World City Guide

Tours of the City

Walking Tours
The Red Thread is a four kilometre (three-mile) self-guided walking route that takes visitors past 32 sights in the city centre, directed by a red line on the pavement. The line is supposed to be repainted annually, however, it often looks very faded and can be difficult to follow at times, particularly when it hits one of the city’s many construction sites. Small guides to the attractions along the Red Thread are available from the main tourist office (see Tourist Information) for 3. Hannover Tourismus Service, Ernst August Platz 2 (tel: (0511) 1684 9700), also provides themed walking tours of the city, such as the two-hour literature walk. These walks take place on selected dates and cost 5each (concessions available). They must be booked in advance. Departure points vary according to the theme of the walk.

Bus Tours
Hannover Tourismus Service, Ernst August Platz 2 (tel: (0511) 1684 9700), runs a two-and-a-half-hour city bus tour of the main sights for 15 per person, every Saturday at 1330 (daily at 1330 from 17 March to 30 September). The tour departs from Ernst August Platz 2. There is also a wide range of other tours available, including tours of the town hall and Hanover’s cemeteries, as well as special tours during annual events, such as the Marksmen’s Fair and the International Firework Festival.

Boat Tours
Hanover’s four ports are on the Mittellandkanal and are called Lindener Hafen, Nordhafen, Brinker Hafen and Misburger Hafen. These are all mainly for industrial use and are overseen by Stdtische Hfen, Davenstedter Strasse 128 (tel: (0511) 1684 2695). Boat trips on the Mittelandkanal are operated by Eva-Gloria Gerhardt Fahrgastschiffahrt, Neiβenstrasse 9 (tel: (0511) 388 8797; website: www.leineschloss-hannover.de). There are a number of tours available, including a three-hour round trip of the Mittelandkandal, departing from the Wasserschutzpolizei (water police) on Vahrenwalder Strasse, for 10. Boat tours of the city are also available on the Machsee (see Key Attractions).

Other Tours
A horse-drawn double-decker omnibus, operated by Omnibusbetriebe Block (tel: (05027) 8349) trundles around the Old Town, 1100-1600 every day except Monday, from May to September. The half-hour tour starts from the corner of Kamarschstrasse and Osterstrasse on the hour and costs 5 (concessions are available).

Balloon tours are available from bab-Ballonwerbung, Oldekopstrasse 68 (tel: (0511) 905 5040; fax: (0511) 905 5053; website: www.bab-ballonwerbung.de). Trips start from Waterlooplatz and Eilriedenstadion at 6000 and 1800 daily and cost 180 per person for approximately an hour and a half.