Why Hannover? 66 good reasons!

Further information on the author: Knut Diers

Did you know that Hannover...

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

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

3. ...is so endearing? 91 percent of Hannover residents enjoy living in their city—some even very much so.

© Patrick Graf

4. ...since 2001, together with its 20 surrounding municipalities, it has formed the Region Hannover, 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 biggest folk festivals every summer? The Maschseefest attracts over two million visitors over 19 days, creating a festive atmosphere every year.

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 the size of 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 hosted 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, the princes of Hanover also sat on the British throne.

13. ...was the place where the polymath Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz worked 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 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 grounds, with 26 halls, 5 pavilions, 463,285 square meters of exhibition space, and 58,000 square meters of open space—and it all began back in 1947 with the first export fair?

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

20. ...hosts Germany's oldest flea market? It was first held in 1967, and since 1972, it has drawn crowds to the banks of the Leine in the Old Town every Saturday morning for a day of haggling and browsing.

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

25. ...celebrates the Little Festival in the Great Garden? A picnic and live entertainment come together 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 associated with 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 bequeathed 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—reaching 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 climbers’ paradise on the north shore, and a boat trip to Wilhelmstein Island. 

32. ...Marienburg Castle is often called the “Neuschwanstein of the North”? This magnificent residence of the Guelphs, located 30 kilometers south of the city, resembles a fairytale 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. ...that, in addition to the adventure zoo, there’s also a wildlife park? Here you can see deer, wild boars, and roe deer up close—all for free while you take a stroll.

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 Hannover: “You rock like a hurricane.”

© HMTG

39. ...in 2016, it honored the inventor of binary arithmetic using 0s and 1s (the basis for today’s computers)? The year of the death of the universal genius Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz had been 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 got the hang of it? In the New Town Hall, a lift—the only one of its kind in the world—travels along a curved path up into the dome, taking visitors to a viewing platform 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 both a museum and a conference center.

43. ...that “Sophie’s World” attracts around 600,000 visitors each year? This refers to the Herrenhausen Gardens, which were once laid out by Electress Sophie. She is still deeply loved today and is the mother of the first British monarch 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 schnapps, but drunk from two glasses at the same time.

51. ...ready for the stage? From the opera and the Schauspielhaus, the joy of performance extends through the GOP—with its variety shows and acrobatics—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 roughly 160-kilometer loop 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 arthouse cinema 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 (dynamo), Karl Jatho (powered flight), Emil Berliner (gramophone, phonograph record), and Walter Bruch (color television) all came from here.

57. ...sends a double-decker bus out to take guests on a tour? In 100 minutes, the round-trip tour offers a first-rate overview of Hannover’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. ...encourages shopping even 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 unique twist.

61. ...is a paradise for museum lovers? Not only are there numerous art museums, but a theater museum, the historical museum, the Exposeeum, the aviation museum, and the world’s smallest design museum also 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 Hannover 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 quite trendy? Not only is the Academy of Fashion and Design Hannover (fahmoda) based here, but many small shops in Linden and the List also focus on authentic and unique fashion design.