Discover the Hannover vacation region now: by bike, on foot, on horseback, or from the water

© HMTG / Wyrwa / Paragon Verlag Equipics

Sail across the Steinhuder Meer by boat or ride on horseback at a leisurely trot as heathlands, moors, and forests glide by. Hike through 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 royal during a tour of Marienburg Castle: With the state capital at its heart and the small towns and villages surrounding it, the Hanover region offers a wide range of opportunities to make your vacation both exciting and relaxing.

Experience the sea actively

© HMTG / Wyrwa

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

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 attractive 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, a climbing park, horse-drawn carriage rides, or a trip on the “Emigrant Boat” to Wilhelmstein Island offer vacationers a varied program of activities.

Around or over the Deister

© Wyrwa

The Deister, located about 30 kilometers southwest of Hanover 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 Hanover’s local mountain range by bike, the “Deisterkreisel” route network is the perfect choice. The individual sections of this roughly 100-kilometer loop can be combined as you wish and offer plenty of sights to see: Impressive manors, village churches, and half-timbered houses bear witness to centuries past.

You can head up high on either the Annaturm or the Nordmannsturm, which, after a short climb, offer a wonderful view of Hanover and the Calenberger Land. If you’ve always wanted to howl with wolves or see bears, lynx, bison, and wild horses up close, take a detour to the bison enclosure in Springe.

Told by the Horse

© istockphoto

The countryside and communities in the northeastern part of the Hanover region 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, and Altwarmbüchener Lake can be explored from the saddle. Numerous events—such as the high-profile races at the Neue Bult racetrack, the horse and hobby animal markets in Burgdorf, and 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, Hanover, where attractions such as the Herrenhausen Gardens, the Erlebnis-Zoo, numerous museums and theaters, restaurants and bars, and a wide variety of shopping options offer plenty of variety.

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 state capital on the “Hannover: Bright Minds” city tour, which takes place every Thursday during summer vacation. Accompanied by a tour guide, they’ll walk 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 Hanover vacation 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 horseback 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.

All information, all tips

Hanover vacation region

Discover special excursion destinations and beautiful landscapes in the Hanover region.

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