Green city | quality of life

© HMTG

With its urban forests, parks, and recreational areas, Hannover is one of Germany’s greenest major cities. Lake Maschsee and Lake Steinhuder Meer lend the city a maritime feel—complete with swimming, sailing, and surfing.

In no other major German city are residents happier with the green spaces than in Hannover! According to a representative Forsa survey conducted by the Federal Association of Gardening and Landscaping, 91 percent of respondents in Hannover are “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the green spaces. This puts the capital of Lower Saxony well above the average of 82 percent—and ahead of Stuttgart (84 percent), Berlin (80 percent), and Frankfurt am Main (77 percent).

Work-life balance

Experience nature while enjoying all the benefits of city life: this is a given in the Hannover region—and ensures a high quality of life. “Hannover has everything that makes a vibrant city: a diverse cultural scene, countless event highlights, a lively neighborhood culture, and great nightlife and shopping options. At the same time, Hannover is particularly green, a city of short distances—and a very livable place. Thanks to an excellent public transit system, the 21 municipalities of the Hannover region are well-connected—and opportunities for adventure and recreation are close at hand,” explains Hans Christian Nolte, Managing Director of Hannover Marketing und Tourismus GmbH (HMTG).

The vacation destination: Green oases, lakes, and the sea

© HMTG / Martin Kirchner

With 11.36 percent green space, the capital of Lower Saxony is one of the greenest cities in Germany! Around 45,000 trees line the streets of Hannover. Each year, the Department of Environment and Urban Greenery plants 500 to 750 new street trees. Hannover’s greenery is at its most lush in the Eilenriede: at 642 hectares, the city’s “green lung” is almost twice the size of New York’s Central Park. This green splendor also plays a major role in the fact that 89 percent of Hannover residents like or very much like living in their city, according to a representative survey conducted by the city administration.

© HMTG

But the unspoiled city forest isn’t the only nearby biotope and recreational area. The Maschsee, for example, is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts, joggers, skaters, and walkers. The neighboring Ricklinger Teiche offer swimming fun in the summer and pleasant walks in every season. And the famous Herrenhäuser Gärten, which were awarded the European Garden Prize in 2015, are hard to beat in terms of diversity and attractions—and are equally popular with tourists from all over the world and the people of Hannover. Added to this are lovingly maintained green spaces such as the Operndreieck in the heart of the city or the Stadtpark, the site of Germany’s first Federal Horticultural Show and a unique post-war garden monument. Over 20,000 allotment gardens, the southern Leine floodplain, and smaller urban forests and parks provide additional green space. The approximately 20 swimming lakes in the vacation region are also natural paradises.

© HMTG

The best way to explore green Hannover is by bike: the state capital boasts 530 kilometers of bike paths. 170 kilometers of these run through green spaces. In 2010, Hannover was even voted the most bike-friendly city among Lower Saxony’s cities with over 50,000 residents! The entire Region Hannover offers a network of 1,000 kilometers of bike paths, 15 specially designated regional routes, and a regional ring. Particularly popular is the 160-kilometer-long “Green Ring,” which circles the state capital of Hannover and touches nine other cities and towns in the region.

© HMTG

Unique nature experiences also await just outside the state capital in this vacation region! Lake Steinhuder Meer, at 32 square kilometers the largest inland lake in northwestern Germany, is a popular local recreation destination: whether it’s a family outing with a boat ride to Wilhelmstein Island, boating, swimming, cycling, or exploring nature in the dunes and moors—everyone can enjoy their favorite activities here. The Deister mountain range, located about 25 kilometers southwest of Hannover, is also a popular local recreation and vacation area, thanks to its extensive network of trails for hikers and cyclists as well as its attractions (e.g., the Klosterstollen Barsinghausen visitor mine, the Nordmann Tower, or the Anna Tower). Every year, the hiking season is officially opened at Deister Day. Horse lovers will find their paradise in the Burgdorf region and in Wedemark—whether on their own horse, a rental horse, or in a horse-drawn carriage.

Liveable diversity

© Karl Johaentges

The wide range of recreational activities also contributes to the residents’ satisfaction. In this city on the Leine, top-tier cultural and sporting events, a superb selection of museums, excellent shopping in one of Germany’s largest pedestrian zones, and the picturesque Old Town offer plenty of variety. In addition, crowd-pleasers such as the world-famous Herrenhausen Gardens, the unique Hannover Adventure Zoo, and legendary major events like the Maschsee Festival or the world’s largest shooting festival fascinate locals and tourists alike. In addition to short distances and an excellently developed public transportation system, this trade fair and economic hub is also characterized by high-quality yet affordable housing.

For more information, visit www.hannover.de/presse_hmtg. Photos for editorial use are available at www.hannover.de/fotodownload.

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