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Sightseeing Overview
The Red Thread (see Tours of the City), a 4km- (3-mile) red line painted onto the road, is a denotative walking route, and is the most obvious way for new arrivals to sightsee the city.
More independent-minded visitors might wish to begin their own explorations from the Hauptbanhof, under the equestrian statue – the city’s favourite meeting place. From this busy plaza, a number of routes radiate out, although the most obvious is the Bahnhofstrasse, which leads up to another hub at Kröpcke, the central square at the heart of the city, linked to Opernplatz and Georgsplatz by Georgstrasse, the city’s main pedestrian thoroughfare.
To the west lies the Old Town, with interesting small shops, pubs and restaurants. The best examples of medieval housing and street layout can be found on Kramerstrasse and Burgstrasse.
Buildings made of red bricks, a characteristic style of northern Germany, include the 15th-century Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), the Kreuzkirche (Church of the Holy Cross) and the Marktkirche (Market Church), both dating from the 14th century.
South of the Old Town, the Rathaus (Town Hall) overlooks the Maschsee Lake. The Baroque Herrenhäusen Gardens are a few kilometres to the west, while the Eilenriede (a unique forest within the city) is situated beyond the main station to the east. The huge Messegelände and the Expo 2000 site lie to the southeast of the city.
Hanover’s streets may not have the grandeur of those in Berlin or Munich, but one thing that brings them to life is the multiple examples of street art. The urban streetscape is enlivened by brightly coloured sculptures known as ‘nanas’ (once mocked and now almost a symbol of Hanover), and a series of extravagant bus stops, created by international designers.
More independent-minded visitors might wish to begin their own explorations from the Hauptbanhof, under the equestrian statue – the city’s favourite meeting place. From this busy plaza, a number of routes radiate out, although the most obvious is the Bahnhofstrasse, which leads up to another hub at Kröpcke, the central square at the heart of the city, linked to Opernplatz and Georgsplatz by Georgstrasse, the city’s main pedestrian thoroughfare.
To the west lies the Old Town, with interesting small shops, pubs and restaurants. The best examples of medieval housing and street layout can be found on Kramerstrasse and Burgstrasse.
Buildings made of red bricks, a characteristic style of northern Germany, include the 15th-century Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), the Kreuzkirche (Church of the Holy Cross) and the Marktkirche (Market Church), both dating from the 14th century.
South of the Old Town, the Rathaus (Town Hall) overlooks the Maschsee Lake. The Baroque Herrenhäusen Gardens are a few kilometres to the west, while the Eilenriede (a unique forest within the city) is situated beyond the main station to the east. The huge Messegelände and the Expo 2000 site lie to the southeast of the city.
Hanover’s streets may not have the grandeur of those in Berlin or Munich, but one thing that brings them to life is the multiple examples of street art. The urban streetscape is enlivened by brightly coloured sculptures known as ‘nanas’ (once mocked and now almost a symbol of Hanover), and a series of extravagant bus stops, created by international designers.
Tourist Information
Hannover Tourismus Service
Ernst-August-Platz 8
Tel: (0511) 12345 111.
Website: www.hannover.de
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1400; Sun 0900-1400 (Apr-Sep).
Ernst-August-Platz 8
Tel: (0511) 12345 111.
Website: www.hannover.de
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1400; Sun 0900-1400 (Apr-Sep).
Passes
The Hannover Card offers visitors discounts for sightseeing attractions (including the Prengel Museum, Zoo and Herrenhäuser Gärten), theatre tickets and public guided tours of the city, as well as free transport on GVH buses and trams in the Hanover ticket zone, and on the airport S-bahn line. The card is valid from the moment it is stamped. The ticket is available in one or three-day cards, from the Hannover Tourismus Centrum. Group cards are also available.
View Our Airport Guides for Hanover:
Hanover Airport
