At first glance, Hanover (Hannover in German) seems easy to grasp. However, there are quite a few corners worth a second look: the old buildings from the time when Hanover was reigned by a king, the idyllic green areas where you can relax and enjoy nature and the culturally diverse districts which are interesting to explore.

The City

In Hanover, people meet "under the tail" of Ernst-August statue's horse in front of the Main Station. Another meeting point is the Kröpcke-clock, a few minutes straight ahead. There you are in the middle of Hanover's shopping district, with the usual range of department stores. Opposite, there is more to see on Georgstrasse, above all the Opera House. Further on you will find the memorial for the Jewish victims of National Socialism.

Just opposite, you will find Hanover's most expensive shopping boulevard where jewelers, perfumeries and expensive boutiques await potential customers. In the evening the GOP and the New Theater offer entertainment.

On Sunday mornings during summer, people meet in the Georgstraße for the "Schorsenbummel", with music and open-air bars. This traditional "stroll" dates back to King Georg II; "Schorse" is Hanover's nickname for George.

Altstadt (Old Town)

Of all the original narrow streets and picturesque buildings, only about 15 percent survived World War II. But the mix of designer boutiques, restaurants and historical architecture form a lively part of town. The old half-timbered houses around the Holzmarkt (Wood Market), the reconstructed renaissance facade of Leibniz's house, the Market Church and the Old Town Hall give evidence of Hanover's former beauty. The 350 year-old Leineschloss, originally a castle, houses Lower Saxony's state government. The Market Hall, also known as "Hanover's stomach", is a nice place to buy fresh food or have a cappuccino. The old town offers a culinary variety ranging from sophisticated dinners to a simple stew. Small breweries like the Brauhaus Ernst August continue Hanover's beer tradition.

On Saturday mornings, a large flea market is set up along the banks of the river Leine, between the antique Beginen tower and the colorful Nanas. By the way, Hanover's sights are best explored along "the Line": painted in red on the pavement, it connects all major places of interest.

Südstadt (South Town)

Traditionally, Hanover's districts are identified with social groups. According to this, the southern part of the town is inhabited by clerks and civil servants. But on its outskirts, all of Hanover likes to practice running, Rollerblading, or cycling around the Maschsee lake; ice skating nights are organized in winter.

A vast green area starts behind the New Town Hall with the Maschpark and the "Maschteich" pond. To the south, Hanover's largest lake expands to 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) in length, there is a boat service between the two banks. At the southern end, small children splash in the shallow water. In August, the idyll is interrupted for a few days as the Maschseefest, begins. The Maschseefest is a festival with open-air stages and bars which is celebrated all around the lake. If it is raining, visit the Sprengel Museum with its excellent exhibition of Modern Art.

Döhrener Masch

South of the Maschsee, the green area continues with the Döhrener Masch and the Ricklinger ponds. Situated close to the town center these bathing ponds are very popular in summer. People cook on barbecues, fly kites and have parties. One of the ponds is nudist, at the others bathing clothes are advisable.

Linden

This traditional working class district was one of North Germany's first industrial centers. Today, a multicultural society prevails peacefully, impossible to imagine Linden without Spanish restaurants and Turkish groceries. However, the old natives there still speak a special Linden dialect. The district displays the self-confident image of an independent town. The redevelopment has rendered a friendlier face to the blocks; only the shopping center, Ihme-Zentrum, is an unsightly relict of the concrete prevalence.

A positive example of today's culture in Linden is the listed building of the former bed spring factory, Faust, now used as a concert hall and place for meetings and events. On Hanover's only natural hill, the Lindener Hill, the Jazz Club stages outstanding concerts, and at the top, around the Lindner tower, there is a very popular beer garden.

Oststadt (East Town) & List

Many of the beautifully ornamented Art Deco houses in this area are inhabited by media personalities, artists, actors or musicians. The residents are possibly the reason why this district shows quite a concentration of restaurants and pubs! At the North-eastern end of the Passarelle (the subterranean arcades under the main station) the so called Bermuda-triangle starts; an accumulation of clubs, bars and cafés where you can easily get lost.

During the day, passers-by exchange greetings and glances on the Lister Meile, a shopping street leading through the district. Bordering on the East Town and extending to Kleefeld and to the Maschsee you'll find Hanover's municipal forest, the Eilenriede.

Zoo

If you love old patrician houses, you will find some interesting examples here. Hanover Zoo is an interesting place to visit for everyone. In the municipal park behind the Kuppelsaal of Hanover's congress-center, flower lovers will enjoy the remnants of the first German gardening exhibition in 1951. Nordstadt (North Town)

Formerly the North Town was a worker's district, but for decades Hanover's students have occupied it. The University itself is a ostentatious building designed as a Welfen castle in 1857. But in the streets behind it, the houses are narrow and show traces of the times. A colorful mix of people congregate in student pubs, public meeting places and squats, and the times when punks would scare the older inhabitants off with "chaos days" seem to be over for good.

Herrenhäuser Gärten

Hanover's famous gardens start opposite the university. Georgengarten is a great place for people to play ball and boules or rest by the Leibniz temple. In the middle of the green meadows sits the Wilhelm-Busch-Museum, which is a special attraction.

The Große Garten (large garden) with its garden theater, waterfalls and fountains, is one of the most beautiful baroque gardens in Europe. In summer, an international fireworks, theater and comedy festival, called Das Kleine Fest im Großen Garten (small festival in a large garden), uses the neatly trimmed hedges and regimented flower-beds as a romantic background. Opposite the Große Garten is the Berggarten (hill garden) that presents a collection of orchids and cacti in tropical hothouses.