Summer, sun, vacation

Discover the Hannover Holiday Region today: by bike, on foot, on horseback, or from the water

Scenic diversity, a wide range of recreational activities, themed cycling routes, and an engaging cultural program—the Hannover Holiday Region offers endless possibilities for a relaxing and active stay.

Waterwheels, cyclists, horseback riders, lake — Summer, sun, and vacations in the Hannover Holiday Region

Sail across Lake Steinhuder Meer by boat or take in the heathlands, moors, and forests as they glide by at a leisurely trot from horseback. Hike up the Deister toward the summit amid the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves—or experience the thrill of heights at the high ropes course. Discover the sights on a double-decker bus and feel a little regal during a tour of Marienburg Castle: With the state capital at its heart and the small towns and villages surrounding it, the Region Hannover offers a wide range of opportunities to make your vacation both exciting and relaxing.

Experience the sea actively

Located northwest of Hannover, the Lake Steinhuder Meer—covering an area of approximately 32 square kilometers—offers numerous opportunities for activities on and around the water. The Lake Steinhuder Meer is one of Germany’s most historic sailing areas. Around 3,000 sailboats are moored at the docks on the north and south shores, and approximately 50 regattas are held on the Lake Steinhuder Meer each year. From the kite and surf beach on the northern shore in Mardorf, athletes take to the waters on surfboards or with stunt kites. A local surf school offers beginner courses and rents out the necessary equipment.

A loop trail takes cyclists and hikers around Northern Germany’s largest inland body of water and through its picturesque landscape of moors, wet meadows, and dunes. The water, which is often warm due to its shallow depth, is particularly appealing to swimmers: the “White Dune” and the swimming island, with their beautiful sandy beaches, shallow shorelines, and playground equipment for children, ensure a fun swimming experience. A mini-golf course, climbing park, carriage rides, or a trip on the “Auswanderer” boat to Wilhelmstein Island offer vacationers a varied program of activities.

Around or over the Deister

The Deister, located about 30 kilometers southwest of Hannover and reaching an elevation of up to 405 meters, is a great place for hiking. It is Germany’s northernmost low mountain range. If you’d like to explore Hannover’s local mountains by bike, the “Deisterkreisel” route network is the perfect choice. The sections of this roughly 100-kilometer loop can be combined individually and offer plenty of sights to see: Impressive manor houses, village churches, and half-timbered houses bear witness to centuries past.

For a bird’s-eye view, head up either the Annaturm or the Nordmannsturm; after a short climb, they offer a wonderful view of Hannover and the Calenberger Land region. If you’ve always wanted to howl with the wolves or see bears, lynx, bison, and wild horses up close, take a detour to the bison enclosure in Springe.

Told by the Horse

The countryside and communities in the northeastern part of the Region Hannover are particularly horse-friendly. Here, equestrian enthusiasts will find great riding trails, circular rides, and tour suggestions for exploring the countryside as well as the towns and villages. Highlights such as Wietzepark, the post mill in Hänigsen, or Altwarmbüchener See can be explored from the saddle. Numerous events, such as the top-tier races at the Neue Bult racetrack, the horse and hobby animal markets in Burgdorf, or the international tournaments in Isernhagen, round out the visit.

Thanks to the short distances and an excellent public transportation network, vacationers from the region can quickly reach the state capital, Hannover, where attractions such as the Herrenhausen Gardens, the Adventure Zoo, numerous museums and theaters, restaurants and bars, as well as a wide variety of shopping options offer plenty to do.

To get a sense of the diversity of this green metropolis in the heart of Europe, a tour on the hop-on, hop-off convertible bus is a great option. The 100-minute tour provides plenty of interesting and informative facts about the city’s highlights, neighborhoods, history, and residents in eleven languages, including a special channel for kids.

Children can explore Lower Saxony’s capital city on the “Hannover: Bright Minds” city tour, which takes place every Thursday during summer vacation. Accompanied by a tour guide, they’ll take a walking tour through the picturesque Old Town all the way to the New City Hall. Along the way, they’ll hear some funny, exciting, and curious stories.

You can find many more tours, packages, and special offers in the Hannover Holiday Region at: www.hannover.de/urlaubsregion and www.visit-hannover.com/familien.

You can find bike paths, tour suggestions, and themed routes here: www.hannover.de/radfahren.

You can find riding trails, guided rides, and events in the horse-riding region here: www.hannover.de/pferderegion.

The websites www.hannover.de/tourismus and www.visit-hannover.com provide a comprehensive overview in a total of 18 languages.