Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Hanover, Germany! I have some good friends who live in Hanover, so I enjoy visiting this city in northern Germany. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate when you visit Hanover Germany!
Hate #1: The Buildings Lost in WWII Destruction
Hanover was largely destroyed during WWII, so there is not a lot of historic architecture that remains from pre-War times. They’ve done a great job reconstructing the historic town center, but a lot of Hanover is more modern post-war architecture. If you visit the Town Hall, you can see photos of Hanover before and after the war so you can see how it’s changed.
Hate #2: Smaller Than Expectations
Hanover is a world-famous city and home to huge trade fairs, but it’s surprisingly small for the reputation. There’s a saying that Hanover is the biggest small town in Germany. If you come here expecting a Berlin or a Hamburg, you’ll be disappointed, but if you prefer smaller towns, Hanover might be exactly what you are looking for.
Hate #3: Hanover Train Station
Hanover is a major train hub for all of Germany, so there’s a lot of chaos and
crowds at the main train station. It can be a bit overwhelming, but the staff
here is extremely helpful, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Once you exit
the train station, you may see a lot of beggars or homeless people, but you
don’t really need to worry about your safety. For the most part, the beggars
and buskers will leave you alone if you ignore them.
Hate #4: Hanover Weather
Like a lot of northern Germany, the weather in Hanover can be finicky. However, there is a ton of green space around Hanover, so when you do have a sunny day, make sure you take advantage of it and spend that day outdoors.
Hate #5: Service in Hanover
While service in Germany tends to be very professional but not friendly, the service in Hanover is a bit different. Our experience in Hanover has been downright bad, not just brief or unfriendly. This is the town where I made the mistake of asking if they had an English menu but forgot to pointedly ask if I could have an English menu. I received an answer of yes, but no menu until I rephrased my question.
Love #1: Small Town Feel in a Big City
Once you know what to expect from Hanover you will love how it’s really a small town in a big city. You have everything you would expect from a big city in terms of shopping, transportation connections, and entertainment. But it feels like a small town, so it’s easy to get around with no crowds. A lot of internationals like living here because it truly feels like the best of both worlds.
Love #2: Green Space
As I mentioned with the weather, some of the best things to do in Hanover are outdoors in the many green spaces around town. Herrenhausen Gardens are part of the royal gardens and were modeled after Versailles. There are fireworks in the summer, and dancing fountains. Then there’s Eilenriede, a city park that is twice as big as Central Park, with horseback riding, hiking trails and more. The Maschsee is a huge lake right behind the New Town Hall, where locals go sailing and swimming.
Love #3: Tourist Red Line
There’s a red line through the town, which passes by 36 historic sites over the course of three miles. Like Boston’s Freedom Trail, you follow the red line for a self-guided walking tour past some of Hanover’s most important sites. It takes you past public art, historic buildings, and churches, with many places to stop for food and drink along the way. Pick up a guide at the tourist center and set out for a walk. Even if you’re in Hanover on business, this is an easy thing to squeeze into your free time.
Love #4: Restored Historic District
Visiting the restored historic district is one of my favorite things to do in Hanover. The buildings have been really well restored, and they have fun events like Christmas markets and summer markets. It really feels like you’re in a small German village and that’s the ambiance I want when I visit Germany.
Love #5: Ernst August Brewery
The Prince of Hanover makes his own beer at the Ernst August Brewery. Visiting the brewery is a very traditional Hanover thing to do. It’s one of the few places in northern Germany where you can have a true beer hall experience, with huge beers with a side of pork leg. It’s family-friendly, but you can also stay late and enjoy live music. For a quintessential German Beer Hall experience, head to the Ernst August Brewery.
Five Things You Should Eat in Germany
Hanover is a really nice place to visit. The “hates” are really just minor annoyances rather than a reason not to visit Hanover. Want more information on travel in Germany? Check out these other blog posts: