeois German cuisine that should not be missed out. With substantial dishes and best-brewed beers, this restaurant indeed make for a great experience of both local life and food traditions.

Gondel

This restaurant serves a innovative version of the traditional German kitchen, and while the dishes are of high quality as to their fresh ingredients, they also are interpreted in a fully new way by a creative chef. While the staff shares its passion for good food and drinks, the atmosphere spreads new ideas when it comes to the experience of culture and lifestyle.

Restaurant bell' ARTE

For more than 20 years already, this restaurant serves fresh and innovative dishes with Italian influences within a fancy, yet cosy atmosphere. Head here for also enjoying a fantastic view over Lake Maschsee, before or after visiting its housing company, the Sprengel Museum.

Weinstube Leonardo

While its classic menu is influenced by Italian flavours, and executed with fresh and aromatic ingredients, the wine tasting allows you to, in addition, try out different dishes and wines expertly paired up.

Cafes

24 Grad Kaffeerösterei

This small cafe does not only focus on both coffee and service of very high quality but also on fair and sustainable conditions for coffee farmers around the globe. Roasting in their very own venue, the staff is very highly skilled, and they will happily help you to choose from the huge variety of drinks as well as guide you through a coffee workshop that displays the whole process from bean to drink.

Efendi Bay

This patisserie serves delicacies from the Middle East that will make your mouth water. While baklava is among the most known, and probably also most popular sweets, go ahead and bravely choose from the huge selection of other treats that are made with love, and served with a smile.

Hippo Bio Vegan

This organic-certified cafe serves sweet and savoury dishes, and their menu shows at first sight that an entirely vegan menu does not have to be dreary. The colourful interior and the flavourful treats invite to enjoy either breakfast or lunch while mingling with customers and chatting with friends. As they focus on Asian flavours, prepare yourself for curries and Thai salads, among others.

Holländische Kakaostube

Since 1895, this cafe serves unique confectionery and pastries that are – all homemade, 'mit Meisterhand' – baked with well-selected ingredients, and quite some time for most pleasant details. One of their specialties, the 'Baumkuchen', is definitely worth a try while all the other treats should not be missed out as well.

Pâtisserie Elysée

This French pâtisserie is a sweet tooth's paradise, as the huge selection of tartes, tortes and pastries will immediately take you in, and up to a candy cottoned heaven. As 'qualité est priorité', the desserts and sweets are always freshly made with the finest ingredients, such as fresh fruits and high-in-cocoa chocolate, while their hot drinks will also satisfy with a variety of tastes.

Teestübchen

Since 1970, the family Bohnecke serves a selection of more than 40 well-chosen types of tea along with their famous cakes all made according to well-guarded guarded family recipes. Serving their delicacies in silver teapots and warmers as well as on most precious china, this cafe features a sophisticated yet cosy ambiance that – in the evening – can also be enjoyed with local wines and smaller snacks.

Bars & Nightlife

Craft Beer Bar

This bar will take a beer lover's admiration to a whole new level, as it offers more than 50 regularly changing bottled beers as well as no less than 24 different craft beers on tap. While this venue formerly used to be an insider tip, it is now one of the favourite pubs among tourists and locals alike.

Lister Turm

There is no better place for enjoying the summer in Germany than a traditional beer garden, where beers and local food are served in a great atmosphere that is always welcoming and most rousing. Lister Turm, as one of the oldest and most popular beer gardens in Hannover, also attracts with a huge variety of beers and dishes, and a rich history of serving beers for more than 100 years.

Pier 51

Right next to the lake Maschsee, Pier 51 invites you to enjoy both mild summer evenings on their terrace as well as cosy nights in their interiors by serving Mediterranean dishes and flavourful drinks of all kinds. Thanks to its warm and welcoming atmosphere, your stay here will feel like a holiday within your holiday.

Shopping

City Centre

Hannover is steadily gaining ground as an attractive shopping metropolis, and the pedestrian zone around Kröpcke is one of its landmarks. While featuring both retail chains and independent stores, this neighbourhood also hosts a couple of restaurants and cafes so that you can basically spend a whole day here without getting bored, or hungry, or thirsty.

Ernst August Gallery

The Ernst-August-Galerie is a cutting-edge shopping mall, offering all kinds of shops from well or less known fashion brands to design and interior stores. As you can also take a break at various cafes and restaurants at the market hall, do not hesitate to visit all the shops you will wish to.

Leine Center

South to Hannover, the Leine Center features more than 100 specialised stores from different industries such as fashion, sports, health care and groceries. The variety of shops will keep you busy all day, and the cafes and restaurants around will gladly invite you in for a break.

List

The List district is, last but not least, a charming and quite family-friendly area of a calm and charming atmosphere, where cafes and restaurants string together next to stores and smaller shops selling produces of all kinds. Come here for combining a leisure walk with purchasing some unique bargain.

Nordstadt

The district Nordstadt is as vibrant as its inhabitants, and so are the shops that you will discover here around the university, along with quite a few bars, cafes, and restaurants: while "Schön Schön" offers interior and design accessories for a most cosy home, "Jäger & Sammler" sells fashion of (and for) all kinds right next to "Onkel Ollis" special groceries, and "Soule Sneakerstores'" huge selection of shoes.

Südstadt

The Südstadt does not only offer relaxing spots right next to the lake but also great shopping opportunities that are mainly focused onto interior design: while "PorzellanCafé" offers both coffee as well as coffee set designs, "Esplanade" sells almost every kind of decoration, while "Wohntraum Hannover" generally offers 50s, 60s and 70s design.

Tourist Information

Best Time to Visit

While Hannover is always worth a visit, the summer months between May and September offer the most when it comes to both wonderful weather and great events such as the Maschsee Lake Festival or a Marksmen Funfair. The winter in Hannover can get quite cold and, due to its northern location, also snowy but the fantastic Christmas markets can only be enjoyed then. Although it may be more rainy, do visit Hannover during spring and autumn for seeing the city less crowded and in more of a relaxed, natural state.

Passport / Visa

Germany can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.

Hannover Airport

Hannover Airport, north to Hannover, is one of the leading airports in Northern Germany, and the most important hub within the federal state of Lower Saxony. Taxis are available right outside of all terminals of the arrival level, and a ride into the city takes around 20 minutes. Buses and interurban trains operate regularly, and the airport also features a direct train connection to Hannover main station that can be reach in 17 minutes. The airport's website informs about different schedules, and also shuttles services, while all venues and shops available in and around the airport are presented as well.

Public Transport

The public transport in Hannover is operated by GVH, an union of six transport companies in the Hannover region, that features an expanded transport network of interurban trains, trams and buses. While you can buy your tickets of different kinds on board, via app, at vending machines and in service and sales centers, keep in mind that the HannoverCard includes free travel in the public transport within the entire Hannover Region.

Taxi

Taxis serve across the whole town, and they can be either met at a taxi stop or called via phone – be aware that the prices always depend on the taximeter. While Hannoversche Funk-Taxi-Zentrale might be most known, there are several other reliable services: Hallo Taxi 3811 +49 511 381 1 Franka Thomas Taxiunternehmen Neue-Land-Straße 17, Hannover +49 511 388 371 4

Electricity

230 V, 50 Hz, C/F

Pharmacy

Pharmacies can be located across the whole town and they are usually marked by a big read "A" – on the entrance door, you will always find a screen with information about which pharmacy is in emergency service during the nights and at the weekends. One central pharmacy, Leinen Apotheke at Ernst-August-Galery, can be found close to the main station but there are many other close by, and spread across the whole town: City Apotheke Karmarschstraße 33/35, Hannover +49 511 307 766 www.city-apo-hannover.de Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6:30pm. Sa 9am-4pm Löwen Apotheke Bahnhofstraße 2, Hannover +49 511 270 467 0 www.apohannover.de Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-7pm. Sat 10am-7pm

Post

Post offices across the whole town offer every service from buying envelopes to sending packages, and they can be recognized by their yellow DHL sign. Stamps can be bought at venture machines in front of the post offices as well as at labelled kiosks that also offer pick-up services. A main office can be found at Ernst-August-Galery but there are many others all around: Deutsche Post Am Klagesmarkt 10-11, Hannover Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:30am-6:30pm. Sat 10am-3pm Deutsche Post Goetheplatz 11, Hannover Opening hours: Mon-Sat 6am-8pm

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to visit Hannover?

The best time to visit Hannover is from May to September when the weather is warm and pleasant. During these months, you can enjoy outdoor activities and festivals, such as the Maschsee Lake Festival in August, which features live music, food stalls, and water sports.

How long should I plan to stay in Hannover?

A stay of 2 to 3 days is recommended to explore Hannover's main attractions. This allows time to visit the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, the New Town Hall, and the Hannover Zoo, as well as to enjoy the local cuisine and shopping.

What are the must-see attractions in Hannover?

Hannover offers several must-see attractions, including: - The Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, known for their baroque style and beautiful landscaping. - The New Town Hall, which offers panoramic views of the city from its dome. - The Hannover Zoo, one of the most popular zoos in Germany. - The Sprengel Museum, which houses modern art collections.

How can I get around Hannover efficiently?

Hannover has an efficient public transportation system, including trams, buses, and trains. The GVH (Greater Hannover Transport Association) provides comprehensive coverage of the city. Consider purchasing a day pass for unlimited travel on public transport. Biking is also a popular and convenient option, with many bike rental stations available.

Are there any local dishes I should try while in Hannover?

While in Hannover, try local specialties such as: - Grünkohl mit Pinkel, a kale dish served with a type of sausage. - Welfenspeise, a traditional dessert made of vanilla and wine cream. - Hannover's beer, which is a staple in the region, particularly Herrenhäuser and Gilde.

What cultural events or festivals should I attend in Hannover?

Hannover hosts several cultural events and festivals throughout the year. The Maschsee Lake Festival in August is a highlight, featuring music, food, and activities around the lake. The International Fireworks Competition, held in the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, showcases spectacular displays from international teams.

Is Hannover a family-friendly destination?

Yes, Hannover is a family-friendly destination with attractions suitable for all ages. The Hannover Zoo is a favorite among families, offering themed areas and interactive exhibits. The Sea Life Hannover aquarium and the Adventure Zoo are also popular spots for children. Additionally, the city's parks and gardens provide ample space for outdoor activities and picnics.

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