Things to Do in Hanover in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Hanover
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Asparagus season is in full swing - every restaurant worth its salt has special asparagus menus, and the weekly asparagus markets around the region are genuinely worth planning your days around. White asparagus from nearby farms costs around €8-12 per kilogram at markets versus €18-25 in restaurants.
- The Herrenhausen Gardens hit their absolute peak in May with 12,000+ tulips and spring bulbs before summer crowds arrive. You can actually walk the 50 hectares (123 acres) without jostling for photos, and the Great Garden fountain shows run daily at 11am, 2pm, and 4pm with minimal wait times.
- Maschsee lake becomes the city's living room in May - water temperature reaches 15-17°C (59-63°F) so locals start swimming, the 6 km (3.7 mile) lakeside path fills with runners and cyclists, and the beer gardens open their full outdoor seating. The Maschseefest doesn't start until August, so you get the lake without festival chaos.
- Hotel prices drop 25-35% compared to trade fair months (March, April, September) - a decent 3-star near the Hauptbahnhof that costs €180 during Hannover Messe runs €95-120 in May. Book 2-3 weeks ahead and you'll have your pick of neighborhoods.
Considerations
- Weather genuinely swings from 12°C to 22°C (54°F to 72°F) within the same week - you'll need layers because mornings start chilly, afternoons warm up significantly, then evenings cool down fast. That 70% humidity makes cool days feel colder and warm days feel muggy.
- Rain comes in unpredictable bursts rather than all-day drizzle - those 10 rainy days might mean brief afternoon showers or occasionally a washout day. The city isn't set up like London with covered walkways everywhere, so you'll duck into cafes more than you'd planned.
- Major museums and indoor attractions keep shorter spring hours (typically closing 5-6pm on weekdays) before switching to summer schedules in June. The Sprengel Museum, for instance, closes at 6pm instead of 8pm, which catches tourists off guard if you're planning late afternoon culture.
Best Activities in May
Herrenhausen Gardens exploration and palace tours
May is objectively the best month for the baroque gardens - spring bulbs overlap with early roses, the hedge maze is freshly trimmed, and the grotto by French artist Niki de Saint Phalle looks stunning without summer's harsh light. The Great Garden covers 50 hectares (123 acres) with geometric precision that takes 2-3 hours to properly explore. Weather in May means comfortable walking temperatures without the July heat that makes the open lawns exhausting. The Berggarten botanical section has 12,000 plant species and the orchid collection peaks in late May.
Cycling the Leine River and Maschsee loop routes
Hanover has 1,200 km (746 miles) of bike paths and May weather sits in that sweet spot before summer heat makes midday cycling sweaty work. The 30 km (18.6 mile) Leine River route from Ricklingen to Anderten passes beer gardens, allotment gardens where locals grow vegetables, and quiet stretches where you'll forget you're in a city. The Maschsee loop is exactly 6 km (3.7 miles) and takes 25-35 minutes at tourist pace with stops for photos. May means the chestnuts are flowering and the lakeside cafes have just opened their terraces.
Altstadt walking tours and market hall tastings
The reconstructed Old Town around Marktkirche and the half-timbered houses looks best in May's softer light, and the outdoor restaurant seating finally opens after winter. The Markthalle market hall operates Tuesday-Saturday 8am-6pm with 30+ vendors selling regional specialties - asparagus obviously, but also Bregenwurst sausage and local cheeses. May means fresh produce season starts and vendors actually have time to chat since this isn't peak tourist season. The Red Thread (Roter Faden) painted walking route covers 4.2 km (2.6 miles) of major sights and takes 90-120 minutes.
Eilenriede urban forest hiking and nature walks
This 640-hectare (1,581-acre) forest sits right in the city and May means the beech canopy fills in while forest floor wildflowers still get sunlight. The forest has 80 km (50 miles) of marked trails ranging from easy 2 km (1.2 mile) loops to 12 km (7.5 mile) routes connecting different neighborhoods. You'll see locals foraging for wild garlic in early May, and the forest stays cool even when city temperatures climb. The Wakitu adventure playground and climbing forest on the eastern edge works well if you're traveling with kids.
Regional asparagus farm visits and cooking classes
May IS asparagus season in Lower Saxony and farms within 20-30 km (12-19 miles) of Hanover offer tours, tastings, and cooking demonstrations. The white asparagus harvested here is genuinely different from what you get imported - sweeter, less bitter, and locals are borderline obsessive about it. Farm visits typically include field tours explaining the mounding technique, tastings of different preparations, and farm shop access where asparagus costs half the city price. Several farms run weekend cooking classes teaching traditional asparagus with hollandaise and ham.
Steinhuder Meer lake excursions and waterfront villages
Germany's largest inland lake sits 30 km (19 miles) northwest of Hanover and May means the summer crowds haven't arrived but weather's warm enough for the boat tours and lakeside beer gardens to operate fully. The lake covers 30 square km (11.6 square miles) with shallow warm water, sailing schools, and the artificial island fortress Wilhelmstein accessible by solar boat. The villages of Steinhude and Mardorf have half-timbered fishing cottages and restaurants serving smoked eel caught that morning. Cycling the 32 km (20 mile) lake perimeter takes 2.5-3 hours.
May Events & Festivals
Asparagus Season Markets and Festivals
Not a single event but a regional obsession - weekly asparagus markets pop up in neighborhoods throughout May with farmers selling direct, cooking demos, and asparagus-themed everything. The Linden district market on Saturdays and the Nordstadt market on Wednesdays are particularly good. Several surrounding towns host weekend asparagus festivals with food stalls, live music, and asparagus-peeling competitions that are oddly entertaining.
Maschseefest Preparation and Early Season Lake Activities
While the massive Maschseefest doesn't start until August, May marks when the lake truly wakes up - sailing clubs launch their season, the Strandbad Maschsee beach area opens for swimming, and the lakeside restaurants extend their terraces. The first organized open-water swimming events happen late May when water hits 15-17°C (59-63°F). You get the energy of the lake coming alive without the festival crowds.