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People always say they leave Hannover with memories filled with unlikely surprises. Being the capital of Lower Saxony, this place is abuzz with locals shopping and lounging in various parks. It also doesn’t disappoint with activities to fill up a weekend like museum hopping and outdoor fun with friends, family, and the locals. It’s a city with a rich history that has recently come alive after the war, so it’s now time to unlock the different sights and secrets of Hanover.
How to Get There
Hanover is not a hard place to get to since it has its own airport. From the airport, it is around 30 minutes or so to the centre, depending on traffic and the mode of transport you'll take. The S-Bahn Line 5 would take you directly to the main station in around 18 minutes.
Getting Around
You can easily get around Hanover because of its efficient public transportation system. Ran by the Üstra Hannoversche Verkehrsbetriebe AG, the city has bus loops and trams that would take you to the centre to its suburbs. You may purchase the Hanover Cards in tourist information outlets so it’s easier to take the buses, trains, and trams. Cabs are also available and easily found. You can hail these ubiquitous beige Mercedes on the street or in ranks.
Top Things to Do
Most of the city has been rebuilt over the years after the war. Since then, it has paved the way for experimentation in architecture and art that has given Hanover its lively flair. As a tourist, your first stop should be the city's pride, the Herrenhäuser Gardens. This is a 50-hectare paradise with sculptures, fountains, and a maze. The orangery hosts various music performances and stage plays as well so it would be a great experience to be able to catch one here.
The Berggarten, also located in the vicinity of Herrenhäuser, is another must-see especially for nature lovers and plant connoisseurs. It’s home to 20,000 plans and over 3,000 species. The main attraction in this stunning tourist spot is the Orchid House. It has an extensive variety of over 300 orchids that makes it the biggest one in Europe.
Don't forget to explore Hanover's bustling Neues Rathaus or the New Town Hall of the city. Built during 1913, it showcases the growth of Hanover over the years with miniature models that spans 1689, 1939, 1945, and its present day. After this, you can climb to the dome and see the best view of the city — you’ll find it surrounded by the Harz mountains and lush greenery from all sides.
Once you’re done exploring the town hall, you can head down to the park behind it to relax and have a snack. You’ll find the Masch Pond where you can enjoy some waterspouts like canoeing during the summer. The surrounding area in the park is littered by artwork by Alexander Calder, Arno Breker, and Georg Kolbe so it’s also a great place to enjoy the art while having a quick bite. Another interesting thing in this attraction would be how the pond reflects the town hall, showing a comparison of the fixed and unfixed sides that happened because of the war. They say that it serves as a reminder of its consequences.
Hanover’s Old Town is also another place that should be seen by every tourist. Parts of this area were destroyed during the war and the surviving buildings were all placed together to recreate the former before the bombing. Apart from being a quaint and picturesque location, it is also a good place to enjoy coffee during the day for breakfast and have some fun with German beer at night.
For those who are modern art connoisseurs, the Sprengel Museum should be at the top of your list. Founded in 1979 by chocolatier Bernhard Sprengel, this bolstered and solidified the city’s modern art collection. You’ll see works by Picasso, Max Ernst, and Fernand Leger here. It also houses art by Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder, and Gerhard Richter that had a huge impact on major trends in various industries like fashion. Sports enthusiasts will also be able to see Hannover 96. This is the home arena of Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896 or commonly known as just Hannover 96.
What to Eat
Hanover is also a foodie’s paradise because of the delicious local and international cuisines you’ll find all over the city. When you go to the old town, make sure to check out the Market Hall. It’s a space dedicated to food and they offer food at reasonable prices.
Meanwhile, Spandau Project is a retro-70s style restaurant near the student quarter of Leibniz University. It has plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes to choose from and also has curries, burgers, and salads that are popular with the locals.
The restaurant Pier 51 is located next to the Maschsee. It has a changing menu of poultry, red meat, and fish and dishes have the option to be ordered in half-servings. It’s an ideal spot for a romantic night out so people often recommend that reservations are made a few days before.
Where to Stay
Finding lodging in Hanover isn’t hard since the city makes travel convenient for people through transportation. Nonetheless, it’s also an extremely walkable city, so it’s recommended for tourists to stay in the city centre to be near most of the attractions. Staying here also makes it easy to go to different places like convenience stores and groceries for sudden needs.
