Region Hannover – 21 Cities

Not just one city – 21 Cities: From nightlife to 
From outdoor sports to local recreation—that’s the Region Hannover!

The Region Hannover includes the capital of Lower Saxony, with a population of approximately 558,000, as well as 20 other cities and municipalities. A total of about 1.2 million people live in this regional association. It offers a unique blend of urban charm and idyllic landscapes. For locals, tourists, and vacationers alike, there are endless opportunities for leisure activities throughout the entire Holiday Region.  
Whether jogging in Europe’s largest urban forest, the Eilenriede; sailing on Lake Masch in the heart of the city; paddling on the Ihme and Leine rivers; surfing in Hannover’s Old Town; skating at one of the many facilities; hiking in the nearby Deister hills; swimming in Lake Steinhuder Meer; or water-skiing on the Blue Lake in Garbsen: In the Region Hannover, active outdoor experiences such as cycling and hiking go hand in hand with the benefits of city life.

There’s certainly no shortage of superlatives in Hannover. The capital of Lower Saxony is home to the world’s largest shooting festival and, with the annual Maschsee Festival, Germany’s largest lake festival. With the Herrenhausen Gardens (venue of the annual International Fireworks Competition), Hannover not only boasts the most significant Baroque gardens, including one of Europe’s most outstanding orchid collections (Berggarten) and Germany’s oldest flea market, but it is also the epicenter of the trade fair world and home to international music greats—from the Scorpions to Mousse T.

There’s no shortage of selfie spots in Hannover: lakes and castles, beach bars, a vibrant street art and graffiti scene, and numerous striking buildings offer a wide variety of photo opportunities. In particular, the Marienburg Castle, which has served as a stunning film backdrop for productions such as Maxton Hall (Amazon Prime) or The school of magical animals has established itself—and is therefore extremely popular among influencers and fans alike.

We also have Golden Gate. It's in the garden.
 

The Herrenhausen Gardens, the world’s only arched elevator leading to the dome of the New Town Hall, the Adventure Zoo, and Hannover’s “Nanas” on the Hohe Ufer in the Old Town are all well-known far beyond the region. The blend of Hannover’s cultural diversity—with its nightlife, chic wine, beach, and cocktail bars, theaters, museums, street festivals, graffiti tours, basement clubs, and up to 450 major concerts a year—paired with green oases for sports or relaxation, such as city parks, the city forest, and lake and river landscapes right in the heart of the city—offers the highest possible quality of life, work, and leisure. Residents appreciate this. Students benefit from the wide range of opportunities, and skilled professionals are drawn to the excellent work-life balance culture that the Region Hannover offers, making it a place to build a career.

Kiosks here are a cultural treasure. And they’re even listed as historical monuments.
 

Linden Neighborhood, Nordstadt Lifestyle, Kiosk City: What makes the city so livable and lovable are, above all, the small clubs, pubs, and kiosks in its various neighborhoods—for example, in the trendy Linden district; the organic shops, vegan cafés, green oases, impromptu parties, and coworking spaces in the student district of Nordstadt; or the wine bars, restaurants, and boutiques around the Lister Meile pedestrian zone in List, where young families and many creative types have settled. Oststadt is known for its Wilhelminian-era charm, while Südstadt captivates visitors above all because it borders directly on Lake Maschsee.
Every district has its own character. And its own weekly market. And its own squares that make the city unique, such as the Dornröschenbrücke between Linden and Nordstadt, as well as Ballhofplatz in the Old Town, across from the Kugelbrunnen and a fantastic selection of dining options. The Küchengartenplatz in Linden-Mitte also has its own charm; it is less of a garden and more a space framed by the industrial backdrop of the Linden power plant with the “three warm brothers” and the concrete giant Ihmezentrum. At one of the many squares along the banks of the Leine or the Maschsee promenade, Hannover takes on a Mediterranean local flavor.
 

To get to the lake, we don’t head out of the city—we head right into it.

Hannover is built right on the water. The Leine and Ihme rivers have long been popular with water sports enthusiasts. And the Mittelland Canal is also a great place to take a dip. At the Lister Marina, boats passing through the Mittelland Canal drop anchor daily. City dwellers can go swimming in the Ricklinger Kiesteichen or Altwarmbüchener See. The Maschsee is located right in the heart of the city and offers a chance to take a break in between. A standard lap around the lake (walking, skating, biking, jogging) is about six kilometers.

 
From the city center straight to the sea. In just 30 minutes.

At the same time, Lake Steinhuder Meer, Lower Saxony’s largest lake, is just a stone’s throw away. Lake Steinhuder Meer is a popular destination for sailors, surfers, kite surfers, and swimmers. Tourists sail to Wilhelmstein Island on historic sailboats known as the “Auswanderer.” Along the 35-kilometer circular route, observation towers offer fantastic panoramic views.
The 20 surrounding municipalities around the state capital offer numerous opportunities to actively and sustainably discover the beauty of Lower Saxony’s nature. A tour along the Asparagus Route in Burgdorf, a pit stop at the horse racing track in Langenhagen, a biodiverse detour to the Bissendorfer Moor, a ride on historic streetcars at the Sehnde Streetcar Museum, or a trip to the Butterfly Museum in Steinhude are just a small selection from the range of offerings.

Hikers are drawn to the 405-meter-high Deister, with its lush greenery and many historical treasures.

Like a distant fairytale castle, Marienburg Castle sits majestically atop a hill near the town of Pattensen. The last summer residence of the Guelph kings of Hannover commands a view that stretches far across the Calenberger Land. The magnificent Neo-Gothic castle was built in the mid-19th century by King George V as a gift for his wife, Marie, and today serves as the setting for the Amazon Prime series “Maxton Hall.”  

The Region Hannover uniquely combines nature, culture, and history: with historic sites such as Burgdorf Castle and Landestrost Castle, cultural landmarks like Mariensee Abbey, and wildlife experiences at the Springe bison reserve. The offerings are complemented by the interactive Park of the Senses in Laatzen, as well as fascinating insights into Earth’s history—for example, at the Barsinghausen visitor mine and along the Brelinger Berg Geo-Adventure Trail, which, over a distance of about 5.5 kilometers, brings to life the formation of the landscape through the Ice Age and climate change.
 

It’s always the same: something different every day.

Hannover’s event calendar is packed with countless events—ranging from major international festivals to small street fairs. Among the events known throughout Germany are the Maschseefest, the Schützenfest, the International Fireworks Competition, the Kleine Fest in the Großer Garten, and the numerous Christmas markets.

In international rankings, the State Opera and the Schauspiel Hannover are among the top performers. The theater scene also impresses with its great diversity—ranging from independent theaters to opera, ballet, musicals, variety shows, cabaret/comedy, and puppet theater. Classical concerts also attract national attention—renowned conductors and orchestras deliver thrilling classical music events in Hannover’s concert halls, such as the Kuppelsaal at the HCC, one of Germany’s largest classical concert halls. The listed Große Sendesaal in the NDR broadcasting center offers space for 140 musicians on stage and 1,200 audience members in the hall. With the Jazz Club, Hannover boasts one of the most renowned venues for jazz in Germany.
 

Hear, hear! UNESCO City of Music.

Since late 2014, the capital of Lower Saxony has held the title of UNESCO City of Music! The city thus joins the international UNESCO Creative Cities Network, alongside cities such as Glasgow, Seville, Bogotá, Bologna, Ghent, and Brazzaville.
Hannover also boasts a diverse and vibrant museum scene that brings together art, history, and culture at the highest level. The Sprengel Museum enjoys international renown as a major center for modern art. In addition, renowned institutions such as the Kestner Gesellschaft, the August Kestner Museum, the Kunstverein Hannover, the Historical Museum, the Museum Schloss Herrenhausen, the Landesmuseum Hannover, and the Wilhelm Busch Museum shape the city’s cultural profile.
 

We’ve got stars and starlets, too. They’re all named Michelin.

Hannover welcomes its guests with a diverse culinary scene. Whether it’s a cozy courtyard café, a traditional bakery, a lively student pub, or a stylish cocktail bar: the culinary scene is multifaceted and vibrant. Modern rooftop and beach bars also enrich the scene, offering special moments above the city’s rooftops or right by the water. Hannover has long been a fixture on the German fine-dining scene, boasting four Michelin-starred restaurants. Jante, Votum, Handwerk, and MARIE have been awarded Michelin stars and stand for the highest quality and creative cuisine at the very top level.
 

We don’t put ourselves in the spotlight. We’re already there.

Bike-friendly and boasting top-notch infrastructure for both local and long-distance travel—Hanover is the hub of Lower Saxony’s infrastructure, the heart of the Germany-wide integrated rail network, and excels in multimobility with a strong public transit system, bike-friendly infrastructure, car-sharing options, and the “sprinti” shuttle bus, an on-demand service in the Region Hannover. Whether in the city or in the countryside, innovative and combinable mobility concepts ensure you reach your destination safely.

The A2 and A7 highways intersect here, forming the city’s most important road links. The rail network provides direct connections to all major German metropolitan areas. Buses from all major long-distance bus lines and tour operators stop at the Hannover Central Bus Station (ZOB). Major European destinations are directly accessible from Hannover Airport. The Mittelland Canal connects Hannover to the continent’s largest seaports and inland ports.
 

Hannover is also:

Hannover, a city

of sports, offers an extraordinary variety of athletic activities—from recreational to elite sports. Lake Maschsee forms the sporting heart of the city and invites visitors to sail, run, and train in a unique setting. Right next door, the High-Performance Sports Center, located in Germany’s largest sports park, provides optimal conditions for athletes—nestled in the greenery along the Ihme River.

Major sporting events also play a key role: With over 30,000 participants, the ADAC Hannover Marathon is one of Germany’s largest running events.

Hannover also has a strong presence in professional sports: Hannover 96 plays soccer at the Heinz von Heiden Arena, which is also used for major events. TSV Hannover-Burgdorf (“Die Recken”) is a established team in the Handball Bundesliga, and the Hannover Indians generate excitement at the Pferdeturm—especially thanks to their rivalry with the Scorpions from Wedemark.

In addition, the region is a major equestrian hub, featuring expansive meadows, events such as “Pferd & Jagd” and the Schützenausmarsch, as well as the Neue Bult racetrack, which hosts regular race days.

With the Leinewelle, Hannover also offers an urban highlight for surfing enthusiasts, while ping-pong tables throughout the city invite people to play impromptu matches.

In Hannover and the surrounding region, more than 1,000 sports clubs offer a wide range of activities and foster a strong sense of community through sports. The region offers ideal conditions for individual sports: whether it’s running in the Eilenriede, cycling through the green countryside, or enjoying water sports on the lakes—there are countless ways to stay active right on your doorstep.
 

Perfect for short trips

, Hannover is full of surprises: a compact city with short distances and great diversity. Whether it’s the New Town Hall, the Old Town, the Herrenhausen Gardens, Lake Maschsee, or Eilenriede Forest—the main highlights are all close together and offer ideal conditions for a varied stay. In Hannover, people meet “under the tail” at the Ernst August Monument near the main train station. Right across the street: the Hannover Tourist Information Office. If you don’t want to miss a thing, follow the “Red Thread,” which leads you to more than 30 sights over a distance of about 4.2 kilometers. There’s also a wide variety of city tours, such as a crime tour or culinary city tours.

Numerous castles also bear witness to the history of the Guelphs, who shaped Hannover for centuries. The Guelph Castle (now a university), the Leine Castle, and Herrenhausen Palace are among the city’s architectural landmarks. In the surrounding region, Marienburg Castle and Landestrost Castle round out this impressive ensemble.
 

Kiosk City

More than 350 kiosks dot the streets of Hannover and are an integral part of everyday life. Whether as a neighborhood gathering spot, a quick stop for daily necessities, or a place for spontaneous conversation, these “Trinkhallen” embody community, diversity, and the quality of urban life. In many neighborhoods, they serve as social hubs and reflect the lively, down-to-earth side of Hannover.
 

Business Location 

The Hannover region is an innovative industrial hub, a service center, and a key commercial hub for national and international markets. As Lower Saxony’s most significant economic region, it brings together a broad spectrum of industries—from robust automotive and mechanical engineering to high-growth services such as logistics, tourism, and event management. The healthcare sector is also a key factor in the region’s appeal. The close integration of business and academia fosters innovation and startup activity. A central location, excellent infrastructure, and a high quality of life further strengthen the region’s appeal.
 

Hanover is a major hub for higher education and research, boasting a wide range of universities and research institutions. Among the best known are Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hannover Medical School, the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, and the University of Music, Drama and Media. They shape the city as a vibrant hub for innovation, research, and academic exchange.
This strong academic environment is also giving rise to a dynamic startup scene, supported by around 25 coworking spaces.