Hannover Maschsee

Explore 190 acres of greeneries around the Hannover Maschsee. Have fun on the lake on sunny days or relax with your friends by the Torchbearer on the North Shore. The Maschsee Lake offers the people of Hannover a recreational area in the heart of the city, both on the water and all around.

A maritime paradise right in the city center

Boasting lush city forests, parks and recreational areas, Hannover is the greenest metropolis in Germany. Located south of the city, Maschsee Lake creates a maritime flair and many opportunities for watersports – inclusive of swimming, sailing, yachting, canoeing and pedal-boating and even surfing. The paths along its shoreline are also ideal for jogging, inline skating or just walking in the sun. In the 1930s this artificial lake was dug in the low-lying ‘Leineaue' river plain, its strict, formal lines offering a strong contrast with the surrounding landscape. Today, Hannover Maschsee is a popular leisure area, where everybody goes whenever there is a ray of light.  It is also a perfect starting point for long strolls into the countryside starting from the city center. In winter time, put on your ice-skating boots and discover enchanting frozen landscapes while zooming around.

Art around the lake

On the banks of the lake, take the chance to visit the celebrated Sprengel Museum Hannover. Right opposite, you can stroll through the idyllic Maschpark to reach the magnificent New Town Hall. Traveling up to the 97-metre high Town Hall dome in the unique curving lift is an experience in itself: from the top, you can see as far as the Deister Hills. On the northern side of the lake, don't miss out the 6-meter-high red steel "Hellebardier" by world-famous sculptor Alexander Calder, as well as the bronze Olympic torchbearer that stands atop an 18.5-meter-high stone column and "Putto on the Fish" that were both created by Hermann Scheuernstuhl. Further on the eastern side, admire the ""Menschenpaar"" by Georg Kolbe and two lion sculptures created by Arno Breker. In 1948 Erich Haberland unveiled his piece ""The Swimmer"", which stands in the public bathing area.

Maschsee Lake Festival

Join Maschsee Lake Festival, one of the biggest events in northern Germany, welcoming more than 2 million visitors each summer. It's the perfect place to celebrate, flirt, stroll and dine outside: this maritime summer festival offers three weeks of concerts, sport events, open-air dance evenings, art performances and culinary treats. Four music stages around the lake feature local, national and international artists. Enjoy the long summer evenings, relax on secluded terraces and let time fly by, observing ever changing lights over the surface of the lake.