Why Hanover? 66 good reasons!

Further information on the author: Knut Diers

Did you know that Hanover...

1. ... is a great place to live? Oskar Negt, a philosopher and sociologist from Hanover, says: “Hanover is one of the best cities to live in Germany; a garden city with a natural rhythm of daily life.”

2. ...is a great place to live? As a green city characterized by short distances, cultural diversity, vibrant neighborhood life, and affordable prices, Hanover is widely appreciated.

3. ...is endearing? 91 percent of Hanover residents like or really like living in their city.

© Patrick Graf

4. ...since 2001, together with its 20 surrounding municipalities, it has formed the Hannover Region, which, with a population of 1.15 million and an area nearly as large as that of Saarland, serves as a model?

5. ...is a city of short distances and good connections? An excellent local transport system links the 21 municipalities in the region.

6. ...is a high-flyer? More than 6.3 million passengers per year in 2018 and 2019.

7. ...celebrates one of northern Germany’s largest folk festivals every summer? The Maschseefest attracts over two million visitors over 19 days, adding to the annual vacation atmosphere.

8. ...is one of Germany's greenest major cities? Hannover's 11.36% green space includes Europe's largest contiguous urban forest: At 642 hectares, the Eilenriede is about twice as large as Central Park in New York.

© Zaglitsch

9. ...has around 45,000 street trees that maintain the good climate, 500 are added every year and 600 tree sponsors are looked after?

10. ...has 530 kilometers of cycle paths, 170 kilometers of which lead through lush greenery? 1000 km covers the whole region!

11. ...has been hosting the world's largest shooting festival every year since 1529?

12. ...also ruled the Kingdom of Great Britain for 123 years? From 1714 to 1837, Hanover's princes also sat on the British throne.

13. ...was the workplace of the polymath Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz for 40 years?

14. ...has the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Library, in which the Golden Letter of the Burmese King to King George II is stored?

15. ...is located in the center of Germany? At least in terms of its convenient location on the relevant north-south and east-west highways.

16. ...an unknown Cookie Monster has? In the summer of 2013, it stole the 20-kilogram, gold-plated replica of the Leibniz cookie from the facade of the Bahlsen company’s flagship store on Lister Platz, demanded free cookies for children and animals, and soon afterward hung it around the neck of the Lower Saxony Horse statue in front of Leibniz University.

17. ...has one of the most beautiful train stations in Germany?

18. ...is home to the world’s largest exhibition complex, with 26 halls, 5 pavilions, 463,285 m² of exhibition space, and 58,000 m² of open space—and it all began back in 1947 with the first export fair?

19. ...Hannover Adventure Zoo is home to over 2,150 animals representing 181 species and has been named Germany’s “Best Zoo” six times?

20. ...the oldest flea market in Germany? It was first held in 1967 and has been inviting people to haggle and stroll along the banks of the Leine in the old town every Saturday morning since 1972.

21. ...speaks the purest High German and is home to various famous newsreaders?

22. ...is the secret kiosk stronghold? It is difficult to give an exact figure due to fluctuation, but there were between 240 and 280 kiosks in 2017.

23. ...dances away the winter every year with the Opera Ball?

24. ...has welcomed the world's best pyrotechnicians to the International Fireworks Competition since 1991? Over the course of five evenings, international teams paint their breathtaking works of art across the night sky above Europe's most beautiful Baroque garden, set to music.

25 ...celebrates the Little Festival in the Big Garden? Picnic and cabaret combine to create an unforgettable evening.

26. ...is a city with a rich musical heritage? It has held the title of UNESCO City of Music since late 2014.

27 ...music from a manhole cover? In front of the main station, program: www.gullyman.eu

28 ...the open-air listening culture opens on Ascension Day with the Jazz Festival on the Platz der Menschenrechte? Around 35,000 listeners regularly attend because it grooves, funks and swings.

29. ...is influenced by the artist Niki de Saint-Phalle? She created the Nanas on the banks of the Leine, decorated the three rooms of the Grotte in Herrenhausen, and donated many of her works to the Sprengel Museum.

© Mirko Bartels

30. ...has a local mountain? The Deister is perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and walking—at an elevation of up to 405 meters.

31. ...has its own “lake”? The Steinhuder Meer attracts visitors with its swimming island, the historic barn district in Steinhude, a climber’s paradise on the north shore, and a boat ride to Wilhelmstein Island. 

32. ...Marienburg Castle has been called the “Neuschwanstein of the North”? This magnificent residence of the House of Welf, located 30 kilometers south of the city, resembles a fairy-tale castle.

33. ...is a true medical city? Almost 65,000 employees (one seventh of the region's working population) work in around 3,600 healthcare facilities and companies.

34 ...organizes one of the largest German theater festivals, Theaterformen, every two years.

35. ...in addition to the adventure zoo, there’s also a wildlife park? Here you can see deer, wild boar, and roe deer up close—all for free while you take a walk.

36. ...is extremely popular with students and researchers? Of the eight universities, Leibniz University, the Medical University and the Veterinary University are the best known. 46,000 students and 10,000 employees are active.

37. ...has four of the world's most-cited researchers? Three of them teach at Hannover Medical School.

38. ...is the hometown of the world-famous rock band “The Scorpions”? Singer Klaus Meine says of Hanover: “You rock like a hurricane.”

© HMTG

39. ...in 2016, it honored the inventor of binary arithmetic using 0 and 1 (the basis for today’s computers)? The year of the death of the universal genius Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz had occurred 300 years earlier.

40. ...still has 117 geographical brothers and sisters worldwide? The places, rivers or bays are often spelled with just one "n".

41. ...has mastered the curve? In the New City Hall, a lift—the only one of its kind in the world—travels along a curved path up into the dome, taking guests to a viewpoint with a panoramic view stretching all the way to the Deister.

42. ...has had its own palace again since 2013? Herrenhausen Palace is located next to the Herrenhausen Gardens and houses not only a museum but also a conference center.

43. ...“Sophie’s World” attracts about 600,000 visitors each year? These are the Herrenhausen Gardens, which were once laid out by Electress Sophie. She is still deeply loved today and is the mother of Great Britain’s first king from the House of Hanover.

44. ...who loves the brisk sole? The ballet at the State Opera is world class. Other highlights include the innovative dance theater, the TanzTheater International festival and the Easter Dance Days.

© Nik Barlo jr.

45. ...has a "brain you can touch"? Neurosurgeon Madjid Samii runs the International Neuroscience Institute (INI), which attracts prominent guests from all over the world. A five-storey museum is even being built for Madjid Samii in Tehran to honor his life's work.

46. ...is a mecca for mega stars? From Coldplay to Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Eminem, Robbie Williams, AC/DC and Madonna, everyone was there.

47. ...enjoys singing? There are more than 400 active choirs here—more than in almost any other city.

48. ...has a belly? That’s the market hall, where visitors gather to enjoy a wide variety of culinary delights.

49. ...for gourmets? From slow food to vegan, from regional organic meat and vegetables to a hearty Bregenwurst meal or currywurst (called Kanzlerplatte), everything is included.

50. ...is a beer lover? As early as 1526, Cord Broyhan brewed the first beer, and the Broyhan Haus in the Old Town is still going strong today. Don't miss the "Lüttje Lage"—it's beer mixed with grain liquor, but drunk from two glasses at the same time.

51. ...is ready for the stage? From the opera and the Schauspielhaus, the joy of performing extends through the GOP—with its variety shows and acrobatics—all the way to the Theater am Aegi and the TAK cabaret stage in Linden.

52. ...is a top-tier handball team? The “Recken” (TSV Hannover Burgdorf) play in the top handball league.

© Wyrwa

53. ...has a "Green Ring"? It's a circular route about 160 kilometers long around the state capital that winds through nine different types of landscapes and picturesque villages.

54. ...has an "Apollo" program? The "Apollo" in Linden was Germany's first art house theater and has been in operation since 1908.

55 ...is home to the largest premium cinema in Germany? Since the end of 2014, the ASTOR Grand Cinema has been attracting visitors with reclining chairs, checkroom service and a fireplace lounge.

56. ...is inventive? Werner von Siemens (the dynamo), Karl Jatho (powered flight), Emil Berliner (the gramophone and the phonograph record), and Walter Bruch (color television) all came from here.

57. ...sends a double-decker bus on tour for guests? In 100 minutes, the round trip provides a first-class overview of Hanover's highlights.

58 ... ... the red thread? The 4200 meter long trail painted on the ground leads to 36 sights. The matching app is available in the App Store, the accompanying book in the Tourist Info.

59 ...has created one of the largest continuous pedestrian zones in Germany around the main railway station? Almost 300,000 m² of retail space make shopping a pleasurable experience.

60. ...also encourages shopping outside the city center? Boutiques in the List district, the market on Lindener Marktplatz, and the small shops in the Old Town offer a shopping experience with a difference.

61 ...is a paradise for museum fans? Not only are there numerous museums for art, but also a theater museum, the historical museum, the Exposeeum, the aviation museum and the smallest design museum in the world await curious visitors here.

62. ...is the place where the magazines "Der Spiegel" and "Stern" were founded?

63. ...is a paradise for recreational athletes? The people of Hanover stay in shape at 20 swimming lakes and on countless jogging trails.

64. ...is the host of the world's most important industrial trade fair (Hannover Messe)?

65. ...is open to art from all eras and styles? Art lovers will find plenty to enjoy at the Wilhelm Busch Museum, the Sprengel Museum, or the Landesmuseum.

66. ...is actually quite trendy? Not only is the Hanover Academy of Fashion and Design (fahmoda) based here, but many small shops in Linden and the List district also focus on authentic and unique fashion design.