Visit Hannover & Hamelin, Germany

Visit Hannover, Germany

Hannover or Hanover in German is not exactly the prettiest city in Germany. However, it is one of the most visited due to its many trade shows and fairs like CEBIT at their Messe. Having said that the city does boast a nice history and some wonderful sites. One of the prettiest sites are the gardens at the Herrenhaeuser Gaerten which have an eclectic collection of beautiful botany. The gardens also have a couple nice museums, the Fuerstenhaus which shows the Princes of Hannover’s history and the Wilhelm Busch Museum. In the old town (what is left of it) has a few treats for the tourist.

One thing that makes seeing the sites in Hannover so easy is the Tourist Red Line you will see painted on the ground. Just follow the red line and it will take you to all the major sites. It is very helpful if you do get lost as it passes by all the important areas (so its safe).

The Tourist Red Line in Hanover

Note: if you say Rote Stricht in German (meaning the red line) you will end up in the red light district so make sure you say you are looking for the tourist red line.

One of the nicer churches in Hannover that is located smack in the middle of the old town is the Marktkirche.

Hannover Marktkirche

Another nice experience in Hannover is to ride to the top of the Neues Rathaus. This photogenic government edifice has an amazing reconstruction of pre and post war Hannover in its lobby and you can ride up an elevator all the way to the top (switching to a few elevators on the way).

The Neues Rathaus or New Town Hall in Hannover

Now, if shopping and museums are not your thing, then an afternoon at the Maschsee (Masch Lake) is well worth your time. You can ride paddleboats, have a beer or four at a beer garden or yes actually do go to another museum along its banks. It is a Hannover tradition as you will see if you go on a sunny day.

Maschsee Masch Lake in Hannover, Germany

But we all do get a bit thirsty and what better place to have a drink than the Ernst August Brauhaus. This Hannover tradition is owned by the Prince of Hannover. It is a great bar/brewery to sit and eat, have a drink, watch a band, or just get really schnockered. Its fun for anyone and just check out the size of the beer bottles. We filmed the German Beer Types video here that is here on the site.

Ernst August Brauhaus Hannover, Germany

Hamelin / Hameln, Germany

This small town (an easy short train trip from Hannover) is the home of the Pied Piper, or Rat Catcher as the direct German translation would tell you. The town was overrun by rats and the townsfolk were offered the services of a man dressed in multicolored clothes. He did as he promised and rid the town of rats, however when the town people did not pay he came back and led all the children out of town never to be seen from again.

The Story of the Pied Piper

Hamelin lives off of the Pied Piper and his story which you will see whether it is eating at the beautiful Rat Catcher House restaurant (food OK, building super cool), or with the tourist line made of rats.

Ratfaenger Haus Pied Piper House in Hamelin (he never lived there)

And even if you are not into the Brothers Grimm’s fairytales the city is an extremely quaint town well worth the quick trip from Hannover with its pretty streets and nice cafes.