Kröpcke is a large pedestrian area in the heart of Hanover. It is Hanover's major shopping spot, home to the Opera house and has lots of places to eat. The main station in the Hanover Stadtbahn network, is also located here. All Stadtbahn lines except the 10 and 17, call at the station and it is the main interchange point for the network. It has six platforms in total on three lines that cross each other in independent tunnels. There is a big green clock in Kröpcke (KröpckeUhr) which makes an ideal meeting point.
Hanover became more of a tourist destination since it began hosting CeBIT, and especially following the EXPO in 2000. English translation was just recently introduced to some official tourist portals such as the train ticket machines. Germans are generally helpful, but you have to ask for help as they don't like to jump into other people's business without being invited. Most university students speak English. For general information, it's safest to go to the Tourist Office, Prinzenstr. 12 (close to central station), +49-511-12345-111, M-F 9AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-2PM.
Hanover airport (IATA: HAJ) [url=http://www.hannover-airport.de/]]handles many European major airlines, including budget airlines Air Berlin [url=http://www.airberlin.de[/url]]and TUI [http://www.flytui.co.uk[/url]. There is a train that runs twice-an-hour (called the S-Bahn) from the airport to the central station (Hauptbahnhof). A 2-Zone ticket is needed from the airport to city center. The fare is around €3 and will take around 17 minutes. There are no trains between 1:30 am and 4 am. A taxi ride to the city center costs about €20 and will take about 15 minutes.
The airport offers the option to check in the day before your departure (6-9 PM) for some airlines (Hapag-Lloyd, Condor, Air Berlin, Sky Airlines, and Croatia Airlines).
Due to its location, Hanover has good connections from all major cities in Germany through Deutsche Bahn (DB) [url=http://www.bahn.de],]the German rail service. There are also direct trains to the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, and Austria several times a day, including night train connections with Nachtzug trains ([url=http://www.nachtzugreise.de[/url],]CityNightLine [url=http://www.citynightline.ch/[/url]).]Hanover is also reachable by regional trains, making it possible to use the cheap and popular "weekend tickets".
The high speed Inter City Express Trains (ICE trains)[http://www.raileurope.com/train-faq/european-trains/ice/how-to-book.html[/url] can take you all over Germany to places such as: Frankfurt, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Munich, Cologne, and Berlin. The trip to Hanover from Berlin takes 1:30, from Hamburg 1:20, from Frankfurt 2:20, and from Munich 4:30. Prices vary depending on time of travel and the ticket type such as an economy, freedom or comfort ticket, but a freedom ticket from Berlin to Hanover with cost you from €75.
Hanover is served by the excellent German road system, being on both the Hamburg to Kassel (Autobahn A7) running north and south and the Berlin to Dusseldorf (A2) running east and west. The city is easily reached after leaving these two motorways. In Germany they drive on the right and some stretches of the autobahns have no speed limits. While the limits on the B-roads are quite high, at up to 130kph outside of towns, they can drop to as low as 50kph in built up areas. From Hamburg the drive is around an hour and a half. From Berlin and Dusseldorf, the drive is around 3 hours.
Hanover is linked to the rest of Germany and parts of Europe by frequent bus services. Bus rides tend to be fairly quick avoiding unnecessary hold ups but they are not the most comfortable way to travel especially for long distances. The Central Bus Station (Zentraler Omnibus Bahnhof or "ZOB") is located behind (to the north-west of) the Central Station (Hauptbahnhof).
* Buses to [wiki=d16bb7789462885bf85c28d368c64395]Bosnia[/wiki] are eg. run by Salinea, [http://www.salinea.net/red_voznje.asp]
* Buses to [wiki=560d4c6ff431c86546f3fcec72c748c7]Croatia[/wiki] are eg. run by Čazmatrans [http://www.cazmatrans.hr/njem-zg.html]
Hanover has a fantastic network of public transportation, so it's best to just park your car and ride. If you plan to make more than than two trips by tram, bus, or subway, a day ticket is your best bet, buying you unlimited travel on the public transport system. Day tickets are valid until the last connection of the day (which normally ends sometime after midnight). The public transportation adopts an honor system for tickets, but they do have ticket inspections once in a while (also late at nights and early mornings). The fine is quite high, so make sure you have a ticket all the time. Be aware that some tickets will need to be validated (stamped on the 'blue box'), and some not, depending on the machine. [http://www.uestra.de]
* Hannover Card [http://www.hannover.de/english/tourism_culture/info_offers/offers/hanncard/index.html]. Hannover Card is issued by the Tourism Office. It includes free use of public transportation and discounts for some local attractions (e.g. museums, opera, the Great Garden), tours, and restaurants. Price: Single ticket: 1 day €9.50, 2 day €13, 3 days €16; Group ticket (2-5 persons): 1 day €18, 3 days €31.
* Ticket and Cards Regions. It may be confusing to understand the zones of Hanover public transportation. The key is to know that there are "tickets" and "cards". The term "tickets" applies to the ones bought at the machine or elsewhere, while "cards" are the ones with (monthly) subscription. Inside the city area, you only need a 1-zone ticket as it already covers a good part of the city. However, for the airport you will need a 2-zone ticket, as it is located outside Zone 1. Tickets are valid on bus, tram, fast tram (S-Bahn), and regional train.
* Ticket Price
:* Day ticket: €4.90 (1 zone), €6.20, (2 zones), €7.70 (3 zones)
:* Group day ticket (up to 5 persons): €9.40 (1 zone), €11.90 (2 zones), €14.60 (3 zones)
:* Single-trip ticket: €2.50 (1 zone), €3.20 (2 zone), €4.00 (3 zone)
:* Short-trip ticket (up to 3 stops for tram and 5 stops for bus): €1.50
:* Reduced ticket (children 6-14y, big dogs): €1.30 (all zone)
:* Day ticket child (6-14 yrs): €2.60 (all zones)
:* Special price for 6 single-trip tickets (SammelTicket): €14.00 (1 zone), €17.50 (2 zones)
Bike paths are provided in almost every street that runs through the city. There is no law on using a helmet, but make sure that the bike has both front and rear lights if you don't want to get stopped by the police (Fine: €10). Pedestrian paths are also provided along every street and there is also a pedestrian area in front of Central Station to Kröpcke.
It is possible to take your bike on the tram or bus for free on M-F 8:30AM-3PM and after 7PM. There are no time restrictions on weekends.
Unless you have limited time, lots of heavy baggage, or are traveling after public transport stops at night, you might want to think twice about using taxi, as it is very expensive. However, it could be cheaper if traveling in a big group: You can order a 7- or 9-seat taxi by phone and get more people in at the same price.
Many museums (including the Landesmuseum, the Historical Museum, and the Kestner Museum) can be visited for free on Friday.
* Landesmuseum a mish mash of exhibitions. There is a prehistorical section focusing on the past of Low Saxony including tools and weapons. You will also find coins of the Kingdom of Hanover, Prussia and the German empire and to top it all off, what every German museum needs, a Japanese tea room.
* Historical MuseumThe Historical Museum in Hanover traces the history of the city right from the time of its foundation in 1100 to the present day. The museum showcases the history of the town as well as the individual regions. You will also get to know a lot about the folk culture and folk traditions of Hanover. Located towards the west of Balhof in Hanover and is on the Hoshes Ufer where you find the largest flea market held on Saturdays.
* Sprengel Museum, Kurt-Schwitters-Platz, (any tram to Aegidientorplatz then walk 10 min to the direction of the lake, or Bus 131 from Kröpcke to stop Maschsee/Sprengel Museum) +49-511-16843875, fax +49-511-16845093, [url=http://www.sprengel-museum.de/].]Tu 10AM-8PM, W-Su 10AM-6PM. Should not be missed by modern art lovers. Hosts a great number of art objects from the modern era (20th century). Objects include works from Picasso, Paul Klee, Niki de Saint-Phalle. €7 (adults), €4 (students, seniors, unemployed).
* Wilhelm-Busch Museum, in Georgengarten, within the Great Garden (Tram 4 or 5 (Direction Garbsen/Stöcken) to stop Wilhelm-Busch Museum) [url=http://www.wilhelm-busch-museum.de/[/url].]Tu-F 11AM-5PM, Sa/Su/holiday 11AM-6PM. This museum hosts the unique collection of Busch’s work and others satirical and humorous art. It is respected as the German Museum of Caricature and Critical Graphic Arts. €4.50, €10 family, €2.50 reduced.
* Blindenmuseum Hannover, Bleekstraße 22, +49-511-52470. The museum hosts objects showing how blind people have been educated between 1843 and today. Free admission, but open only by appointment.
* Kestner-Museum, Trammplatz 3, (Bus 131/132 stop: Aegidientorplatz, Bus 120 stop: Friedrichswall/Culemannstraße, Bus 250 stop: Bleichenstraße), +49-511-16842120. Tu/Th-Su 11AM-6PM, W 11AM-8PM. Objects include ones from ancient Egyptian, Roman and Greek from the Middle Ages to the present times. €3.
Hanover's people enjoy a lot of fireworks during the year. In addition to the world competition held every summer, there are fireworks every night of the Kleines Fest, every weekend during the Spring Festival (Frühlingsfest) and Oktoberfest, and on the weekend of the Lake Masch Festival. For the first two, the best spot to see is inside or outside the Great Garden, while the latter ones can be seen from any point around Lake Masch. Fireworks usually start at 10PM.
Hanover is also place of the annual fireworks world contest (or at least one of the many world contests happening during the year around the world) in the Herrenhäuser Gärten. Six nations participate on six Saturdays, three of them around May - Jun, three in Aug - Sep.
CeBIT [url=http://www.cebit.de]]at the EXPO area. An annual event lasts several days in March. The biggest computer-related exhibition in the world. Very interesting for tech lovers.
* Hannover messe [url=http://www.hannovermesse.de/homepage_e?x=1/[/url]]A well-known industrial expo later in the spring.
* Spring Festival (Frühlingfest), Schützenplatz [http://www.oktoberfest-hannover.de/[/url]. Annual event in spring, everyday from 2PM. Practically a knock-down amusement park. Lots of fun.
* Masala World-beat Festival. Musicians from around the world play in several spots throughout the city. An annual event in spring/summer.
The Small Festival in the Great Garden (Kleines Fest im großen Garten) (Tram 4, from Kröpcke direction Garbsen) [url=http://www.kleines-fest.de/].]Around 30-40 performers from around the world perform in this summer festival, including clowns, acrobatic performance, comedy theatre and many more. Every festival day lasted around 4 hours (6-10:30PM), so normally only maximum 7 stage performances can be seen in 1 festival day. At the end of the day (or night), fireworks are lighted, bringing the excitement from the day to a fabulous ending. Tickets can be bought directly on the day, but be prepared for a very long queue. Coming as early as 2 hours before the festival starts is recommended.
* Still in Herrenhäuser Gärten, there is an International Firework Competition every year (between May and September). Tickets are sold to see the firework from inside the garden. However, the fireworks can also be enjoyed from the outside of the garden. Be prepared to have a stiff neck by the end of the show as each session lasts 20-30 minutes and during this time you will have your head continuously tilted upwards.
* Schützenfest, Schützenfest. The largest of its kind of festivals.
* Lake Maschsee Festival, around the lake. Annual event in the summer.
* Reincarnation Parade, a one-day street techno party. A much smaller scale of [[Berlin[/url]]'s Love Parade. Annual event in summer.
* Rubber Duck Race (Entenrennen). (Tram 10,17 stop: Clevertor); Tram 3,7,9 stop: Markthalle). Date for 2007 was July 7. A fun one day event, especially for the children. Hundreds of rubber duckies "racing" through the river Leine. Numbered rubber duckies can be bought for €3 (incl. €2 start fee) in üstra Service Center City in Kröpcke a few weeks before the event or directly on the spot before the "qualification race". Race starts at the Lower Saxon State Parliament (Landtag Niedersachsen, Leineschloss, Hinrich-Wilhelm-Kopf-Platz 1) and finishes at the bridge Marstallbrücke.
Oktoberfest, Schützenplatz. second biggest oktoberfest in the world.
Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmarkt) can be found in front of Central Station, in Kröpcke, in Old City (Altstadt), and in List (street name "Lister Meile"), and it last from end of November until a couple of days before Christmas. The best stalls to visit are the Finnish stands in the Old City. They serve very good smoked salmon, herring, and reindeer meat. The hot wine (Glühwein) is probably the best in the whole Christmas Market. Another alternative is the charming Winter Zoo at Hanover Zoo. From the end of November until the middle of January you can enjoy ice shows, ice skating, slides as well as hearty food and drink to keep you warm.
Souvenirs of the city Hanover can be easily bought at the Tourism Office.
* Merchandise for the Hanover 96 soccer team is sold in Karstadt Sport in Kröpcke.
* Galeria Kaufhof
Left next to the Central Station there is a huge mall called Ernst August Gallerie.
* Shops open Sunday: There is a low-cost and convenient supermarket - Lidl underground, Rossmann Express Shop (food, drinks, grocery), Rossmann Grocery Store, Drugstore (Leine), Relay (magazines), Tschibo (quality coffee), McDonalds (24 Hours), Burger King (24 Hours), Wurst-Basar (Sausage, hot grilled smoked meats, German style hamburger- belegtes Broetchen, fast food, lunch, regional food speciality), Bosselmann (Bakery), Nanu Nana (Accessories), Sportbar (Coffee, Snacks, Beer), Italian ice cream - Colosseum and so on in the Central Train Station. Besides that, at the airport; supermarket - Edeka, McDonalds and Mövenpick are the only businesses open on Sundays.
* A larger supermarket open 24/6, except Sundays, (Kaufland) is left next to the Central Station - behind the Central Bus Station (at the other side of the Station if you are walking from the city centre). The most famous economical supermarkets- Aldi, Tedi, Kik, even supermarket Rewe inside the Ernst-August-Galarie-Kaufhof (department store) are nearby Kaufland.
* Big department stores such as Galeria Kaufhof and Karstadt can be found in Kröpcke.
* Check Hugendubel in Kröpcke for popular English books. Another large bookstore is Lehmanns in Georg Strasse near Steintor.
* For sports equipments go to SportScheck or Karstadt Sport. Deichmann, too!
* Rossmann and Douglas provide most body care products. Rossmann also offers a good and cheap photo printing service. There is a Rossmann shop in the Central Station.
* Horstman & Sander in Kröpcke (Georgstr., direction to Steintor) is a great shop for leather goods and good quality bags ranging from coin purses to backpacks to extra large suitcases.
* For elegant boutiques, Galerie Luise (Luisenstr.) is the best option.
A flea market located along the Leine River takes place every Saturday, 7AM-4PM. However, it's dominated by electronic goods and overpriced "antiques". Watch out for pickpockets.
Asia-Garden, A Chinese buffet restaurant in Ernst-August Platz - just opposite the Central Station. It is on the 2nd floor of the Ernst-August Food Court. You can serve yourself picking bits and pieces from around a dozen Chinese dishes. The small plate costs €4, the big one - €6.
* Café Mezzo, Lister Meile 4, +49-511-314966, fax: +49-511-3884677. Normally crowded with students during lunch and dinner time. Reservations should be considered if planning to come during this time. Service can be slow sometime, but they offer a wide range of "student" menus with reasonable prices.
* Check out the variety of food stalls in the market hall (Markthalle). You will find almost everything from Spanish tapas to Mett (raw minced meat).
* Extrablatt, This is a franchised restaurant easily found in several cities in Germany. They serve burgers, pizza, and wraps. Reasonable prices. For the one in List (Friesenstraße), reservations are not necessary except for large groups.
* Mr. Phung, A Chinese restaurant inside the central train station. Very quick and has big portions. They have a very good "Ente Kung-Pao" (crunchy fried duck with soya sauce), served with rice. €4.50-8.50.
* Satluss, Georgenstrasse 112, Phone [0] 531 / 13089, deutsches Essen, €10/person, Open Mo-Sa from 10.00 - 23.00,
* Schöneberger , Badensche 23, Phone [0] 531 / 31890, deutsches Essen, >€5 for a snack Open Mo-So from 10.00 - 24.00,
* Wurst-Basar is the perfect place to taste German's favourite dish, the sausages! There are several stalls throughout the city, including inside central station and Kröpcke.
*Fast, cheap, and good Vietnamese cuisine in Linden-Nord, with outdoor seating during the summer.
* Ocean City, Luisenstraße 5, 30159 Hannover. Asia&German, all you can eat buffet. Lunch for 8.2Euro and with Sushi Bar Buffet for 9.8Euro. Dinner for 14.9Euro. All day buffet with mongolia grill barbecue. http://www.oceancity-hannover.de
* Mikado, Schmiedestr.3, 30159 Hannover. Lunch Buffet for 9Euro(Monday-Friday. Dinner Buffet for 16.80Euro. Lunch Buffet at weekend(Saturday-Sunday) and bankholidays for 16.80Euro, too. http://www.mikado-hannover.de/index.php?id=4
* Ding Feng,Hildesheimer Straße 397, Hannover. Lunch Buffet(Monday-Saturday) for 8Euro. Dinner Buffet(Monday-Saturday) for 14.9Euro. Dinner Buffet at weekend(Saturday-Sunday) and bankholidays for 14.9Euro, too. http://www.dingfeng.de/modules/news/index.php?storytopic=2
* Algarve, Ricklinger Str. 83, 30449 Hannover. Mo-Sa 18.00-24. So 12-15 und 18.00-24h. Tel. 0511-442 697
* Coimbra-Iberico, Charlottenstr. 88 ,30449 hannover. Mo-So. 10-24h. Tel. 0511-451 858
* English Pub-Shakespeare, Gutenberghof 3, Lavesstr. Daily open 17-02h. Tel.0511-32 28 00 http://www.english-pub.de
* Jack the Ripper’s London Tavern, Georgstraße 26, 30159 Hannover. tel. 0511-169 53 95 http://www.jack-the-rippers.de
* Outbaxspirit (Australian Bar&Restaurant), Gross-Buchholzer-Kirchweg 68. Tel.0511-57 82 51 Tu-Sa. from 17h +Su. from 11h open http://www.outbaxspirit.de
* Henry`s (American Bar&Restaurant), Georgstraße 50, 30159 Hannover Tel.0511-323 222 Mo-Su. 12-00h http://www.henrysgriddle.de
* Kirin, am klagesmarkt 38. Tel.0511-3538 5338 Lunch Buffet:Mo-Sa 11.30-17h 8,9Euro Dinner Buffet: 17:30-22.30h 18.9Euro daily&bank-holiday http://www.kirin-hannover.de
* Paulaner Am Thielenplatz (German Cuisine), Prinzenstraße 1, 30159 Hannover. Tel.0511-368 12 85 http://www.paulaner-am-thielenplatz.de/index_eng.html
* O`curry (German Cuisine), Georgsstr. 17, 30159 Hannover. Tel.0511-7013 710 http://www.wurst-basar.de
* Play Off(American Bar&Restaurant), Ernst-August-Platz 2,Ernst-August-Galerie,30159 Hannover Mo-Sa. 9:00-20:00h Tel.0511-568 4990 http://www.playoff.tv Every Monday Spa-ribs all-you-can-eat dinner buffet for 11Euro without drinks.(better to reserve seats)
11A [url=http://www.11a-restaurant.de/]]Am Küchengarten 11A, Linden +49-511-5901111. A smaller cosy restaurant and wine bar in same building. Pretty large portions with decent price of fusion food (seafood, meat, vegetarian etc). Some seats inside, but most tables outside. Good menu + daily specials, prices from €7-23 per portion. Please book a table in advance on warm evenings, because it's popular among locals. You an also wait for a table in wine bar, next to green park. Open 10am-11pm.
*Das kleine Museum [url=http://www.das-kleine-museum.de/[/url]]Grotestr. 10, +49-511-2153979. A corner restaurant/pub with large portions of excellent German, French, and Moroccan inspired food. Run by the owner, the staff are warm and welcoming. The decorations are true to it's name, replete with stuffed crocodiles on the roof.
*Traditional German cuisine of Lower Saxony in an atmospheric restaurant; comprehensive whiskey list. Located near the university, this is a favorite of visiting professors and researchers. The owner also rents rooms upstairs.
* Maredo, Georgstr. 38, +49-511-323148. A chained steak-restaurant famous for its beef variation.
* Masa, Georgstr. 50b. Afghan food. You may want to opt for the carpeted floor than the tables. Located next door to the coctail bar "Loft".
* Georxx, Georgsplatz 3, +49-511-306183. Breakfast, lunch and a good place to grab a light bite and a beer for dinner. They have a fine selection of naughty snack such as cakes and biscuits which can be enjoyed with afternoon tea or coffee. Great atmosphere, good service.
* Café Konrad Knochenhauerstrasse 34, +49-511-323666. Gay-friendly restaurant in the Old City. The food is good, but the preparation is quite often slow. Best to come before you get hungry. The atmosphere is great, even for straight diners. They have an English menu and are always happy to help you with it.
* Mövenpick, in Kröpcke, Georgstr. 35, +49-511-3262840, fax +49-511-3632539. The best place to come for the all-you-can-eat-and-drink breakfast. But not for late sleepers as the breakfast ends at 11:30 a.m. Try the ice cream, a bit expensive but definitely worth the price.
* Bavarium,[http://www.bavarium.de/[/url] near Kröpcke, Windmühlenstraße 3, +49-511-323600. Bavarian restaurant.
* Mr. Q. on Raschplatz behind the central station, offers all you can eat brunch every Sunday, including coffee and beverages, €12-13
Basil,[url=http://www.basil.de/ind1024.htm]]Dragonerstr. 30, +49-511-622636. Dining in a high ceiling, brick domed room creating an medieval appearance whilst at the same time being contemporary and modern. The menu is fresh and changes every 3 weeks to keep it that way. International meals. Open Monday- Saturday 18.30-2.00AM. Set Menu prices begin at €30-35.
* Brasserie Bruxelles [url=http://www.brasserie-bruxelles.de[/url],]Ernst-August-Platz, +49-511-3530808. A genuine Brasserie set in a lovely courtyard serving international food.
* Pier51,[http://www.pier51.de[/url] Rudolf von Bennigsenufer 51, +49-511-8071800, fax +49-511-80718019. 12AM-1AM (kitchen 12AM-3PM, 6:30PM-10:30PM). Fantastic sun deck where you can eat whilst taking in the views of the lake. Mediterranean meals.REservations are more than likely a must especially in the summer season.
* Vienna Café & Restaurant, Sallstr. 48, +49-511-5344194. Tu-Su, 11:30AM-midnight.
Biercafé Pindopp, Altenbekener Damm 9, +49-511-806523. Smaller beer garden compared to others Hanover has to offer. Previews the football games so if you are looking for a place to come and watch a match this is the venue. It also has a pool table, darts and pin ball machines. Open daily from 8.30AM to 1AM.
* Waterloo Biergarten, Waterloo Straße 1, +49-511-5643. Gets its name from being close to Waterloo square and on Waterloo road. Huge beer garden surrounded by trees, very busy during the summer. Open daily from 11AM.
* Uni-Biergarten, Wilhelm-Busch-Str. 2, +49-511-1698191. Calm and relaxing beer garden in the midst of the city. Quite often a place where students and professors meet or go to have a sneaky drink. Food is available. Open form: 11AM-midnight.
* Lister Turm Biergarten Walderseestr. 100, Tel: +49-511-7242617. Surrounded by trees this is one of the largest beer gardens in Hanover. With the Lister building, in the backdrop as well as all the trees, makes this an idyllic drinking spot. It is family friendly and business savvy as there is a playground for children and WiFI for laptops. The pub also serves food if you're hungry or need a break from drinking.
* ' Und der Böse Wolf , Heesestr.1, +49-511-453834. Quirky pub that attracts a lot of football fans as the owner is a Hannover 96 supporter. Serves Thai food! From 5PM daily.
* Restaurant Café Steintormasch , In der Steintormasch, adjacent to the mansions gardens. Tel: +49-511-7000717. Serves food and hot meals which can be enjoyed in their beer garden. Open every day except Monday.
* Kaiserschaenfe-Biergarten am Sportpark, Ferd.-Wilh.-fricke-Weg4. Tel. 0511-920 6 920 http://www.kaiserschaenke-hannover.de (Beergarden Special Offer)-every Tu.-Fr. 15-17h 800g SpareRibs with 0.5L Beer only 9,9Euro
Lunablu, Schaufelderstrasse 11, Tel: +49 (511) 13 1001. Interior designed by Jorge La Guardia and the flamenco musician gave it a desintct Mediterranean and international feel which has proved to be very popular. Whilst sipping on your cocktail try some of the very reasonably priced, exotic dishes. Open daily from 10AM -1AM.
*Pepe's, Mexican Bar, Friesenstrasse 52, Tel: +49 511124 6086. A small exotic bar serving delicious food. The cocktail of choice here is the 'Caipi', more often known as, 'Caipirinha', made with sugar cane spirit and limes or the Castro Cooler with rum and calvados. The salsa music will have you up on your feet in no time, especially after a few 'Caipi'. Daily from 6.30PM - 1AM.
* Bolero Bar, Nikolai Str. 3 (in front of Cinemaxx). Bolero Bar offers a great variety of cocktails at a reasonable price. The place seems to be always full, including weeknights, so reservations are recommended. The place is rather large and not as smoky as other cocktail bars. Happy hour daily 5-7PM: half-price for most cocktails; caipi hour daily 11PM-1AM: all caipi variations €4.50, jumbo caipi €6.90; jumbo hour daily after 7PM: cheaper jumbo cocktails.
* Sausalitos, Osterstraße 38,tel: +49-511-3530919. Mexican restaurant that has a great variety of cocktails. Usually full during happy hour which last until 8PM.
* 'Loft Georgstrasse. 50b (you will have to go through an alley to find it) +49-511-3631376. Serves original and different Afgani dishes. Opens at 12AM, and has a Happy Hour on Monday and Sunday.
* Escenario, Nikolaistr. 12. (Close to Cinemaxx Nikolaistr.) Happy hour 4:30-8PM (Cocktails €3,95). Tuesday is Ladies Night (i.e. Prosecco for €1-1,50).
*Oscar's, 54 Georgstrasse, Tel: +49 511 235 2434. Award wining cocktails. The bar has won a host of awards from publications ranging from Playboy to Barführer, Germany's authoritative guide to the best bars in the country. The monthly whisky tasting session attracts connoisseurs from all over Germany, and the bar has the most extensive collection of whiskies available locally. Prices are appropriately steep, but the atmosphere is not at all stuffy or pompous. It actually has a relaxed and communal feel to it.
* Bowling World-Playing Bowling, every sunday 10-13h Bowling Brunch. http://www.bowlingworld.de
Tchibo is the best place for a quick sip of coffee. Can be found everywhere. There is usually no chance of getting a seat, but there are tables where you can at least rest your drink. Some shops also offer cakes.
* Balzac Coffee has a great variety of coffee, including cold ones resembling Starbucks' Frappucino. There are several in Hanover, including in front of central station (next to Saturn electronic shop), Steintor, and in old townhall (Altes Rathaus).
* World Coffee, inside Central Station. Also has a good coffee variety.
* Holländische Kakao-Stube Ständehausstr. 2, +49-511-304100. Best place in town for hot chocolate (with and without liquor). They also offer the famous Sacher Chocolate Cake imported from Hotel Sacher in [wiki=601f9226a92f0a314068aa4395f65528]Vienna[/wiki].
* Teestübchen Am Ballhof 10, Old City area (Altstadt). +49-511-3631682. Offers good variety of tea. A nice place to visit in the afternoon after shopping in the city.
Eve Klub, Reuterstr. 3-4. emial: info@eveklub.de. Was voted one of the Best 50 Clubs in Germany by the magazine Maxim in 2004. Partygoers come here to enjoy high end DJs or the live performances that happen twice a month.
* Heartbreak Hotel, Reuterstr 5. One of the newer and fresher nightclubs on the scene. Stays open until daybreak if you have the stamina.
* Sansibar, Scholvinstr. 7. Music spans 3 decades beginning with 60s soul and traveling through the 70s and 80s.
* Osho Discothek, Raschplatz 7L. One of the oldest clubs in Hanover but has been revamped on several occasions to keep with the times. Most notable feature is the huge 90 meter square dance floor calling people to boogie the night away.
* Brauhaus Ernst-August, Schmiedestr. 13. A nightclub which also serves food! Also has freshly brewed beer. Don't be shocked if you see guest dancing on the tables, it is apparently a common sight.
Youth Hostel Hanover, Ferdinand-Wilhelm-Fricke-Weg 1, tel: +49 (511) 131 76 74, [mailto:jh-hannover@djh-hannover.de] Prices from €24.10, half board from €28.70, full board from €80 (incl. bed linen)" [url=http://www.jugendherberge.de/de/jugendherbergen/visitenkarte/jh.jsp?IDJH=301]]Membership of the German or a national Youth Hostel Association is a prerequisite.
*Krügers Guesthouse, Bantorfer Brink 61, Barsinghausen. Set in the surroundings of the hiking paradise in the Deister Natural Park. This guest house makes a good base for those coming to view the Hannover exhibition center. They have single, double and triple rooms as well as suits. Rooms are en-suite and breakfast is included.
*Hostel Hannover, Lenaustr. 12. A hostel in a quieter spot of Hanover but close enough to enjoy the cities attractions. Just three tram stops away from the central station. Rooms from €19. A choice of dorms, twin and mixes or female triple room.
*Haus Sparkuhl Hotel Garni Hischestraße 4. All rooms are equipped with shower/lavatory, hairdryer, telephone, modem connection, radio and cable television. Close to the center of Hanover and good transport links to the airport, the main train station and the exhibition center. Beds from €24.
*Hotel Flora Hannover Heinrichstr. 36. This hostel is found close to the forest in Hanover and would suit those looking for a quieter place to stay. A 10 minute walk will bring you to a train station where you could easily hop on a train to the center of Hanover. Beds from €25 with breakfast thrown in.
* Bed & Breakfast Hannover, Gaußstrasse 23, +49-511-1695550, fax: +49-511-1695551, [url=http://www.bed-and-breakfast.de/regional_e/hannover.html[/url].] Single rooms €27-46.50, Double €53.50-100, Apartments €35-108.
* Etap Hotel Hannover City, Runde Strasse 7, +49-511-2355570, [url=http://www.etaphotel.com/gb/hotel-3518-etap-hotel-etap-hotel-hannover-city/index.shtml[/url]]In a handy location for the train station. Single €39-44 (+€8 for 2nd/3rd person).
* Hotel Marjani, Charlottenstraße 53, +49-511-2152121, fax +49-511-2152122, [mailto:info@hotel-marjani.de[/url] This hotel is located between Hanover and Springe, 15 km distance from Hanover Central Station. Families are welcome and children under the age of 12 stay for free. Breakfast is included in the price. Single €30-55, Double €44-85. Breakfast €7/person.
* Hotel Reverey Garni, Aegidiendamm 8, +49-511-883711, fax +49-511-3537909, [mailto:info@hotel-reverey.de]. Quiet location but with easy access to the center of Hanover. Clean and comfortable rooms and breakfast is included. Prices from: €32+.
Suite Hotel, Rundestr. 9. +49-511-374500, fax +49-511-37450333, [mailto:h3755@accor.com].This hotel offers private suits which have a small kitchenette built in as well as, as standard, free WiFi and TV and video. Try to make sure your stay includes a Thursday as guests receive a free massage on Thursdays! Stays lasting over 4 days will be given free rein over a smart car as well. Facilities also include a fitness center. Centrally located behind the central station. Prices from a not too extravagant €75.
* Crowne Plaza Hotel Hannover-Schweizerhof, Hinueberstr. 6, [mailto:mail@crowneplaza-hannover.de]. Tel:+49-511-34950, fax: +49-511-3495123. Big chain like hotel in the center of Hanover. Good location and includes all expected amenities of a big hotel but nothing speacial. Rooms are quite spacious however and suites are avaliable. Standard room from €80.
* Vahrenwalder Hotel, Vahrenwalder St. 181, (Tram 1/2/8, stop: Buttnerstr.) +49-511-3881990, fax +49-511-388199400, [mailto:hannover@sorat-hotels.com]. Good and clean, standard breakfast. May be loud due to busy street. Economy single room from €102.
* Mercure Hotel Hannover Medical Park Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 1 (Tram 4, direction Roderbruch, stop: Medizinische Hochschule), +49-511-95660, fax +49-511-9566333. A boutique hotel located close to Medical School Hanover, with good connection to buses and trams.
* Ibis Hotel Hannover Medical Park, (within the same complex as Mercure above), +49-511-95670, fax +49-511-9567140. Big chain hotel found in almost all major cities. No thrills but will be comfortable and convenient. Rooms from €47-56, during a big event however they will increase to €159-179.
* Radisson SAS Hotel, EXPO-Plaza 5, +49-511-383830. Modern design and close-ish to the city center (8km). Business style hotel that includes conference rooms, fitness center and a on site restaurant. Standard room from €97.
Queens Hotel Hannover, Tiergartenstraße 117, tel: +49-511-51030, fax: +49-511-5103510, [mailto:INFO.QHannover@Queensgruppe.de]. €250-300.
* The Kastens Hotel Luisenhof, Luisenstr. 1-3, tel: +49-511-30440, fax +49-511-3044807, [mailto:info@kastens-luisenhof.de]. 5* hotel, very close to the central station and the Galerie Luise. Available facilities include Sauna, Fitness Center, Massage, Cycling, Turkish/Steam Bath. Rates:€153-850.
Police: 110
* Emergency (fire, acute illness): 112
* Pharmacy for emergency: 01189
One laundromat can be found in Oesterleystr. on Sudstadt.
* There is an unattended laundromat on Engelbosteler Damm 75, near the "Kopernikusstrasse" tram stop. One machine is about € 3,50 including detergent. Open till 11PM every day.
* Another laundromat is at Deisterstrasse (best walk from the "Schwarzer Baer" tram stop). Same proprietor as the place on Engelbosteler Damm, so same prices&conditions.
* For a laundromat with a twist, try Waschweiber Cafe & Cocktail Bar, Limmerstr.1, +49-511-1237696. Mon-Sat: Laundry 11AM-10PM, Bar 11AM-12PM, Sun: Laundry 11AM-7PM, Bar 11AM-10PM. Mon closed.