World City Guide

Sightseeing

Sightseeing Overview
The Red Thread (see Tours of the City), a four-kilometre (three-mile) denotative walking route, is the most obvious way for new arrivals to sightsee the city. More independent minded visitors might wish to begin their own explorations from the Haupbanhof, under the equestrian statue – the city’s favourite meeting place. From this busy plaza, a number of routes radiate out, although the most obvious is the Bahnhofstrasse, which leads up to another hub at Krpcke, the central square at the heart of the city, linked to Opernplatz and Georgsplatz by Georgstrasse, the city’s main pedestrian thoroughfare.

To the west lies the Old Town, with interesting small shops, pubs and restaurants. The best examples of medieval housing and street layout can be found on Kramerstrasse and Burgstrasse. Buildings made of red bricks, a characteristic style of northern Germany, include the 15th-century Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), the Kreuzkirche (Church of the Holy Cross) and the Marktkirche (Market Church), both dating from the 14th century. South of the Old Town, the Rathaus (Town Hall) overlooks the Maschsee lake. The Baroque Herrenhusen Gardens are a few kilometres to the west, while the Eilenriede – a unique forest within the city – is situated beyond the main station to the east. The huge Messegelnde and the Expo 2000 site lie to the southeast of the city.

Hanover’s streets may not have the grandeur of those in Berlin or Munich but one thing that brings them to life is the multiple examples of street art. The urban streetscape is enlivened by brightly coloured sculptures, known as ‘nanas’ – once mocked and now almost a symbol of Hannover – and a series of extravagant bus stops, created by international designers.

Tourist Information
Hannover Tourismus Centrum
Ernst-August-Platz 2
Tel: (0511) 1684 9700/1/2 or 9720, for ticket reservation only. Fax: (0511) 1684 9707.
E-mail: tourismus-service@hannover-stadt.de
Website: www.hannover.de

Opening hours: Daily 0800-2200 (June-Oct); Mon-Fri 0900-1900, Sat 0930-1500 (Nov-May).

Passes
The Hannover Card offers visitors discounts for sightseeing attractions –including the Prengel Museum, Zoo and Herrenhuser Grten – theatre tickets and for public guided tours of the city, as well as free transport on GVH buses and trams in the Hanover ticket zone, as well on the airport S-bahn line. The card is valid from the moment it is stamped. The ticket is available in one (8) or three-day (12) cards, from the Hannover Tourismus Centrum. Group cards are also available.