Hanover Germany is one of Europe’s hidden gems. Here are a few things to do in Hannover;
- Hannover New Town Hall
- Old Town
- Marktkirche
- Hannover 96
- Kropcke
- Hannover Train Station
- Herrenhausen Gardens and Allee
- Telemax Tower
- Street Art
- Sprengel Museum
- Marienburg Castle
- Where to eat in Hannover
Hotels in Hannover are excellent value, therefore expect to find a good deal. Nearby the train station is an excellent location. Moreover, there’s a red line that runs around the city of Hanover and if you follow this line it will take you past all the famous sites of the city. You can pick this red line up from outside the train station.
1. Hannover New Town Hall
Hannover New Town Hall is a stunning building which is stunning from every angle. In fact from the rear side of the town hall you’ll find a reflection pool which offers unreal reflections. What’s more, the surrounding park is a good place to relax on a lovely day. Read why Hannover New Town Hall is a top Instagram spot in Europe on my Travel Blog.
Hannover Town Hall Interior
Entry to Hannover New Town Hall is free and the interior is arguably more beautiful than its exterior. For this reason it should be on top of your list of things to do in Hannover. See more Hannover New Town Hall photography.
2. Old Town Hannover
The historic old town of Hanover is full of both colorful as well as traditional German style buildings. Many of these colorful buildings are now shops, cafes, bars or restaurants therefore I encourage you to view their interiors. A restaurant I must recommend is Broyhanhaus. Broyanhaus serves typical German food in a typical German building. Finally, the majority of colorful buildings are on Kramerstrasse and also Ballhofplatz.
3. Marktkirche
Marktkirche in English means Church of the Marketplace. This is a Gothic church and also the southernmost example of North German Gothic churches. Marktkirche was built in the 14th century and as you’d imagine it was severely damaged during the second World War. It was fully restored in 1953 as a top point of interest of the city. Marktkirche is visible from almost anywhere in the city therefore a good marker if you get lost. More importantly, as a backdrop it can enhance any photos you take of other Hannover attractions. Lastly, it’s free to go inside the church and make sure you pay attention to the incredible detail.
4. Hannover 96
Did you know Hannover was twice a World Cup host city? Both in 1974 and 2006 in the modern Hannover 96 stadium. Check if they’re playing when you’re in town. Alternatively, visit for a stadium tour. Read more about the Hannover 96 stadium on my Travel Blog.
5. Kropcke
Kropcke is the center of modern Hannover and feature a popular monument called the Kropcke clock. Kropcke pedestrian zone is packed with shops, restaurants, markets, kiosks, cafes and bars. What’s more there’s an open air passage which connects it to the main train station. As you’d imagine this is also packed with shops and take away food.
6. Hannover Train Station
Firstly, the statue in front of the train station is Ernst-August. He is in fact, the uncle of Queen Victoria. The horse is a popular meeting spot and Germans will often arrange to meet under the tail. As you would imagine, the train station was almost completely destroyed during the war. As a result, it’s become a beautifully restored, advanced train station.
7. Herrenhausen Gardens
Herrenhausen Gardens are Hannover’s answer to the Gardens of Versailles. Simply put, no visit to Hannover is complete without visiting here. Both Herrenhausen Gardens as well as the Sea Life Aquarium opposite are a short tram ride from the center. Lastly, a short U Bahn ride in the other direction will take you to Hanover Zoo.
Herrenhauser Allee
You can take the tram to Herrenhausen Gardens but I recommend you walk. There’s a kilometer long royal path called Herrenhauser Allee. Herrenhauser Allee was built exclusively for royalty but today it’s a park open to the public. It leads directly from the center to the gates of Herrenhausen Palace. See more of my original photography from Herrenhausen Gardens.
8. Telemax Telecom Tower
Behind the train station is the famous Telemax Telecom Tower of Hanover. It’s the fifth tallest TV tower in Germany. Unfortunately, you cannot ascend it for panoramic views. It does however, make a wonderful backdrop for a photo.
9. Street Art
One of the top things to do in Hannover is search for street art. Even more so for those who love Instagram photography as there are many colorful walls to pose against. In actual fact, the majority of street art is located in nearby North Linden. Nonetheless you’ll discover plenty dotted around central Hannover. Read about the top Instagram spots in Hannover.
10. Sprengel Museum
Hannover is home to several museums. I highly recommend the Sprengel Museum which features many modern art exhibitions. Not only is this a fascinating insight into art but it’s also a large museum fully of highly Instagram worthy locations. Check the Sprengel Museum site to see which exhibitions are on when you’re in town. Lastly, after your visit why not try the onsite Bell ARTE restaurant.
11. Marienburg Castle
Marienburg Castle is an hour but worthwhile trip from Hannover. This is Hannover’s version of the Neuschwanstein Castle near Munich. I agree, the exterior is not as striking but the interior is one of the most beautiful castles you’ll ever visit. What’s more, Marienburg Castle doesn’t receive a huge amount of tourists so you could be in this place all alone. Perfect for those memorable pictures. View my original photography from both the exterior as well as the interior Marienburg Castle rooms
12. Where to Eat in Hannover
Twelfth on my list of things to do in Hannover are its restaurants. I dined in 3 excellent restaurants which I must share with you. Firstly, is Broyhanhaus on Kramerstrasse in the middle of Old Town Hannover. Broyanhaus serve delicious German dishes in a historic Hannover building. Secondly, is Bell ARTE restaurant which serves Italian dishes in the Sprengal Museum. Finally, last but not least is Reimanns Eck which serves delicious German dishes including the one pictured above.
How to travel from Hannover to Warsaw
I took an overnight Flixbus to Berlin, stayed in Berlin for 2 nights before taking a 6 hour express train direct to Warsaw for €46. As Poland is part of the Schengen community there is no border control between Germany and Poland. Still there is a chance you’ll have your passport checked so have it close by. Enjoy your trip.
Looks like a great little city to visit! Sightseeing is way better without crowds of tourists. Good to know how to move in and out as well!
I have to admit I haven’t been to Hannover but your photos gives me the impression that it is a charming little town to check out if I was in the area. Great post.
I really enjoy Germany but have not been to Hanover, it looks cute!
Hanover is a city that we never made it to in Germany. It looks pretty beautiful, especially the old town. What a fun trip travelling across Europe you had.
What a colourful set of images, makes me want to visit both Hanover and Warsaw. Warsaw has been on my list a long time actually, so it’s time to get moving!
I love the traditional German buildings in your photos. Add in some castles and it looks like a great destination. I need to see more of Germany!
I also use FlixBus when traveling in Europe, they are really comfortable and cheap!
Great post! We’re big fans of overland travel and your journey sounds awesome. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, look at that cobblestoned square in front of the Town Hall, just love it! The town looks so charming and colorful, love your photos. 🙂
You’ve just ticked all the boxes for me! Cheaper hotels, not too crowded and what a great idea to have that red line to show you around town! Speaking as a hopeless person who ALWAYS gets lost, this would be so amazing for me 😉
Hanover should be treated to better photographers, according to your observations. Probably a good spot to set up a tripod and shot some city blocks.
How do you get that curved perspective in your pictures? Love it! Germany is one of my favorite cities and Hannover is quintessential Germany too, it seems.
Sounds like a great place to visit in Europe. Amazing pictures. The post is very informative.
I didn’t know that Hanover is such a beautiful destination! The architecture of the New Town Hall looks absolutely splendid and Gothic church looks quite fascinating! Germany is on my bucket list. Hope to visit there soon!
Amazing trip! As a photographer myself i would absolutely love to go here! Love the German building style and especially those colour full ones! Visited many German cities, but Hanover is still on our bucket list
If you can get to Hamburg it’s a great city!!
We’ve been to Germany a number of times but haven’t even heard of Hanover. It looks like a great place to visit — I love all those bright colors! I also like that you can get less expensive hotels there.
I like exploring unknown and obscure places which is not on anyone’s wwishlist. There is a certain charm in such places. I am sure Hanover will still leave me with lot of stories even though it is not high on most traveler’s list.
Hanover is beautiful! I don’t know why more people don’t visit, although it’s great that hotels are cheap. I can’t get over how pretty the buildings look. I think the wet streets are just gorgeous.
Hanover looks wonderful. So many bright and beautiful buildings. I love the idea that not many people go here and it’s cheaper for us to stay in.
Hanover sounds like such an amazing place! I definitely think I would enjoy it, even if it’s not that popular. The new town hall loks so vibrant!
I am seeking places which are affordable but also have nice sceneries. Hanover is one of them. I like the Marienburg Castle. It looks incredible. I would like to watch live music and plays there.
We are awe of that colorful and vibrant architecture of the buildings. Hanover definitely looks like a photographers paradise. Loved the idea of red line it must be very easy for the tourists to explore the key attractions of the city. We haven’t heard of Marienburg Castle but we would love to as fairytale castles are fascinating.
Your adventure makes me want to tour Europe asap!! Warsaw does look incredible and those colourful buildings in Hannover are so picturesque, it is like walking through a fairy tale!!
I have never been to Germany but Hanover sounds like a great place. I enjoy reading your posts. They always provide so much useful information. Thank you!
Beautiful photography. I love getting to see cities that aren’t the big touristy ones, so thanks for this. It’s easier to visit these places and not be in the tourist bubble the entire time. Enjoy your journeys!
Hanover old town looks beautiful. I love that it is cheap, that helps when you want to travel for longer. Hanover really looks like a beautiful place to explore. The architecture is so beautiful
Hanover looks full stunning architecture. I was looking for buildings to photograph there, I knew about the colourful houses of old town. I didn’t know about the Rathaus though – wow!