The red thread

Follow the accessible tourist wayfinding system and take a self-guided city tour. Since 1970, the Red Thread has guided visitors along a 4.2-kilometer route past 36 of the city’s top attractions. The line is painted on the ground, allowing you to explore the city on your own. For once, the focus isn’t on the famous Maschsee or the green Eilenriede, but rather on what the city has to offer beyond the concrete jungle.

The route begins at the Tourist Information office across from the main train station and winds its way right through the city, past attractions such as the Opera House, the Aegidienkirche, the New Town Hall, or the Hohe Ufer and the adjacent Nanas by Niki de Saint Phalle. After passing additional sights and museums such as the Historical Museum, Leineschloss, or the Marktkirche and many more, the route leads past the Market Hall, back through the city center along Kröpcke to the “Schwanz,” the meeting point at the train station. The tail of the horse in the equestrian statue of Ernst August I is a popular spot to start and end your stay in Hannover.

You decide for yourself when and how long to linger at each stop along the Red Thread. The informative companion brochure in handy pocket format is helpful for this. It provides you with pictures, information, and historical background on Hannover’s tourist highlights.

The famous Freedom Trail in Boston served as the inspiration for the Red Thread.

This brochure provides interesting and entertaining facts about all the attractions along the Red Thread. The ExtraTour, which starts and ends at the New City Hall, is a 45-minute detour that lets you enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere of Lake Maschsee.

Red thread barrier-free

The Red Thread is completely barrier-free. You can find all further information in the brochure.

The accompanying brochure is available here at a price of 3.50 euros:

The Red Thread in 10 different languages

The brochure is available in German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese and Russian.