Located on the banks of the Leine River we find the beautiful city of Hannover. Not so popular among tourists, the city offers the possibility of being visited calmly and without haste. It is ideal for a two-day getaway or to be included in an itinerary to different places in Germany. It is an important cultural center, with numerous museums, galleries and theaters, as well as large expanses of parks and gardens. Like Munich, Hannover celebrates the famous Oktoberfest beer festival every year, it is at this time that the city fills up with tourists or locals from nearby cities.
During World War II the city was practically reduced to ruins due to bombing, being rebuilt in the following decades, and converted into an important industrial and commercial center.
The city of Hannover offers many interesting places to visit, in this post I will tell you 10 essential things to see in Hannover, where to stay and some travel tips.
10 ESSENTIAL THINGS TO SEE IN HANNOVER
1. Marktplatz, an essential place to see in Hannover
Located in the center of the old town is the Marktplatz, the square where the main historical and medieval buildings to see in Hannover are located.
Among the most important buildings, the old Hannover City Hall stands out, which houses shops and galleries inside. The building is in the late Gothic style and was built in the 15th century.
You also can't miss visiting the Gothic Marktkirche church, a 14th-century Christian temple.
2. The New Town Hall in Hannover
The building that houses the new city hall is impressive. Built in 1913, this beautiful and majestic building houses the main administrative offices of the city. At first glance from the outside it makes you think that it is a royal palace.
Several of its rooms are open to tourists. In them you can see models of the old city of Hannover, as well as temporary exhibitions of all kinds.
What stands out the most about the building is its imposing dome, which measures more than 100 meters high, from which you will have impressive views of the city.
3. Lake Masch (Maschsee)
Lake Masch is a beautiful lake ideal for a walk and disconnect. It is an artificial lake where all kinds of outdoor activities are carried out; canoeing, paddle surfing, walking along its trails, skating, cycling...
In the same enclosure of the lake, on one side, you will find the Sprengel Museum.
4. State Museum of Lower Saxony
Located in front of the new town hall is the Historical Museum of Lower Saxony. The museum houses important collections of paintings, sculptures, antiquities and fossils. The most popular is the State Gallery, an important collection of European art spanning several centuries, ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
The natural history collection houses a life-size dinosaur and a vivarium with more than 2,000 fish and reptiles.
The ethnological collection of this museum is the oldest in Germany and has more than 20,000 objects.
It is a very complete and interesting museum that you cannot miss.
5. Hannover Old Town (Aldstadt)
The historic center of Hannover is the most beautiful area of the city. You will find among its alleys and cobbled streets the typical half-timbered houses, painted in colors.
It is a very lively area full of cafes, restaurants, small shops...
Here you will find the state Parliament, the Leineschloss. It was built in the 17th century and later renovated in the mid-19th century in a neoclassical style. You will find it on the banks of the river.
6. Marktkirche
In the historic center you will also find the Market Church (Marktkirche). This old medieval church is in the Gothic style, transformed into a Lutheran temple. It is one of the few buildings that was not completely destroyed during World War II.
The church is located next to the Market Square, Marktplatz, from which it derives its original name. Despite the fact that the initial project was never finished, the Marktkirche has a bell tower almost 100 meters high. From this tower you can enjoy spectacular views of the old part of the city. The Marktkirche was consecrated in the 14th century, being built on the remains of an 11th century Romanesque temple.
7. Sprengel Museum
Another of the essential museums to visit in the city is the Sprengel museum. Here you will find permanent exhibitions of contemporary and modern art. It was inaugurated in 1979 and contains private and state collections, housing works by artists such as Picasso, Max Ernst and Paul Klee, among many others.
If you feel like taking a guided tour of the city, you can take a private tour of Hannover with a guide in Spanish. It is perfect for small groups, since they do not make individual prices.
8. Herrenhausen Gardens
These gardens are one of the best-kept and well-preserved gardens in all of Germany. In them you will find several areas, paths, numerous fountains, sculptures and an endless variety of plants and flowers.
These gardens were created by Duchess Sophie for Louis XIV 300 years ago, and today they are one of the most visited places in the city.
One of the most beautiful places to visit is the Große Fontäne. A fountain that you will find in the southern area of the gardens. Its jets are capable of reaching 70 meters in height.
Right on the opposite side of the garden, in the north, you will find the Herrenhausen Palace, where inside you can visit a museum. (We weren't lucky enough to be able to visit the museum, it was closed for minor renovations, so I can't tell you anything about it. If you're lucky enough to visit it, tell me in the comments).
WHAT TO SEE NEAR HANNOVER
Near Hannover are several major German cities. With which you can combine the option of visiting Hannover and add some more city.
9. Visit Bremen
The beautiful city of Bremen is located approx 114km from Hannover. Bremen has a lot of charm and places to see. If you are interested in visiting Bremen, you can read the post: What to see and do in Bremen, one of the most charming cities in Germany
If you decide to rent a car to explore the surroundings of Hannover and you are going to visit Bremen, I advise you to take the road towards Neustadt am Rübenberge, from there if you have time I advise you to make a detour to the Steinhuder Meer lake, a beautiful Lake where the natural park with the same name is also located. You can walk the trails, enjoy the outdoors or if you travel in summer on the shores of the lake they have beach areas and bathing is allowed.
10. Visit Hamburg
About 160km away is Hamburg. Despite being 100 km from the sea, it is the second seaport in Europe thanks to the navigability of the Elbe River.
The city has many interesting places to discover, as well as being a quiet city that you can enjoy calmly.
If you want to know what to see in Hamburg you can read my post: The 20 best things to see and do in Hamburg
The landscape of the highway that goes from Hannover to Hamburg is very rural, green and calm. If you have time you can make a stop in the towns in between. We stopped for lunch in Bad Fallingbostel, a small town with one-story houses and small gardens. You have several options to visit and learn a little about the more rural areas of the area.
WHERE TO STAY IN HANNOVER
The best option is the city center. So walking you can get almost everywhere.
We stayed in the hotel Me and All hotel Hannover, 4 estrellas. It is located near the center, it has modern and comfortable rooms, and considering the prices in the city, it was not bad for the price.
Some great options where to stay in Hannover:
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to Germany a lot and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!