City break in Hanover

1. Discover the romantic Altstadt

Hanover's Altstadt (old town) has been carefully restored to its former glory. Beautiful half-timbered houses can be admired in streets such as Kramerstraße and Burgstraße, and around Ballhofplatz. The Marktkirche, the city's symbol, was also rebuilt in this style, standing out with its brick facades.

_{Photo by Patrick Graf}

2. Go with the flow to see surfers

To the west of the city centre lies the charming Leineufer, a riverside promenade with lively terraces. As you gaze out over the water, you may be surprised to see surfers. Like Munich, Hanover has its own standing wave, the Leinewelle, where surfers perform tricks on an artificial wave controlled by an app.

_{Photo by Tim Bilman}

3. Find joy in a shopping street

The Lister Meile, a two-kilometre-long, car-free shopping street in the List district, is popular with locals. You can find everything here, from regional dishes at Reimanns Eck to Mediterranean and French cuisine at The Living, not to mention home-brewed beer in the Rumpelkammer and coffee served in porcelain that you've painted yourself.

_{Photo by Tim Bilman}

4. Cycle throught the largest city forest in Europe

The Eilenriede, also known as the 'Green Lung of Hanover', is Europe's largest contiguous urban forest, covering around 640 hectares. It is larger than both Hyde Park and the Bois de Boulogne. As you cycle or walk through it, you will pass artworks and installations in nature. You can plan your own route or join the Hanover City Sightseeing Bike Tour, which covers 24 kilometres and passes city highlights and green spaces.

5. Seek out the bustle of the city

The best way to discover Hanover's highlights is to follow the Roter Faden (Red Thread), a red line that leads you past the most important sights over a distance of 4.2 kilometres. The route begins at the impressive Neues Rathaus.

Take the unique Bogenaufzug elevator up to the 90-metre-high viewing platform. This arched elevator moves both vertically and horizontally. Then pick up the red thread again and walk past the many half-timbered facades.

_{Photo by Lars Gerhardts}

6. Find peace in the Baroque garden

Step through the gates of the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen and leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind you. These beautiful gardens are among the best-preserved Baroque gardens in Europe. Strolling along the straight avenues and relaxing among the flower beds and elegant fountains is a wonderful experience. Would you like some more background information? Then visit the museum in Museum Herrenhausen Palace.

7. View modern art

The Sprengel Museum is an excellent place to explore modern and contemporary art. You can see works by Picasso, Klee and Schwitters, as well as lots of Expressionism, photography and post-war art. Thanks to its spacious, light-filled rooms, you could easily spend a few hours exploring the museum.

_{Photo Sprengel-Museum.de}

8. Cycle through picturesque hillsides

Just half an hour from Hanover lies the Deister, a green, hilly area full of forests and quiet villages. This elongated mountain ridge is ideal for hiking and cycling in nature. The Kammweg trail over the ridge and the 2.5-kilometre Walderlebnispfad nature trail near Wennigsen with its playful, interactive elements are highly recommended.

9. Explore a creative city district

The creative energy in the lively Linden district is undeniable, with the straight Limmerstraße as its main driving force. Trendy eateries, colourful cafés and shops selling sustainable products all come together here, alongside surprising street art. Be sure to visit the Kulturzentrum Faust. An old locomotive and machine factory has been transformed into a creative enclave complete with a coffee house, trendy wine bar and lively Biergarten.

10. Visit picturesque towns

There are countless hidden gems around Hanover, such as the 9 Städte, nine historic towns in Lower Saxony, each with their own character. Highlights include the UNESCO centre of Goslar, the Hanseatic atmosphere of Einbeck, and the half-timbered houses and castle of Celle. Combine your tour with a visit to the Autostadt in Wolfsburg to immerse yourself in the world of cars.