Passport to Hanover
Words: Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey Hanover, on the banks of the River Leine, is a great city break destination or base from which to explore the medieval charms of the Lower Saxony region TOUCHDOWN In Hanover, nothing is on a small scale. The exhibition centre in Mittelfeld district is the largest in the world, attracting 2.5 million visitors to trade and cultural events every [...]
Words: Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey
Hanover, on the banks of the River Leine, is a great city break destination or base from which to explore the medieval
charms of the Lower Saxony region
alt="Hanover’s major sights are connected by a 4.2km red line which you can follow on foot.">
TOUCHDOWN
In Hanover, nothing is on a small scale. The exhibition
centre in Mittelfeld district is the largest in the world,
attracting 2.5 million visitors to trade and cultural events
every year. The second largest Oktoberfest beer festival
(after Munich’s) draws another one million visitors annually
to the city famed for its outdoor eating and drinking culture.
SLEEP
In a prime location opposite the exhibition centre you’ll find
the comfortable, if standard, Best Western Premier Parkhotel
Kronsberg [1 Gut Kronsberg, +49 (0)511 87 400; www.kronsberg.bestwestern.de].
There’s a more contemporary edge
to the 3-star Luhmanns Hotel am Rathaus [21 Friedrichswall,
+49 (0)511 326 268] in the city centre, which is stylish
without straying into over-designed territory. For a stunning
view, the Marriott Courtyard [3 Arthur Menge Ufer, +49
(0)511 366 000; www.marriott.de] overlooks the beautiful Lake
Maschsee, and you can enjoy a cocktail on the outdoor terrace.
EAT
If you like German cars, Benz Restaurant & Bar is for you
[3 Mercedesstr, Langenhagen, +49 (0)511 978 1666; www.restaurant-benz.de].
On the first floor above the Mercedes
showroom, the restaurant serves a mix of Mediterranean
fusion and seasonal local delicacies: try the Labskaus (corned
beef, potatoes, herring, onion and beetroot) for a taste of
northern Germany. At the legendary pancake house
Pfannkuchen Haus [27 Calenberger Strasse, +49 (0)511 17
113] you can try over 40 types of pancakes in a rustic setting.
THE MUSEUMS
The Sprengel Museum debuts 25 new exhibitions during
the year and has an exciting permanent collection in which
German expressionism and French modern art are well
represented. It’s open daily except Mondays from 10am-
6pm, [Kurt Schwitters Platz, +49 (0)511 1684 3875; www.sprengel-museum.de].
If the weather’s fine, saunter down the
Sculpture Mile from Königsworther Platz to Friederikenplatz
SHOP
The Kroepke is Hanover’s pedestrianised shopping district,
while the Niki de Saint Phalle Promenade, a shopping
arcade that’s been regenerated in recent years, houses
enough clothing and accessories stores to rival a mall but in
a more appealing setting. For more unique gifts and antiques,
visit the flea market on the banks of the River Leine just
next to the old town, held every Saturday morning.
alt="The Marriott Courtyard Hotel beside Lake Maschsee">
NIGHTLIFE
This is Germany, so a visit to a beer garden is a must. The huge
Waterloo Biergarten serves beer and sausages until midnight
every day [1 Waterloo Strasse, +49 (0)511 15 643]. The most
popular club is the Osho Diskothek, housed in a circular glass
building and locally known as ‘Baggi’ [7L Raschplatz, +49
(0)511 342 217; open Wednesday to Saturday, 10pm-3am].
COMING UP
Hanover’s Royal Gardens (Herrenhäuser Garten) play host to
the International Fireworks Competition and it’s the turn of
the Philippines on 30 August (further displays are planned for
13 and 27 September). These events also encompass classical
music and food and drink. Tickets are available at the venue or
the tourist office from €18 (www.hannover.de/feuerwerk).
