Your guide to Hannover / Day Trips nearby Hannover
Day trips - nearby Hannover
Hannover offers so much to explore on its own, but it's also the ideal base for day trips throughout Germany. Because it's located in the heart of the country, you have easy access to other parts of Germany from Hannover via high-speed rail on the east-west routes and on the north-south routes. Whether you're longing for a laid-back day wandering romantic alleys or you want to pack your schedule with world-class museums, UNESCO World Heritage sites and more, there are plenty of day trips from Hannover ready to make your stay in Germany even more fun.
1-2 Hours of Travel Time
Celle for Nature and Architecture
Take the quick trip by car or train to this small town to enjoy everything from nature to architectural highlights. The 1,000-year-old town sits on the bank of the Aller River, making it the perfect choice for lovers of the outdoors. The French Garden is a great escape into nature. Make time for landmarks like Celle Castle, Stadtkirche St. Marien and Lower Saxony's oldest largely preserved half-timbered synagogue.
- French Garden: Herzogin-Eleonore-Allee 5
- Celle Castle: Schloßpl. 1
- Stadtkirche St. Marien: An der Stadtkirche
- Synagogue: Im Kreise 24
Historical Hildesheim Churches
Historical splendor is on full display in Hildesheim. Be sure to visit St. Michael's, an 11th century abbey. Look up while you're inside — the painted wooden ceiling sets this church apart. The church was rebuilt following the Second World War, and the ceiling, which had been saved from destruction, was put on display again. The medieval Roman Catholic Hildesheim Cathedral, also known as St. Mary's Cathedral, is another must-see stop while in town. The pair makes the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- St. Michael's Church: Michaelisplatz
- St. Mary's Cathedral: Domhof 17
Wolfsburg, A Car-Lover's Dream
In Germany to enjoy the cars? Wolfsburg is the ideal day trip for you. The drive takes about an hour (though you can cut the trip in half if you hop on the train) and brings you to the site of the Volkswagen headquarters. You can also visit the Autostadt, an interactive museum dedicated to automobiles — think a driving track, class-car museum and more. Then check out Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg for modern and contemporary art.
- Autostadt: Stadtbrücke
- KunstmuseumWolfsburg: Hollerpl. 1
Alfeld's Romantic Charm
Don't confuse the Lower Saxony Alfeld, right on the River Leine, with the Bavaria municipality. This Lower Saxony Alfeld is easy to reach from Hannover, and it's home to the Fagus Factory UNESCO World Heritage Site. The shoe museum sparks interest not just for its collection, but also for its unique architecture. The city also features gabled houses and romantic streets and makes for an ideal relaxed afternoon walk.
- Fagus Factory: Hannoversche
The Top of the World in The Harz
Make your way to the slopes of the Harz Mountains for some of the best hiking and skiiing opportunities, as the area has the highest elevations in northern Germany. While you're up there, explore the old historic sites like Quedlinburg. History abounds here, with architecture spanning five centuries, from the Quedlinburg Castle to the Shlossmuseum housing artefacts over a thousand years old.
- Quedlinburg Castle: Wassertorstraße 36
- Schloßmuseum Quedlinburg: Schloßberg 1
3-4 Hours Away
Harbor Views in Hamburg
You can't miss Hamburg when you're in Germany. Though you'd really need longer than a day here, it works as an easy day trip when Hannover is your home base. The harbor offers views of ships and the river, and the city itself has plenty of architectural landmarks to enjoy. Make time for the Kunsthalle for some art, then visit St. Michael's Church and take in the city view from the bell tower. For an exquisite musical experience, visit the famous Elbphilharmonie for not only its stunning architecture but also for its advanced acoustics.
- Hamburger Kunsthalle: Glockengießerwall
- St. Michael's Church: Englische Planke 1
- Elbphilharmonie Hamburg: Platz der Deutschen Einheit 1
Beauty and Culture in Bremen
This historic city near the Weser River rose to prominence thanks to sea trade. You'll find picturesque maritime neighborhoods here today, alongside cultural marvels like St. Peter's Cathedral and Kunsthalle Bremen, found on Bremen's "Culture Mile."
- St. Peter's Cathedral: Sandstraße 10-12
- Kunsthalle Bremen: Am Wall 207
Student Life in Göttingen
This historic town is home to Lower Saxony's the oldest university, the University of Göttingen. This is the place to go if you want to check out university life. Check out the botanical garden during your visit.
- University of Göttingen: Wilhelmsplatz 1
Museums, Landmarks, and More in Berlin
The quickest way to get from Hannover to Berlin is by train. You'll want to maximize your time in this exciting city — whether you're looking for historical landmarks, museums or art, Berlin has it all. Take a tour of the Reichstag, then stroll by the Brandenburg Gate. Museumsinsel Berlin (which translates to Museum Island) hosts a diverse array of museums and has been part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1999. Then there's the iconic Fernsehturm and nearby Alexanderplatz. Make sure you save some time to grab a bite to eat in one of this hip city's great restaurants, too.
- Reichstag: Platz der Republik
- Bradenburg Gate: Pariser Platz
- Museumsinsel: Museum Island
- Fernsehturm: Panoramastraße 1A
- Alexanderplatz: 10178 Berlin
So many places near Hannover make worthy day trips during your visit. Whether you pick one or try a few of these Hannover day trips, you're sure to make your visit even more memorable.