A modern metropolis set amid a constellation of countless historical towns, Hanover isn’t your average European city – nowhere are the beautiful centuries-old buildings or cobbled streets. The capital of Lower Saxony was hit hard by World War II and replaced by heavy 50's buildings. Nevertheless, there are still flashes of its old brilliance and it is often considered the, "greenest city in Germany” due to its profusion of large parks and the flat Leine River running through the city.
It may come as a surprise to learn that this identity-challenged city was once the seat of the British Empire for around 120 years. In the 18th century the house of Hanover ruled Great Britain and everything that belonged to it from this unassuming city. It is this contrast that lures visitors into Hanover, and with its open-air concerts, baroque Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen and artistic and cultural offerings, its leisure activities are almost unrivalled.
HAPPYCAR is here to help you find the best rental car Hanover has to offer so you can take full advantage of this complicated city, and a direct car hire Hanover Airport is also available. We check the prices of international and local providers so that you don’t have to check each website, and provide you with the best deals to make your money go further on a rental car specific to your vacation needs.
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Hanover wows with its remaining cultural sights. In the 17th century Leibniz stunned Europe with his mathematical and philosophical theories, and the arts blossomed, as did the baroque garden seeded by the regent’s wife – Hanover’s prize, it ranks among the finest in Europe.
Another treasure is the Castle Marienburg, considered one of the most important neo-Gothic historical buildings in the country and able to transport you back into the life of a Hanoverian court.
The Hanover also prides in calling itself the EXPO city. Pioneering many innovations and trends in industry and technology, and its huge international trade fair is one of the most highly regarded in the world. Besides exhibitions, Hanover also does festivals aplomb, with the world’s largest marksmen’s festival, the Schützenfest Hanover, and the Oktoberfest Hanover, the second largest in the world.
Hanover’s food is reminiscent of the substantial plain fare that has always been popular in Lower Saxony, including excellent pot-roasted boar or smoked eel, and its gingerbread is renowned all over Germany. As for drink, there are a number of excellent options for beer: the Herrenhauser Pilsner is top draw, but then there is the more traditional Lüttje lage, a drink made from beer and korn drunk simultaneously from two separate glasses.
For families, the Hanover Aquarius, with its rainforest, will keep the little ones occupied for hours. If you would like a quick jaunt outside of town the Tiergarten features 112 hectares of forest to have a picnic or while away the afternoon.
Using a car hire in Hanover
Hanover is a very flat city, with many beautiful areas surrounding it, which makes a Hanover car rental an excellent option to explore Lower Saxony. The city of Göttingen is an important university city two hours away from Hanover with regular seasonal performances. A little closer is Hamelin, a large town known for its Pied Piper folk tale and its 16th century buildings.
Hanover is served by the Autobahn or highway, just an hour and a half to Hamburg, and the A2 from Berlin to Düsseldorf, just three hours in both directions with a Hanover car hire. There is so much to see in this part of the world, and a car rental Hanover can help you uncover some of the many mysteries just waiting to be discovered.