A city that painted its own walking tour onto the pavement. You follow the Red Thread for 4.2 kilometres — and by the end, you've seen Hannover.
Direct flight from Bolzano to Hannover (1h 30min) + hotel + 20-minute transfer. The city is known for the Herrenhausen Gardens and the Red Thread — a line painted on the pavement that guides you to the main sights.
- Direct flight from Bolzano
- Best price guarantee
- EU-protected package holiday
- Just 20 minutes' transfer on arrival
Why a city break in Hannover?
Hannover is manageable, well organised, and — with the Herrenhausen Gardens — has one of the most important baroque garden complexes in Europe.
Hannover is the state capital of Lower Saxony and was for centuries the residence of the House of Welf — whose members later became the British kings. The inner city was heavily destroyed in the Second World War and in large part rebuilt in modern form, but a few historic buildings survived: the Marktkirche, the Old Town Hall and the Ballhof. The reconstructed old town lies to the south of the main square and is small enough to be covered in under an hour.
The landmark is the New Town Hall from 1913, a monumental building at Maschpark. Its arched elevator rises diagonally through the dome — a structural peculiarity you'll find almost nowhere else. From the observation platform you look over the city and, on clear days, all the way to the Harz Mountains. Directly next door lies the Maschsee, an artificial lake around two kilometres long, ringed by a walking loop — one of the most popular walks in the city.
The real reason for a visit are the Herrenhausen Gardens. The Great Garden is a baroque complex from the late 17th century, still largely preserved in its original form, with one of the highest garden fountains in Europe at 82 metres. Alongside it stands the Berggarten with tropical greenhouses, and the Georgengarten as an English landscape park. The former palace was destroyed in the war and rebuilt in 2013, and now hosts events and the museum.
What is there to do in Hannover?
Hannover is compact and easy to explore. The Red Thread runs for 4.2 kilometres past 36 stations — inner city, old town, New Town Hall. The Herrenhausen Gardens lie a little outside the centre and are reachable by tram; you need half a day for them. To this add the Maschsee for a walk, the Sprengel Museum for modern art, and one of the small district neighbourhoods such as Linden or the List for evening life.
Herrenhausen Gardens
Baroque complex from the 17th century, tall garden fountain
Inner city and Maschsee
Arched elevator rising diagonally through the town hall dome
Which flights are available from Bolzano to Hannover?
SkyAlps flies direct from Bolzano to Hannover — flight time 1h 30min. All prices are per person and include return flights plus nights at the booked hotel.
When is the best time to visit Hannover?
The Herrenhausen Gardens set the travel season: from May to September they are in full bloom, the fountains run at set times, and in summer concerts and a fireworks competition take place there. The Maschsee is at its most lively during the same months, and in August the ten-day Maschseefest turns the shore into a festival. Autumn brings colour and few crowds. Winter is cold and grey, but the Christmas Market on Ernst-August-Platz and around the old town runs from late November to end of December.
Frequently asked questions
The Red Thread is a red line painted on the pavement that guides you along 4.2 kilometres past 36 stations of the inner city — from the main station, through the old town, to the New Town Hall.
You need neither map nor app to orient yourself; a small guide booklet from the tourist information explains each stop. The route is doable in around two to three hours, or longer if you extend to museums along the way. For a first visit, it's one of the most efficient ways to see a city.
Ready for your Hannover city break?
Direct flight from Bolzano to Hannover, a hotel in the city and the transfer – all in one booking. Book online now, securely, flexibly and at the best price.