A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hannover vs. Lille for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Attractions

Should you visit Hannover or Lille?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Hannover and Lille. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Hannover

Hannover is a vibrant, cultural, and dynamic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lille

Lille is a cultural, culinary, and friendly city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Hannover and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hannover or Lille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hannover than Lille. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Hannover is very popular for its museums and big city activities, while Lille attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Hannover is famous for its many parks and gardens as well as its accessibility to the German train system. It is also well known for The Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen. Lille is famous for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

How is Hannover different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lille and Hannover. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hannover or Lille?

Hannover is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

Hannover offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll see many of the city's sights along the Red Thread Trail in the city center. Make sure you check out the New Town Hall, the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, and the Lower Saxony State Museum as well.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

Is the Food Better in Hannover or Lille? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lille is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Lille, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Hannover. You'll find classic tearooms, food halls, fine dining restaurants, and markets. Try all of the classic German sausages or sample international dishes in this dynamic city.

Is Hannover or Lille Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find great options in both Hannover and Lille.

The nightlife in Hannover has something for everybody. There are many students who keep the nightlife scene active. From beer halls to jazz venues, you'll find a diversity of options around town.

Lille offers plenty to do in the evening. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

Is Hannover or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lille is a great city for its historic old town. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Lille. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Many people head to Hannover to see the old town. Check out the half-timbered buildings, the old churches, and the charming streets around old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hannover or Lille?

Lille is very popular for shopping. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Lille. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

Hannover offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the 14th-century Market Church (Marktkirche) and wander around the nearby streets for some of the city's best shopping. Also make sure you check out the city flea market. In addition to boutiques and independent shops, there are also major department stores and large shopping malls in the area.

Is Hannover or Lille Better for Families?

Hannover is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Hannover is a family-friendly place to visit. Like many German cities, there are a number of activities geared specifically to kids. Check out the Sea Life Center or the Hannover Zoo. If you're willing to get out of town a bit, there's also Serengeti Park Hodenhagen or Rasti-Land theme park, which has rides and games.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Hannover or Lille Better for Couples?

Hannover and Lille both nice destinations for a couple.

Hannover is a nice destination for couples. Romantic settings around town include Herrenhäuser Gärten, Berggarten, and Maschpark.

Lille makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Hannover or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Hannover and Lille are nice places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Hannover. Some people use the city to split up longer train trips. There are a couple of hostels in town if you decide to stay a night or two.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Lille. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Hannover or Lille Better for Students?

For students, both Hannover and Lille are great places to visit.

Many students visit Hannover. There are a few great universities in town including Leibniz University, which attract international students. There's also a nice nightlife and easy accessibility to the rest of Germany.

Lille is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

Is Hannover or Lille Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hannover and Lille both offer great public transit to get you around.

Public transit in Hannover is fairly effecient and thorough. The city has 12 city trains and 38 bus lines.

Lille has some very good public transit options. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Is Hannover or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is very popular for its walkability. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Lille is a very easy city to get around on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

Hannover is a very walkable city. There are some nice walkable parts to the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Hannover Worth Visiting? and Is Lille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lille or Hannover?

How long in Hannover or Lille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hannover and Lille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lille than in Hannover. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Hannover, and 1-3 days is enough time in Lille.

Families should spend more time in Hannover than Lille. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hannover, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Lille than Hannover. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lille that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lille than Hannover if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Lille.

One day in Hannover or Lille?

In Hannover, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The beautiful city of Lille offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Hannover or Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hannover. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Lille is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lille, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Hannover or Lille?

Hannover is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Hannover. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Lille is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Hannover or Lille?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Hannover. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Lille is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Germany, The Best Oktoberfest Tours in Germany, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hannover and Lille, we can see that Hannover is more expensive. And not only is Lille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lille would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lille and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Hannover would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hannover than you might in Lille.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hannover Expensive? and Is Lille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hannover or Lille?

Hannover has a larger population, and is about 72% larger than the population of Lille. When comparing the sizes of Hannover and Lille, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Hannover or Lille?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hannover or Lille in the Summer?

Both Lille and Hannover during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Hannover in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Hannover is around the same temperature as Lille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hannover in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Lille averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Lille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Hannover often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. Hannover gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Hannover usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Lille. Hannover gets 62 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hannover or Lille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hannover and Lille. Most visitors come to Hannover for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Lille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Hannover is generally cooler than Lille. Daily temperatures in Hannover average around 10°C (51°F), and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Hannover usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during autumn. Hannover gets 104 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hannover usually receives less rain than Lille. Hannover gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hannover or Lille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hannover as well as Lille. The winter months attract visitors to Hannover because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lille in the winter. The weather in Hannover can be very cold. Hannover is much colder than Lille in the winter. The daily temperature in Hannover averages around 1°C (33°F) in January, and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Hannover often gets less sunshine than Lille. Hannover gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

Hannover usually gets less rain in January than Lille. Hannover gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hannover or Lille in the Spring?

Both Lille and Hannover are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Hannover this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lille for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Hannover is around the same temperature as Lille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hannover in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Lille averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Hannover usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during spring. Hannover gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hannover usually receives more rain than Lille. Hannover gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lille and Hannover