City Park (Stadtpark) is historically known as the Stadthallengarten. Come here to mingle with the locals and have a family picnic by the pond to soak up the sunshine or listen to the birdsong.
Hannover is the capital of “Niedersachsen” (Lower Saxony) and its “Mitte” (central district), is home to many attractive green spaces and formal gardens. City Park is relatively small, but is conveniently located next to the HCC, the Hannover Congress Centrum and its hotel. Spring and summer are the best times to visit the park if you love seeing flowers and trees in bloom.
The park is home to two elongated ponds. Head to them first to sit by the water and enjoy the serenity. From the fountain you can see the dome of the historic building that is now the congress center. Look for the sombre-looking bronze figure named “Sinnende” among the flower beds.
Stroll along the paths to see more of the park while you listen to the birdsong and watch locals play, read and exercise. Go to the rose garden to take in the sweet fragrance of the fragile rose petals.
End your exploration of the park in the teahouse (Teehaus) and enjoy a drink while you rest your legs.
Afterwards, cross the Clausewitzstraße to find the Eilenriedestadion, a big sports venue, or visit the Erlebnis Zoo. The adjacent restaurant with German “biergarten” has cold Lower Saxony beers on tap. If you are visiting in winter, try the ice skating rink just across the highway in the southeastern corner of the park.
City Park is located on the eastern edge of the Mitte district, the heart of Hannover. The park is free to visit year round. On-street parking in the area is time-limited, but you can park for longer at the HCC or other nearby car parks. Free parking is available in the inner city on Sundays and at several “Park-and-Ride” (P+R) lots throughout the week. These lots are located on the outskirts of the city, close to train and bus stations that have good connections to the HCC and the zoo.
