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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

IATA Travel Centre

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