Hannover for greenhorns: city trip in nature

This post is also available in:

Latest update: 28 October 2024

Hannover’s urban forest is twice the size of New York’s Central Park. The mayor would prefer a car-free center, and there are all kinds of initiatives under the heading ‘More nature in the city.’ So you guessed it right: there are plenty of green hotspots in Hannover. I’m happy to show you the way.

Unexpectedly green city

I am in Hannover for the second time. The city turned white with snow for the first time during the Christmas market. Now I discover how green Hannover actually is. Very green even. Some facts: Hannover has approximately 20,000 allotments, 46,000 trees along the roads, and 20 hectares of green urban space. So, if you want a more relaxed city trip with a touch of nature, I highly recommend Hannover. Here, you can easily combine the city vibes with activities in the green.

Hop on your bike

Because the green area of ​​Hannover covers many kilometers, renting a bicycle is a good idea. We do this behind the station at Radstation 2 (here). This bicycle station is a project of an addiction help center where the long-term unemployed get another chance. You can store bicycles there, have them repaired, and rent them. They have regular bicycles and e-bikes for rent. We opt for the latter because we have a lot of kilometers to cover.

We go out with Elke from the tourism office. She leads us along the green spots of Hannover. You can buy cycling routes and book cycling tours at the tourism office (here). Such a tour takes about three hours. So be sure to drop by (here) to inquire about the options or book online.

Urban forest Eilenriede

With its 640 km2, the Eilenriede urban forest is the largest urban forest in Germany. It is called the green lung of Hannover, and it’s perfect for filling up your lungs with fresh air. There are many kilometers of cycle paths and walking paths. Eilenriede has a lot of foresty areas, but this is interspersed with picnic meadows, playgrounds, lakes, and beer gardens.

We first do some food shopping at the station, and after a few hours of cycling, we look for a picnic spot. The peace that Eilenriede normally radiates was slightly disturbed today. It’s Ascension Day, and the young Hanoverians grab a handcart, fill it with speakers and drinks, and stroll through the forest. It’s mainly a pleasant crowd though.

Google Maps location

Machsee

The Machsee is adjacent to the city forest and the city center. It is a huge landscaped lake where you can also enjoy cycling, walking, or running: a lap around the Machsee is 6.2 kilometers. On sunny days, people also like to rent a pedal boat or canoe here. By the way, the lake is only two meters deep. Due to its size, I expected it to be much deeper. At 78 m2, the Machsee is the largest lake in Lower Saxony.

Several catering establishments are along the banks of the Machsee, and the Machsee Festival takes place here in the summer. It’s a huge party with food stalls, music stages and more fun. Entrance is free, and the festival lasts three weeks. They know how to party in Hannover! Check the exact dates here.

Google Maps location

Herrenhäuser Gärten: four gardens

The first seeds were sown, and the first trees were planted in the gardens of Herrenhausen as early as the 17th century. The garden complex consists of four gardens, including the Großer Garten. This is one of the most important Baroque gardens in Europe. Walking through this part of the garden, I notice how symmetrical everything is. If there is a tree on the left, there will also be one on the right. A sculpture on the left, a sculpture on the right. On the left, a path; on the right, a path. Well, you get the idea.

The large fountain is the eye-catcher and is up to 70 meters high. It is not always on – to save water. The water that the plants are sprayed with comes from the Leine River. The Gartentheater, lined with golden statues reminiscent of the Oscars, hosts plays and concerts in the summer. The Schloss Herrenhäuser has a small museum where you can learn more about the history of the castle and its former residents, and the Berggarten is the botanical garden of Herrenhäuser Gärten.

If you like, you can also join a tourist office tour of the gardens. There is one for the Berggarten (this one) and one for the Herrenhäuser Gärten (this one). The guide will take you to see all the green highlights of the gardens.

Another striking feature is the Grotto with statues and mosaics by Niki de Saint Phalle. The colorful art doesn’t fit in with the chic Herrenhäuser Gärten at all. The grotto was already there 300 years ago. Back then, the nobility sought some cooling relief here on hot days. Now, it is completely covered in mosaic based on three themes: spirituality, night and the cosmos, and day and light. Niki also made the Nana statues that you find in the center of Hannover.

Google Maps location

Bars in the green

If you feel like having a drink in nature, you definitely can. You can choose a spot in the Eilenriede city forest or along the shore of the Machsee, for example. I am also very enthusiastic about Strandleben and Biergarten Gretchen.

Strandleben is a beach bar on the river in Linden. It’s a kind of container bar, very simple. A container of sand has been dumped on the bank of the river, and there are about a hundred beach chairs. On sunny days it takes some time to find a spot, but there is always a spot on the lawn directly next to it. The audience is mixed: young people, families, walkers with dogs. And in and on the water are the active people: the SUPpers and the rowers.

Google Maps location

On the other side of the water (simply accessible via a bridge) is Biergarten Gretchen, with a super lovely terrace in the green. Lots of trees and a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere. And cheap. You only pay €2.80 for a prosecco here. And of course, they have a lot of beers at Gretchen, and you can grab a pizza if you get hungry.

Google Maps location

Near Hannover: Steinhuder Meer

If you come to Hannover by car, it is worth driving to the Steinhuder Meer for a day trip. This is a nature park with a large lake where you can take a boat trip to Wilhelmstein Island, go for a long bike ride, or chill on the beach. Read all about a visit to the Steinhuder Meer.

I visited Hannover by invitation of Visit Hannover. They have given me complete editorial freedom.