All the things to do in Hanover

One of the most beautiful photo locations in the city is the New City Hall, a magnificent building from 1913, nowadays housing the mayor. A visit there is definitely worth it, if not only to ride in the curved elevator which takes you to the dome and gives you a spectacular view of the city. At first the elevator goes straight up and then it goes up to 100 metres at a 17° angle. If you get lucky with the weather, you can even see all the way over to Harz.

Hanover and the famous artist Niki de Saint Phalle had a special relationship. Up to this very day, the French lady is Hanover's first and only honorary citizen. Her ''Nanas'' Sophie, Charlotte and Caroline caused a scandal in 1974 when the sculptures were placed on the Leibniz riverbank. As a symbol of the blossoming Women's Rights Movement, the curvy and colorful sculptures caused things to heat up, but they also made a positive impact by opening up the discussion of art in public areas. Today, the chubby ladies aren't only much loved by the people of Hanover, but they are one of the city's favorite picture spots and are the start of a row of sculptures that go all the way to the Königworther Platz.

Niki de Saint Phalle designed the remodeled Grotto in the Herrenhäuser Garden – it was her last art project before she died in 2002. Three hundred of her works were left to the Sprengel Museum Hanover, as a thank you to her beloved city. She once said, "I have a very special feeling for Hanover".

Under its beautiful roof the State Theatre Hanover houses the State Opera and the Theatre Hanover. The Theatre was built from 1845 to 1852 in a late classical style and was opened with a performance of Mozart's Marriage of Figaro. During World War II the magnificent buidling was completely destroyed. The rebuilding of the theatre took place in historical style and was celebrated with the performance of Richard Strauss' Rosenkavalier in November 1950.

The State Theatre is one of the most important cultural sites in Lower Saxony and seats 1,200 spectators. The repertoire is unusually diversified and offers something for everybody. There is everything from classical opera, to modern productions, ballet, musicals, drama and dance theatre. Hanover's State Theatre is worth a visit just to enjoy the atmosphere. It is a bit like travelling back in time: elegant, pompous and somehow poignant.

The Maschsee Lake in Hanover is a bit like the Alster in Hamburg. It is not only an important part of the cityscape and in the middle of the city, but also a central point for freetime activities in Hanover. The artificial lake with an area of about 80 hectars is the favourite place for watersports and relaxation. The quality of the water is so high that it is used for fish farming pike, perch and carp which are traditionally sold at the lake for Christmas and New Year's. The Maschsee Lake offers various activities in the water and on land. The about 6km long path along the shore is perfect for strolling or jogging, and whoever likes a faster pace will find it perfect for a bike ride or inlineskating tour. On a regular basis, there are regattas and dragon boat races on the lake. Furthermore, you'll find boat rentals, sailing schools and an open air pool alongside the beach. Whoever is not into water sports, but would like to go out onto the water, there are passenger boats available by Üstra for a boat ride to perk you up.

The Herrenhäuser Gardens are undoubtely one of the most popular hotspots in Lower Saxony's capital. There is plenty of space here to relax, stroll around or daydream. The garden's centre is the palace which was originally built in a baroque style and then later remodeled in a neo-classical style. It once served as the summer residence for the Welf Family. Today it houses a museum, the Herrenhausen Gallery as well as a conference centre.

The beautiful gardens are divided into different areas. The Große Garten or Big Garden is one of the most famous baroque gardens in Europe and is the core of the Herrenhäuser Gardens. It is about 50 hectares in size and was finished at the beginning of the 18th century. A special visitor attraction is the garden's labyrinth which has a diameter of 40 metres. Here one can travel back into a time when nobility jaunted around the garden. The Grotto in the northwestern end of the Große Garten was built in 1676 and is made up of 3 rooms decorated with shells, crystals, glass and minerals. They served as a place of enchantment and cooling off on hot days. However in the 18th century the decorations were removed and not until 2003 did the rooms shine again according to the plans by the artist Niki de Saint Phalle. The Mirror Room was dedicated to the theme of day and night with 40 relief figures. The Blue Room stands for night and the cosmos. The Middle Room has the theme of Life of Mankind expressed through mosaics and numerous elaborate painted plastic figures.

The Berggarten or Mountain Garden is one of the oldest European botanical gardens in Germany. In the glasshouses and themed gardens one can gaze at over 11,000 different plants from various climate zones. The largest orchid collection in Europe and since 2006 an aquarium is here. In the Bergarten there is the Georgen Palais which houses the Wilhem-Busch-Museum. Max and Moritz would have had a blast in this garden.
Earl Platen once lived in the Monbrillant Palace in the Welfgarten. Today the University of Hannover is here. A big plus for the students is that they can enjoy their breaks in the park's landscape. In front of the Palace is the landmark of Lower Saxony, the Sachsenross or Saxon Horse.

At the ''Erlebnis-Zoo Hannover'' or Adventure Zoo Hanover you travel from Afrika to Australia in just one day, India is next door and Canada is just a stone's throw away. Cross Africa in a Zambezi boat, here is a lot to do. Continue on foot through the various climate zones to the apes, passing a research station which is the only evidence that there was once civilization here. Exactly these kind of small gimmicks make the Hanover Zoo so special. There is always something fun to discover and everything has been designed in a very creative and caring manner. The zoo itself is beautiful and the animal cages are amazing and have been thought through very well. You can really see that the animals feel comfortable and relaxed here.

The India area has a picturesque design. The vistor awaits old palace ruins where the walls, aquaduct and statues have been overgrown with vegetation. Instead of maharajahs, elephants are swimming in the palace pool; and tigers, leopards and monkeys lurk in the bushes.

The next highlight leads us to Canada – the wilderness is calling. Bears, wolves, bisons, cliffs and roaring seas – Yukon Bay is a pure adventure. Where else can you see majestic polar bears above and below the water playing in the waves while penguins, sea bears, seals and sea lions leisurely swim by?
There are not only animals to discover at the Hanover Zoo, but also many games to play, food to eat and animals to pet! By the way, Hanover's Adventure Zoo has been chosen as Germany's most family-friendly zoo for the 5th time in a row!

A good idea is the ''Rote Faden'' or Red Thread that literally leads through Hanover. It is an approximately 4 km long route that is marked on the sidewalks and leads past 36 places of interest. That way you can see all of the sights without a map or app in your hand. It begins at the Ernst-August-Platz and the route ends at the Ernst-August Monument in front of the main train station. The entire route is accessible for people with a disability and is repainted every year. There is a booklet which describes the points of interest along the route in ten languages.
Hats off, Hanover!

Hanover can offer the biggest convention centre in the world. That is already quite an accomplishment! Some of the most important international conventions take place on the 1 billion square meters, such as the CeBIT, the IAA or the HANOVER CONVENTION. Additionally, leading conventions in various branches, great concerts, exhibitions and sports events attract millions of visitors each year to the convention centre. 

The convention hall complex contains 27 exhibition halls and pavilions, free space, passage ways made of glass and plenty of relaxation areas as well as areas with greenery. And in the middle of the halls lies the futuristic convention centre with 5.300 square meters.

One of the great advantages of the convention centre complex Hanover is how easy it is to get there. On the one hand, it is directly connected with the trains A 2 and A 7 and has its own convention centre train station. And on the other hand, it offers 39.000 parking spots. The convention centre complex Hanover is easy to reach! We at prizeotel Hanover-City are perfectly prepared for conventions and their visitors. prizeotel offers air-conditioned rooms with high-comfort beds which guarantee a good night's sleep before starting long and exhausting days at a convention. Free high speed internet in the entire hotel and work&surf stations including printers fit the needs of our business travellers. Enough parking space in front of the hotel and a good connection to the convention centre keep it easy and help avoid additional stress. You can book your convention room at the best price by using our booking system. Our front desk team on site is always there for you to help out with good advice or give you some tips on Hanover.