Shopping Areas in Hannover (Self Guided), Hanover
Hannover is ideally suited for shopping – replete with wonderful markets and elegant boutiques fit to satisfy most shoppers. All the world's top brands are packed here within easily accessible areas. Only a few cities in Germany can offer such a high density of shopping opportunities within just a few hundred meters of each other.
Subject to your interest, you can find here what you need – be it leather goods, beer, German sausages, jewelry or clothes – in the course of minutes, or spend days browsing the stores to your heart's content.
Perhaps the best place to start your shopping spree is Markthalle, the traditional market hall opposite the Old Town Hall, open daily 08:00-19:00. Somewhat uninspiring on the outside, inside this “belly of Hannover” holds a vast array of fresh produce and international delicacies to delight discerning connoisseurs.
In the area around the Opera House and Kropcke Platz – Hannover's most central square – is a wonderful assortment of elegant, exclusive shops and the colorful world of large department stores. The car-free section of Georgstrasse (George Street), between Kröpcke and Steintor, is lined with trendy boutiques and huge malls. One such is the Ernst-August Galerie, with 130 stores, located next to the Central Station. Within a walking distance, Galerie Luise and Kröpcke Passage offer an extraordinary variety of shopping – fashion, jewelry, silverware, porcelain and food – in any weather.
Hannover's Georgstrasse and the adjacent Bahnhofstrasse (Train Station Street) are among the longest and most popular shopping streets in the country. Bahnhofstrasse, leading straight into the heart of the city, is a pedestrian zone on two levels, with the Niki de Saint Phalle promenade extending in the "basement".
For an ultimate shopping experience in Hannover and a closer acquaintance with its top shopping areas, take this self-guided walking tour.
Subject to your interest, you can find here what you need – be it leather goods, beer, German sausages, jewelry or clothes – in the course of minutes, or spend days browsing the stores to your heart's content.
Perhaps the best place to start your shopping spree is Markthalle, the traditional market hall opposite the Old Town Hall, open daily 08:00-19:00. Somewhat uninspiring on the outside, inside this “belly of Hannover” holds a vast array of fresh produce and international delicacies to delight discerning connoisseurs.
In the area around the Opera House and Kropcke Platz – Hannover's most central square – is a wonderful assortment of elegant, exclusive shops and the colorful world of large department stores. The car-free section of Georgstrasse (George Street), between Kröpcke and Steintor, is lined with trendy boutiques and huge malls. One such is the Ernst-August Galerie, with 130 stores, located next to the Central Station. Within a walking distance, Galerie Luise and Kröpcke Passage offer an extraordinary variety of shopping – fashion, jewelry, silverware, porcelain and food – in any weather.
Hannover's Georgstrasse and the adjacent Bahnhofstrasse (Train Station Street) are among the longest and most popular shopping streets in the country. Bahnhofstrasse, leading straight into the heart of the city, is a pedestrian zone on two levels, with the Niki de Saint Phalle promenade extending in the "basement".
For an ultimate shopping experience in Hannover and a closer acquaintance with its top shopping areas, take this self-guided walking tour.
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Shopping Areas in Hannover Map
Guide Name: Shopping Areas in Hannover
Guide Location: Germany » Hanover (See other walking tours in Hanover)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 6
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Author: kane
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Germany » Hanover (See other walking tours in Hanover)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 6
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Author: kane
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Markthalle (Market Hall)
- GALERIA Kaufhof (Kaufhof Department Store)
- Kropcke Platz (Kropcke Square)
- Georgstrasse (George Street)
- Ernst-August Galerie (Ernst-August Shopping Center)
- Bahnhofstrasse (Train Station Street)
1) Markthalle (Market Hall)
The current Market Hall was built in 1954. The original building was built in 1892 but was destroyed during World War II.
Historically, farmers brought their goods into Hanover and sold them in public marketplaces. However, by the end of the 19th century, the city was concerned about hygiene in the open markets.
In addition, city traffic flow was blocked by market handcarts. As a result, the city built an indoor market hall in 1892. This hall accommodated 243 sellers.
The new Market Hall was built on the old hall's foundation. The current hall has 73 stalls offering a variety of wine, fish, sausage, meat, vegetables, and fruit. Vendors also offer hot food and international specialties. You can shop for groceries or enjoy a cafe meal.
Market Hall is a popular place for residents to meet and enjoy a coffee or glass of wine together. It's locally known as the "belly of Hannover."
Visitors will find a memorial statue dedicated to Karoline Duhnsen at Market Hall's main entrance. Duhnsen is considered the market's original vendor, and she traveled to the market every day for 50 years to sell meat and sausage. Duhnsen died in 2001.
Historically, farmers brought their goods into Hanover and sold them in public marketplaces. However, by the end of the 19th century, the city was concerned about hygiene in the open markets.
In addition, city traffic flow was blocked by market handcarts. As a result, the city built an indoor market hall in 1892. This hall accommodated 243 sellers.
The new Market Hall was built on the old hall's foundation. The current hall has 73 stalls offering a variety of wine, fish, sausage, meat, vegetables, and fruit. Vendors also offer hot food and international specialties. You can shop for groceries or enjoy a cafe meal.
Market Hall is a popular place for residents to meet and enjoy a coffee or glass of wine together. It's locally known as the "belly of Hannover."
Visitors will find a memorial statue dedicated to Karoline Duhnsen at Market Hall's main entrance. Duhnsen is considered the market's original vendor, and she traveled to the market every day for 50 years to sell meat and sausage. Duhnsen died in 2001.
2) GALERIA Kaufhof (Kaufhof Department Store)
The Kaufhof Department Store, known as the GALERIA Kaufhof, are four floors of restaurants and shops. Visitors can search for items like clothing, books, toys, luggage, shoes, home decor, perfume, jewelry, stationery and sports. It is also a great place to find souvenirs.
The history of the department store dates to 1930 when its headquarters opened in Cologne. The building itself is located at the main Hannover station, which makes it the perfect place to stop to eat, shop or relax while visiting the city.
The department store offers a number of special events for customers. The most notable is known as the "big satchel market," which provides back-to-school shopping and great deals on handbags and purses.
Conveniences offered at the Kaufhof Department Store include currency exchange and public restrooms. The Kaufhof Department Store is closed on Sundays. It is open on Tuesdays from 10:30 AM to 8 PM and all other days from 9:30 AM to 8 PM.
The history of the department store dates to 1930 when its headquarters opened in Cologne. The building itself is located at the main Hannover station, which makes it the perfect place to stop to eat, shop or relax while visiting the city.
The department store offers a number of special events for customers. The most notable is known as the "big satchel market," which provides back-to-school shopping and great deals on handbags and purses.
Conveniences offered at the Kaufhof Department Store include currency exchange and public restrooms. The Kaufhof Department Store is closed on Sundays. It is open on Tuesdays from 10:30 AM to 8 PM and all other days from 9:30 AM to 8 PM.
3) Kropcke Platz (Kropcke Square)
Kropcke Square can't be missed-- mostly because it's such a significant crossroads in modern Hannover. You can't miss it because it is unavoidable that you will pass through here at some point during your stay! It's geographically at the city center, and the locals use it as a meeting place. Below the surface lies the largest hub of Hannover's light rail system.
The intersection has existed since 1843 when it was part of a greater city planning scheme of expanding the metropolitan area. Kropcke Square was to replace the market square near the same location. The first trams were horse-drawn in the 1870s, but they were electrified in the 1930s.
The entire area was heavily bombed during World War II. The only surviving structure was the famous Kropcke clock. The clock was originally a weather column erected in 1885. While it survived the war, it was severely damaged and was replaced ten years later. In 1977, a simplified version of the original weather column was installed.
The area has been pedestrian only since the 1970s.
The intersection takes its name from a renowned cafe that operated here. The Cafe Kropcke was an ornate cast-iron building modeled to look like a Parisian cafe. It opened as the Cafe Robby in 1867, but waiter Wilhelm Kropcke took over in 1895. The cafe had a reputation beyond the limits of Hannover, and eventually, the entire square came to be known by the name of the cafe. The square was officially renamed in 1948.
The intersection has existed since 1843 when it was part of a greater city planning scheme of expanding the metropolitan area. Kropcke Square was to replace the market square near the same location. The first trams were horse-drawn in the 1870s, but they were electrified in the 1930s.
The entire area was heavily bombed during World War II. The only surviving structure was the famous Kropcke clock. The clock was originally a weather column erected in 1885. While it survived the war, it was severely damaged and was replaced ten years later. In 1977, a simplified version of the original weather column was installed.
The area has been pedestrian only since the 1970s.
The intersection takes its name from a renowned cafe that operated here. The Cafe Kropcke was an ornate cast-iron building modeled to look like a Parisian cafe. It opened as the Cafe Robby in 1867, but waiter Wilhelm Kropcke took over in 1895. The cafe had a reputation beyond the limits of Hannover, and eventually, the entire square came to be known by the name of the cafe. The square was officially renamed in 1948.
4) Georgstrasse (George Street)
George Street (Georgstrasse) is the primary shopping street in Hannover. The one-mile street runs from the Hannover Steintor subway station to the main square of Kropcke. This is arguably the busiest street in Hannover for foot traffic as the western half, which is full of shopping and dining options, is pedestrian only.
Visitors to George Street will find local restaurants and boutique shopping mixed with chains like McDonald's, Burger King and Lego. The street also offers easy access to activities like opera and theater. Georgestrasse is also an excellent place to view art. Sculptures, monuments and the memorial for the Jewish victims of National Socialism are all on display throughout this busy street.
Tourists should take the time to visit Georgestrasse on Sunday between 11 AM and 2 PM if they are present in May, June or September. A re-enactment called the Schorsenbummel, which displays people dressed in royal garb walking down the street, takes place along with a concert in front of the opera.
The street was planned and constructed in 1787 and named after George III. The first building was erected on 1800 from a design by Johann Heinrich Daniel Holekamp.
Visitors to George Street will find local restaurants and boutique shopping mixed with chains like McDonald's, Burger King and Lego. The street also offers easy access to activities like opera and theater. Georgestrasse is also an excellent place to view art. Sculptures, monuments and the memorial for the Jewish victims of National Socialism are all on display throughout this busy street.
Tourists should take the time to visit Georgestrasse on Sunday between 11 AM and 2 PM if they are present in May, June or September. A re-enactment called the Schorsenbummel, which displays people dressed in royal garb walking down the street, takes place along with a concert in front of the opera.
The street was planned and constructed in 1787 and named after George III. The first building was erected on 1800 from a design by Johann Heinrich Daniel Holekamp.
5) Ernst-August Galerie (Ernst-August Shopping Center)
The Ernst-August Galerie is an indoor mall that has over 150 stores and cafes. The shopping center is unique for his glass roof that gives the feeling of being outdoors while remaining inside.
Visitors will find local stores and world-wide chains in the Ernst-August Galerie. Some of the offerings include Adidas, Blue Tomato, Calvin Klein, Guess, Jochen Schweizer, Levi's, Lush and Vero Moda. Restaurants at the shopping center feature food from around the world. Stop at Asian Gourmet, Baba Baji, Ciao Bella, Immergrun or even Starbucks for a snack or a full meal.
The indoor mall is only a five minute walk from Kropcke, the main square in Hannover. It's easy to walk to Ernst-August Galerie to appreciate the distinctive mall, to grab a bite to eat or pick up some souvenirs.
The Ernst-August Galerie is open from 10 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday.
Visitors will find local stores and world-wide chains in the Ernst-August Galerie. Some of the offerings include Adidas, Blue Tomato, Calvin Klein, Guess, Jochen Schweizer, Levi's, Lush and Vero Moda. Restaurants at the shopping center feature food from around the world. Stop at Asian Gourmet, Baba Baji, Ciao Bella, Immergrun or even Starbucks for a snack or a full meal.
The indoor mall is only a five minute walk from Kropcke, the main square in Hannover. It's easy to walk to Ernst-August Galerie to appreciate the distinctive mall, to grab a bite to eat or pick up some souvenirs.
The Ernst-August Galerie is open from 10 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday.
6) Bahnhofstrasse (Train Station Street)
Train Station Street--or Bahnhofstrasse, as the locals say--is Hanover's main shopping street. It runs from Kropcke Platz, the central square, to the main train station. Until 1968, Train Station Street was a regular road with car traffic and city trams. But today, the street has been pedestrianized.
The main roadway was built in 1843 to connect Ernst August City with the train station. It was surrounded by commercial buildings, but most of those were destroyed during World War II. As a result, most of the buildings you see today have been built in the post-war era of the 20th century. Today you'll find typical chain stores.
Below street level is the Niki-de-Saint-Phalle Promenade. The Promenade may sit below the street, but it is open at the top to feel more like a lower level than a tunnel. It was built in the 1970s as part of a project to expand the city's underground rail infrastructure. Four lines of light commuter rail run under the Promenade level.
The Promenade is named in honor of Niki de Saint Phalle, a Franco-Swiss modern painter and sculptor. She created the famous "Nana" figures in Hannover that you can find on Sculpture Mile (Skulpturenmeile). Additionally, the Sprengel Museum houses over 400 of her works.
The main roadway was built in 1843 to connect Ernst August City with the train station. It was surrounded by commercial buildings, but most of those were destroyed during World War II. As a result, most of the buildings you see today have been built in the post-war era of the 20th century. Today you'll find typical chain stores.
Below street level is the Niki-de-Saint-Phalle Promenade. The Promenade may sit below the street, but it is open at the top to feel more like a lower level than a tunnel. It was built in the 1970s as part of a project to expand the city's underground rail infrastructure. Four lines of light commuter rail run under the Promenade level.
The Promenade is named in honor of Niki de Saint Phalle, a Franco-Swiss modern painter and sculptor. She created the famous "Nana" figures in Hannover that you can find on Sculpture Mile (Skulpturenmeile). Additionally, the Sprengel Museum houses over 400 of her works.
Walking Tours in Hanover, Germany
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