Hanover: Gardens, culture and water

Hanover offers garden art, urban woodland, water experiences and Welf history as different themes for your trip. In the Great Garden, the Great Fountain can shoot up to 72 metres high when there is no wind. At Herrenhausen Palace Museum, historical themes meet precious Baroque objects, while Lake Maschsee invites you to enjoy water sports. As you plan, consider whether you would most like to explore gardens, get active in green spaces, enjoy the water or discover culture.

Gardens and green routes

The Herrenhausen Gardens in Hanover comprise the Great Garden, the Berggarten, the Georgengarten and the Welfengarten. The Berggarten has its own botanical highlights: more than 200 different iris species and varieties bloom there from April to June. The rock garden, created in 1961, showcases alpine plants from around the world. You can combine garden visits with different focuses, from seasonal blooms to the plant life of alpine regions.

The Eilenriede, on the southeastern edge of the city centre, offers a different perspective. It covers around 650 hectares and is described as Europe’s largest urban forest. The area has around 80 kilometres of walking trails, 38 kilometres of cycle paths and 11 kilometres of bridleways. If you would like to focus on routes on foot, by bike or on horseback, these figures offer a concrete guide to choosing your activities.

Water and activity

At Lake Maschsee, you can sail, canoe and take a pedal boat. Skaters and joggers can also circle the lake. This offers different options side by side: activities on the water and exercise around the lake. The Great Fountain in the Great Garden adds another kind of water experience: when there is no wind, its jet can shoot up to 72 metres high.

Welf history and visitor information

Herrenhausen Palace was once the Welfs’ summer residence. The exhibition “Four Carriages, One Kingdom: Hanover 1814–1866,” featuring the state carriages of the Welf rulers, is on display at Herrenhausen Palace Museum. The museum also houses precious Baroque objects in the “Treasury.” Together with the Herrenhausen Gardens, these subjects offer an insight into different aspects of Hanover’s history and garden culture.

The Hanover Tourist Information Centre on Ernst-August-Platz is directly opposite the main railway station. There you can get personal advice on attractions, city tours, events and day trips in Hanover and the surrounding area. The services also include admission tickets, the HannoverCard, city maps and practical planning tips.

More travel ideas in the Hanover Region

The Hanover Region also offers nature and water experiences with its own distinctive highlights. Lake Steinhude is the largest inland body of water in northwestern Germany and is especially known for its water sports and holiday opportunities. In Mardorf, a state-recognised health resort, a five-kilometre lakeside path invites you to take a walk. Nearby, the Tote Moor is one of the region’s important protected areas and provides a habitat for numerous animal and plant species.

In Laatzen, the Park of the Senses uses the four elements—air, water, fire and earth—to offer experiences that engage sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. The Valley of Butterflies lies in the middle of the park. Lush perennials, shrub roses and flowering shrubs provide a habitat for butterflies, bees, bumblebees and other insects. These regional attractions differ from Hanover’s gardens, cultural offerings and urban woodland.

If you would also like to consider destinations such as Mardorf or Laatzen, include the Hanover Region in your search area.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Gehrden, Hemmingen, Isernhagen Kircher Bauerschaft, Uetze, Isernhagen, Barsinghausen, Ronnenberg

Back to the broader travel overview: Hanover Region.