Overview of Hannover

Authentic, down-to-earth, relaxed

More than half a million people call Hannover home, and the city’s hospitality is renowned worldwide. From pioneering architecture and excellent infrastructure to highly attractive local recreational areas, the Region Hannover offers its approximately 1.1 million residents the perfect blend of urban life and relaxation. The city welcomes people from all over the world to trade shows, conferences, festivals, sporting events, and concerts. 

Authentic, down-to-earth, and laid-back—Hannover offers the perfect blend for visitors! The large pedestrian zone is a true shopping paradise with shopping centers and major flagship stores, while the Old Town invites you to stroll through medieval alleyways and take a leisurely break in one of the many cafés. You can experience the perfection of garden art in the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen or at one of Germany’s most spectacular zoos, the Hannover Adventure Zoo. It’s just as enjoyable to go for a jog through the Eilenriede, soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere at Maschsee, or relax on the banks of the Leine. Major and unique events like the Maschseefest, the Marksmen´s Fair, or open-air concerts delight visitors, as do nature experiences in the forest and on the water.

UNESCO City of Music

As a UNESCO City of Music, Hanover offers a diverse array of world-class concerts, theater productions, world premieres, and exhibitions at more than 60 different theaters, museums, and event venues. Internationally renowned museums, such as the Sprengel Museum Hannover, the August Kestner Museum, and the Kestnergesellschaft, complement a vibrant independent theater scene, the GOP Varieté Theater, and exciting productions by the State Opera and the Schauspielhaus Hannover. The baroque Herrenhausen Gardens provide a unique setting, especially during the summer months, for the KunstFestSpiele, the International Fireworks Competition, and concerts and readings in the historic Garden Theater. Under the motto “Culture for free,” you can explore Hannover on your own: the state capital offers a variety of free cultural activities, including graffiti tours, bike tours, and plenty of art in public spaces.

At the same time, this modern metropolis is surrounded by idyllic towns and beautiful natural scenery—making the Region Hannover a place of many charming contrasts. Among the tourist highlights around the state capital are, for example, Lake Steinhude, the Horse Region, the Deister, the Calenberger Land, and Marienburg Castle.

Hannover’s success as a trade fair destination is due, in part, to its central location in the heart of Europe. This makes the city a particularly attractive business hub for domestic and international visitors, who appreciate its excellent infrastructure and seamless integration into the European transportation network. In this context, Hannover is well on its way to a smart, sustainable future and offers comprehensive support and opportunities for anyone looking to organize conferences, launch startups, initiate research projects, or even find a new job.

Hannover, the Heart of Europe

By road and rail, by air and by water: Lower Saxony’s state capital, Hannover, is exceptionally easy to reach by all modes of transportation. This makes the city and the Region Hannover one of the most important transportation hubs in Germany. There are direct connections to economic and tourist centers throughout the country and beyond to other European nations, and by air to destinations around the world. As a result, the Region Hannover is a hub for trade and services, manufacturing, and tourism. 
For road traffic, the intersecting east-west and north-south A 2 and A 7 highways are of central importance. They are supplemented by the A 37 and A 352 connecting highways as well as several federal highways. Thanks to the highway network, the city can be reached quickly by passenger cars and trucks from all directions. 

This also applies to rail travel, as the main station is one of the most important rail hubs in Germany. In terms of passenger volume, it ranks sixth nationwide. Similar to the highways, the rail lines also run directly through Hannover from north to south and from west to east. In addition, there are further routes to other regions of the country, making the city a central transfer point for travelers. Freight transport benefits equally from the dense network of routes, through which goods and cargo can be transported quickly between the Region Hannover and all metropolitan areas, as well as inland and seaports. The Mittelland Canal is equally important for freight transport, connecting Hannover to the German and European waterway network. The easy access to seaports is particularly important in this regard. 

With Hannover Airport in Langenhagen, the region has an airport that ranks among the most important airports, serving more than 80 direct destinations. The airport is located close to the city limits and is therefore easily accessible from both Hannover and the surrounding area, making it particularly popular with passengers. There are many connections to European vacation destinations, but direct flights to international metropolitan areas and major hub airports are also available. Night flight permits also make Hannover Airport—in which the state and the city of Hannover hold a majority stake—an important economic factor for the region.
The Central Bus Station (ZOB), located in the city center next to the main train station, also plays a major role in passenger travel. Following its renovation in 2014, it ranks among the most modern and comfortable long-distance bus stations in Germany. The ZOB serves as a stop for tour buses heading to numerous destinations in Germany and other European countries.