Located in the mid-north of Germany, Hannover has a good blend of history, old architecture, and plenty of activities for adults and couples. There are tons of gardens, a vibrant nightlife, and old and new attractions so it’s a good city for adults and couples looking for experiences that are a bit different. While Hannover isn’t the size of some other German cities such as Hamburg and Berlin it means you won’t need to spend more than a few days here to get the best out of it. See the itinerary for 2 days in Hannover here.
You can stroll together through the royal gardens or take a paddle boat out on the huge city lake so Hannover has something to offer every type of visitor. Here, we’ll list a good number of adult-friendly activities, some with a little bit of romance to make your trip to Hannover one to remember.
1. Discover the Royal Herrenhausen Gardens
You must explore the stunning Herrenhausen Gardens while you’re in Hannover as it is voted the number one attraction here. It is considered one of the most beautiful garden parks in Europe, these baroque gardens look like something from a movie. With meticulously manicured hedges, fountains, and more colourful flowers than an Amsterdam market, it all creates the ideal romantic scene. Take a stroll along the Grand Parterre, take in the amazing views from the Grotto, and enjoy the calmness of the Berggarten, which features a tropical greenhouse too.
2. Take a paddle boat on the Maschsee Lake
The Maschsee Lake is a huge lake in the south of the city centre that stretches 1.5 miles (2.4km). It’s a picturesque lake that offers some peace in the city. Rent a paddle boat for a pretty cheap price and ride out to the middle of the flat, calm lake. If you haven’t got sea legs then simply relax by the waterfront. You will spy some karp fish swimming in it if you look hard enough around the lakeside. It’s a great activity for couples or even families on a nice day.
If you’re visiting during summer, you might even catch the Maschsee lake festival which runs around August time and has plenty of food, music, and a real festival atmosphere.
3. Take a Romantic River Cruise on the river Leine
You can go one further than the DIY paddle boat and try a romantic river cruise along the picturesque River Leine, which makes its way through Hannover. Enjoy the scenic views as you pass charming bridges, lots of greenery, and the city’s historic landmarks. You can even level up as some cruises offer candlelit dinners or live music, if that doesn’t get the romance going what will?
4. Walk through the Historic Old Town
Step back in time as you walk through Hannover’s Old Town (Altstadt). Filled with cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and artisan shops. Soak up the intricate architecture of the Marktkirche (Market Church), and the old town hall (Altes Rathaus), and walk around the lively Ernst-August-Platz, where you’ll find cozy cafes and traditional beer gardens.
5. Enjoy the traditional German restaurants
Foodies will enjoy Hannover’s culinary scene which has plenty of different taste experiences. There’s lots of traditional German cuisine to enjoy at cozy taverns in Hannover or enjoy a wider set of international flavours at the more upmarket restaurants. I enjoyed sampling dishes in the taverns and exploring the Markthalle for a few different flavours.
If you want to crank it up a notch then treat yourselves to a romantic dinner at one of the Michelin-starred restaurants in the city, featuring some exquisite dishes prepared with seasonal ingredients. Don’t forget to try the regional wine or one of the crisp locally brewed beers.
6. Walk through the Eilenriede forest
This is a huge forest sitting in the middle of the city centre and is a great place for a long quiet walk. You will see parks, yoga spots, water features, and plenty of quiet nature highlights so it is a nice bit of quiet time for adults looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
7. Sample some local art and culture
Immerse yourselves in Hannover’s thriving art and cultural scene with a visit to the Sprengel Museum, which has an impressive collection of modern art, including works by Picasso and Nolde. Another one is the Kestnergesellschaft (quite a mouthful, so Kestner will do), a modern art gallery that has plenty of immersive exhibitions.
For theatre and opera enthusiasts, the Hannover State Opera is an impressive building and it offers plenty of classical and modern performances, to fill up your culture cup if that’s your preferred child-free activity.
8. Get involved in Hannover’s Nightlife
When the sun sets, Hannover comes alive with an eclectic nightlife scene. Discover trendy cocktail bars in the centre or find a cozy jazz club to enjoy live music. The lively district of Linden is known for having plenty of bars and clubs, offering a variety of musical genres to suit every taste.
I’ve had plenty of nights out in Hannover and enjoyed a few clubs which were always a good time, even if they were full of smoke. People are nice and you can dance the night away or enjoy a quiet evening with your loved one, so it suits either type of night out.
9. Check out the new town hall
The New town hall of Hannover (Neues Rathaus) is sat on the side of a picturesque lake so it’s a great area to walk around and get some photos. You can go inside the town hall itself as is open to the public and has some great history of Hannover as a city, you will see models of the city pre and post-war along with local cultural milestones and some very impressive architecture.
10. Things to do for Adults and couples – In Winter
Get down to the lively Hannover Christmas market (Weinachtsmarkt) in the historic old town as it runs between November and January where you can catch plenty of food, drink, rides and live music.
11. Things to do for Adults and couples – In Summer
Try one of the many outdoor pools around the city as they make these an ideal place to relax in summer. I’m a fan of the Lister Bad which is big enough to enjoy some peace together if you don’t want the crowds.
Check the city’s event calendar as Hannover hosts numerous events throughout the summer, such as the Schutzenfest (festival of guns and marksmen achievements) or the Maschsee Festival, a vibrant celebration around the lake running that runs through the day and night.