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Wikivoyage

capital city of the German federated state of Lower Saxony
Europe > Central Europe > Germany > Lower Saxony > Hanover Region > Hanover

For other places with the same name, see Hanover (disambiguation).

Hanover (German: Hannover, Low Saxon: Hannober) is the capital of Lower Saxony in Germany. Hanover built a huge exhibition complex for the World Expo in 2000 and has been host to several of the biggest exhibitions in the world. Consequently, it calls itself the "Expo City" or "Exhibition City" (Expo Stadt/Messestadt). Hanover also played host to the 2006 Association Football World Cup. The major language spoken is German. English is not common, except during major international events. Nevertheless most people understand English and will be able to help you find your way around.

Understand

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Hanover City Hall (Neues Rathaus)

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.

History

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Hanover was founded in medieval times on the bank of the river Leine and became a comparatively large town in the 13th century. Its original name Honovere may mean "high (river)bank". There was a time of personal union of the crowns of the United Kingdom and Hanover (1714–1837). Soldiers from Hanover emigrated to Great Britain, leading to the formation of the King's German Legion, which was the only German army to fight throughout the entire Napoleonic Wars against the French. They later played an important role in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. After World War II, Hanover became the capital of Lower Saxony, a state created from several disparate elements and the most sparsely populated of the old Federal Republic but also the second biggest by area of all 16 states of reunited Germany. Hanover profited from its new status as capital and is the northern endpoint of Germany's first (opened 1991) – and still longest – high speed rail line, linking Würzburg and Hanover along a North-South spine that was totally overwhelmed with traffic during the era of German partition and still carries significant amounts of traffic to this day.

Hanover has arguably become Germany's trade fair capital in a highly competitive market, hosting Germany's only world exhibition after the war in Expo 2000 (with some buildings from the event still extant) and also CeBit, considered the premier computer-related event in the world. The trade fair area of Hanover is the largest in the world by most measures.

Kröpcke

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Kröpcke is a large pedestrian area in the heart of Hanover. It is Hanover's major shopping spot, home to the Opera house and has lots of places to eat. The main station in the Hanover Stadtbahn network is also located here. All Stadtbahn lines except the 10 and 17, call at the station and it is the main interchange point for the network. It has six platforms in total on three lines that cross each other in independent tunnels. There is a big green clock in Kröpcke - the 1 Kröpcke-Uhr - which makes an ideal meeting point.

Tourist information

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  • 2 The Tourism Office, Ernst-August-Platz 8 (nearby Central Station), ☏ +49 511 12345111, . Offers self-guiding maps. Follow the red line (Roter Faden, literally Red Thread) which starts from the exit of the Tourism Office. The red line will pass the most significant attractions in the oldest part of Hanover and can be completed on foot in 1½ hours. Refer to the map for explanation every time a number on the red line is encountered. 

Get in

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By plane

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  • 1 Hannover Airport (HAJ  IATA) (about 11 km (6.8 mi) north of the city centre). This airport is served by many European network airlines (through their respective hubs) and some budget airlines flying point-to-point. The airport is the ninth busiest in Germany by passenger numbers. Despite its comparatively modest passenger numbers, the airport has two runways. Hannover Airport (Q170169) on Wikidata Hannover Airport on Wikipedia 

On line S5, S-Bahn (stations are indicated by this sign) trains run twice-an-hour from the airport to central station (Hauptbahnhof) (and on to Hamelin or Paderborn). A 2-Zone ticket is needed from the airport to city centre. The fare is €3.40 (2016) for a single ticket (see chapter public transportation for other ticket options) and will take around 17 minutes. The last train departs around midnight. A taxi ride to the city centre costs about €20 and will take about 15 minutes.

The airport offers the option to check in the day before your departure (18:00-21:00) for some airlines (Condor, Croatia Airlines, Sky Airlines, and TUI).

Central station (Hauptbahnhof)

By train

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Due to its location, Hanover has good connections from all major cities in Germany through Deutsche Bahn (DB), the German rail service. There are also direct trains to the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Austria several times a day, including a few sleeper trains operated by (Nightjet[dead link]).

Hanover is also reachable by regional trains, making it possible to use the cheap and popular “weekend tickets”[dead link] (German: Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket) on weekends, the “travel throughout Germany tickets”[dead link] for the rest of the week. Both are applicable for the whole republic and cost €40 or €44 (2016) for a single person. It gets even cheaper if you travel in a little group of up to five people. If you are already in lower saxony, you can use the “Lower-Saxony-Ticket”[dead link] (German: Niedersachsen-Ticket) for €23 (2016).

The high speed Inter City Express trains (ICE trains) can take you all over Germany to places such as: Frankfurt, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Munich, Cologne, and Berlin. The trip to Hanover from Berlin takes 1 hr 30 min, from Hamburg 1 hr 20 min, from Frankfurt 2 hr 20 min, and from Munich 4 hr 30 min. Prices vary depending on time of travel and the ticket type such as an economy, freedom or comfort ticket, but a freedom ticket from Berlin to Hanover will cost you from €75.

Flixtrain serves the city. DB tickets are not valid here.

By bus

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See also: Intercity buses in Germany
  • 2 Intercity bus station. 

Hanover is linked to the rest of Germany and parts of Europe by frequent bus services. Bus rides tend to be fairly quick avoiding unnecessary hold ups but they are not the most comfortable way to travel especially for long distances. The Central Bus Station (Zentraler Omnibus Bahnhof or "ZOB") is behind (to the north-west of) the Central Station (Hauptbahnhof). The biggest company by far is Flixbus with Berlinbus a clear second and all others accounting for pocket change by comparison.

International buses still serve Hannover, for example:

By car

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Hanover is served by the excellent German road system, being on both the Hamburg to Kassel (Autobahn A7) running north and south and the Berlin to Düsseldorf (A2) running east and west. The city is easily reached after leaving these two motorways. In Germany they drive on the right, and while the autobahns have no speed limits unless individual speed limits are clearly indicated, they do have a recommended speed limit of 130 km/h. Note that at minimum drivers may be held partially responsible when travelling in excess of that recommended speed limit at the time of any accident. While the limits on the B-roads are quite high (usually 100 km/h, even more on motorway-style B-roads), they can drop to as low as 50 km/h in built up areas. From Hamburg the drive is around an hour and a half. From Berlin and Düsseldorf, the drive is around 3 hours, but heavy (truck-)traffic on the A2 can play havoc to plans.

Get around

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By public transportation

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Stadtbahn Hanover (light rail)

Hanover has a fantastic network of public transportation[dead link], 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, 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 2013. Hannover Card is issued by the Tourism Office. It includes free use of public transportation and discounts for some local attractions (e.g. museums, opera, the Great Garden), tours, and restaurants. Price: Single ticket: 1 day €9.50, 2 days €14.50, 3 days €17.50; Group ticket (2-5 persons): 1 day €19.50, 3 days €33.50.
  • Ticket and Cards Regions. It may be confusing to understand the zones of Hanover public transportation. The key is to know that there are "tickets" and "cards". The term "tickets" applies to the ones bought at the machine or elsewhere, while "cards" are the ones with (monthly) subscription. Inside the city area, you only need a 1-zone ticket as it already covers a good part of the city. However, for the airport you will need a 2-zone ticket, as it is located outside Zone 1. Tickets are valid on bus, tram, fast tram (S-Bahn), and regional train.
  • Ticket Price (2016)[dead link]
  • Day ticket: €5.00 (1 zone), €6.60, (2 zones), €8.20 (3 zones)
  • Group day ticket (up to 5 persons): €9.80 (1 zone), €12.60 (2 zones), €15.50 (3 zones)
  • Single-trip ticket: €2.60 (1 zone), €3.40 (2 zones), €4.30 (3 zones)
  • Short-trip ticket (up to 3 stops for tram and 5 stops for bus): €1.50
  • Reduced ticket (children 6-14y, big dogs): €1.30 (all zone)
  • Special price for a carnet of 6 single-trip tickets (SammelTicket): €14.30 (1 zone) and €17.90 (2 zones) resp. 4 single-trip tickets €15.30 (3 zones)

If you are a returning visitor and have any carnets or day tickets left, bring them along! Tickets purchased in euros have unlimited validity.

By bicycle or on foot

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Bike paths are provided in almost every street that runs through the city. There is no law on using a helmet, but make sure that the bike has both front and rear lights if you don't want to get stopped by the police (fine: €10). In pedestrian areas in general bicycle riding is not allowed unless otherwise stated ().

Pedestrian paths are also provided along every street and there is also a pedestrian area (indicated by this sign) in front of Central Station to Kröpcke (allowed for bikes between 19:00 and 11:00).

It is possible to take your bike on the tram or bus for free on M-F 08:30-15:00 and after 21:00. There are no time restrictions on weekends.

By taxi

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Unless you have limited time, lots of heavy baggage, or are travelling after public transport stops at night, you might want to think twice about using taxi, as it is very expensive. However, it could be cheaper if travelling in a big group: You can order a 7- or 9-seat taxi by phone and get more people in at the same price.

  • MOIA. Ridesharing service (updated Mar 2020)
Aerial view of the Great Garden
  • 1 Great Garden of Herrenhausen (Herrenhäuser Gärten / Großer Garten) (by tram, go to stop named "Herrenhäuser Garten"; by car, "Herrenhäuser Str. 4"). 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. 
  • 2 Hanover Zoo (Erlebnis-Zoo Hannover). 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 €25 for adults, for children 3–5 years: €13.50 and children 6-17 yr: €17. Open year-round. In wintertime, visit the WinterZoo - a charming Christmas market with ice show, ice skating, slides, food & drink, etc. 
  • 3 Sea Life, Herrenhäuser Straße 4A (Tram 4 or 5, stop: Herrenhäuser Gärten), ☏ +49 511 123300, . Hanover Aquarium, has an array of fish and also a rain forest inside. It is open from 10:00 daily. Tickets adult or child: €15.95, one adult and one child: €26.50. 
Inside the New City Hall
  • 4 New City Hall (Neues Rathaus), Trammplatz 2. See the models of Hanover at four different points in history: 1689, 1939, 1945, and 2000, and then take a sloped elevator (€4) to the dome for a beautiful view of the city. 
  • 5 The Nanas (at the Leibnizufer). Giant sculptures made by Niki de Saint Phalle. 
  • 6 University of Hanover (Leibniz Universität Hannover), Welfengarten 1. The main building was the winter palace of the Kings of Hanover. The summer palace was in the Great Garden complex. However, it was destroyed during the World War II. Now only one wall remains. 
  • 7 Leibniz House, Holzmarkt 4-6 (Holzmarkt near the Historical Museum). The house where Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz lived during the later part of his life. 
  • 8 City park (Stadtpark), Theodor-Heuss-Platz 1-3 (Tram 11, direction Zoo, stop: Congress Centrum/Stadthalle). This is worth visiting on a nice sunny day. Good place to relax with a good book and a perfect place to escape the city centre. 
  • 9 Tiergarten, Tiergartenstraße 149. 112 hectares of recreational forest with free ranging fallow deer. 
  • 10 Eilenriede. 650 hectares of city forest. Very unique considering its size and location in the middle of the city. 
  • 11 List. A residential area not so far from the Central Station. This area is popular among students. It has a nice pedestrian area "Lister Meile" with some small and interesting shops. 

Museums

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Many museums (including the Landesmuseum, the Historical Museum, and the Kestner Museum) can be visited for free on Friday.

Landesmuseum
  • 12 Niedersächsisches Landesmuseum (Lower Saxon State Museum). Tu W F-Su 10:00-17:00, Th 10:00-19:00. A mish-mash of exhibitions. There is a prehistorical section focusing on the past of Lower Saxony including tools and weapons. You will also find coins of the Kingdom of Hanover, Prussia and the German empire and to top it all off, what every German museum needs, a Japanese tea room. Adult €4-8, reduced €3-6, family €9-16. 
  • 13 Historisches Museum am Hohen Ufer, Pferdestraße 6, ☏ +49 511 168-43945, fax: +49 511 168-45003. Tu 10:00-19:00, W-F 10:00-17:00, Sa Su 10:00-18:00. – The Historical Museum in Hanover traces the history of the city right from the time of its foundation in 1100 to the present day. The museum showcases the history of the town as well as the individual regions. You will also get to know a lot about the folk culture and folk traditions of Hanover. Located towards the west of Balhof in Hanover and is on the Hohes Ufer where you find the largest flea market held on Saturdays. €5 (adults). 
  • 14 Sprengel Museum, Kurt-Schwitters-Platz (any tram to Aegidientorplatz then walk 10 min to the direction of the lake, or Bus 131 from Kröpcke to stop Maschsee/Sprengel Museum), ☏ +49 511-16843875, fax: +49 511-16845093. Tu 10:00-20:00, W-Su 10:00-18:00. Should not be missed by modern art lovers. Hosts a great number of art objects from the 20th century. Objects include works from Picasso, Paul Klee, Niki de Saint-Phalle. €7 (adults), €4 (students, seniors, unemployed). 
  • 15 Wilhelm-Busch Museum, in Georgengarten, within the Great Garden (Tram 4 or 5 (Direction Garbsen/Stöcken) to stop Wilhelm-Busch Museum). Tu-F 11:00–17:00, Sa Su holiday 11:00–18:00. This museum hosts the unique collection of Busch’s work and others satirical and humorous art. It is respected as the German Museum of Caricature and Critical Graphic Arts. €4.50, €10 family, €2.50 reduced. 
  • 16 Blindenmuseum Hannover (Landesbildungszentrum für Blinde), Bleekstraße 22, ☏ +49 511-52470. The museum hosts objects showing how blind people have been educated between 1843 and today. Free admission, but open only by appointment. 
    Hannover Tramway Museum in Wehmingen
  • 17 Museum August-Kestner (Kestner Museum), Trammplatz 3 (Bus 131/132 stop: Aegidientorplatz, Bus 120 stop: Friedrichswall/Culemannstraße, Bus 250 stop: Bleichenstraße), ☏ +49 511-16842120, fax: +49 511 168-46530, . Tu Th-Su 11:00-18:00, W 11:00-20:00. Objects include ones from ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece, the Middle Ages and modern times. €3. 
  • 18 Hannover Tramway Museum (Straßenbahn-Museum), Hohenfelser Straße 16, Sehnde (in Wehmingen near Sehnde), ☏ +49 511 646 3312, . The Museum comprises the only nationwide collection of tramcars in Germany, located on the site of a former potash mine in Sehnde-Wehmingen, southeast of Hannover. Open from April - October only Sundays and public holidays 11:00-17:00. . Admission: €8, child 6–15 years: €4.50, family: €19. 
Fireworks in Herrenhäuser Gärten

Fireworks

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Hanover's people enjoy a lot of fireworks during the year. In addition to the world competition held every summer, there are fireworks every night of the Kleines Fest, every weekend during the Spring Festival (Frühlingsfest) and Oktoberfest, and on the weekend of the Lake Masch Festival. For the first two, the best spot to see is inside or outside the Great Garden, while the latter ones can be seen from any point around Lake Masch. Fireworks usually start at 22:00.

Hanover is also place of the annual fireworks world contest (or at least one of the many world contests happening during the year around the world) in the Herrenhäuser Gärten. Six nations participate on six Saturdays, three of them around May - Jun, three in Aug - Sep.

Opera
  • 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). 
  • Hannover 96, Niedersachsenstadion, Arthur-Menge-Ufer, ☏ +49 511 9690 0450. Die Roten (The Reds) play soccer in 2. Bundesliga, Germany's second tier. The stadium (capacity 49,000) is close to city centre at the north end of Machtsee. (updated Oct 2023)
  • Hannover Scorpions. Hanover's professional ice hockey club in Germany's premier division (DEL). 

In Spring

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The huge bavarian-style restaurant, Münchener halle at the fair ground is almost a tourist attraction itself
  • 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. 
  • Masala World-beat Festival. Musicians from around the world play in several spots throughout the city. An annual event in spring/summer.

In Summer

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  • The Small Festival in the Great Garden (Kleines Fest im großen Garten) (Tram 4, from Kröpcke direction Garbsen). – Around 30-40 performers from around the world perform in this summer festival, including clowns, acrobatic performance, comedy theatre and many more. Every festival day lasted around 4 hours (18:00-22:30), so normally only maximum 7 stage performances can be seen in 1 festival day. At the end of the day (or night), fireworks are lighted, bringing the excitement from the day to a fabulous ending. Tickets can be bought directly on the day, but be prepared for a very long queue. Coming as early as 2 hours before the festival starts is recommended. 
  • Still in Herrenhäuser Gärten, there is an International Firework Competition every year (between May and September). Tickets are sold to see the firework from inside the garden. However, the fireworks can also be enjoyed from the outside of the garden. Be prepared to have a stiff neck by the end of the show as each session lasts 20–30 minutes and during this time you will have your head continuously tilted upwards.
  • Schützenfest, Schützenplatz. The largest of its kind of festivals.
  • Lake Maschsee Festival, around the lake. Annual event in the summer with food & beverage outlets, and open air cinema.
  • Walk or jog around the Maschsee, especially in the summer. In a (rare) very cold winter, the surface of the lake will be frozen and thick enough for ice skating. If you are lucky enough to encounter this rare opportunity, be sure to join in the fun along with all the other people making the most of it.
  • Rubber Duck Race (Entenrennen). (Tram 10, 17 stop: Clevertor); Tram 3, 7, 9 stop: Markthalle). Date for 2007 was July 7. A fun one day event, especially for the children. Hundreds of rubber duckies "racing" through the river Leine. Numbered rubber duckies can be bought for €3 (incl. €2 start fee) in üstra Service Center City in Kröpcke a few weeks before the event or directly on the spot before the "qualification race". Race starts at the Lower Saxon State Parliament (Landtag Niedersachsen, Leineschloss, Hinrich-Wilhelm-Kopf-Platz 1) and finishes at the bridge Marstallbrücke.

In Autumn

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  • Oktoberfest, Schützenplatz. second biggest oktoberfest in the world.

In Winter

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  • Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmarkt) can be found in front of Central Station, in Kröpcke, in Old City (Altstadt), and in List (street name "Lister Meile"), and it last from end of November until a couple of days before Christmas. The best stalls to visit are the Finnish stands in the Old City. They serve very good smoked salmon, herring, and reindeer meat. The hot wine (Glühwein) is probably the best in the whole Christmas Market. Another alternative is the charming Winter Zoo at Hanover Zoo. From the end of November until the middle of January you can enjoy ice shows, ice skating, slides as well as hearty food and drink to keep you warm.

Learn

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Work

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As Hanover regularly hosts a number of big exhibitions (eg. CeBIT, Biotechnica), temporary jobs are always available. However, these are very popular side jobs for students and recruitment may be restricted to local residents.

Souvenirs

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  • Souvenirs of the city Hanover can be easily bought at the Tourism Office.
  • Official merchandise for World Cup 2006 or Hanover 96 soccer team is sold in Karstadt Sport in Kröpcke.
Shopping center Ernst August Galerie near central station

Shopping

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  • Left next to the Central Station there is a huge mall called Ernst August Gallerie.
  • There is a supermarket (Lidl) in the Central Station. It is the only one open on Sundays. A larger supermarket open M-Sa 24 hours (Kaufland) is left next to the Central Station - behind the Central Bus Station (at the other side of the Station if you are walking from the city centre).
  • Big department stores such as Galeria Kaufhof and Karstadt can be found in Kröpcke.
  • Check Hugendubel in Kröpcke for popular English books. Another large bookstore is Lehmanns in Georg Straße near Steintor.
  • For sports equipments go to SportScheck or Karstadt Sport.
  • Rossmann and Douglas provide most body care products. Rossmann also offers a good and cheap photo printing service. There is a Rossmann shop right in the Central Station.
  • Horstman & Sander in Kröpcke (Georgstr., direction to Steintor) is a great shop for leather goods and good quality bags ranging from coin purses to backpacks to extra large suitcases.
  • For elegant boutiques, Galerie Luise (Luisenstr.) is the best option.

Flea market

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A flea market located along the Leine river takes place every Saturday, 07:00-16:00. However, it's dominated by electronic goods and overpriced "antiques". Watch out for pickpockets.

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.

German Sausages and more

Food Markets

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  • 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

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At a nearby butcher shop you can get German sausages.

City centre

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  • 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

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  • 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)
  • 7 La Perla Restaurant, Bürgerstraße 1. Completely Italian. The service is friendly and helpful. Short waiting times. Selection is large. Special requests are accepted and fulfilled in a friendly manner. (updated Jan 2023)
  • 8 Urfa Class, Lister Meile 32. Turkish breakfast is fantastic here, vegetarian option with Menemen (scrambled eggs with tomatoes) are also available. Great döner kebab. Rare restaurant that cooks with charcoal. The staff is very attentive. (updated Jan 2023)
  • 9 Pizzeria La Lanterna, Lister Meile 31. Good place for pizzas whether round or square. The vegetarian pizza is really delicious. High quality and somehow a piece of Italy in the middle of the city. (updated Jan 2023)
  • 10 Kebap 63, Lister Meile 7. Great kebab with large portions. The vegetarian option is also great. Many different ingredients, including grilled vegetables. They customize your food according to your wish. Free tea is always available. (updated Jan 2023)
  • 11 Café Mezzo, ☏ +49 511-314966, fax: +49 511-3884677. Lister Meile 4. Normally crowded with students during lunch and dinner time. Reservations should be considered if planning to come during this time. Service can be slow sometime, but they offer a wide range of student menus with reasonable prices. (updated Jan 2023)

Along the Limmerstraße

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Mid-range

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  • 13 Das kleine Museum, Grotestraße 10, ☏ +49 511 2153979. A corner restaurant-pub with large portions of excellent German, French, and Moroccan inspired food. Run by the owner, the staff are warm and welcoming. The decorations are true to its name, replete with stuffed crocodiles on the roof. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 14 Gaststätte Kaiser, Schaufelder Str. 27, ☏ +49 511 164900. Traditional German cuisine of Lower Saxony in an atmospheric restaurant; comprehensive whiskey list. Located near the university, this is a favourite of visiting professors and researchers. The owner also rents rooms upstairs. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 15 Masa, Georgstr. 50b, . Afghan food. You may want to opt for the carpeted floor than the tables. Located next door to the cocktail bar "Loft". (updated Sep 2022)
  • 16 Bavarium, Near Kröpcke, Windmühlenstraße 3, ☏ +49 511-323600, . Bavarian restaurant. (updated Sep 2022)
  • Café Konrad, Knochenhauerstraße 34, ☏ +49 511-323666. Gay-friendly restaurant in the Old City. The food is good, but the preparation is quite often slow. The atmosphere is great, even for straight diners. They have an English menu and are always happy to help you with it. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 17 Mövenpick, In Kröpcke, Georgstr. 35, ☏ +49 511-3262840, fax: +49 511-3632539. The best place to come for the all-you-can-eat-and-drink breakfast. But not for late sleepers as the breakfast ends at 11:30. Try the ice cream, a bit expensive but definitely worth the price. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 18 11A, Am Küchengarten 11A, Linden, ☏ +49 511 5901111. 10:00-23:00. A smaller cosy restaurant and wine bar in same building. Pretty large portions with decent price of fusion food (seafood, meat, vegetarian etc). Some seats inside, but most tables outside. Good menu and daily specials. Please book a table in advance on warm evenings, because it is popular among locals. You can also wait for a table in the wine bar, next to green park. (updated Sep 2022)
  • Extrablatt, in various locations. This is a franchised restaurant easily found in several cities in Germany. They serve burgers, pizza, and wraps. Reasonable prices. For the one in List (Friesenstraße), reservations are not necessary except for large groups. (updated Sep 2022)

Splurge

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  • 19 Basil, Dragonerstr. 30, ☏ +49 511 622636. M-Sa 18:30-02:00. Dining in a high ceiling, brick domed room creating a medieval appearance whilst at the same time being contemporary and modern. The menu is fresh and changes every 3 weeks to keep it that way. International meals. 
  • 20 Pier 51, Rudolf-von-Bennigsen-Ufer 51, ☏ +49 511 8071800, fax: +49 511 80718019. 12:00-01:00 (kitchen 12:00-15:00, 18:30-22:30). Fantastic sun deck where you can eat whilst taking in the views of the lake. Mediterranean meals. Reservations are more than likely a must especially in the summer season. 

Drink

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Lüttje Lage
Beergarden at Lister Turm
  • 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

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  • 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

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  • Lunablu, ☏ +49 511 13 1001. Schaufelderstraße 11. Interior designed by Jorge La Guardia and the flamenco musician gave it a desintct 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. 
  • Pepe's, ☏ +49 511124 6086. Mexican Bar, Friesenstraße 52. A small exotic bar serving delicious food. The cocktail of choice here is the 'Caipi', more often known as, 'Caipirinha', made with sugar cane spirit and limes or the Castro Cooler with rum and calvados. The salsa music will have you up on your feet in no time, especially after a few 'Caipi'. Daily from 18:30-01:00. 
  • Bolero Bar, Nikolai Str. 3 (in front of Cinemaxx) – Bolero Bar offers a great variety of cocktails at a reasonable price. The place seems to be always full, including weeknights, so reservations are recommended. The place is rather large and not as smoky as other cocktail bars. Happy hour daily 17:00-19:00: half-price for most cocktails; caipi hour daily 23:00-01:00: all caipi variations €4.50, jumbo caipi €6.90; jumbo hour daily after 19:00: cheaper jumbo cocktails.
  • Sausalitos, ☏ +49 511-3530919. Osterstraße 38, – Mexican restaurant that has a great variety of cocktails. Usually full during happy hour which last until 20:00. 
  • Loft Georgstraße. 50b (you will have to go through an alley to find it) +49 511-3631376 – Serves original and different Afghani dishes. Opens at 12:00, and has a Happy Hour on Monday and Sunday.
  • Escenario, Nikolaistr. 12. (Close to Cinemaxx Nikolaistr.) Happy hour 16:30-20:00 (Cocktails €3.95). Tuesday is Ladies Night (Prosecco for €1-1.50).
  • Oscar's, ☏ +49 511 235-2434. 54 Georgstraße. The bar has won a host of awards from publications ranging from Playboy to Barführer, Germany's authoritative guide to the best bars in the country. The monthly whisky tasting session attracts connoisseurs from all over Germany, and the bar has the most extensive collection of whiskies available locally. Prices are appropriately steep, but the atmosphere is not at all stuffy or pompous. It actually has a relaxed and communal feel to it. 

Hot drinks

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  • Tchibo is the best place for a quick sip of coffee. Can be found everywhere. There is usually no chance of getting a seat, but there are tables where you can at least rest your drink. Some shops also offer cakes.
  • Balzac Coffee has a great variety of coffee, including cold ones resembling Starbucks' Frappucino. There are several in Hanover, including in front of central station (next to Saturn electronic shop), Steintor, and in old townhall (Altes Rathaus).
  • World Coffee, inside Central Station. Also has a good coffee variety.
  • Holländische Kakao-Stube, Ständehausstr. 2, ☏ +49 511-304100. Best place in town for hot chocolate (with and without liquor). They also offer the famous Sacher Chocolate Cake imported from Hotel Sacher in Vienna. 
  • Teestübchen, Am Ballhof 10, Old City area (Altstadt), ☏ +49 511-3631682. Offers good variety of tea. A nice place to visit in the afternoon after shopping in the city. 

Nightlife

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  • Eve Klub, Reuterstr. 3-4, . Was voted one of the Best 50 Clubs in Germany by the magazine Maxim in 2004. Partygoers come here to enjoy high end DJs or the live performances that happen twice a month. 
  • Heartbreak Hotel, Reuterstr, 5 – One of the newer and fresher nightclubs on the scene. Stays open until daybreak if you have the stamina.
  • Sansibar, Scholvinstr. 7. Music spans 3 decades beginning with 1960s soul and travelling through the 1970s and 1980s. 
  • Osho Discothek, Raschplatz 7L. One of the oldest clubs in Hanover but has been revamped on several occasions to keep with the times. Most notable feature is the huge 90 meter square dance floor calling people to boogie the night away. 
  • Brauhaus Ernst-August, Schmiedestr. 13. A nightclub which also serves food! Also has freshly brewed beer. Don't be shocked if you see guest dancing on the tables, it is apparently a common sight. 

Sleep

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As Hanover frequently hosts big exhibitions, booking your room well in advance is highly recommended as hotels can easily get full and/or raise their rates during these times.

Budget

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  • 1 Youth Hostel Hanover, Ferdinand-Wilhelm-Fricke-Weg 1, ☏ +49 511 131 76 74, . Prices from €24.10, half board from €28.70, full board from €80 (incl. bed linen). Membership of the German or a national Youth Hostel Association is a prerequisite. 
  • Krügers Guesthouse, Bantorfer Brink 61, Barsinghausen. Set in the surroundings of the hiking paradise in the Deister Natural Park. This guest house makes a good base for those coming to view the Hannover exhibition centre. They have single, double and triple rooms as well as suites. Rooms are en-suite and breakfast is included.
  • Haus Sparkuhl Hotel Garni Hischestraße 4. All rooms are equipped with shower/lavatory, hairdryer, telephone, modem connection, radio and cable television. Close to the centre of Hanover and good transport links to the airport, the main train station and the exhibition centre. Beds from €24.
  • 2 Hotel Flora Hannover (Garni), Heinrichstraße 36 (in Alte Neustadt), ☏ +49 511 - 38 39-10, . This hostel is found close to the forest in Hanover and would suit those looking for a quieter place to stay. A 10-minute walk will bring you to a train station where you could easily hop on a train to the centre of Hanover if you so wish. Beds from €25 with breakfast thrown in. single room with shared shower and WC as of €42. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 3 Bed'nBudget, Osterstraße 37 (located in Alte Neustadt), ☏ +49 511 - 36 06-107, . Single rooms €30, dorms €19.50 (6-person mixed room). (updated Sep 2017)
  • 4 Bed'nBudget, Hildesheimer Straße 380 (located in Wülfel in the city South relatively near the fair grounds), ☏ +49 511 -86 50 86, . Single rooms €27.50, dorms €17.50 (30-person mixed room). (updated Sep 2017)
  • Bed & Breakfast Hannover, Gaußstraße 23, ☏ +49 511-1695550, fax: +49 511-1695551. Single rooms €27-46.50, Double €53.50-100, Apartments €35-108. 
  • Etap Hotel Hannover City, Runde Straße 7, ☏ +49 511-2355570. In a handy location for the train station. Single €39-44 (plus €8 for 2nd/3rd person). 
  • Hotel Marjani, Charlottenstraße 53, ☏ +49 511-2152121, fax: +49 511-2152122, . This hotel is between Hanover and Springe, 15 km distance from Hanover Central Station. Families are welcome and children under the age of 12 stay for free. Breakfast is included in the price. Single €30-55, Double €44-85. Breakfast €7/person. 
  • Hotel Reverey Garni, Aegidiendamm 8, ☏ +49 511-883711, fax: +49 511-3537909, . Quite location but with easy access to the centre of Hanover. Clean and comfortable rooms and breakfast is included. Prices from: €32. 

Mid-range

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  • Suite Hotel, Rundestr. 9, ☏ +49 511-374500, fax: +49 511-37450333, . This hotel offers private suites which have a small kitchenette built in as well as standard, free WiFi and TV and video. Try to make sure your stay includes a Thursday as guests receive a free massage on Thursdays! Stays lasting over 4 days will be given free rein over a smart car as well. Facilities include a fitness centre. Behind the central station. Prices from a not too extravagant €75. 
  • Crowne Plaza Hotel Hannover-Schweizerhof, Hinueberstr. 6, ☏ +49 511-34950, fax: +49 511-3495123, . Big chain-like hotel in the centre of Hanover. Good location and includes all expected amenities of a big hotel but nothing special. Rooms are quite spacious and well equipped and furnished however and suites are available. Good breakfast. Standard room from €80. (updated Feb 2017)
  • Vahrenwalder Hotel, Vahrenwalder St. 181 (Tram 1/2/8, stop: Buttnerstr.), ☏ +49 511-3881990, fax: +49 511-388199400, . Good and clean, standard breakfast. May be loud due to busy street. Economy single room from €102. 
  • Mercure Hotel Hannover Medical Park, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 1 (Tram 4, direction Roderbruch, stop: Medizinische Hochschule), ☏ +49 511-95660, fax: +49 511-9566333. A boutique hotel close to Medical School Hanover, with good connection to buses and trams. 
  • Ibis Hotel Hannover Medical Park (within the same complex as Mercure above), ☏ +49 511-95670, fax: +49 511-9567140. Big chain hotel found in almost all major cities. No thrills but will be comfortable and convenient. Rooms from €47-56, during a big event however they will increase to €159-179. 
  • Radisson SAS Hotel, Expo-Plaza 5, ☏ +49 511-383830. Modern design and close-ish to the city centre (8 km). Business style hotel that includes conference rooms, fitness centre and an on site restaurant. Standard room from €97. 

Splurge

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  • Queens Hotel Hannover, Tiergartenstraße 117, ☏ +49 511-51030, fax: +49 511-5103510, . €250-300. 
  • The Kastens Hotel Luisenhof, Luisenstr. 1-3, ☏ +49 511-30440, fax: +49 511-3044807, . 5-star hotel, very close to the central station and the Galerie Luise. Available facilities include sauna, fitness centre, massage, cycling, Turkish/steam bath. €153-850. 

Connect

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Wi-Fi connections

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For those of you with portable computers, WLAN connection is available inside the Central Station. There are also several cafes providing WLAN connection free of charge:

  • Art Oase, Egerstorffstr. 12
  • Depot Cafe & Bar, Kramerstr. 10
  • Viva Gastronomie, Vahrenwalderstr. 92
  • Cafe Extrablatt, Friesenstr. 14

When you supply a German mobile number, each McDonald's restaurant in Hanover provides one hour of free Wifi. The phone number is not used for advertising.

Internet access

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Café Mezzo provides a public computer with internet access. Internet cafés are easy to find in Steintor area, especially along the Goethe Straße, Lange Laube and Am Marstall. The price varies, but normally is from €1 to €2 per hour.

Mobile phone

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It is possible to buy prepaid SIM cards from several operators. However, it is compulsory to register your identity, so make sure to bring your passport with you. And since it is registered, take necessary care of the SIM card when you stop using it.

Stay safe

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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.

Important telephone numbers

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  • Police: 110
  • Emergency (fire, acute illness): 112
  • Pharmacy for emergency: 01189

Stay healthy

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  • Hanover Medical School (Medizinische Hochschule Hannover), Carl-Neuberg Str. 1 (Tram 4, direction Roderbruch, stop: Medizinische Hochschule), ☏ +49 511 5320. Most likely place to find medical doctors who are willing to speak English. 
  • Kinderkrankenhaus auf der Built (Children's Hospital auf der Bult), Janusz-Korczak-Allee 12, ☏ +49 511 8115-0. Specialized in children's disease, but also has an emergency ward. 
  • Ärztehaus Hannover, Schiffgraben 22-28, ☏ +49 511 3 80 380. 24/7 emergency doctor's services near the Central Station. 

Cope

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Laundromat

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  • One laundromat can be found in Oesterleystr. on Sudstadt.
  • There is an unattended laundromat on Engelbosteler Damm 75, near the "Kopernikusstraße" tram stop. One machine is about €3.50 including detergent. Open till 23:00.
  • Another laundromat is at Deisterstraße (best walk from the "Schwarzer Baer" tram stop). Same proprietor as the place on Engelbosteler Damm, so same prices&conditions.
  • Waschweiber Salon & Bar, Limmerstr.1, ☏ +49 511-1237696. M-F WASCHsalon 11:00-21:00, Bar 11:00-01:00, Sa WASCHsalon 09:00-21:00, Bar 11:00-01:00. Last time to start the machines is 21:00.. For a laundromat with a twist. 

Using English

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English translation was introduced to some official tourist portals such as the train ticket machines.

  • Tourist Office, Prinzenstr. 12 (close to the central station), ☏ +49 511-12345-111. M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa 09:00-14:00. 

Go next

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Steinhuder Meer, watersports pier
  • Steinhuder Meer - a lakeside nature park located outside Hanover city, but still within Hanover Region. 30 km west of Hanover. Take a regional train (RE) or S1 (direction Minden (Westf)) to Wunstorf and continue by bus (40–50 minutes in total).
  • Hildesheim, one of the oldest cities in the region, with Romanesque church and cathedral, 35 km south (25–30 minutes by train)
  • Celle, old town on the edge of Luneburg Heath, almost undamaged by war, 45 km northeast (17–25 minutes by train)
  • Hamelin, picturesque old town with Renaissance stone and half-timbered houses, setting of the Pied Piper legend, 45 km southwest (45 minutes by suburban train)
  • Alfeld - Fagus Factory[dead link] designed by Walter Gropius at the beginning of 20th century. It is one of the most important examples of early modernist architecture, in 2011 inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List. 50 km south (thirty minutes by train).
  • Brunswick, 65 km east (30–35 minutes by intercity train)
  • Bodenwerder - home of Baron Munchhausen. A village not far from Hanover. Baron Munchhausen was a Hanoverian storyteller who told extraordinary and often far fetched tales about his life as a soldier, hunter, and sportsman. Some of these tales were the basis for the collection The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 65 km south (about 20 km south-east of Hamelin)
  • Göttingen, 115 km south (35–40 minutes by intercity or ICE train)
  • Bremen, 125 km northwest (one hour by intercity or ICE train)
  • Hamburg 150 km north (1hr 15min by ICE train)

There is a special ticket called the "Niedersachsen Ticket"[dead link] (one to five people, €22/€26/€30/€34/€38) which offers unlimited travel by regional trains within Lower Saxony, Bremen and Hamburg in one day. This ticket is not valid for intercity and high-speed trains (D, EC, IC, ICE) so make sure you board the right trains (RE, RB, S-Bahn, Metronom) when using this ticket. This ticket is also valid on the public transport network in some of the cities (Hanover, Hamburg, Bremen, Brunswick).

Routes through Hanover
Hamburg ←  Hamburg  Munich  → Göttingen → Nuremberg
Hamburg ←  Hamburg  Zurich  → Göttingen → Frankfurt
Dortmund ← Bielefeld ←  Cologne  Berlin  → Berlin → Wolfsburg


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