Things to Do in Hanover

About Hanover

Nestled in the heart of Lower Saxony, Hanover seamlessly blends its royal heritage as the former seat of the Hanoverian kings with its modern identity as one of Germany's greenest metropolises. This dynamic city, where baroque gardens meet cutting-edge architecture, has risen from the ashes of World War II to become a cultural powerhouse that pulses with an energy uniquely its own.

Travel Tips

• Purchase the "Hanover Card" from tourist information centers or hotels, which offers free public transport and discounted entry to major attractions like the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen and the New Town Hall.

• Visit during the annual Maschsee Lake Festival (usually late July to early August) to experience the city's biggest outdoor event, but book accommodations several months in advance as prices surge during this period.

• Use the efficient U-Bahn underground system to get around, but note that tickets must be validated in the blue boxes on train platforms before boarding to avoid hefty fines.

• When dining out, be aware that many traditional restaurants in the Old Town (Altstadt) area don't accept credit cards and prefer cash payment (EC-Karte/German debit cards are usually accepted).

When to Visit

Hanover's optimal visiting window runs from May through September (15-25°C), when the sprawling Herrenhäuser Gärten are in full bloom and outdoor beer gardens buzz with locals, though you'll trade pleasant weather for higher hotel rates during major trade fairs like CeBIT (typically June) or the massive Schützenfest in July—the world's largest marksmen's festival that draws 1.5 million visitors and inflates accommodation prices by 40-60%. Late April through early May offers a sweet spot with temperatures around 12-18°C, fewer crowds, and the chance to see cherry blossoms in the Georgengarten, though you'll need layers for unpredictable spring showers that average 50mm monthly. December transforms the city with its atmospheric Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market) in the Altstadt, but temperatures hover near freezing (0-5°C) with gray skies and only 1-2 hours of daily sunshine, making it ideal for cozy, festive atmosphere-seekers but miserable for those sensitive to cold and seasonal darkness. Avoid January-February when biting winds, frequent drizzle, and temperatures dipping to -2°C create bleak conditions with many attractions operating on reduced hours, and skip major trade fair weeks entirely unless attending, as the city becomes a logistical nightmare with accommodation scarce and prices tripling for generic business hotels.