City map

Quick view

Top 10 sights

Germany
General Information

Getting around Hanover

Nightlife

Restaurants

Calendar of events

Hotels
We recommend, you book at

Weather & best time to visit

19:10 UTC

Phone calls & Internet

Shopping in Hanover

Travel etiquette
How to fit in

Health

Visa & Immigration

Share city guide with friends

Hanover - a brief overview
Wealthy Hanover was all-but destroyed in WWII, and few buildings were left standing. Besides a small area of the Altstadt (Old Town), most of the city centre was rebuilt in modern styles, but the central zones are all linked by a series of leafy parks, making it a pleasant place to stroll around. The
capital of the Lower Saxony is a forward-looking place, and a major business hub. In particular, the vast Hannover Messe boasts 50 hectares (123 acres) of indoor exhibition space, able to host some of the biggest events in the world, including CeBIT – the world’s largest computer trade fair.
Flight and accommodation
Best price search


Top 10 sights in Hanover

Neues Rathaus
30159 Hanover
Germany
Tel: (0511) 1680
Show on map
Completed in 1913, the former New City Hall is enjoys a waterside location by the Maschpark. Today, the impressive building is mainly used as office space and for weddings.
Herrenhäuser Gärten
30419 Hanover
Germany
Tel: (0511) 1683 4000
Show on map
Opening times:
Daily 0900-2000
In a northern suburb, the huge baroque Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen were created in the 17th century as an attempt to copy the Versailles Gardens in France. Many say they are the finest gardens in Germany.
Niedersächsisches Landesmuseum
30169 Hanover
Germany
Tel: (0511) 980 7686
Show on map
Opening times:
Tue-Wed and Fri-Sun 1000-1800
Thurs 1000-2000
The Lower Saxony State Museum contains an eclectic mix of exhibits, covering the prehistory of the local area, historical exhibits of the Kingdom of Hanover, Prussia and the German Empire, and more.
Sprengel Museum Hannover
30169 Hanover
Germany
Tel: (0511) 1684 3875
Show on map
Opening times:
Tue 1000-2000
Wed-Sun 1000-1800
This museum of contemporary art contains work by esteemed artists such as El Lissitzky, Andy Warhol, Paul Klee and Max Ernst. But the main focus is on Kurt Schwitter, who was born in Hanover.
Altes Rathaus
30159 Hanover
Germany
Tel: (0511) 300 8040
Show on map
Hanover’s few surviving medieval buildings, the Old City Hall was built in the 15th century, and its facade was restored in 1844 to look as it did in 1500. These days, the interior houses shops and a restaurant.
Leineschloss
30159 Hanover
Germany
Tel: (0511) 3030
Show on map
The impressive chateau was once the palace of the Hanoverian royal family. It is now the parliament building for the state of Lower Saxony.
Erlebnis Zoo
30175 Hanover
Germany
Tel: (0511) 2807 4163
Show on map
Opening times:
Daily 0900-1800 (Mar-Oct)
One of Europe’s better and more modern zoos, the emphasis here is on conservation and education above entertainment. It is divided into a number of themed zones, focusing on different climatic or geographic regions.
Maschsee
Hanover
Germany
Show on map
This man-made lake was dug out during the 1930s to create a watery playground in the heart of the city. Covering 68 hectares (168 acres), it’s a popular spot for summer boat rides or evening dinner cruises.
Marktkirche
30159 Hanover
Germany
Show on map
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0900-1900
Sat 0900-1600
The city’s main Lutheran church is a focal point of the city, and its spire a local landmark. Originally built in the 14th century, many of its impressive interiors were destroyed during WWII and had to be restored in the 1950s.
Historisches Museum Hannover
30159 Hanover
Germany
Tel: (0511) 1684 2352
Show on map
Opening times:
Tue 1000-1900
Wed-Fri 1000-1700
Sat-Sun 1000-1800
The Historical Museum traces the history and folk culture of the city and the surrounding region from the time of its foundation some 900 years ago to the present day.
Flight and accommodation
Country Information
Country overview
Once mockingly referred to as the “land of schnitzels and leather pants,” Germany has acquired a much more modern image in recent decades. International visitors are attracted to the big cities, especially the capital, Berlin. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, in particular, the city with its many cultural and entertainment attractions has become a major tourist destination. But other German cities also know how to celebrate and enjoy life.
Hamburg’s annual Hafengeburtstag port anniversary festival attracts around two million visitors every year, the Rhineland is famous for its carnivals, and Munich’s Oktoberfest is famous the world over.
Germany also has a variety of natural landscapes: for example, from the Wadden Sea and lowland plains of the northwest, the lakelands in the northeast of the country, numerous low mountain ranges and heathlands, to the central highlands and Alpine regions.
Geography
Germany borders Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. The northwest has a coastline on the North Sea, while the Baltic coastline in the northeast stretches from the Danish to the Polish border.
The country is divided into 16 states (Bundesländer) and has an exceedingly varied landscape. In what was once known as West Germany, the Rhine, Bavaria and the Black Forest stand as the three most famous features, while in the east, the country is lake-studded with undulating lowlands.
River basins extend over a large percentage of the region, and some of Europe’s most prominent rivers flow through the country. These include the Elbe, the Danube and the Rhine.
The highest point in the country is the 2962m (9718ft) peak of Zugspitze Mountain in the Bavarian Alps. Cable cars run to the summit, which can also be climbed.
General Information
Key facts
Population: 82,79 million (2017)
Capital: Berlin.
Language
German is the official language. Regional dialects often differ markedly from standard German.
Currency
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style round two-pin plugs are in use.
Public holidays
The public holidays for the January 2019 – December 2020 period are listed below.
Note:
* In catholic regions only
** Sachsen only
*** Not in all Laender (Bundesländer)
****Berlin only
2019
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2019
Epiphany: 6 January 2019*
International Women’s Day: 8 March 2019****
Good Friday: 19 April 2019
Easter Sunday: 21 April 2019
Easter Monday: 22 April 2019
Labour Day: 1 May 2019
Ascension Day: 30 May 2019
Whit Sunday: 9 June 2019
Whit Monday: 10 June 2019
Corpus Christi: 20 June 2019*
Assumption: 15 August 2019*
Day of German Unity: 3 October 2019
Day of Reformation: 31 October 2019***
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2019*
Repentance Day: 21 November 2019**
Christmas: 25 and 26 December 2019
2020
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2020
Epiphany: 6 January 2020*
International Women’s Day: 8 March 2020****
Good Friday: 10 April 2020
Easter Sunday: 12 April 2020
Easter Monday: 13 April 2020
Labour Day: 1 May 2020
Ascension Day: 21 May 2020
Whit Sunday: 31 June 2020
Whit Monday: 1 June 2020
Corpus Christi: 21 June 2020*
Assumption: 15 August 2020*
Day of German Unity: 3 October 2020
Day of Reformation: 31 October 2020***
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2020*
Repentance Day: 21 November 2020**
Christmas: 25 and 26 December 2020
All information subject to change.
Flight and accommodation
Getting around
Public Transport
The city has an efficient bus and tram network operated by Üstra (tel: (0511) 16680, www.uestra.de) and a suburban railway (S-Bahn). Buy tickets from vending machines at tram stops. Depending on the machine, you may need to validate them before use. Short-trip tickets (valid for three tram or five bus stops) and single tickets are sold, but day tickets (cheaper than two singles) offer the best value. The Hannover Card tourist card gives you unlimited free travel within the city.
Taxis
Pick up taxis from a designated rank, or call a company such as Hallo Taxi 3811 (tel: (0511) 3811) or Mein Taxi (tel: (0511) 434 343). Tipping isn’t necessary.
Flight and accommodation
Nightlife in Hanover
Compared with some other livelier German cities, Hanover has a restrained nightlife scene. Away from the Old Town and its bustling traditional pubs, the centre can sometimes feel
quiet at night. But there are still plenty of choices for those who fancy stepping out.
Brauhaus Ernst August
30159 Hanover
Germany
Show on map
Spacious Altstadt brewpub serving pilsners brewed in house in large volumes.
Waterloo Biergarten
30169 Hanover
Germany
Show on map
Huge outdoor tree-shaded beer garden, the perfect spot for warm summer nights.
Harry’s New York Bar
30177 Hanover
Germany
Show on map
Based in the Sheraton Hanover Pelikan Hotel, this ‘New York-style’ piano lounge bar serves more than 200 cocktails and almost as many different whiskies.
Oscar’s Bar
30159 Hanover
Germany
Show on map
Relaxed award-winning cocktail bar with as many whiskies on offer as cocktails.
Eve Klub
30159 Hanover
Germany
Show on map
Hanover’s most popular nightclub, hosting regular DJ nights and occasional live music.
Flight and accommodation
Restaurants in Hanover
There is a wide range of restaurants to choose from in the city, but with no Michelin-starred restaurants, even the top-end places are unlikely to break the bank.
Eating in one of the many pubs serving hearty Germanic fare is also popular.
Gallo Nero
30655 Hanover
Germany
Show on map
Price: Expensive
Upmarket Italian cuisine, served in a 400-year-old half-timbered suburban house.
Gattopardo
30159 Hanover
Germany
Show on map
Price: Expensive
Modern and refined Italian food prepared using only the freshest ingredients.
Altes Rathaus
30159 Hannover
Germany
Show on map
Price: Moderate
Good-quality, German-style cooking served in the historic surroundings of the Old Town Hall.
Basil
30163 Hanover
Germany
Show on map
Price: Moderate
This striking restaurant – in a former military riding hall – is the place to come for eclectic international dishes.
Al Dar
30175 Hanover
Germany
Show on map
Price: Cheap
Popular Syrian/Lebanese place selling tapas-style snacks to full meals.
Flight and accommodation
Calendar of events
Marathon Hanover
7 April 2019
Website
Venue: Throughout the city
As runners pound the streets of Hanover for the annual marathon, numerous samba bands and musicians accompany the athletes and the city offers an entertainment programme on Trammplatz where a big stage will host games, fun and music and the winners’ prizes will also be presented here.
Swinging Hannover
29 – 30 May 2019
Website
Venue: Various venues
More than 30,000 people gather to hear free jazz music played in front of the city’s town hall.
Masala World Beat Festival
17 – 26 May 2019
Website
Venue: Hannover Pavilion.
Covering everything from jazz and tango to funk and salsa, Masala World Beat Festival is an eclectic music event with a lively multicultural injection.
International Fireworks Competition
18 June – 21 September 2019
Website
Venue: Herrenäuser Gardens
International teams compete to put on the best firework displays. Competition displays take place several times a year. Thousands of spectators come to see the displays, which are accompanied by music. The extravaganza is held in pretty baroque-themed gardens.
Schützenfest (Marksmen's Fair)
30 June 2019
Website
Venue: Schützenplatz
The world’s largest Marksmen’s Festival attracts over one million annual visitors. Established in the 16th century, it consists of several large beer tents and the “Marksmen’s Parade”, a 12km-long (7 miles) parade of marksmen from around the world, plus more than 100 bands, 60 wagons, carriages and big festival vehicles. The landmark of the funfair is a 60m tall (200 ft) tall Steiger Ferris wheel which can carry 420 people in its 42 passenger cabins.
Kleines Fest im Grossen Garten (Little Festival in the Great Garden)
10 – 28 July 2019
Website
Venue: Grosser Garten, Herrenhausen
Kleines Fest im Grossen Garten (Little Festival in the Great Garden) will host 120 artists from around the world across more than 30 stages. Expect music, theatre, cabaret and fireworks as well as a fountain display.
Maschseefest (Masch Lake Festival)
31 July – 18 August 2019
Website
Venue: Maschsee
Music, street theatre, clowns, aquatic activities and culinary delights mark this popular annual summertime event. Around two millions visitors flock to the city for the celebration, which started in 1986. The event opens and closes with spectacular fireworks too.
Christmas Market
1 November – 23 December 2019
Venue: Old Town
Hannover’s three Christmas markets help to create a festive spirit. The most traditional Christmas market takes place in the old town illuminated with scores of candles and lights and featuring more than 150 stalls. It’s a chance for visitors to sample a plethora of German food and delicacies and buy traditional handmade gifts including trinkets and wooden toys. The historical and Finnish Christmas village and the so-called Wishing Well Forest are also linked to this occasion.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
Flight and accommodation
Hotels in Hanover
Hanover’s hotels are firmly focused on the business sector. When a large trade fair comes to town, prices can soar and rooms become difficult to obtain – unless you booked
far in advance. On the other hand, prices can drop dramatically in summer and at weekends.
Kastens Hotel Luisenhof
30159 Hanover
Germany
Show on map
Category: Expensive
The city’s top hotel, effortlessly combining luxury comfort with modern business convenience.
Grand Hotel Mussmann
30159 Hanover
Germany
Show on map
Category: Moderate
Modern comforts and marble finishes blend seamlessly at this central hotel.
Radisson Blu
30539 Hanover
Germany
Show on map
Category: Moderate
Well-equipped business hotel beside the Hannover Messe.
City Panorama
30159 Hanover
Germany
Show on map
Category: Cheap
Bright, newly built central hotel with cosy rooms and agreeably low rates.
Irodion City Hotel
30159 Hanover
Germany
Show on map
Category: Cheap
Centrally located good-value hotel offering simple comforts at the right price.
Flight and accommodation
Best time to visit
Today: Friday, 13.12.2019 19:10 UTC

overcast
temperature
2°C
wind direction
southwind speed
2.5 mph7 days forecast
Saturday
14.12.2019
5°C / 2°C
Sunday
15.12.2019
8°C / 3°C
Monday
16.12.2019
9°C / 4°C
Tuesday
17.12.2019
13°C / 9°C
Wednesday
18.12.2019
10°C / 7°C
Thursday
19.12.2019
7°C / 5°C
Friday
20.12.2019
5°C / 3°C
Climate and best time to visit Hanover
Hanover is a business hub and busy year round. Winters can be harsh however, and rain can fall often in summer. Spring and autumn are good times to visit. Regular major trade fairs and exhibitions – such as CeBIT in March – often force hotel prices up and reduce the availability of rooms to zero, so it can be advisable to avoid these times unless specifically there to visit the event itself. In late September, the city also plays host to the second largest Oktoberfest in the world after Munich, attracting one million visitors each year.
Climate & best time to visit Germany
As with most European countries, Germany is a year-round destination but not especially dependable weather-wise. In general terms though, it’s temperate throughout the country with warm summers and cold winters – prolonged periods of frost or snow are rare. Rain falls throughout the year, with much of Germany experiencing its maximum rainfall over the summer months. So unpredictability is a major factor. The average daytime temperature in January is 3°C (38°F) and in July, 22°C (72°F). Extremes commonly reach -10°C (5°F) in winter and 35°C (95°F) in the summer months.
While Munich might be considerably further south than Berlin, the fact that the Bavarian capital is at a much higher altitude means the two cities have broadly comparable summers. The highest annual temperatures tend to be in the southwest, where there’s almost a Mediterranean feel to the landscape at times. Unsurprisingly, this is where much of Germany’s wine is grown.
May through to September are the most popular months in terms of tourist numbers, and they certainly hold the most appeal for visitors aiming to spend much of their time outdoors. However, the spring and fall shoulder seasons also hold real attractions for those who want the promise of decent weather without the tourist levels. The winter holidays are also a big draw in their way, due in no small part to their attendant Christmas markets. Peak season for ski areas is from December through to the end of March.
Away from the mountains, January through to April will appeal to those who enjoy the benefits of uncrowded attractions, although be aware that cities like Berlin rarely witness “slow” periods at any time of year. Prices tend to be slightly higher over the summer months. One other thing to bear in mind is that hotel rates can increase when big trade shows are in town (potentially a problem in Frankfurt, for example).
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
absolute max | absolute min | Ø absolute max | Ø absolute min | relative humidity | Ø precipitation | days with deposit > 1mm | sunshine duration | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jan | 14 °C | -24 °C | 3 °C | -2 °C | 87 % | 52 mm | 11 | 1.3 h |
Feb | 18 °C | -24 °C | 4 °C | -2 °C | 84 % | 37 mm | 9 | 2.4 h |
Mar | 24 °C | -18 °C | 7 °C | 0 °C | 80 % | 48 mm | 10 | 3.4 h |
Apr | 29 °C | -6 °C | 12 °C | 2 °C | 75 % | 50 mm | 10 | 5.0 h |
May | 32 °C | -3 °C | 17 °C | 7 °C | 72 % | 62 mm | 10 | 6.7 h |
Jun | 33 °C | 0 °C | 20 °C | 10 °C | 73 % | 73 mm | 11 | 6.9 h |
Jul | 35 °C | 3 °C | 22 °C | 12 °C | 75 % | 62 mm | 10 | 6.4 h |
Aug | 38 °C | 3 °C | 22 °C | 11 °C | 75 % | 64 mm | 10 | 6.4 h |
Sep | 33 °C | -1 °C | 18 °C | 9 °C | 81 % | 53 mm | 9 | 4.6 h |
Oct | 26 °C | -7 °C | 13 °C | 6 °C | 84 % | 42 mm | 9 | 3.4 h |
Nov | 20 °C | -17 °C | 7 °C | 2 °C | 86 % | 52 mm | 11 | 1.7 h |
Dec | 16 °C | -20 °C | 4 °C | 0 °C | 88 % | 60 mm | 12 | 1.1 h |
year | 38 °C | -24 °C | 12 °C | 4 °C | 80 % | 656 mm | 122 | 4.1 h |
Flight and accommodation
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code:+49
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking credentials entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Flight and accommodation
Shopping in Hanover
Key Areas
Head to Georgstrasse and Bahnhofstrasse to find the large department stores and fashionable boutiques. The area around the Opera House and Kröpcke square is also home to a range of exclusive shops and large department stores. You’ll find more top-end boutiques and antique shops in the Altstadt.
Markets
For food and other everyday goods, Markthalle (Karmarschstrasse 49), in the Altstadt, is a huge indoor market selling a vast array of fresh produce and other items. Head to Am Hohen Ufer in the Altstadt any Saturday, and you’ll find one of Europe’s largest and oldest flea markets, by the banks of the River Leine.
Shopping Centres
The city’s most convenient and central conventional shopping mall is the Ernst-August-Galerie, a huge complex containing more than 150 stores, handily situated right beside the main station. More upmarket foodstuffs and designer fashion labels are sold in the glass-covered Galerie Luise, near the Opera House.
Flight and accommodation
Traveller etiquette
Handshaking is customary in Germany, and it is considered rude to address people by their first name unless invited to do so. Normal courtesies should be observed. Before eating, it is normal to say “guten Appetit” to the other people at the table to which the correct reply is “danke, gleichfalls” (“Thank you, the same to you”). If you’ve been invited to eat at a German house, it is customary to present the hostess with unwrapped flowers (according to tradition, you should always give an uneven number, and it is worth noting that red roses are exclusively a lover’s gift).
In shops and other businesses, courtesy dictates that visitors should utter a greeting, such as “guten Tag” (or “grüß Gott” in Bavaria) before saying what it is that they want; to leave without saying “auf Wiedersehen” or “tschüss” can also cause offence.
Similarly, when making a telephone call, asking for the person you want to speak to without stating first who you are is impolite. Casual wear is widely acceptable, but more formal dress is required for some restaurants, the opera, theater, casinos and important social functions. Smoking is prohibited where notified, on public transportation and in most public buildings.
Flight and accommodation
Health
Main emergency number: 112
Food & Drink
There’s nothing to mark out German products as particularly risky to general health (although it has a partly founded reputation for being high in fat). Tap water is safe to drink.
Other Risks
Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forested areas of southern Germany; vaccination is advisable. Rabies is present; look out for ‘Tollwut’ signs. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered.
During the summer months, sunburn can be a problem. The southwest generally has the highest temperatures. The usual precautions apply: Use a generous amount of sunscreen and be sensible about how long you spend in direct sunlight. Be aware that a breezy day can sometimes mask high temperatures.
If walking over a long distance in warm weather, it’s advisable to drink – and carry – plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing, including a sun hat. Blisters can be another problem for hikers. These can often occur if new walking shoes are being worn over a long distance. Ideally, footwear should be worn in before the trip.
As a counterpoint to the balminess of the summer, German winters can be fairly severe. This is generally truer the further east you travel. If you’re arriving during the coldest months of the year, make sure you have adequate clothing. At any time of year, in fact, temperatures can be unpredictable – even in July and August it makes sense to have a sweater (and maybe an umbrella, too) to hand.
Other health problems that inexperienced travelers might reasonably encounter are the various knock-on effects of consuming too much alcohol. The risk, unsurprisingly, is particularly prevalent among those attending Munich’s Oktoberfest. Be aware that some beers have ABV levels of as much as 6 or 7% and should therefore be treated with respect.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Riebschläger, ThomasLandarztpraxis Neuwarmbüchen
Farster Str. 17a
30916 Isernhagen
Germany
Tel. +49-5139-982210
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment.
Flight and accommodation
Visa & Immigration
IATA Travel Centre
The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.