Things to see in Hanover
Attractions
Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall)
Dating in parts from the early 15th century, Hanover's gothic Old Town Hall is a fine example of the ornate red brickwork long associated with Lower Saxony, and one of the highlights of the old marketplace. Built over a lengthy period, with additions made in various architectural styles, it was saved from demolition in the mid 19th century by public demand, and renovated to its 16th century condition. Further renovations were carried out in 1998. It is nowadays used as a restaurant and events venue, offering historic surroundings for either a light snack or a full meal.
Address: , Karmarschstrasse 42, Hanover, 30159Telephone: +49 511 300 8040.
Opening times:
Mon-Sat 0900-0000.
Website: http://www.altes-rathaus-hannover.deAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
The Old Town
The historic city centre is one of Hanover's biggest attractions. Although largely destroyed during the Second World War, its picturesque half-timbered buildings have been restored to create a relaxed and pleasant ambience, offering cafés and restaurants along with shopping.
Address: City centre, , Hanover,Telephone:
Opening times: Website: http://www.visit-hannover.com
Admission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Sea Life Hannover
Located in the Herrenhäusen Gardens, the aquarium offers a perfect alternative to the royal gardens when it is raining and an interesting aside at other times. A tropical underwater world, it includes life from the shores of the Caribbean to the tropical rainforests of the Amazon, with 30 tanks including piranhas and sharks. The highlight is a deep-water tank with an 8m-long (26ft) glass tunnel running through it.
Address: , Herrenhäuser Strasse 4A, Hanover, 30419Telephone: +49 180 666 690 101.
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 1000-1730, Sat & Sun 1000-1830 (Jan-Mar); daily 1000-1830 (Mar-Oct).
Website: https://www2.visitsealife.com/Admission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Sprengel Museum
Opened in 1979, the Sprengel Museum combines the endowment of Dr Bernhard Sprengel with the 20th-century art collections of the state of Lower Saxony and the city of Hanover. Offering a comprehensive educational programme, the museum now rates as one of the most important centres of modern art in Germany.
Address: , Kurt-Schwitters-Platz, Hanover, 30169Telephone: +49 511 1684 3875.
Opening times:
Tues 1000-2000, Wed-Sat 1000-1800.
Website: http://www.sprengel-museum.comAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Niedersächsisches Landesmuseum (Lower Saxony State Museum)
This museum is housed in a neo-Renaissance building opposite the Maschpark. It contains a selection of paintings and sculptures spanning nine centuries, as well as interesting archaeological, ethnological and natural history exhibits. The stars of the archaeological collection are the bodies of prehistoric homo sapiens found in the local peat bogs.
Address: , Willy-Brandt-Allee 5, Hanover, 30169Telephone: +49 511 980 7686.
Opening times:
Tue-Fri 1000-1700; Sat-Sun 1000-1800.
Website: http://www.landesmuseum-hannover.niedersachsen.deAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Erlebnis Zoo
Close to the city centre, Hannover's Zoo is a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike.
Address: , Hohenzollernstraße 28, Hanover, 30175Telephone: +49 511 280 740.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-1800 (Mar-Oct); 1000-1600 (Oct-Mar).
Website: https://www.zoo-hannover.deAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Maschsee
The 68-hectare (168-acre) Maschsee Lake was dug out between 1934 and 1936, providing the city with an artificial but enviable aquatic playground. The Maschsee fleet includes a solar-powered catamaran with a capacity of up to 55 people. The lake is surrounded by parkland and has a number of restaurants, beer gardens, a casino and a beach on its shores.
Address: , Arthur-Menge-Ufer 3, Hanover, 30169Telephone:
Opening times: Website: http://www.visit-hannover.com
Admission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Marktkirche
The Marktkirche - the church at the market place - is the main Lutheran church in the city but was built in the 14th century. As an example of North German neo-Gothic architectural style, it features impressive interiors which were destroyed during WWII and restored in the 1950s.
Address: , Hanns-Lilje-Platz 2, Hanover, 30159Telephone:
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0900-1900, Sat 0900-1600.
Website: http://marktkirche-hannover.de/Admission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Tiergarten
Sprawling over 112 hectares, the Tiergarten was established in the 17th century for hunting fallow deer. Today, this is among a large number of wild animals that reside in the forest, including numerous birds, bats and red deer.
Address: , Tiergartenstraße 149, Hanover, 30559Telephone: +49 511 526 653.
Opening times:
Mon-Thurs 0700-dusk; Fri 1200-dusk.
Website: http://www.hannover.deAdmission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Kestner-Museum
Based on an 18th-century endowment by Herman Kestner, the Kestner Museum houses a collection of Egyptian, Roman, Cypriot, Etruscan, Italian, Greek and German arts and crafts exhibits covering 6,000 years. The highlight of the Egyptian section is the head of Pharaoh Akhenaton, which is more than 3,000 years old.
Address: , Trammplatz 3, Hanover, 30159Telephone: +49 511 1684 2730.
Opening times:
Tues and Thurs-Sun 1100-1800, Wed 1100-2000.
Website: http://www.hannover.deAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Hannover Tourismus Service
Address: , Ernst-August-Platz 8, Hanover, 30159Telephone: +49 511 1234 5111.
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0900-1800; Sat 1000-1500: Sun (Apr-Oct) 1000-1500.
Website: http://www.hannover.deTourist passes
The Hannover Card offers visitors discounts for most major attractions, 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, two or three day options, from the tourist office, at many local hotels, or online via the website. Group cards are also available.
Additional tourist information counters are available at Hanover Airport in Arrivals, and in the New Town Hall on Trammplatz.
