Shopping in Hanover
Hanover has everything from wonderful markets to elegant boutiques to satisfy most shoppers.
Key areas
Hannover's Georgstrasse and the adjacent Bahnhofstrasse are among the most popular shopping streets in Germany. Niki de Saint Phalle Promenade, Galerie Luise and Kröpcke Passage offer fashion, jewellery, silverware, porcelain and restaurants. In the area around the Opera House and the central square (Kröpcke) are a wonderful assortment of elegant, exclusive shops and large department stores.
You can find more exclusive boutiques and little shops in the Old Town (Altstadt) around the Market Church, as well as art galleries, antique dealers and specialist shops. Shopping arcades outside the city centre are Leine Shopping Centre and City Centre Langenhagen.
Hanover is home to Hugendubel, Bahnhofstrasse 14, which is a large bookshop. Shoppers looking for fancy designer clothes should head for Ullis Ullikat (ullis-ullikat.de/), Schmiedestrasse 6, a hip boutique stocking luxury brands and unique handmade pieces.
Visitors looking for a local speciality might find it in Brauhaus Ernst August, Schmiederstrasse 13, where boozy shoppers can pick up a couple of two-litre kegs of home brewed beer and get breakfast until 3 p.m.
Markets
The Market Hall in the Old Town, open daily 0800-1900, might look uninspiring from the outside but visitors will quickly forget their surroundings when confronted by the vast array of fresh produce and international delicacies for sale inside. One of the biggest and oldest flea markets in Europe is held on the banks of the River Leine, every Saturday 0800-1800.
Shopping centres
The pedestrianised section of Georgstrasse between Kröpcke and Steintor is where you’ll find large department stores and trendy boutiques. The Ernst-August-Galerie is a huge shopping mall with 130 stores, located next to the Central Station.
Opening hours
Larger stores and supermarkets are open Monday to Friday 0900-2000 and Saturday 0900-1600. Smaller shops only stay open until 1830 during the week and until 1400 on Saturday.
Souvenirs
Everything from leather goods to beer and German sausages, jewellery and clothes can be picked up in Hanover.
Tax information
Seasonal sales are at the end of January and July. Visitors can reclaim a portion of the 19% VAT on goods (7% on food and books) worth over 25 Euro, if returning to a non-EU country. Shops displaying the 'Tax Free' sign issue a 'tax-free cheque' that, when stamped by customs, is redeemable at one of the tax-free reimbursement offices. One of these is located in the Main Terminal in the arrival area next to lost and found. The German branch of Global Blue (website: www.globalblue.com) can provide further information.
