Hannover Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Top things to do in Hannover

Hannover is green, relaxed and easy to explore on foot or by tram.

• Herrenhausen Gardens — Celebrated royal gardens, with the formal baroque Great Garden at their heart.
• New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) — A palatial early-20th-century building with a rare arched lift climbing into its dome.
• Maschsee — A large lake near the centre, popular for walking, cycling and boating.
• Red Thread (Roter Faden) — A red line painted on the pavement that guides you past the city’s main sights.
• Old town — Restored half-timbered houses around the Market Church and the Leine river.
• Sprengel Museum — A leading museum of modern and contemporary art beside the Maschsee.
• Hannover Zoo — A popular themed zoo on the edge of the Eilenriede, one of Europe’s largest urban forests.

Best time to visit Hannover

Hannover has a mild, temperate climate. Late spring and summer, from May to September, are the most pleasant months, when the gardens are at their best and lakeside cafés and outdoor events are in full swing. The Maschsee lake festival brings food and music to the shore in summer.

The city’s trade fairs, including the major industrial fair held each spring, fill hotels quickly, so check the fair calendar before booking. Winters are cool and grey, brightened in December by Christmas markets in the old town.

Getting from the airport

Hannover Airport lies in Langenhagen, about 11 km north of the city centre. The airport has its own S-Bahn station, making the journey into town straightforward.

S-Bahn trains run from the airport to Hannover Hauptbahnhof, the central station, in under 20 minutes. Taxis and ride-hailing services wait outside the terminals, and car hire is available. During major trade fairs, extra public transport runs to the exhibition grounds.

Where to stay

Most visitors stay near the central station, with quieter options nearby.

• City centre (Mitte) — Close to the station, shopping streets, old town and the Red Thread route.
• List — A lively residential district with cafés and restaurants, a short tram ride from the centre.
• Linden — A diverse, creative area west of the Leine with a relaxed atmosphere.
• Near the Messe — Practical for trade-fair visitors, south of the city centre.

Travel tips

• Money: Cards are widely accepted, though some small cafés and bakeries prefer cash.
• Getting around: Trams, buses and S-Bahn trains are efficient; the centre is walkable.
• Trade fairs: Book accommodation well ahead during major fairs, when demand is high.
• Etiquette: Most shops close on Sundays; punctuality is appreciated.
• Language: German is spoken everywhere, and English is widely understood.