bremen tourist spots

15 Top Attractions & Things to Do in Bremen, Germany

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 28, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Officially known by the rather lofty title of the "Free Hanseatic City of Bremen" (Freie Hansestadt Bremen), Bremen is situated on Germany's lower Weser River an hour's drive west of the major port city of Hamburg .

Itself one of the largest seaports and centers of seaborne trade in the country, this vibrant port city is one of the best places to visit for an authentic northern Germany vacation.

The greater Bremen area also includes the important port of Bremerhaven . Just 60 kilometers north of the city of Bremen, it's here that the River Weser flows into the North Sea. Both cities are also popular places from which to embark on sightseeing boat trips and river cruises of the dramatic scenery to be found in this part of the country.

Bremen has also long been an important cultural center, boasting numerous top attractions and plenty of fun things to do. Key events in the city's cultural calendar include the Freimarkt, the country's largest funfair, and one that has taken place here almost continuously since 1036. Also fun is catching a concert by the International Youth Symphony Orchestra of Bremen.

Other memorable experiences for tourists include exploring the historic Old Town (Altstadt) on foot. It's a very pedestrian-friendly city, ensuring that a leisurely stroll through Bremen's many fine parks and green spaces is never noisy or crowded.

To help you find the best places to visit in this exciting corner of Germany , check out our list of the top attractions and fun things to do in Bremen.

1. Explore Bremen's Historic Marktplatz

2. experience an authentic german christmas market, 3. take a tour of bremen town hall, 4. wander through bremen's medieval schnoor quarter, 5. see the cathedral of st. peter, 6. take a stroll along the böttcherstrasse, 7. enjoy a boardwalk stroll along the schlachte, 8. get your art fix at kunsthalle bremen, 9. see the blossoms at rhododendron-park and mühle am wall, 10. get smart at universum bremen, 11. explore the overseas museum, 12. learn about bremen's history at the focke museum, 13. visit the german maritime museum in bremerhaven, 14. take a drive to the valentin submarine pens, 15. see the views from the zarm drop tower, where to stay in bremen for sightseeing.

Colorful facades with Bremer Roland statue in Bremen

There's no better way to get to know a German town or city than making a beeline for the community's old marketplace, or Marktplatz. Located in the Old Town (Altstadt) and very much the beating heart of this historic city, the picturesque Marktplatz is home to many of Bremen's top attractions.

Here, you'll find the lovely old Town Hall (Bremer Rathaus), one of the most iconic buildings in Germany for its mix of Gothic and Renaissance designs.

Equally famous is the five-and-a-half-meter-tall statue of Germany's most famous knight, Roland. Erected in 1404, the statue, the oldest of numerous such monuments dotted around the country, remains a symbol of the city's freedom and independence from the church. Stop for a look and you'll notice the statue in fact faces the city's main church defiantly.

Address: Am Markt 2, 28195 Bremen

If you're planning on visiting Germany in winter , Bremen's Marktplatz is also the site of the city's popular Christmas Market (Bremer Weihnachtsmarkt) . This spectacular celebration of the season lasts for a whole month in the lead-up to Christmas.

It's a great excuse for a visit to Bremen, especially for couples seeking romantic things to do in winter, and is especially fun at night due to the many festive light displays.

Bremen's historic Marktplatz is also where the city's famous Freimarkt , or "Free Fair," is held. This ancient fair has taken place here for almost 1,000 years. Attracting over four million visitors a year, this two-week-long event culminates in a colorful parade that's well worth seeing.

As you explore this large public space, you'll likely stumble across Bremer Geschichtenhaus . This fun "living history" museum uses costumed characters to tell many fascinating stories from the city's history from the 17th to 20th centuries and is well worth the cost of admission.

Read More: Top-Rated Christmas Markets in Germany

Bremen Town Hall (Bremer Rathaus), also sometimes referred to as City Hall, is a beautiful brick Gothic structure located in the city's Marktplatz. Built in 1410, it's famous for its sumptuous Renaissance facade added later in 1612. Now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the building boasts one of the most elegant banqueting and reception halls in Germany.

Measuring an impressive 40 meters in length, 13 meters across, and eight meters high, its most notable feature is a large painting of the Judgment of Solomon dating from 1537. Also of note is a richly carved spiral staircase, just one of the many features that can be seen up close when you join in one of the regular and extremely informative guided tours.

Regular free concerts are held at the old Town Hall, too, including vocal soloists and organ recitals. You'll also notice, located under its northwest tower, an eye-catching yet unusual bronze sculpture of a rooster standing on a cat standing on a dog that's standing on a donkey. Known as the Bremen Town Musicians , these fascinating characters are straight out of the pages of a famous local folk tale.

Adding to the fun is a unique manhole cover in the road that doubles as a collection box. Drop in some change, and you'll be rewarded by a call from one of the Town Musicians themselves by way of a thank you.

Address: Am Markt 21, 28195, Bremen

The charming medieval district of Schnoor, most commonly referred to as the " Schnoor Quarter ," is named after the traditional rope-making trades that once flourished here. The oldest part of Bremen, it was also once the poorest part of the city.

These days, though, Schnoor is now the haunt of artists and other creative types and is an amazing area to explore for its many well-preserved 15th- to 18th-century homes. In addition to the many cafés and craft shops that now dot the district, highlights include the Schifferhaus, or Shipper's House . Built in 1630, it's now a private museum.

Also worth a visit is the lovely Landherrnamt . Dating from 1856, it was once home to the state government and notable for its well-preserved Neo-Romanesque façade. Nearby St. John's Church , a 14th-century brick-built Gothic place of worship, is also worth a visit.

Address: Hutfilterstraße 16-18, 28195, Bremen

The Cathedral of St. Peter in Bremen , known locally as St. Petri Dom, dates from the 11th century, with later additions being made in the 13th and 16th centuries. The exterior, with its twin 98-meter-tall towers, was restored in 1898, while its richly decorated Baroque pulpit was a gift from Queen Christina of Sweden in the 17th century.

A must-visit is the fascinating Cathedral Museum (Dom-Museum), located in the Bleikeller, or Lead Cellar. Here, you'll have a chance to see eight well-preserved mummies, the remains of medieval archbishops, along with displays of other items related to their tombs. A nominal admission charge is required to visit the cathedral's tower, but it's well worth it for the views.

Address: Sandstraße 10-12, 28195 Bremen

Bremen's narrow Böttcherstrasse , transformed between 1926-31 into a street of museums, is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. Although only 100 meters long, its many examples of unusual expressionist architecture make it tremendously fun to explore.

Fortunately, you can't miss the entrance to this interesting neighborhood: simply look for the "Light Bringer" (Lichtbringer). This impressive gold sculpture is located above the not-so-secret archway entrance. While strolling, be sure to pop into some of the street's unique shops and galleries, as well as the famous Glockenspiel House with its thrice-a-day chime.

Another must-see here is the wonderful Paula Becker-Modersohn Museum . The museum is the world's first gallery dedicated to the art of a single woman and is housed in a specially designed expressionist brick building. Highlights of the collection include photos, paintings, and documents relating to the artist, as well as displays of work by her contemporaries.

Also of interest to art lovers is Roselius-Haus. Built in 1588 and home to the Ludwig Roselius Museum , it contains many fine examples of Low German art from the Gothic to Baroque periods.

Address: Böttcherstrasse, D-28195, Bremen

Another of Bremen's must-visit districts is the Schlachte. This pleasant Old Town pedestrian zone follows the River Weser's east bank and can trace its history all the way back to the 13th century. Named after the wooden piles driven deep into the ground to support the riverbank, this charming boardwalk area started off as the city's original port and harbor.

However, as the shipping industry changed, with larger vessels becoming the norm, it fell into disuse. After a great deal of rejuvenation, the Schlachte is now a wonderful place to spend time. In fact, one of the top-rated things to do in Bremen at night is to simply spend time strolling the promenade or stopping in at one of the many cafés and restaurants housed in the old warehouses.

You'll also enjoy seeing the many old historic vessels docked here, some of which now serve as unique hotels and restaurants, alongside their more modern cousins. Others are set up to offer tourists fun riverboat cruises.

The Kunsthalle , located in the center of Bremen's Old Town, opened in 1849 and contains numerous fine 17th-century Dutch paintings, as well as many old German masters dating as far back as the 14th century.

Other highlights include its collection of French and Dutch paintings of the 19th and 20th centuries, works by painters from the famous Worpswede artists' colony, and more than 220,000 drawings and prints, one of the largest such collections in Europe.

The museum also houses a sizeable collection of notable sculptures, as well as a collection of works in modern media. Guided and audio tours are available in English, and a first-class restaurant with a terrace is located on-site.

Fans of modern art will want to also include the Weserburg Museum of Modern Art on their itinerary. One of the country's largest modern art galleries, the Weserburg hosts frequently changing exhibits of artwork from artists around the world.

Address: Am Wall 207, 28195, Bremen

Bremen's 114-acre Rhododendron-Park (Rhododendron-Park und Botanischer Garten Bremen) was established in 1933 and is a wonderful place to explore, whether you're a nature lover or a gardener. In addition to its huge collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, it's also home to the eight-acre Bremen Botanical Garden.

Created in 1905 with plant species from alpine regions, Asia, Australia, and the Americas, the park is also home to more than 1,000 native plant species, some of them endangered. Also located within the Rhododendron-Park is a lovely old windmill, the Mühle am Wall, built in 1888 and now a heritage building, which houses one of Bremen's top restaurants.

Another garden-related attraction worth visiting is Botanika Bremen , a pleasant botanical garden, which also offers fun things to do for kids, including a playground.

Address: Deliusweg 40, 28359, Bremen

One of Bremen's newest attractions, Universum Bremen is also one of its most interesting architecturally. Built in 2000 and looking not unlike a large, partially opened clam or a grinning whale, depending on where you're standing, the building was made from more than 40,000 metal tiles.

This first-rate science center is home to some 300 fascinating hands-on exhibits focusing on human history, the earth, and the cosmos.

A recent addition to the attraction is EntdeckerPark, which includes the Turm der Lüfte , a 27-meter-tall tower with superb views of the area, as well as a restaurant, which runs interesting "dining in the dark" experiences, one of the more fun things to do at night in Bremen. A variety of educational programs, science shows, and workshops are also available.

Address: Wiener Straße 1a, 28359, Bremen

The Overseas Museum (Übersee-Museum Bremen) has many excellent collections related to natural history, trade, and ethnography, including displays focusing on the South Seas, Australia, and Asia.

The magnificent building itself is listed, and highlights of the museum include exhibitions related to Bremen's import and export trade. Free English-language brochures, educational materials, and audio guides are available when purchasing tickets, as are guided tours in English.

Address: Bahnhofsplatz 13, 28195, Bremen

For those with the time and the interest to learn more about the rich human and cultural history of Bremen, a visit to the Focke Museum could be just the ticket. Established in 1924, the museum complex covers an 11-acre site in a leafy neighborhood of the city and consists of a number of interesting structures built between the early 1500s and late 1800s.

Highlights of a visit include a permanent exhibit focusing on the city's 1,200-year history, which includes numerous antiquities along with more recent artifacts such as a fascinating automaton, a lifeboat, and unique collections of furniture, farm tools, toys, and glass. If traveling with kids, head for the attic of Haus Riensberg, where they can enjoy a variety of fun hands-on experiments.

Address: Schwachhauser Heerstraße 240, 28213, Bremen

Located in Bremerhaven's Old Harbor a little more than 60 kilometers north of Bremen, the German Maritime Museum (Deutsches Schiffahrtsmuseum) is a superb museum dedicated to the country's rich seafaring history.

Notable among its exhibits is a Bremen "kogge," an old Hanseatic merchant ship; a Mark XXI submarine from WWII; the four-masted tall ship, the Seute Deern with its on-board restaurant; and the old paddle steamer, the Meißen .

Also of interest is a 112-meter-tall radar tower with a viewing platform, as well as exhibits relating to European shipping from prehistoric to modern times. Afterward, be sure to spend time exploring Bremerhaven itself, in particular the harbor area with its busy fishing port.

Address: Hans-Scharoun-Platz 1, 27568 Bremerhaven

The Valentin Submarine Pens (Denkort Bunker Valentin) is another historic attraction that's of interest to war buffs. Located about halfway between Bremen and Bremerhaven, it was here that the Germans built and maintained many of the navy's U-Boats during WW2.

Once the country's largest fortified U-boat facility, this huge concrete structure still impresses with its vast dimensions and durability. Today, this huge structure can be visited and explored as part of a guided tour.

Another interesting science-related attraction that's well worth seeing in Bremen is the fascinating Zarm Drop Tower . Located in Bremen University and a 15-minute drive from the city center, this 146-meter-tall structure was built for zero-gravity experiments, something it's still known for to this day.

Built in 1990, it's well-known to researchers the world over. For those interested in science, there's also the occasional opportunity to watch experiments being undertaken. Among tourists, though, this tall, pencil-like structure is known for its superb views over Bremen .

English-language guided tours are available. Lasting up to 90 minutes, they take in the labs and research areas, with visitors being able to climb the tower itself afterward. Age restrictions do apply, with guests over 12 and up welcome to join the tours.

Address: Am Fallturm 2, 28359 Bremen

Luxury Hotels :

Those seeking a high-class stay couldn't do much better than booking into the historic Hommage Parkhotel Bremen . This elegant five-star luxury lakefront hotel is unique for its peaceful parkland setting, classic décor, as well as its amenities, including a sauna and outdoor heated pool.
Another good choice in the luxury hotel category is the chic ATLANTIC Grand Hotel Bremen, which offers upscale rooms and suites just a few minutes' walk away from the Old Town Hall and cathedral.
The boutique-style Hotel Munte am Stadtwald is popular with families for its proximity to top attractions like the Universum science center, as well as its spacious rooms and world-class amenities, including a restaurant, spa, swimming pool, and four saunas.

Mid-Range Hotels :

The modern-looking Dorint City-Hotel Bremen , located just a short stroll from the city's main railway station and overlooking a large park near the Old Town, is a great choice for those seeking a reputable mid-range hotel with comfortable rooms. It also has a spa and fitness center.
Equally suitable is Motel One Bremen , a three-star hotel with modern and stylish rooms, comfortable beds, and bike rentals, which are very handy to get to nearby attractions such as the Marktplatz, as well as those a little further afield.
Check availability at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Bremen , too. This quality four-star location offers clean, modern rooms, and is within easy walking distance of major tourist attractions such as the Old Town Hall.

Budget Hotels :

A favorite place to stay for those seeking affordable accommodations, the B&B Hotel Bremen-Altstadt features budget rates and a sleek space-themed design, all in a convenient Old Town location.
Another recommendation is INNSiDE by Melia Bremen . Although a rather plain-looking building and situated a few kilometers away from the downtown core, this hotel offers superb river views, as well as clean, comfortable, affordable rooms.
Finally, be sure to check out Select Hotel City Bremen . While on the higher end of the budget scale, its clean rooms and great location just minutes away from the heart of the Old Town by foot make the slightly higher costs worthwhile.

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Home » Travel Guides » Germany » 25 Best Things to Do in Bremen (Germany)

25 Best Things to Do in Bremen (Germany)

In Medieval times the Weser River brought Europe to Bremen’s door, and the city grew in stature as a Free Hanseatic City from the 12th Century. Sea trade has always been in Bremen’s blood, and from the 17th century exotic products like coffee started arriving. Germany’s first ever coffee house opened in Bremen in the 17th century, while the Bremen-based coffee merchant Ludwig Roselius was the man who invented decaf coffee at the start of the 1900s.

In the 20s Roselius gave Bremen the Böttcherstraße, a whole street of “Brick Expressionist” houses and workshops, all still intact. Bremen also has quaint maritime neighbourhoods, museums of all descriptions on its “Cultural Mile” and UNESCO-listed Medieval and Renaissance monuments at the central Market Square.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Bremen :

1. Bremen Cathedral

St Peter’s Cathedral commands the central market square has 1,200 years of history.

Unsurprising given its age, the building is a mishmash of styles, with Romanesque, Gothic and bits of later Gothic Revival sprinkled in following restorations in the 19th century.

The cathedral’s pair of 89-metre towers break Bremen’s skyline, and you can go up the south tower for an exhilarating view.

In one of the chapels don’t miss the nine fragments of the cathedral’s choir stalls, which were carved with episodes from the bible in 1360. The crypt meanwhile is the oldest portion of the church, and goes back to the 11th century.

On the creepy side, there are eight mummies dating back 400 years and stored in glass-topped coffins, with panels explaining their identities.

Two are Swedish officers killed during the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century.

2. Cathedral Museum

After restorations in the 1970s and 80s, the artefacts unearthed during digs were put on show at an exhibition space inside the cathedral.

The museum is where you can also get to grips with the complicated, millennium-long architectural history of the building.

There are plans and models explaining the layout at different stages, complemented by art that decorated the interior long ago.

You can view statues, stone reliefs, the remnants of the Renaissance altar, frescoes and a painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder.

In the 1970s the graves of eight medieval bishops were discovered, and the finds from these excavations include rings, a staff, vestments and chalices.

3. Bremen City Hall

One of the most beautiful civic buildings, not just in Germany, but all of Europe, Bremen’s City Hall earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2005. What began as a Brick Gothic hall in the 15th century was given an exquisite Renaissance makeover 200 years later when the rich reliefs and statues were carved.

You could lose a lot of time marvelling at the stonework and identifying all the figures on here, like Charlemagne and Bremen’s seven Imperial Electors.

Tours are given by Bremen’s tourist office and take place between 11:00 and 16:00. Don’t pass up the chance to go inside as there’s a great deal to see, like Germany’s oldest cask of wine in the cellar and the lavishly adorned Upper Hall where the city council used to sit.

4. Marktplatz

We’ve already mentioned the cathedral and town hall, which together could keep you on the central market square for half a day.

But apart from the historic gabled houses overlooking the square there are a few other monuments to look for.

One is the Gothic Roland Statue, erected in front of the town hall in 1404 and depicting a mythological knight who symbolises Bremen’s free city status.

The monument is encompassed by the same UNESCO site as the town hall.

If you come around to the west side of the city hall there’s a modern bronze sculpture of the dog, cat, rooster and donkey from the Brothers Grimm’s Town Musicians of Bremen fairytale.

5. Kunsthalle Bremen

On Bremen’s “Culture Mile”, this top-notch art museum has been run by the private Bremen Art Society for almost 200 years.

The collection is a complete overview of European art from the 14th century to today, taking in German Renaissance masters like Lucas Cranach the Elder and Albrecht Dürer.

But where the museum really shines is in its 19th and 20th-century art by Delacroix, van Gogh, Max Liebermann, Camille Corot, Andreas Achenbach, Max Beckmann, Franz Marc, Edvard Munch and Alfred Sisley, to name just a few.

The print and drawing department has hundreds of thousands of sheets from the 1400s to the 1900s, while the New Media department is for contemporary artists in a variety of disciplines.

You can peruse work by the installation artist Olafur Eliasson, video artist Nam June Paik and musician John Cage.

6. Böttcherstraße

Running towards the Weser from Marktplatz is a 100-metre street that was rescued from dilapidation and transformed by an architectural project during the 1920s.

The idea came from the Bremen coffee magnate, and inventor of decaf coffee, Ludwig Roselius, and he hired the Expressionist artist Bernhard Hoetger to oversee the works.

The outcome was a spectacular line of buildings and courtyards in what is known as the Brick Expressionism style.

This is a blend of Expressionist art, Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) and Art Deco, with constant hints to traditional Low German architecture in the houses’ gables and mullioned windows.

The entire street is protected and owned by a single foundation, while its buildings host chic independent shops, ateliers, bars, museums and galleries.

7. Haus des Glockenspiels

Maybe Berhard Hoetger’s most beautiful contributions to Böttcherstraße are the wooden panels that rotate in time to the carillon at the Haus des Glockenspiels.

If you’re in Bremen during spring or summer, try to time your visit for just before the stroke of the hour, between 12:00 and 18:00. Thirty bells made from Meissen porcelain and set between the house’s gables play the tunes of old sea shanties and folk songs.

Hoetger designed ten Expressionist panels for important German and foreign voyagers like Christopher Columbus, the crew of the first transatlantic flight, aviator Charles Lindbergh and Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat.

8. Schnoor Quarter

The oldest and quaintest neighbourhood in Bremen is the knot of little lanes around the Schnoor alley.

In the past this was one of Bremen’s poorest areas and was where Bremen’s fishing community resided.

The maritime theme survives in the name, Schnoor, as it refers to the workshops where rigging was manufactured for ships.

Schnoor has lots of pretty timber-framed houses from the 1400s and 1500s, now occupied by restaurants, galleries, cafes and handicraft shops for souvenirs.

On Stavendamm, make time for the Schifferhaus from 1630, which is an exceptional state of preservation and welcomes visitors for tours in German and English.

9. Schlachte

In Bremen’s Old Town the right bank of the Weser was turned into a pedestrian zone in the 1980s and 90s.

The promenade and restored houses are over what used to be Bremen’s main harbour, until increases in the size of freight and the introduction of railways moved a lot of the water-bourne traffic to Bremerhaven on the coast.

Now the Schlachte is all about having a good time, day or night.

You can relax at a biergarten in summer or choose from a wide selection of restaurants, both German an international.

You could also take a slow, leisurely walk beside the water, or board one of many boats here for a trip on the Weser.

At Christmas the Schlachte-Zauber market here recreates the atmosphere of medieval Bremen’s guilds, and the fragrance of baked bread and smoked mackerel fills the air.

10. Schütting

Coming back to the Marktplatz once more, you have to spare some time for Bremen’s guildhall, which was built in the Flemish Renaissance style in the 1530s.

For a bit of historical context the hall was a symbol of the power of Bremen’s wealthy merchants following an uprising by the lower classes earlier in the decade.

On the facade above the portal check out the merchants’ coat of arms, which sits beside that of the city of Bremen and depicts the Holy Roman imperial eagle, giving you an idea of the standing the merchants had in the city.

An interesting historical curiosity about the Schütting is that it had one of the first coffee houses in German speaking territories, opening in 1679.

11. Focke Museum

In the Riensberg neighbourhood to the east of Bremen’s centre, the Focke Museum reveals Bremen’s 1,200 years of history.

The attraction is based in several historic structures dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries, around a modern main building from the 1960s.

In the main exhibition you can view curiosities like the original head of the Roland statue and sandstone statues from the facade of the town hall, brought here for safekeeping.

There are also cars manufactured by Bremen’s Borgward brand and the Complimentarius, a strange, armour-clad automaton that used to welcome people to the great hall at the Schütting.

The side buildings are also full of interest, like the thatched Eichenhof, which explores the prehistory an ancient history of the Bremen region.

Or there’s the 18th-century Haus Riensberg, demonstrating the skill of Bremen’s furniture designers and master glassmakers in the hundreds of years ago.

12. Ludwig Roselius Museum

On Böttcherstraße you also have to call in at the Roselius-House, which displays the private collection of the coffee merchant Ludwig Roselius.

The house is the oldest on the street, raised at the end of the 16th century.

Roselius bought it in 1902 and added the crow-stepped gable as part of the street’s development.

He amassed a trove of curios and art from the early middle ages to the 17th century, made up of liturgical ornaments, Renaissance paintings and sculpture.

The essential work to see in the museum is Lucas Cranach’s Portrait of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora, his wife.

Among the abundance of religious statuary, find the Group of Mourner, sculpted in 1515 by the master Tilman Riemenschneider.

13. Universum

Just right for a rainy day, the Universum is a wildly popular interactive science centre in a futuristic metallic building that looks a bit like a mussel shell.

There are over 300 exhibits, all challenging young minds to solve problems and experiment in hands on ways.

The three main zones are Nature, Humans and Technology, filled with intelligently designed games, models and displays to make complicated concepts more digestible.

So that might be a table football game in which you play against A.I., a sofa which recreates the feeling of an earthquake and a room that simulates what it’s like to be blind.

Outside there are more experiments for water and wind, and a 27-metre tower crammed with more experiments.

14. Bürgerpark

The southern entrance to Bremen’s best-loved park is moments away from the Hauptbahnhof.

What begins as a narrow strip of lawns and trees in the centre of the city eventually broadens into a 200-hectare park that extends past the University to the open countryside north of Bremen.

If you need an affordable family day out in summer the Bürgerpark has animal habitats for sheep, goats, pigs, wild boars, alpacas, guinea pigs and deer.

Those enclosures are ringed by the Emmasee, a large, serpentine water feature where you can rent boats, while there’s also a mini-golf centre.

At the southern end, the serene Holler See lake is the setting for outdoor performances by the Bremer Shakespeare Company in summer.

15. Mühle am Wall

Heading from the Hauptbahnhof to the city centre you’ll pass the old earthworks where Bremen’s city ramparts and bastions used to be.

One of the sights that will catch your attention is a large windmill, which has become a treasured landmark in Bremen.

The mill “on the wall” is a “smock mill”, on an octagonal base constructed in 1898. It is the most recent of a succession of windmills at this very spot, going back to 1699. The mill now houses a restaurant, and there’s a terrace outside shaded by parasols.

16. Das Viertel

Bremen’s youngest and most colourful district, Das Viertel is cool enough to have a name that translates simply to “The Quarter”. Das Viertel was laid out east of the wall between the end of the 1800s and the 1930s, and regal villas and townhouses were erected in the Historicist, Neoclassic and Jugendstil styles.

The neighbourhood has a few of the Cultural Mile’s museums like the Kunsthalle, as well as the temple-like Thater am Goetheplatz.

But if you’re young and you need somewhere to eat and go out, the Viertel’s eccentric, one-of-a-kind bars, bistros, cafes and live music venues are dens for the Bremen’s hippest folk.

In the daylight day Das Viertel is a shopping quarter of vintage shops, fun boutiques and family-run businesses, without a chain store in sight.

17. Bremer Geschichtenhaus

Now open for more than a decade, the Bremer Geschichtenhaus (House of History) is a living museum in the quaint surrounds of the Schnoor quarter.

Historical re-enactors dress up in garb from the 1600s to 1900s and play out important scenes or little vignettes from Bremen’s past.

These performances are normally in German, but the attraction does accommodate English speakers if you book in advance.

Characters are brought to life, like the famous eccentric Heini Holtenbeen, or Fisch-Luzie an enterprising 19th-century fishmonger who built her own fish-trading empire in Bremen.

The exhibits are ordered chronologically, bringing you through plague outbreaks in the 17th century to the height of Bremen’s chocolate and coffee-trading days in the 1800s.

18. Church of Our Lady

Work started on this parish church on the north side of the Marktplatz in the 13th century around the same time as the cathedral.

But like the cathedral it was also laid over a much older structure.

The crypt is from 1020, and is the oldest built space in the whole of Bremen.

The Gothic vaults of the nave and choir have been stripped back to the bare stone, and have a stark beauty.

The church came through the war with minor damage, but 19 of its stained glass windows were destroyed.

The French modern artist Alfred Manessier was hired to design the replacements in the 60s and 70s, and these evoke bible passages with his trademark bright linear patterns.

19. Übersee-Museum

With 1.2 million exhibits in the fields of ethnology and natural history, the Übersee-Museum transports you to the ends of the earth.

You’ll come face to face with a massive diversity of topics and themes, and can find out what it’s like to walk through a rainforest at night, go underwater off a tropical island in Oceania and travel the Silk Road.

Zoology also has a big role at the museum, and there are thousands of animal specimens in dioramas, as well as genuine exotic plants.

An ambitious new exhibition investigates the phenomena that have made the greatest impact on human life on earth and the environment, like climate change, the Internet, global trade and human rights.

20. Rhododendron Park

If you happen to be in Bremen in May, this botanical garden on the eastern outskirts of the city shoots up the list of things to do.

In that brief window, the park’s collection of 1,000 rhododendron and azalea species bursts into flower.

The bushes produce blossoms in a kaleidoscope of colours from pure white to deep red.

Together the rhododendrons and azaleas make up the second largest collection of these plants in the world, numbering some 10,000 individual bushes.

21. Botanika

Attached to the Rhododendron Park is an attraction labelling itself as a “Green Science Centre”. In many ways Botanika is a green partner for Universum, answering questions about the inner-workings of plants in fun, creative ways.

In the discovery centre you’ll learn how the competition for light, nutrients, water and procreation has caused a wild inventiveness that allows sequoias to lift water 100 metres off the ground, or Venus flytraps to digest insects.

You can taste edible plants in the herb garden, and there are seasonal animal exhibits that include rabbits and a butterfly garden.

The large greenhouse recreates wilderness and landscaped gardens from the Himalayas, Borneo and Japan.

22. Beck’s Brewery

Something like 3,000 bottles of Beck’s Beer are opened around the world every 60 seconds, and in Bremen you can go to the place where it all began.

Beck’s Brewery was set up by the master brewer Heinrich Beck in 1873, together with a city merchant Thomas May and the master builder Lüder Rutenberg.

The brand’s iconic key crest is a reference to the Bremen Cathedral’s patron saint, St Peter who held the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

Tours of the brewery take place Monday to Saturday in German, and if you want an English tour come at 15:00 Thursdays to Saturdays.

You’ll be shown around the inventory, and the various fermentation and storage tanks in the brewhouse.

There’s a video presentation about the brand, and a tasting session at the end of the tour.

23. Valentin Submarine Pens

Downstream on the Weser to the northwest of Bremen is a submarine factory from the Second World War.

The Valentin Submarine Pens were never completed, and never assembled a single submarine, as progress was halted by air raids and the allied advance in 1945. But even so, the facility is only behind the famous pens in Brest for size and preservation.

Although they’re an interesting piece of war-time “blockhaus” construction, the pens are most of all a thought-provoking memorial to the wrongs of the Second World War and the Nazi regime.

It is believed that as many as 6,000 slave labourers died building the pens.

As you follow the self-guided tour, reminders of the human cost are interlaced with technical details about the factory and its historical context.

24. Bremer Bonbon Manufaktur

In the Handwerkerhof (Craftsman’s Courtyard) off Böttcherstrasse you might be distracted by a sweet fragrance.

This comes from the candy factory, which is run by the tourist board and makes traditional hard candy presented in cute packaging with Bremen’s animal musicians on the label.

Naturally, these make for a good souvenir or gift.

Best of all there’s a window that opens onto the kitchens where you can see artisan candy of different colours shapes and sizes being made by hand.

25. Weser River Tours

Once you appreciate the big hand the Weser River played in Bremen’s success as a Hanseatic Free City you’ll want to capture some of the magic on a cruise setting off from the former harbour at the Schlachte.

There are five tours a day and you’ll ride from the embankment to Bremen’s modern docks, finding out about trade with England and the Baltic in the Hanseatic days, and how the influx of goods like coffee and cocoa from the New World changed Bremen’s fortunes.

You’ll get a fresh view of the cathedral towers, the grand houses of the waterfront Osterdeich street and pieces of the city’s old fortifications.

25 Best Things to Do in Bremen (Germany):

Bremen Cathedral
Cathedral Museum
Bremen City Hall
Kunsthalle Bremen
Böttcherstraße
Haus des Glockenspiels
Schnoor Quarter
Focke Museum
Ludwig Roselius Museum
Mühle am Wall
Das Viertel
Bremer Geschichtenhaus
Church of Our Lady
Übersee-Museum
Rhododendron Park
Beck's Brewery
Valentin Submarine Pens
Bremer Bonbon Manufaktur
Weser River Tours

Germany Footsteps

22 Top Things To Do In Bremen [Don’t Miss Them!]

Going on a Bremen trip and want to know all the best things to do in Bremen? We have you covered! Below you will find our guide to all the best attractions in Bremen Germany to plan your ultimate trip.

When we were looking for places to visit in Northern Germany on our way to Denmark, somewhere jumped out at us pretty quick – Bremen. I found it on lists of Germany’s prettiest Old Towns and, once I looked it up myself, I was sold.

Located at the end of Germany’s Fairy Tale Road, Bremen is a reasonable sized city with over half a million people. It also lives up to its reputation with a gorgeous Old Town on the Weser River and there is a great collection of places to see in Bremen.

From fairy tale statues to museums to churches to wandering the riverside walk and Old Town, Bremen is an easy, vibrant, fun and beautiful place to visit.

Not far from Hamburg, it is possible to visit Bremen on a day trip. However, this is a beautiful place that is worth your time if you can spend longer. We spent a few nights and I wish we had more time to continue to soak it all in.

Bremen is a great destination at any time of year. It has what is reputed to be one of the best Christmas markets in Germany and there’s plenty to explore in summer too.

Below, you will find our Bremen travel blog with everything you need to know about the best Bremen things to do, what to do in Bremen surrounds as well as the best places to stay for your ultimate vacation in Bremen!! There is also a handy map of the things to do Bremen offers.

So let’s start so you have as good a time in Bremen as we had!

Traveling to Germany? Click here to download your free Germany Trip Planning checklist . We’ll help you get ready for your trip!

Table of Contents

An Introduction To Bremen

Settlements in the Bremen area date back to 100AD. At its beginning, it was known as the “Rome of the North” and was used as a base for bringing Christianity into Scandinavia.

It shed its religious background becoming an Imperial City in 1186 and then joining the Hanseatic League in 1260. Starting with a few towns in northern Germany, the Hanseatic League grew to be a confederation of nearly 200 cities in 7 modern-day countries. This league was a powerful policital trading block with arrangements like free trade, protection against pirates and bandits and diplomats among its members.

Over time, they even developed a common legal system and armies to keep the area safe and flourishing. This lead to mutual prosperity in the region.

You can read more about the Hanseatic League here .

Bremen’s location on the Weser River enabled it to be a key trading post in the league with much international trading taking place here. It thrived and, in fact, stayed in the Hanseatic League right until it ended in 1862 as Germany was being founded.

Even today, Bremen is known as the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen and forms its own state (the smallest in Germany).

Top 21 Things To Do In Bremen Germany

Here are the best Bremen attractions. Read through and select the ones that fit your interests and timeframe. If you only have one day to visit Bremen tourist attractions, find our one day Bremen places to visit itinerary below.

Bremen’s Old Town

If there is one place you will absolutely want to head when you visit Bremen, it’s Bremen’s Old Town. This is definitely #1 on our list of Bremen top 10 tourist attractions and you can’t go wrong wandering around this area.

In fact, many of the places below are in the Old Town so you can enjoy the Old Town as you visit your pick of the top things to do in Bremen.

This Old Town is 1200 years old and is located on the banks of the Weser River. It’s a joy to walk the cobblestone streets surrounded by history. It’s compact and easy to walk around.

I recommend you take your time, have a leisurely meal in the streets in warmer months and really soak it in.

Rathaus (Town Hall)

The heart of the Old Town, Markt Platz (Market Square) is a great place to head on your Old Town wander. This is where you will find Bremen’s UNESCO World Heritage listed Town Hall.

Over 600 years old, its known for its mix of Gothic and Renaissance features thanks to originally being built in 1410 in Gothic style and then having a Renaissance facade added in 1612. This actually makes it the only European town hall built in the late Middle Ages that has survived in its original form for this long.

It’s a well preserved, gorgeous building which helps celebrate Bremen remaining largely autonomous for centuries. The inside is just as fabulous with the Upper Hall being a fantastic ceremonial venue where the council used to meet.

There’s also a cellar underneath which is home to Germany’s oldest cask of wine.

It’s possible to go on a guided tour of the inside which takes about an hour and helps explain the magnificent history of the building. It’s also possible to eat a meal in the restaurant, Ratskeller , in the wine cellar.

Roland Statue

The Roland Statue is located outside the Rathaus and was erected in 1404 after its wooden predecessor was destroyed. It is part of the Rathaus’ UNESCO World Heritage listing.

Roland is a symbol of freedom and trading rights and, while there are Roland statues in many German towns, this one is considered one of the most beautiful and oldest examples.

It’s over five and a half metres tall and when you add in the baldachin, it’s over ten metres tall. I was surprised by the height of this impressive statue – photos don’t do it justice.

It’s a popular item on the Bremen things to see list and you won’t want to miss it.

Town Musicians Of Bremen

After our journey along the Fairy Tale Road to get to Bremen, we certainly weren’t going to miss an opportunity to see this statue of the Town Musicians of Bremen which comes from the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale, the Bremen Town Musicians (Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten) published in 1819.

You’ll notice images around town of a donkey, dog, cat, and rooster and they come from this fairy tale.

The best way to celebrate this past is by visiting this statue and rubbing the donkey’s nose or hooves. It’ll ensure you have good luck and visit Bremen again!

You can also find a circle plaque and coin slot where you can pay to hear the animals make sounds.

This statue is also located in Markt Platz to the left of the Bremen Rathaus. It was created by Gerhard Marcks and you can learn more about his work below.

Dom St Petri (And Bleikeller)

The Bremen Cathedral, Dom St Petri, is also located at Markt Platz. This protestant church was originally built in 789, although much of the current building dates to the 13th century.

This cathedral is quite large and it’s worth venturing inside. There are many organs, tombs and crypts with some famous Germans having been buried here. It has a silent beauty that I really enjoyed.

In the warmer months, you can also climb 265 steps to the top of the south tower for great views of the Old Town. However, this does seem to be closed randomly as it was shut the days we were in Bremen with no explanation or sign of when it would open again. Next time!

There’s also a small Cathedral Museum located in the Bleikeller (cellar) which shows the history of the cathedral as well as religious artefacts from a 1970s dig. It’s also home to eight well-preserved mummies which are the remains of medieval archbishops.

It’s free to enter (as is the church).

Kirche Unser Lieben Fraue (Church Of Our Lady)

This smaller church was also built around the 13th century on the remains of an older building. The crypt is from 1020 which makes it the oldest built space in Bremen.

The Church of Our Lady is behind Bremen Rathaus and easy to visit as part of your exploration of this area. Inside are beautiful murals and as well as the old crypt and many beautiful painted glass windows.

I didn’t find many people in here despite the crowds outside, and it was a great way to escape exploring for a moment to relax and reflect in a beautiful space.

It’s another of the Bremen Germany things to do to appreciate and learn more about this city.

Böttcherstraße

Once you have finished exploring and enjoying Markt Platz, another great part of Bremen’s Old Town is Böttcherstraße. It’s just to the south and connects Markt Platz to the river so at one point, it was very important.

Today, this 100 metre long medieval lane is a great example of expressionist architecture (although there is a mixture of architectural styles) after it was transformed in the 1920s by the coffee merchant, Ludwig Roselius.

The red-brick houses have a mix of facades and there are fountains, statues and more. There are also some great Bremen attractions on this street which are described more below. There are some great shops, bars and cafes. Have a seat and enjoy the atmosphere.

But whether you have time to visit these attractions or not, it’s well worth the time to wander down Böttcherstraße.

Haus Des Glockenspiels

One of the things to do around Bremen that you’ll find on Böttcherstraße is Haus des Glockenspiels (Glockenspiel House). This is the place to be just before the hour between 12 – 6pm in the warmer months.

At this time, thirty porcelain bells ring playing the tunes of old folk songs lasting over eight minutes!

While the building already existed, the bells were added in 1934. Ten expressionist panels were also added of important German and other voyagers like Robert Fulton, steamboat inventor, and Christopher Columbus.

I must say that I was a little underwhelmed. The bells weren’t as loud as I expected and they didn’t move or anything. Add in the small space and big crowd and I wouldn’t say this is a must hear.

Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum

Also on Böttcherstraße is the Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum. Paula Modersohn-Becker was an artist (1867-1907) who was an early expressionist. This is the first gallery in the world that was dedicated to the work of a female artist.

Here, you can find some of her work as well as photos and documents relating to her as well as works by other artists.

The building itself is a great example of Brick Expressionist architecture.

Ludwig Roselius Museum

Another art museum on Böttcherstraße, the Ludwig Roselius Museum is where you can find the private art collection of Ludwig Roselius. As stated above, he is the one who is responsible for transforming this street.

This building is the oldest on the street, dating back to the end of the 16th century. Roselius added the crow-stepped gable when he developed the street.

He has quite an art collection as well as many ornaments. The most important pieces are Lucas Cranach’s Portrait of Martin Luther and his wife, Katharina von Bora and the Group of Mourner, sculpted in 1515 by Tilman Riemenschneider.

Schlachte Riverside Walk

After you’ve enjoyed Böttcherstraße, why not enjoy a riverside walk. This riverside walk is on the banks of the Weser River in the Old Town. It’s a pedestrian zone with a wide range of restaurants, bars and biergartens.

This area started off as the city’s original port and harbor. When railways were introduced and freight size increased, much of the harbour traffic moved to the coast and this area stopped being used.

After rejuvenation efforts, this area was transformed into a great area to spend some time. It’s also a popular choice of the things to do in Bremen at night where you can enjoy a meal and a beer.

There’s also many boats where you can take for a cruise on the Weser. It’s a nice place to take a walk.

The oldest neighbourhood in Bremen, you won’t want to miss a wander around Schnoor (or Schnoor Quarter as it’s often referred). This area is gorgeous with classic winding alleyways, wooden houses (some of which date back to the Medieval Ages) and many shops, galleries and restaurants.

This used to be home to Bremen’s fishing community and was one of the poorest parts of the city. This is where much shipping equipment was made and Schnoor refers to workshops where rigging was manufactured.

Luckily, this area was largely undamaged during the World Wars and there’s some great preserved buildings.

Wandering around here is one of my favourite answers to what to do in Bremen Germany thanks to all the pretty houses. It’s really a very special area.

Wallanlagen Park

The perfect way to add some green in your day (especially if you are looking for free things to do in Bremen) is Wallanlagen Park. Simply head north of the Old Town to find this beautiful part of Bremen.

This park dates back to the 18th century when it was built on the site of Bremen’s old city walls. Next to it is a moat. Thanks to this, it’s an odd, zig-zagging shape but it does make for a great park with fountains, flowers and sculptures.

It’s also home to a picturesque windmill, originally built in 1699, although today’s windmill was built in 1898.

There’s a restaurant inside if you want to dine at one of the more unusual things to do in Bremen.

It’s a great green escape from the city and it’s interesting how in just a moment you can go from the hustle and bustle of the city to a great relaxing expanse of green.

Weserburg Museum Für Moderne Kunst

The Weserburg Museum Für Moderne Kunst (Weserburg Museum of Modern Art) is located on an island in the Weser River just a short walk from the Old Town. Over five floors, it showcases work from German and international artists with pantings, sculptures, photography and videos.

There are no permanent exhibitions here so the works on display are regularly changing and come mainly from private collectors.

Modern art lovers will definitely want to add this to their list of things to do Bremen Germany.

Another one of the attractions Bremen offers for art lovers is Kunsthalle located on Bremen’s “Culture Mile”, a short walk from Markt Platz.

Kunsthalle has been home to art for over 150 years and contains an overview of European art starting at the 14th century. It promises visitors that they’ll take a journey through 700 years of art history.

This is an impressive collection with masters of the German Renaissance such as Albrecht Dürer and a focus on French and German art in the 19th and 20th centuries. There are masterpieces by Masolino, Monet, Van Gogh and more.

There are also contemporary art exhibitions and regularly changing exhibits.

This is definitely one of the first places to head if you love art.

Gerhard Marcks Haus

Bremen is not short of art attractions and here is another one for fans of the Bremen musicians sculpture. Gerhard Marcks is one of Germany’s best sculptors and you can find more of his work here.

Born in Berlin in 1899, Marcks was labelled a “degenerate” artist by the Nazis in the 1930s and couldn’t display his work until the end of World War II. In 1966, a foundation was established in Bremen to preserve his works. In1971, this museum was opened with over 400 of his sculptures, 1,200 prints and 12,000 drawings.

It also displays works from other modern and contemporary sculptors.

Gerhard Marckts Haus is moments from Kunsthalle and the building that it calls home was built with the Wilhelm Wagenfeld Haus (more below) in 1825 to operate as a gatehouse and prison.

Wilhelm Wagenfeld Haus

Wilhelm Wagenfeld Haus opposit Gerhard Marckts Haus is the place to go to examine questions about design and culture.

Wilhelm Wagenfeld was an important German industrial designer. This museum explores his work.

Universum Science Centre

This science museum is perfect for families and space fans plus anyone will enjoy the unique archictecture of its home.

Over 4,000 square metres of interactive science exhibitions wait for you here from learning how a polygraph machine works to learning about wind and water in the outside spaces.

Bremen is home to a strong aerospace industry, and this is the place you can make a virtual trip to the stars or the ocean floor.

Universum Science Centre is an easy light rail ride from the centre of Bremen.

Beck’s Brewery

Perhaps Bremen’s most famous export, Beck’s beer calls Bremen home and you can visit the Beck’s Brewery while you are here.

Established in 1873, around 3,000 bottles of Beck’s beer are opened every minute!

You can visit this Bremen Brewery on a 3-hour guided tour as long as you are aged 16+. The tour includes a walk through their museum, the raw materials room and the brewhouse. You’ll also see silos, fermentation tanks and their laboratory.

Naturally, the tour finishes with beer tasting.

Click here for more information and to book a tour.

Weser River Cruise

Bremen wouldn’t exist without the Weser River and a cruise is the perfect way to see and learn more about Bremen.

There’s a variety of cruising options with a good choice being a 75-minute Weser and harbour tour which leaves a few times a day by Halöver departing from Martini Pier in the Old Town.

Click here for more details.

Bunker Valentin

For something completely different, head to this one of the best things to do near Bremen.

Located about half an hour drive northwest of Bremen is this fascinating submarine factory built during World War II.

In 1943, the Nazis started building this massive concrete bunker where they hoped to safely build submarines. This huge bunker is around 426 metres long, 97 metres wide and up to 27 metres high. The walls are 4.5 metres thick. Sadly, it was built by up to 12,000 POW and slave-labourers from concentration camps and many died during construction.

Allied bombing damaged the bunker before it was completed and then the war ended before a single submarine was ever built here.

Despite this, it makes for one huge thought-provoking site representing the futility of war.

There is a 1.5 kilometre path around and through the bunker and you can take a self-guided tour while you learn about the site and hear the story of the survivors via an optional audio guide. There’s also information boards around the site. You can also join a tour on request.

You can read our full review of visiting Valentin Bunker here.

Bremen Things To Do In December/Winter

While most of the things to see in Bremen Germany listed above are just as possible in winter time, there is also an extra fun thing to do in Bremen which is especially for December.

Bremen Christmas Market

When it comes to the best things to do in Bremen Germany in December, there is an easy stand out for the absolute best place to head – the Bremen Christmas Market.

Running from the end of November to the end of December, the area around the Town Hall, which is already a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to the Bremen Christmas Market, one of our favorites in Germany.

Over 160 stalls call this market home and it’s in a gorgeous setting in the Old Town. So grab some roasted almonds and a glühwein and soak in the Christmas atmosphere.

What To Do In Bremen In One Day

Only have one day in Bremen? What a shame! But it’s ok, it’s still worth going to Bremen if you only have one day.

With one day, I recommend you stick to the Old Town and immediate surrounds. You can visit most of the Bremen best places to visit mentioned above in this area except you’ll have to work out which art museums most interest you as you won’t have time for them all.

I recommend you head straight to the Old Town and explore the following on foot:

Start at Markt Platz at the Rathaus
Visit the Roland and Town Musicians Of Bremen statues
Go inside the Dom St Petri and visit its museum if it interests you
Visit the Church Of Our Lady
Head down Böttcherstraße picking one of Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum and Ludwig Roselius Museum
Either eat lunch around here or find a place as you stroll the Schlachte Riverside Walk
Choose between Weserburg Museum Für Moderne Kunst, Kunsthalle, Gerhard Marcks Haus and Wilhelm Wagenfeld Haus
Finish the day falling in love with the Schnoor Quarter

Places To Visit In Bremen Germany Map

Best Place To Stay In Bremen

When it comes to where to stay in Bremen, there is a great range of hotels and other accommodation options. You won’t have any problem finding somewhere to stay.

Below I’ve listed a few different places to consider depending on what type of accommodation you are looking for.

BEST – Designhotel ÜberFluss Review

Just a few minutes walk from the Old Town, 4-star Designhotel ÜberFluss is perfect for anyone who wants a top, trendy hotel in a fantastic location.

Spacious rooms are designed with décor by Charles Eames and Tom Dixon and range from double rooms to suites including family suites which sleep up to four. All rooms include kitchenettes with refrigerators, flat-screen TVs with streaming service and toiletries. They are beautiful.

Some rooms have river views.

Facilities at the hotel include a spa with indoor pool and sauna, gym, wifi and French-Italian restaurant. Parking is available at an additional charge.

Click here to see the latest prices now.

VALUE – Select Hotel City Bremen Review

This contemporary hotel is just a short walk from the Old Town and Wallanlagen Park.

While it doesn’t have a ton of facilities, the rooms are modern, clean and a great price. They range from double rooms with desk area to superior rooms with seating area to a deluxe room which adds in a balcony. There are also single and quadruple rooms.

There’s a restaurant on site which serves breakfast. Parking is available for an extra charge.

Click here to see the latest prices.

FUN – Segelyacht Bremen City Review

I couldn’t help but book this accommodation option after I saw it on Booking.com on our recent trip with our three kids. Staying in a yacht at Bremen’s Marina was too fun an option not to do it!

This boat is well equipped with three (tiny) bedrooms which sleep two each, a kitchen, bathroom with toilet and sink and a living/dining area. There’s TV and wifi.

As you would expect, it’s squishy for five and everything is small, but the fun factor makes up for that! Besides, there’s plenty to do in Bremen so you won’t be spending so much time here.

The downside is that the shower is in the Marina building.

It’s about a 30 minute walk into the centre of the Old Town or you can catch a light rail. It’s not far from the start of the Schlachte Riverside Walk.

Find more of the best hotels in Bremen here or our full review of the Best Western Bremen City here.

How To Get To Bremen

We have travelled to Bremen by both hire car and train. It’s simple by car if you are in the area. It’s at the end of the Fairy Tale Road and it’s easy to find.

You can hire a car to get you there by clicking here.

There are regular trains and buses here. You can find timetables and all your options here.

We took an ICE train from Hamburg and were here quickly and smoothly. In fact, we even had our own area at the front of the train!

Firt class train seats between Hamburg and Bremen

There is also an airport in Bremen with flights to other destinations in Europe and Germany. Hamburg is also not far away and has a bigger airport.

Click here to look up flights to Bremen.

Once in Bremen, we found it easy to use the light rail, although most of the time, we explored on foot. We drove out to Bunker Valentin. Look out for day trip tickets which get cheaper the more people in your group.

Bremen With Kids

Bremen is an easy and fun place to visit with kids. We visited with our three kids aged 6-12 and had a great time. We made sure we watched the Town Musicians of Bremen on YouTube before visiting and the kids had fun looking out for the animals as we wandered around.

The Universum Science Centre is particularly a winner with kids, but really my kids just enjoyed soaking up the Old Town as much as I did. It’s a pretty place to visit!

Final Words

Bremen is a beautiful and fun place to visit. It’s Old Town is just gorgeous and it’s easy to want to spend hours just having a drink soaking it all in.

While I wouldn’t say Bremen is packed full of must-visit attractions, there are tons of things to do and enjoy in Bremen.

If you are lucky enough to visit in December, the Christmas Market is definitely the place to head. Otherwise, wander the Old Town and Schnoor, visit the attractions that interest you and enjoy.

You can check out all the best hotels in Bremen here for your great stay and read more guides to visiting Northern Germany here. Don’t miss our one week itinerary for Northern Germany here which includes Bremen . Or read this guide to Hameln – we visited Hameln (of Pied Piper of Hamelin fame) on our way to Bremen. It’s another great Fairy Tale Road stop!

Looking for something else fun to do nearby? Read our review of the German Tank Museum here. You can also find our guide to Lübeck here and all the best places to visit Northern Germany here .

By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon first fell in love with Germany back in 2000 on her first visit. She loves the long history, the picturesque Old Towns, the castles, the food, everything really! Since then, she has visited many times and loves writing about Germany here so you can enjoy it too. In fact, Sharon loves German culture so much that she sent her kids to a German primary school in Australia. She especially loves Berlin and towns with charming Old Towns like Celle and Quedlinburg. Sharon also has a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and understands the nitty gritty of travel planning. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to Germany whether it's your first or tenth time!

Sights in Bremen

The statue of the Bremen Town Musicians.

1,200 years of tradition and cosmopolitanism shape Bremen, the Hanseatic city on the Weser. The old trading city with its historic centre around the market square exudes the flair of a young metropolis. And yet anyone who embarks on a journey through time with open eyes will witness its long and exciting history. Look forward to Bremen's sights. There is much to discover!

Must-See Attractions

We have put together a list of highlights!

The magnificent Weser Renaissance town hall and the venerable figure of Roland on the historic Market Square remain unmistakable. They have embodied the citizens' will for independence since 1404. The town hall and Roland are protected by UNESCO as a unique world heritage site, but the Schnoor Quarter - Bremen's oldest quarter - the unusual architecture of the tradition-steeped Böttcherstraße or St. Peter’s Cathedral are also unparalleled. You don't even need a city map for a tour of the most important sights. 2,000 brass and steel nails lead from Liebfrauenkirchhof to the Market Square and Schnoor Quarter to Böttcherstraße. And don't forget to pick up a portion of luck at the Bremen Town Musicians !

Bremen's city hall and the Roland statue.

City Hall and Roland

Together with Roland, the town hall is part of Bremen's Unesco World Heritage.

A group is led around Bremen's market square by a city guide.

Market Sqaure

Created in 1404, it is one of the oldest public squares in the city.

Böttcherstraße

A street as a work of art in the city centre

Small colourful houses in Bremen's Schnoor district.

Schnoor Quarter

Narrow Alleys and small Houses

Bremen Town Musicians and Ratskeller

The starting point of the route is the Hanseatic city's secret landmark. With its back to the town hall and its face to the Liebfrauenkirchhof, the bronze statue of the Bremen Town Musicians designed by Gerhard Marcks presents itself. The fairy tale of the legendary figures is known all over the world and has been as closely associated with Bremen as the town hall and Roland since the Brothers Grimm. Anyone who touches the donkey's legs is granted a wish.

Only a few steps away from the Town Musicians, also on the west side of the Town Hall, is the entrance to Germany's oldest wine cellar. In Bremen's Ratskeller , the cellar master has been pouring fine wines since 1409. With 650 different varieties, it houses the largest collection of German wine.

Bremen Town Musicians

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Bremen Ratskeller

Plenty of other Sights to Discover...

If you continue to follow the brass and steel nails, your path will lead you from one sight to the next. Whether it's the Bremer Geschichtenhaus , the Paula Modersohn Becker Museum , the Schütting or the pigs in Sögestraße - there's plenty to discover in Bremen's city centre. But there are also numerous highlights beyond the city centre that you should visit. In the Focke Museum you can follow in the footsteps of Bremen's history, the Universum® Bremen invites you to marvel and participate, while in the Überseestadt you can see how past and present blend together between old harbour buildings.

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Top 10 Things to Do and See in Bremen

From war-ridden cathedrals to myth-enshrouded statues and mysterious mummies, Bremen has plenty to explore. We take a look at the highlights the Hanseatic city in Germany’s north has to offer and compiled a list of the top 10 things to do when you’re in town.

1. bremen cathedral.

Market, Building, Cathedral, Church, Market

For more than 1,200 years a church has overlooked Bremen’s main market square, though today’s cathedral is the outcome of a turbulent and war-haunted history. The 789 wooden cathedral was soon replaced by a stone structure, but was destroyed several times until an 11th century reconstruction formed the foundation for today’s cathedral. But again, wars ravaged Bremen; the cathedral was reconstructed by 1901, only to be hit by Allied bomb raids in the Second World War again. Costly reconstruction works were not completed until 1985. Guided tours offer a more in-depth account of the impressive building, and the platform at the top of the southern tower has the best views over Bremen’s city centre.

Bremen Cathedral, Sandstraße 10-12, Bremen, Germany

Inside Bremen Cathedral | © Allie_Caulfield / Flickr

2. Town Hall

A lot of Bremen’s sights centre around the main market square and the City Hall is no exception. The magnificent building ranks among the most beautiful city halls in all of Europe and earned UNESCO World Heritage status back in 2005. Originally built in the Gothic style, the City Hall was adorned with filigree Renaissance details some 200 years later. There’s plenty to see inside as well, including Germany’s oldest wine cask.

Bremen Town Hall, Am Markt 21, Bremen, Germany

3. The ‘Stadtmusikanten’ statue

Bremen is steeped in several sagas and legends. In 1819, the Brothers Grimm published a story of an unlikely group of friends. After having served their masters for a majority of their lives, a donkey, a dog, a cat, and a rooster decide to call it quits and set out on an adventure on the quest for freedom. Their goal: travel to Bremen and become musicians there. The folktale of the Town Musicians of Bremen is immortalised by a Gerhard Marcks bronze statue which was erected next to the town hall.

Bremer Stadtmusikanten, Am Markt 11, Bremen, Germany

The Bremen Town Musicians | © O de Andrade / Flickr

5. The Schnoor district

Bremen’s oldest quarter is a labyrinth of narrow winding alleys, lined by half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries. A colourful mix of boutiques, artist workshops, goldsmiths, and international restaurants populate the pedestrianised streets and create the ideal setup for an afternoon’s worth of shopping for authentic handicrafts that have a long tradition in Bremen.

Schnoorviertel, Schnoor, Bremen, Germany

The Schnoor quarter, Bremen | © Fred Romero / Flickr

6. Kunsthalle

Art Gallery

The Kunsthalle art gallery is home to a collection of European paintings, drawings, and statues from the past 600 years. Notable works of the 19th and 20th century by the likes of Monet, Manet, Cézanne, and Liebermann are the highlights, though the 220,000 items displayed at the Department of Prints and Drawings are impressive, to say the least, and form the most significant repository of its kind in Europe.

Kunsthalle, Am Wall 207, Bremen, Germany

7. Böttcherstrasse

This charming lane forks off the market square, its name derives from the time when the coopers ( Böttcher ) lived and worked here. The houses started to decay until the coffee merchant Ludwig Roselius bought them all and rebuilt them from scratch. He created a homogenous streetscape of Art Deco and red brick buildings that today house craft shops, boutiques, museums, and artist studios. If you look up, you’ll spot a carillon of 30 Meissen porcelain bells that play folkloric songs.

Böttcherstrasse, Bremen, Germany

Böttcherstrasse | © Blogland Bremen / Flickr

Book a brewery tour

Beer has been an intricate part of Bremen’s culture since the 11th century, and the long-standing tradition has spruced one of Germany’s most loved beers – Beck’s. An estimated 3,000 bottles are being opened every minute across the world. A guided tour takes you into the brewhouse and around storage rooms, malt silos and fermentation tanks and offers a few samples at the end of it. Though Beck’s provides a great experience, craft beer fans might want to consider venturing out to Bremen-Osterfeuerberg to peek behind the scenes of the Union Brewery.

Beck’s Brewery, Am Deich 18/19, Bremen, Germany

Union Brewery, Theodorstraße 12-13, Bremen, Germany

8. The Roland statue

Armed with a sword and shield, the 1404 statue of Knight Roland stands towering over Bremen’s medieval market square. Even though statues of the medieval knight are scattered across Germany, Bremen’s Roland is believed to be the oldest and most representative of its kind. The proud depiction of the warrior symbolically protects Bremen’s civil rights and independence, and has done so since the time of the Roman Empire . Both the plaza and the statue were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2004.

Roland, Am Markt, Bremen, Germany

The knight Roland statue, Bremen | © Fred Romero / Flickr

9. The Lead Cellar

Below the ground in the vaults of the Bremen Cathedral lie several mummies that were only discovered by chance in 1698. The sensational find led to all kinds of theories as to how and why the eight bodies were mummified, but scientists today agree that the dry air in the crypt preserved the bodies naturally. The sight of the mummified bodies stored in open coffins is more than creepy yet somewhat fascinating.

Bleikeller, Am Dom 1, Bremen, Germany

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Home » Destinations » Europe » Germany » 25 Fascinating Things To Do in Bremen, Germany

25 Fascinating Things To Do in Bremen, Germany

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Let’s Explore Some Awesome Things to Do in Bremen, Germany!

Is Bremen, Germany worth visiting? We think the answer is yes! From the gorgeous old town to the riverside walk, there are plenty of reasons to check out this German city.

You might have even heard of a few of the top attractions in Bremen – like the Bremen Roland statue or even the Bremen Christmas markets?

We got to explore the city over the course of a day trip and actually full-on considered moving there. Dead serious.

It’s just so livable and beautiful that we couldn’t help but wonder what life would be like there.

Bremen’s location just a few hours from Hamburg means that you should make it down once you are done with all the great things to do in Hamburg .

In any case, there are plenty of free, paid, and unusual things to do in Bremen – from exploring museums to rubbing donkey statues for luck (seriously). So, here are some great ideas for things to do and see in Bremen!

If you want to see what Bremen looks like, you can watch a short video on our YouTube Channel here !

Table of Contents

Top Things to Do and See in Bremen, Germany

Okay, so here we are with the things to do and see in Bremen! Now, keep in mind that this list is pretty extensive but not complete.

That said, it definitely includes the top sights in the historic centre (which we loved) with a few of the lesser-known museums, attractions, and areas that we got to check out.

We had an amazing time exploring Bremen and we want to get back soon to see the rest of the city!

Bremen Marktplatz

old town market square with houses and city hall bremen things to do

If you are heading to Bremen, there is no better place to begin your adventure than at the main Marktplatz.

This open square is home to many of the top attractions, important architectural buildings, and an amazing city atmosphere that you should experience – from the Town Hall to Bremen Roland, the Cathedral, and more.

There is a TON to learn about in the Marktplatz alone, so consider a Bremen Old Town walking tour to learn all about the little details that you might miss on your own.

We ended up having a coffee and cake at Beck’s Bistro – a restaurant/cafe with loads of seating right on the square.

That said, there are cafes all over the place so just have a look at the menus and choose a spot you like. We wanted to sit in the sunshine so this one made the most sense for the time of day we visited.

white and gold building on old market square bremen germany

As we sat, we just got to enjoy the world around us. From the historic houses behind us (now cafes) to the Haus Schütting to out left, it’s almost overwhelming how pretty the square is.

Fun Fact: the Haus Schütting (in the photo above) served as a guild house for merchants and tradesmen. It was built and rebuilt (burned down in 1944) over the centuries.

water in fountain with horses and trees behind bremen

The whole square is also home to some impressive fountains, sculptures, and other little points of interest. You can find them scattered around the place.

We really liked the Neptunbrunnen which you can see above. The Marcus-Brunnen (near the entrance to the main shopping street) was neat to see, too.

Address: Am Markt 2, 28195 Bremen, Germany

Explore Bremen Like a Pro! Get a Bremen Erlebniscard – for transit pass and discounts on attractions!

Bremen Town Hall

historic town hall with cathedral tower behind bremen germany

Also known as the Bremen Rathaus, the historic town hall in Bremen is definitely one of the reasons people stop in for a visit. Originally built over 600 years ago, this Town Hall is quite the sight.

Known for its famed Upper Town Hall and Golden Chamber – it’s no wonder it draws so many visitors. The Town Hall is extra important to a city like Bremen – given the city’s mandate to remain largely autonomous for centuries.

The current version of the Town Hall was actually redone in the 1600s in a Renaissance style – that’s what you can see today.

In fact, there are little dates above the right and left top windows which put a time stamp on the exterior design.

Because of the rich history and beautiful architecture, the Town Hall was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 (along with the Roland Statue and the Marktplatz, in general).

Today, you can go inside (book a spot below), and there’s even a restaurant (Ratskeller) in the vintage wine cellar below the Town Hall.

The entrance is just to the left of the front. You can book a guided tour through the English version of the tourism website for Bremen here .

Address: Am Markt 21, 28195 Bremen, Germany

Bremen Roland Statue

stone statue in german town square with blue sky things to do in bremen

“Roland” statues mean a lot to medieval cities in Germany. Built back in 1404, Bremen’s stone Roland statue has a very significant meaning to the city to this day!

Think of the statue as Bremen’s version of the “Statue of Liberty”. As the legend goes, Roland – depicted as a knight (a noble figure of the Medieval Ages) was erected in cities to reinforce their belief for preserving/upholding a city’s freedoms and market rights.

Bremen’s Roland was built to face the Cathedral – a direct “stand-off” with the seat of the archbishops of the time (who imposed rule on the city).

Things have cooled off these days and in 2004 Bremen’s Roland was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today, the statue can be seen with a crowd gathered – taking photographs and learning about its history. The location directly in front of the Town Hall helps with the popularity, though.

Address: Am Markt, 28195 Bremen, Germany

The “Town Musicians of Bremen”

statue of animals on top of one another in old town bremen germany

If you visit Bremen, you might see artwork in shops or tourist takeaways that feature a donkey, dog, cat, and rooster.

Confused yet? You shouldn’t be! Bremen is the setting for a fairy tale by the famous German writers – the Brothers Grimm.

One of their childhood tales is about those animals as they become musicians and head for the city of Bremen. The tale was from centuries before but the Brothers’ Grimm published it in 1819.

Today, you can’t visit Bremen without checking in with the four animals at the famous sculpture located to the left of the Town Hall if you are facing it.

Completed in 1953, apparently it’s good luck to touch the donkey’s nose or touch his legs which Lisa had to try.

There’s also a circle plaque and coin slot in the main square (literally in the cobblestone ground) where you can drop money to hear the animals make their sounds!

If you want to learn more about the folklore of the animals, the connection to Bremen, and the history of the old town itself, you can join a “Musicians of Bremen” historic walking tour !

Address: Schoppensteel 1, 28195 Bremen, Germany

Bremen Cathedral

two towers of cathedral on bremen germany with blue sky behind

Also called the St. Petri Dom Bremen, the Bremen Cathedral is definitely one of the top sights in the city.

Named after St. Peter, the cathedral has a very long history – one that would be way too complicated to get into in this post.

Just know that an original timber building was built back in 789. Since then, it’s been changed, rebuilt in the current form in the 13th century, been damaged by fire, age, WWII bombing, and more.

Parts have been added, removed, changed, and renovated into the structure you see today!

green statue of man on horse beside bremen dom things to do

Of course, we can’t do a visit to the Cathedral justice – so it’s best to go and see the inside for yourself.

The Cathedral offers many different areas like its 5 organs, and tombs and crypts that have famous German figured buried there.

There’s an interior Bible Garden and you can even check out one of the towers (for a small fee) in the summer months!

sun rays shine on brick walls and old windows of cathedral bremen germany

Tucked away behind the cathedral, you can find the Cathedral Museum.

Opened in 1987, you can learn about the history of the Cathedral through medieval paintings, sculptures, and other important artefacts.

There’s more than one room to check out so it’s worth the time if you’re interested in Bremen history. You can learn more about visiting the Museum here !

Address: Sandstraße 10-12, 28195 Bremen, Germany

Church of Our Lady

old church with tiny wooden framed house beside bremen germany things to do

Also known as the “Kirche Unser Lieben Frauen”, this smaller church tucked away behind the Town Hall on the market square is still pretty important!

The original building was built back in the 11th century. Since the crypt still exists in the church today, the “Church of Our Lady” is actually the oldest surviving church in the city!

The outside structure you see today was created in the 13th century – much like the Bremen Cathedral.

You can visit the church and check out its stunning features – including statues on the exterior, beautiful old murals on the inside dating from the 14th century, and even a crypt.

Address: Unser Lieben Frauen Kirchhof 27, 28195 Bremen, Germany

Schnoorviertel

old timbre houses down alleyway in bremen germany

If you want to wander around an area of Bremen and feel like you have been transported back in time to the Middle Ages (15th century), then head to Schnoorviertel!

Also known as the Schnoor Quarter, this historic area is home to classic winding alleyways and wood-timbered houses that date back to as early as the Medieval Ages.

The area was associated with shipping – producing ropes, cables, and anchor chains.

timbered small houses down small alleyway in bremen germany

However, most houses you see today were built in the 17th and 18th centuries. Luckily, much of the area was undamaged by bombing in World War II which is why it’s so well preserved.

Today, the whole quarter is lined with shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants, and even a tiny, tiny guesthouse which you can stay in !

signs hanging from old shops down small alleyway in bremen things to do

Overall, the area is definitely something you should check out. We loved our wander through. You might even stop for a bite to eat, a coffee, or even a beer – like Beck’s!

If you want to check out the Schnoorviertel and learn all about it from a knowledgeable guide, consider a Schnoor guided walking tour !

Address: Schnoor, 28195 Bremen, Germany

Beck’s Brewery

Speaking of Beck’s, you might not have known that Bremen is actually the home of Beck’s beer!

Founded back in 1873, Beck’s is a beer that is recognizable in many places around the world – and the brewery where it all began is in town!

In fact, it’s just across the river from the Old Town. If you want to learn more about the famous beer, the history of brewing it in Bremen and give it a sip or two, check out a guided tour of Beck’s Brewery .

Address: Am Deich 20, 28199 Bremen, Germany

Böttcherstraße

golden statue with red brick alleyway behind bottcherstrasse breman germany

Another street that catches plenty of attention in Bremen (besides Schnoorviertel) is Böttcherstraße.

Located just off the main market square to the south, this short and narrow street is quite a sight to see.

The street is only about 100 metres long but served as a link between the river and the main square in medieval Bremen.

After it became less important (the main harbour moved), the area was bought and developed in the early 1900s by Ludwig Roselius. There is a mix of architectural styles and materials used along the street.

In fact, the varying architecture used during the inter-war period of the 1930s was a point of contention for Hitler himself.

Today, there are plenty of attractions to check out along the street – as well as just wandering down the street itself.

fountain with candy shop behind in bremen germany

We will dive into a few of the specific top attractions on Böttcherstraße just below.

However, just so you know, there are lots of shops (like the Bremer Bonbon Manufaktur Candy Shop), museums (some more notable than others), bars, and even cafes you can sit at to enjoy the atmosphere.

We loved our wander down the street – everywhere you look there’s something unique to check out!

If you want to learn more about the history and the little details of the street (there are loads!) then check out a guided walking tour of Böttcherstraße .

Address: Böttcherstraße, Bremen

Glockenspiel House

old clock on red brick building in bremen germany

One of those top attractions down Böttcherstraße is the Glockenspiel House.

While the building existed beforehand, the 30 porcelain bells that make up the carillon were added between the building gables in 1934.

Along with the 10 rotating wooden panels that depict famous seafaring explorers and aviators, the bells ring multiple times a day and last for about 8 and a half minutes!

We were there right when it started at 5:00 pm (in April) and there was a small crowd standing in the square below the bells just enjoying the show and music. It was really cool to see… and hear!

Address: Böttcherstraße 4-6, 28195 Bremen, Germany

Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum

red brick tower in old town alleyway museum bremen

One of the other more notable museums along Böttcherstraße is the Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum.

Opened back in 1927, the museum was done in Brick Expressionist architecture – a very important example of that style to this day.

Even cooler, the museum was the first museum in the world devoted to a female artist!

Known for her role in early Expressionist painting, Hitler called it “degenerate art” and could have had it destroyed – but didn’t.

These days, there are more works by other artists which you can also check out. You can learn more about visiting the museum here .

Address: Böttcherstraße 6-10, 28195 Bremen, Germany

Weserburg Museum of Modern Art

Housed in the middle of the river on the Teerhof peninsula, the Weserburg Museum of Modern Art is a modern and contemporary art museum.

It was originally opened in 1991 and has housed the works of the most influential contemporary artists.

The unique point about the Weserburg is the fact that it’s known as a “collector’s museum” meaning that there is no permanent art collection onsite.

Instead, the works in display/in the exhibits are constantly changing since they come mainly from private collections!

The fact that it’s housed in an old factory building adds to the experience, too. You can learn more about visiting the Weserburg Museum here .

Address: Teerhof 20, 28199 Bremen, Germany

Kunsthalle Bremen

large museum entrance with blue sign in front things to do in bremen

If art is still your main interest, then visiting the top museum in the city should be high on your list!

The Kunsthalle Bremen, built in 1849, has grown and changed a bunch of times to house more and more works of European art.

The museum is located on the “Culture Mile” which also has a whole bunch of other museums, galleries, and theatres on it!

In all, the building has paintings from as early as the 14th century to today and sculptures from a little more recent.

The museum has works from famous painters like Monet, Cézanne, and Paula Modersohn-Becker (who we’ve talked about already!). There’s also a large collection of prints.

Interestingly (and sadly) enough, the building was firebombed in 1942 and some works were lost. The remaining works were spread across Germany in castles and bunkers to protect them.

However, when the Soviets took a castle at the end of the war, they also took works of art with them. To this day, over 1,500 pieces remain missing somewhere across Europe and the globe.

pathway over small pond with green trees around bremen germany

If you wander behind the museum, you can actually find a very tranquil green space with a long pathway over a pond.

If you cross the bridge (in the photo) you end up behind the Kunsthalle where there is a small cafe area.

There were plenty of people hanging out back there enjoying a coffee and other beverages on the hot day we had.

In any case, you can learn more about visiting the Kunsthalle at their official website (in German).

Address: Am Wall 207, 28195 Bremen, Germany

The Schlachte (Weser River Promenade)

pedestrian walkway beside river with blue sky things to do in bremen

If you want to enjoy the sea breeze while in Bremen, the best thing to do is to head down to the river for a walk of the Schlachte – this massively long promenade on the east bank of the Weser River.

We headed down for a walk of just the portion near the Bremen Mitte (city centre/old town) and it was honestly lovely.

The path is plenty wide for walkers, joggers, and even bikes. Then on the hillside there were loads of people enjoying picnics, beverages, and some sunshine! You can even find various boats tied up to the side of the river.

Many of them have been turned into museums, accommodations, theatres (Theaterschiff Bremen), and even clubs (MS Treue)!

Address: Schlachte, Bremen

Overseas Museum

Highlighting various aspects of Natural History, the Bremen Overseas Museum is something to be visited.

Located close to the central train station in a 19th-century building, the museum has a variety of permanent and rotating exhibits from around the globe.

The main purpose of the museum is to highlight three main aspects: Nature, Culture and Trading.

The museum itself is divided up basically into continents/regions of the world which you can explore. It’s basically a way to travel around the world to learn about people, culture, plants, and animals from the comfort of Europe/Bremen!

It’s nice to know that while most exhibits offer information in English, they also offer audio guides in English – and even have guided tours which you can schedule in advance in a number of languages (including English).

You can learn more and plan your visit with the official Overseas Museum website .

Address: Bahnhofsplatz 13, 28195 Bremen, Germany

Theatre am Goetheplatz

white pillars in front of opera house with trees around bremen germany

If you were super into performances and wanted to catch something while you were in Bremen, you might consider checking out the Theatre am Goetheplatz.

Built back in 1913, this Neo-classical style theatre is the main theatre in Bremen and home to the official State Theatre group.

It’s located on the Culture Mile with the other galleries and museums (understandably).

The theatre was actually rebuilt a bunch of times – notably after World War II and then again in the early 2000s to modernize the technical requirements of modern performances.

Performances are in German, but you can still go and check it out! If you wanted to visit, you can check the website for performances and dates (in German only).

Address: Goetheplatz 1-3, 28203 Bremen, Germany

Gerhard Marcks House

small museum with white pillars at front entrance bremen things to do

If you were inspired by the sculpture of “Town Musicians of Bremen” in the main Marktplatz, then you might want to visit the Gerhard Marcks House/Museum.

This is because he’s the guy who created the famous display of stacked animals!

Opened in 1971, the Gerhard Marcks House holds over 400 sculptures, 1,200 prints, and 12,000 drawings.

As more of a contemporary artist, the museum does a great job of highlighting work across his career. If this kind of art interests you, check out the official website here .

Fun fact: the two buildings (this one and the one below – the Wilhelm Wagenfeld House) were built in 1825 as a prison and a pair of gatehouses.

Up until 1848, they were used to “close” the city at night at the east entrance!

Address: Am Wall 208, 28195 Bremen, Germany

Wilhelm Wagenfeld House

small art gallery with white pillars at roadside bremen germany

Once you are done across the street at the Gerhard Marcks House, you can pop over to the Wilhelm Wagenfeld House.

This smaller museum and exhibition centre is dedicated to showcasing the works of Wilhelm Wagenfeld.

This Bremen-born industrial designer is actually responsible for the way that many household items from the 20th century look! If you want to learn more, you can check out the official website .

Address: Am Wall 209, 28195 Bremen, Germany

Located within the grounds of Rhododendron-Park Bremen (another attraction that can be on this list) Botanika is a nature museum dedicated to learning all about plants from around the world.

These indoor gardens have information on display (in English, too) and even live guides/staff who can tell you about things as you explore through different rooms/climate zones.

Besides plants, onsite at Botanika there are special rotating exhibits, live animals (like rabbits and a butterfly section), a pond filled with koi, and even a cafe/restaurant which you can eat tea/cake at!

If you want to visit Botanika, you can plan a visit with their website !

Address: Deliusweg 40, 28359 Bremen, Germany

Universum Bremen

If interactive museums are more for you (or you are travelling to Bremen with kids), then checking out the Universum Bremen is a must!

With over 300 exhibits to check out (and interact with), there are loads of things to keep you busy. The museum was opened in 2000 and focussed on three main areas of science: Technology, Humans, and Nature!

One of the biggest reasons people visit the museum when they are in Bremen is for the design. The massive metallic-looking building is a mix of a whale or a clamshell.

Whatever you think it looks like, it certainly is eye-catching. The museum is located to the northeast of the city centre but still very much within distance of public transport.

There’s also an outdoor area that has been developed for interaction through even more hands-on exhibits and lovely green space. You can learn more about visiting the Universum Bremen .

Address: Wiener Straße 1A, 28359 Bremen, Germany

Wallanlagen Park

green lawn with tree and statue in front park bremen

If you want to enjoy a bit of green space, then you should check out Wallanlagen.

This park was built back in the 18th century and zigzags across the north end of the Old Town featuring a moat. Why the odd shape?

The green space was built on the site of Bremen’s old city walls – the ones that once protected the inner city from danger!

These days, there are no enemies threatening the city, so you can stroll the park checking out sculptures, fountains, and animals running about.

It was sunny the day we visited so the whole length of the park was covered in people laying on the grass or getting some exercise along the various paths.

If you follow the park long enough, you’ll end up crossing paths with the Windmill – which we’ll get to right below!

The Am Wall Windmill

windmill with colourful flowers and grass in front things to do bremen

Known as the “Mühle Am Wall” in German, this historic windmill is quite a sight to see.

At first, we drove past and saw the amazing flowers and then noticed the windmill behind them. Naturally, we had to visit later in the day – and we are glad we did!

Originally built back in 1699, various versions of this “Dutch-style” windmill have been damaged or burnt down over the years.

The current building you see today is from 1898. Today, you can visit the inside and grab a bite to eat because there’s a restaurant inside it. You can visit the website for it here .

On that note, if you walk about the garden paths and photograph the flowers and scenery, please don’t trample on or pick the flowers.

We were honestly disgusted with how many people were just walking into the flower beds to get the perfect photos.

We even saw more than one person (children and adults!) with a full-on bouquet of freshly picked flowers to take with them.

If everyone does that, there would be no flowers left – so just enjoy the place with your hands-off.

Address: Am Wall 212, 28195 Bremen, Germany

The Ehrenmal Memorial on the Altmannshöhe + Views

red brick memorial with iron gate in bremen park

Close by to the back of the Kunsthalle, you will find a small hill. If you climb it, you will see this giant red circle.

We sure did – and we got curious – so we went. Turns out, these bricks are part of an open-air memorial.

Opened in 1935, you can find the names of 10,000 German soldiers from Bremen alone who died in World War 1. There’s nothing to do there – it’s just fascinating to see.

views of river and trees from above lookout bremen germany

The real gem is if you turn around from the memorial. Since you climbed a hill close to the river, you are greeted by a bunch of nice benches and a great view of the street, river walk, and river below!

We sat up there for some time – others came and went while we sat, just admiring the views. Overall, a pretty good little side hike!

Speicher XI Dockland Museum

Located in an old cotton warehouse over in the port area known as Überseestadt, the Dockland Museum is one way to blast through 120 years of seafaring history!

The development of Bremen has a vital connection to the river, so the museum itself is fascinating by presenting the port’s history through various exhibits.

You can learn about the building of the port, the jobs that the locals have worked over the years, and even see what life was like living on a ship back in the day.

So, if history is your thing, you can plan a visit and learn more at the official website . You should also check out the Überseestadt area while you are over there since there’s loads to see and it’s further from the historic centre!

Address: Am Speicher XI 1, 28217 Bremen, Germany

Valentin Submarine Pens

If World War II history is what you want to keep exploring, then head to the Valentin Submarine factory (or what’s left of it).

Towards the end of the war, the bombing had basically halted the production of U-boats so this massive concrete structure was erected.

This shelter was built (through slave labour) between 1943 and 1945 – and it was designed to build and protect German U-boats (submarines) from bombing.

Though it was just months from completion, it was the biggest U-boat factory (that was fortified) in Germany.

These days, visitors can head far up the Weser River to the northwest of the Bremen Old Town and walk the path through the grounds and into the actual bunker.

You can go on a self-guided tour which takes you by the memorial for those who faced “Extermination through Work”, and then by 25 other information stations.

The Information Centre gives you even more information about the history of the area. Admission to the grounds is free and you can pick up an audio guide (in English and German) for a deposit.

You can even book a tour in advance of your visit for a small fee. You can learn all about visiting the Submarine Pens at this website .

Address: Rekumer Siel, 28777 Bremen, Germany

Things to Consider When Visiting Bremen

If you plan on checking out Bremen for a few days or just a day trip, here are a few things you should know – from getting there to getting around the city.

In case you love the city so much that you want to stick around, we’ve even got you covered for where to stay in Bremen!

How to Get to Bremen

Fun Fact: Bremen (along with Bremerhaven to the north) is actually its own state in Germany called the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen.

It’s the smallest of the German states but still counts! Bremen is located in the northwest of Germany about one hour 15 minutes southwest of Hamburg and about 2 hours north of Bielefeld.

If you are renting a car , the drive to Bremen is relatively simple – and there is plenty of parking downtown (as we experienced).

Another great way to get to Bremen is by train. It’s no secret that Germany has a great rail system and the central station in Bremen is just northeast of the old town/city centre.

You can check the train schedules at the DB Website – we use it (and the DB app) for trip planning literally every week.

Another form of transport you can take to Bremen is the bus. Again, taking a coach bus across Germany is really easy with lots of great connections to even the smallest of cities. You can check the bus connections on the Flixbus website .

Getting Around in Bremen

Once you are in Bremen, there are many options for getting around the city. The easiest is to just walk since the city centre is fairly flat and pretty accessible/compact.

The only difficulties for someone with mobility impairment are the cobblestones and/or green spaces you’ll find scattered around the city.

For the most part, there are good sidewalks and paths throughout these spaces. The river even has a nice wide walkway (mentioned below!).

If you want to reach things to do in Bremen that are farther from the centre or along the river, you can easily take public transit.

The system is made up of buses and trams. In fact, the tram runs RIGHT through the historic centre in front of the Town Hall so be careful where you stand to take photos! You can find ticket prices and trip planners for Bremen Transit (BSAG) here .

If you want to use transit and plan on seeing many sights, you might consider getting a Bremen Erlebniscard .

This Bremen pass works as your transit pass for 1 to 3 days and offers discounts at various attractions and places in Bremen. Might be worth looking into if you are exploring for a few days!

Where to Stay in Bremen

hotel entrance with red carpet and bushes things to do in bremen

Given that Bremen is such a popular city to visit and explore, there are plenty of great accommodation options to suit all different travel styles and budgets.

There are quite a few great hotels right in the city centre – so you are just a quick walk from all the top sights and the river! You can check here for Bremen accommodations .

We actually parked at the Radisson Blu (shown above) and walked through the lobby/restaurant – it looked gorgeous.

The hotel is located right in the old town so check out the Radisson Blu for a very central hotel choice.

red brick hotel through trees with blue sky swisshotel bremen

Another place that we stumbled upon is the Swissôtel Bremen.

This hotel is located right by the beautiful Windmill and is just outside the old city walls – making it a quick walk to the historic centre and the Bremen main train station. Check out the Swissôtel Bremen here .

That said, if you are interested in a hostel or a cheap hotel, there is a small handful of places to choose from – so check for hostels in Bremen here .

And there you have it – our rundown of the best things to do in Bremen, Germany! In the end, this is a good list but there are plenty more things to do and see.

They’ve got a pretty good football (soccer) team, you know! As we said, we loved the time we had in the city – and will definitely be back to explore more. Let us know how you liked it!

As always, Happy Bremen Waddlin’, -L&E

If you’re travelling to Germany and need travel tips or inspiration, here are some below!

Beautiful Places in German recommended by German bloggers
Get Your German Phrases Ready Before Exploring Berlin
Bremen made our Germany Itineraries for 5 to 14 days !
Discover Small Gems like Bamberg , Würzburg , or Aschaffenburg !
Check Out Other Cities Like Wiesbaden and Mainz
Some Hostels In Germany That We Loved
Compare flights on Skyscanner
Check for Hotel Deals or Book A Hostel
Get A Rental Car (depending on the destination)
Research plug types and possibly get a travel adapter
Go over our packing list

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Things to do in bremen, explore popular experiences, tours in and around bremen.

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Best of Bremen in One Day Itinerary + Map

Exploring the best of Bremen, Germany, just a quick train ride from Hamburg, feels like stepping into a page from a storybook. This idyllic spot is absolutely perfect for a one-day trip!

After immersing myself in the city’s enchanting charm, I’ve crafted a quick list of the highlights that capture the essence of Bremen’s magic.

Whether you’re strolling along quaint streets or basking in the rich culture, every moment here promises an unforgettable experience!

A serene morning view of the historic Market Square in Bremen, Germany. Sunlight bathes the scene, highlighting the intricate facades of traditional German buildings with their distinct stepped gables and the ornate Renaissance architecture of the Town Hall.

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Is Bremen Worth Visiting?

Bremen is absolutely worth visiting! It is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany with years of history to explore. Truthfully, I liked it better than Hamburg!

The city is quite a gem for a quick trip since it’s small and easy to explore in a day. It’s super close to Hamburg, making a short visit a breeze.

The best part, aka my favorite part? Bremen’s has a unique Nordic flavor to its tasty eats, especially the seafood.

Pro Tip: Even though I found Bremen to be super safe, I ALWAYS recommend getting travel insurance to avoid any mishaps. Lost luggage or getting sick can happen at any time.

Is One Day Enough In Bremen?

You can absolutely see all the best that Bremen has to offer in one day . But staying for 2 full days is optimal in my experience.

Don’t worry if your time is limited to a single day, arriving early will allow you to discover a substantial slice of what this city has to offer.

Where is Bremen Located & How To Get There?

Bremen is located in Northwest Germany , just southwest of Hamburg. It is situated on both banks of the Weser River, near its estuary into the North Sea.

Bremen is also a port city, with access to the major waterways of the Weser River that crisscross Europe. With a population of 550,000, it is one of the most important economic hubs in Germany.

The closest airport to Bremen, Germany is the Bremen Airport (BRE) which is located about 4 miles from the city center. Another popular way to visit Bremen is via train coming from Hamburg .

The train takes around 45 minutes from Hamburg and runs about every hour or so.

When you arrive at the main train station, you walk a few minutes to the “ Altstadt” city center of Bremen .

Here you are met with the most beautiful and fairytale-like architecture. Northern Germany is much different than southern Germany (Bavaria), both incredible for different reasons.

Here in the north, you will feel the influences of the nearby Nordic neighbors of Denmark.

What is Bremen Known For?

Bremen is a Hanseatic city and served as a major center for trade and commerce and was a member of the Hanseatic League . This league was a powerful trading alliance of merchant guilds from the 13th to 17th centuries.

Founded by cities including Lübeck, Hamburg, and Bremen, formed to protect their economic interests.

It was disbanded in 1669 but its legacy as a key trading post is still relevant today.

Things To Do In One Day In Bremen

When you only have a day, you want to hit the most popular attractions first!

I have included a Google map below so that you may save it on your phone for your visit. These locations were my favorite things in this most idyllic German town .

TIP: One way to ensure you will see the most important sites in Bremen is by booking a walking tour .

What I love most about a guided tour is the history you will learn on your journey .

Unless you are Googling each site as you stand there, and who wants to do that, you don’t learn anything.

📲 Downloadable Map of Bremen Germany

📍 Download my pre-pinned Google map of all the best locations in this post!

My favorite restaurants, bars, hotels and top sights are all saved and ready to use!

👩🏻‍💻 Need Help Planning Your Trip? Get a customized itinerary !

Top Sites in Bremen, Germany

Visit the bremen town hall.

Am market 21, 28195 Bremen, Germany

The Bremen Town Hall, a Renaissance-style building with intricate façade decorations including statues and reliefs. The exterior combines sculpted stone and brickwork, with large windows and a series of arches at ground level providing shelter to people below.

The Bremen Town Hall is an iconic symbol of the German city of Bremen. The Renaissance town hall was built in Gothic Style during the 15th century and has been the crown jewel of the city for centuries!

This most impressive building along with The Statue of Ronald has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Bremen city hall is home to several art galleries and museums where visitors can view a variety of medieval artifacts, including armor and weapons from the Middle Ages!

The Bremen Town Hall also hosts concert venues and markets throughout the year. The beautiful baroque hall with intricate stucco ceilings and frescos is the perfect setting for the town’s musicians to rejoice.

You will find the Bremen city hall in the market square along with the Bremen Cathedral and Bremen town musicians statue.

The Statue of Roland

A close-up of a stone sculpture featuring a classical face, possibly a part of a larger monument or fountain, holding a shield emblazoned with the Bremen coat of arms, which displays a black eagle on a golden background.

The Roland Statue , one of the top attractions in Bremen, Germany, was erected in 1404 and can be found in the heart of Bremen in the market square.

Various cities have the Roland statues as a symbol of the city of civic liberty and freedom.

This former Holy Roman Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire was deemed the hero of the Battle of Roncevaux Pass.

The Roland Statue is a symbol of the city’s freedom. Bremen, Germany will remain free and independent as long as the bronze statue of Roland stands to protect it.

The Statue of the Brothers Grimm

The "Town Musicians of Bremen" statue, depicting the famous fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. The sculpture shows four animals stacked atop one another: a donkey at the bottom, a dog standing on the donkey, a cat perched on the dog, and a rooster crowing at the top.

The Brothers Grimm Statue in Market Square depicts Wilhen and Jacob Grimm, the brothers who wrote the beloved fairy tales such as Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, and Rapunzel.

This is the town musicians’ statue of Bremen, Germany. Located between the Bremen cathedral and the town hall.

The bronze sculpture created by Gerhard Marcks in 1953 stands over 12 feet tall!

You will notice the donkey’s legs and nose are now gold from tourists and locals grabbing the legs for luck.

Night Tour: Walking Tour with German Night Guard

Beck’s Windmill (Mühle Am Wall)

am wall 212, 28195 Bremen, Germany

A traditional windmill set against a partly cloudy sky in Bremen, Germany. The windmill's red and white sails are prominent, and it stands atop a small hill, surrounded by leafless trees suggesting an early spring or late autumn season.

Another famous site and must-stop is to visit the Bremen Windmill (Mühle Am Wall) . This iconic building in Bremen was built in 1898 and is open to the public.

The Bremen Windmill is one of the oldest working windmills in the world and has been in operation since 1540. Visitors can typically climb to the top for a 360-degree view of the city. *Check the official site for details.

The windmill is one of the reasons Breman has a whimsical reputation as a fairy tale town.

You don’t have to travel far to reach the windmill, which is located in the city center.

Check here for Directions .

St. Martin’s Church

Martinikirchhof 3, 28195 Bremen, Germany

St. Martin’s Church is a large 12th-century Luthern Church. It is the oldest church in Bremen is St. John’s church, but St. Martin’s church is one of the most important for its history and elaborate architecture.

The church was originally constructed as an abbey for Benedictine monks who resided in the church until the year 1803.

Enjoy the building’s Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance features and its beautiful stained glass windows.

Inside the church, you can find various sculptures dedicated to the saints and many great relics including the seven Bremen bishops and four archbishops.

Climb to The Top of St. Petri Dom (Bremen Cathedral)

Sandstrasse 10-12, 28195 Bremen, Germany

The Bremen Cathedral (Bremer Dom), a striking example of Gothic architecture with its two towering spires, dominates the photo. The cathedral’s façade features a large rose window and multiple arched windows, with detailed stone carvings adorning the entrance.

St. Petri church (St. Peter’s Cathedral) is a Lutheran church located in the city centre of Bremen that you can’t miss. The church dates back to the late Middle Ages and was built during the 15th century.

It is one of the few remaining churches in Northern Germany that have maintained some of its original Gothic design elements.

If you have the stamina to climb to the top , I would highly recommend it. While I visited on a very cloudy day, the views of Bremen from the top of this church were still breathtaking.

For more information and hours of operation, check the website here.

Small Shops in Bremen

Böttcherstasse 28195 Bremen, Germany

A narrow alley in Bremen, Germany, paved with bricks and flanked by historical brick buildings with a distinctive Hanseatic architecture. On the left, a bicycle is parked against a window beneath ornate wrought-iron railings. On the right, the buildings feature arched doorways, with a prominent clock hanging from a wrought-iron bracket.

Nothing like a little shop till you drop on your trip to Bremen. You can stroll around the market square to explore everything this town offers.

Don’t miss the shops on Böttcherstasse, Obernstrasse, and Sögestrasse, located in the old town, containing unique souvenir shops and locally made goods.

These boutique shops are where you will find more unique souvenirs and gifts.

If you are looking for more traditional shopping like a mall, there is a MEIN outlet, Columbus Center, Weserpark, and Lloyd Passage to keep you busy.

The Schnoor Quarter

A cobblestone street in Bremen, lined with charming, colorful, old European buildings with gabled roofs. The architecture suggests a blend of residential and commercial properties. To the left, there's a building with large windows, and an empty signboard hanging above, indicating a place for a shop or a cafe. To the right, a vibrant red building stands out, next to a white one with an arched doorway. Outdoor furniture suggests a quaint café setting.

The Schnoor Quarter is Bremen’s oldest district and it gives the city the most fairytale-like vibes. If you don’t know where this little pocket of magic is, you could miss it!

I read about the Schnoor in another blog about Bremen and was incredibly grateful I did!

This medieval center of Bremen gets its name from the old handcrafts that are associated with shipping. These narrow streets and adorable cafes will have your heart.

It is one of the oldest parts of the city dating back to before the 13th century.

The traditional brick buildings and half-timbered houses create a unique atmosphere where the town musicians of Bremen come to life.

Enjoy a little coffee or cocktail outside one of the many restaurants that line these winding streets, it was by far one of the best things I did. You can not leave Bremen without adding this hidden gem to your itinerary.

And don’t forget your camera , I couldn’t get enough pictures of the architectural styles of these gorgeous buildings!

Tour Idea: Walking Tour of Schnoor

Museums to Visit in Bremen

There are several museums in Bremen! If the weather isn’t great, it is the perfect way to spend some time indoors.

The Kunsthalle Bremen is an art Gallery with various artworks from the Renaissance period to the modern day. Located close to the Bremen Old Town on what is referred to as the “Culture Mile.”
Übersee Museum located next to Hayptbanhop is the Ethonolfical Museum founded in 1875. It holds a wide range of artifacts and art objects that have been collected from around the world.
The Universum Science Center in Bremen is the best place to explore the wonders of science. It is an interactive museum with many exhibits and activities that fascinate and educate its visitors.

Where to Eat in Bremen

One of my favorite things to do in Bremen, Germany, was eat!

The cuisine has influences from other cultures, such as the Nordic. It is easily identifiable with the cuisine of Bremen.

You find a lot of fish and pickled herring, much like in Nordic countries.

Beer lovers shouldn’t miss Beck’s Brewery – Get a guided tour!

Best Restaurants Bremen

Bremen Ratskeller is one of the oldest and most beloved restaurants in Bremen! The restaurant is decorated with historical artifacts from all over Europe. I don’t eat meat, so if you are a vegetarian, options are limited, but there are menu items for you.
Spizen Gebel is a bar and restaurant located in the old city center. It has been around since 1854 and it’s one of the oldest pubs in Bremen. It is a casual spot where I enjoyed the best dark bier.
Ständige Vertretung serves up traditional Bremen and Rhenish specialties. Its English country-style house combines original Hanseatic elements. For a casual menu in a historic setting, try this place!

Do you consider yourself a wine lover? If so, check out the wine capital of Germany !

If you are visiting in the summer months, head down to the Weser River just before the Wilhelm Kaisen Brücke (bridge) and enjoy Beck’s beer in the many restaurants along the water.

Where to Stay in Bremen

If you are making your one day more than just a day trip, I recommend staying in the city center of Bremen’s historic old town.

Best Hotels In Bremen

East Village No. 5 A 14-minute walk from Bremen Central Station, this is an affordable apartment option in the center of Bremen. It features a kitchen and washing machine, and some units have a terrace. This is the perfect spot to stay for your weekend in Bremen!
Dorint City-Hotel Bremen Dorint City Hotel Bremen is just 5 minutes from the central train station. An ideal location for a weekend stay. The hotel features a spa, an onsite restaurant, and a bar. The private rooms all have air conditioning and are pet-friendly!
Designhotel ÜberFluss Designhotel ÜberFluss is a fabulous 4-star hotel that features an indoor pool and spa! Many of the rooms come with a lovely view of the Weser River. Just 650 feet from the Modern Art Museum and steps away from Bremen’s old town.

Where To Go After Bremen?

After spending the best day in Bremen, there are lots of places to jet off by train or by renting a car!

If you want to continue your exploration in Germany, make your way to Southern Germany! I spent an incredible day in Nuremberg!

From Nuremberg, you can visit 2 of the most idyllic villages, Bamberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber. These destinations are all easy day trips from Nuremberg by train!

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FAQs For Visiting Bremen

The months of June, July, and August are lovely times to visit Bremen, Germany. The weather will be its warmest.

Bremen, Germany covers an area of 325 km2 (125 sq miles) and has a population of around 547,000 people. It is the 11th most populous city in Germany.

The time of year you visit will be a factor in how expensive accommodations are in Bremen. During the winter months, it is more affordable. Consider taking public transit and seek out budget-friendly pubs and street food vendors to keep costs lower.

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Panoramic collage capturing the essence of Bremen with the towering St. Peter's Cathedral, the bustling Marktplatz, and the iconic bronze sculpture of the Town Musicians of Bremen.

Melissa Byron, a seasoned solo traveler since 2009, is the founder & visionary behind A Solo Woman Traveling. Drawing from her extensive personal experience globetrotting solo to over 40 countries, she has dedicated herself to a mission: crafting invaluable guides and itineraries for women who embark on solo adventures.

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I love Bremen. It is such as beautiful city. This article made me wish I could go back and visit again. The Bremen Rathaus is one of my favorite buildings. If I remember my history correct, it isn’t nearly as old as it appears as it was reconstructed post-WWII.

Hi! I’m Vera from Portugal and I loved your article about Bremen! What a beautiful and useful article! 🙂

I have just booked a trip to Bremen and I´m going to stay at the Best Western Hotel Bremen City.

May you help me with some doubts? Do you think it’s safe to travel alone to Bremen? Is the hotel in a good location? Is it safe for a girl to be on the streets at night?

I hope you will be able to reply before I go (April 22nd) and thank you so much!

Hey Vera! I am so excited you are going to Bremen! It is one of my all-time favorites in Germany!

I did feel very safe on my own walking around in the evening. Mind you I don’t stay out very late, maybe 9-10 pm.

With regards to the hotel, I am going to send you an email, so look out for it. Check your junk mail if you don’t see it : )

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Home » Europe » Germany » 13 Fun Things to Do in Bremen, Germany

13 Fun Things to Do in Bremen, Germany

By Author Laura Longwell

Posted on Last updated: January 25, 2024

Bremen, Germany, is at once a modern university town and a port city with more than 1200 years of history. Its Old Town reflects its medieval and Renaissance past, but many of the old merchant houses are now restaurants, and neighborhoods where tradesmen lived have the same charming exteriors but are boutiques and art galleries inside. When the weather is nice, residents spill down the banks of the river at outdoor cafes and markets.

Historic merchant houses in Bremen Germany.

Bremen is close enough to Hamburg that it’s easy to visit but far enough away to make it just off the main tourist route for many international visitors, which is one of the many things that makes it a great place to spend a couple of days. Here some of our favorite things to do in Bremen on a short visit.

Visit Town Hall

Wish upon the bremen town musicians, see the statue of roland and marketplatz, tour the bremer ratskeller wine cellar, visit st. peter’s cathedral, wander in schnoor, enjoy the schlachte embankment, try traditional food, visit am wall windmill, visit beck’s brewery, breathe deeply at the flower market, browse the böttcherstrasse, see the glockenspiel house.

Red brick building with lots of windows,

Built in 1405, Bremen’s beautiful Gothic Town Hall (Rathaus) has witnessed six centuries of history in the Hanseatic City and is one of the top places to see in Bremen. On the outside, its detailed, red-brick façade made us feel like we’d stepped into a fairy tale. On the inside, we saw the vestiges of a powerful merchant city that hosted mayors, emperors, and other influential dignitaries beginning in the Middle Ages.

Room with replica ships hanging from ceiling.

Somehow, this brilliant building—now a UNESCO World Heritage Site —survived the fighting that destroyed much of the city during World War II. That means that its structure as well as many of its works of art and decorations have been preserved for visitors today. From Wilhelm II’s marble cabinet to the ornate Golden Chamber, there is still very much to see inside Bremen’s Town Hall .

Statue of donkey, dog, cat, and rooster.

One of the top attractions is the Bremen Town Musicians statue just outside of the Town Hall. This quirky statue, based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale of the same name, is essentially the symbol of the city.

The bronze statue features a donkey, dog, cat, and rooster—the band of musicians who set out together to make a living in Bremen. Touching the donkey’s front hooves is said to make wishes come true. You’ll find other statues and representations of the famous animals all over town (and even as far away as Bremen’s sister city, Riga, Latvia ).

Historic merchant houses in city square.

Bremen’s Marktplatz (Market Square) is the heart of the city’s Old Town. With its historic merchant houses now mostly transformed into shops and cafes, it is one of the most picturesque places we’ve ever seen to meet friends or have a cup of coffee. Or you may just lose yourself in staring at the beautiful buildings like we did.

During certain times of the year—namely late October, November, and December— Marktplatz is lit up with the lively Freimarkt , an ancient fair with a 1000-year history, and Bremen’s Christmas market.

Statue of a person with a shield in front of merchant houses .

On the side of the Marktplatz nearest the Town Hall is one of the most important city sights, the Bremen Roland statue, which shares the UNESCO designation with the Town Hall. The 33-foot-tall limestone statue built in 1404 depicts an important figure from the time of Charlemagne as a symbol of civic liberty and freedom from the dominance of the church.

Bremen is home to one of the most prestigious wine collections in Germany. Housed in the 600-year-old wine cellar at the Bremen Ratskeller are hundreds of bottles from across Germany’s 13 wine-producing regions. A tour here will show you many of the current bottles, the special vintages kept in the cellar’s “treasure chest,” and the massive wooden barrels that used to be the primary storage vessels.

We opted for a wine tasting of a wine specially selected by the cellar master. The tasting is worth it for the setting alone—you’ll be sipping alongside barrels filled with some of the best and oldest wines in Germany, including a priceless vintage that was last tried by Queen Elizabeth II. A visit here is definitely one of the best things to do in Bremen.

Cathedral with two towers and rose stained glass window.

Constructed in the 11th century, the medieval St. Peter’s Cathedral is an important city landmark. Partially destroyed during World War II air raids, the cathedral’s 320-foot-tall twin towers dominate Bremen’s skyline. You can visit one of them for great views of the city.

Major highlights of the cathedral include its striking choir, the organ, and the intriguing mummified bodies in the Lead Cellar.

Storefronts along a narrow, cobblestone street.

Schnoor—a maze of narrow, winding streets a few minutes from Marktplatz—is Bremen’s charming medieval neighborhood. The oldest part of the city, Schnoor was once the fishermen’s quarter. Today, its 15th-to-18th century buildings are full of cafés, boutiques, and galleries. It’s the perfect place to have lunch or do a bit of souvenir shopping. Our favorite lunch spot was Teestübchen im Schnoor .

Once one of Bremen’s harbors, the Schlachte Embankment is now popular for its restaurants, beer gardens, and river boats. Stroll down to the promenade along the River Weser to enjoy some of the most fun places in Bremen, especially during the spring and summer. If you’re lucky, you might even catch one of the eclectic weekend markets here.

Labskaus, a traditional dish of meat topped with fried eggs.

Thanks to its location near the North Sea, fish of all kinds are popular in Bremen. Since it’s Germany, beer (especially Becks) and sausage (especially a local variety called pinkelwurst) often make an appearance as do potatoes, kale, and cabbage.

There are also lots of international cuisine options, but trying the local food is a great way to get a sense for the place. We opted to try labskaus, a dish of pureed corned beef, potatoes, onions, and beets, topped with gherkin and fried eggs with herring on the side. Travel is nothing if not a culinary adventure!

Seeing windmills in a place like the Netherlands makes sense, but we didn’t expect to find them in Germany. Yet, walking from the train station to the city center, one of the first things to catch our eye was Am Wall windmill (Muhle am Wall). It’s one of the most interesting things to see in Bremen, especially if you haven’t seen one up-close before.

Located in the lovely Wallanlagen Park, the 19th-century windmill houses a restaurant and is open to tourists. The surrounding park is a great place to go for a walk or relax outside.

Just across the river from the old town, you can visit Beck’s Brewery. Brewing since 1873, Beck’s makes one of the most famous beers in Germany and around the world.

On Monday through Saturday, guests ages 16 and up can take a 3-hour tour of the brewery’s museum, the raw material room and the brewhouse to see the operation at work. Like all good tours, it ends with a tasting.

Flowers and bulbs for sale at an outdoor market.

It wouldn’t be a proper visit for us if we didn’t find a market. From tulip bulbs and mums to roses and orchids, just about every flower on your list can be found at the daily flower market. Outside the Church of Our Lady, this spot is a fun place to browse the colorful offerings and watch locals go about their daily business.

Originally occupied by coopers, Bremen’s narrow Böttcherstrasse was transformed into a street of art in the 1920s. The project, commissioned by Bremen native and inventor of decaf coffee Ludwig Roselius, led to the creation of museums as well as sculptures and works of art lining the street. You can’t miss the huge gold sculpture at the street’s entrance, which will lead you past unusual expressionist architecture and unique galleries.

Bells strung between rooftops at The Glockenspiel House on Böttcherstrasse in Bremen

The most impressive feature of the Böttcherstrasse is the Glockenspiel House. Stretched between the peaks of two rooftops, rows of 30 porcelain bells ring at regular intervals. To the left of the glockenspiel, panels depicting explorers, seafarers, and aviators rotate with the music, which plays for an impressive 8.5 minutes.

January through March, the bells play at noon, 3pm, and 6pm. The rest of the year, they play every hour from noon to 6pm.

Where to Stay Radisson Blu Bremen : Modern sophistication with prime location Dorint City-Hotel Bremen : Business hotel in the real heart of the city Designhotel UberFluss : Ultra modern hip hotel with a cool roof garden Atlantic Grand Hotel Bremen : Sleek and sophisticated

We were guests of the German National Tourist Board . All opinions of the charming and historic are our own.

Laura Longwell is an award-winning travel blogger and photographer. Since founding Travel Addicts in 2008, she has written hundreds of articles that help over 3 million people a year get the most out of their travel. In that time, she has visited nearly 60 countries on 5 continents, often returning to favorite destinations over and over again. She has a deep love of history, uncovering unexpected attractions, and trying all the good food a place has to offer.

In addition to Travel Addicts, Laura runs a site about her hometown of Philadelphia—Guide to Philly—which chronicles unique things to do and places to see around southeastern Pennsylvania. Her travel tips and advice appear across the web.

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Ryan K Biddulph

Saturday 6th of March 2021

I love the architecture Laura. Beyond magical.

Carrie McClung

Sunday 15th of September 2019

This is my hometown and I'm about to go back for a week after 20 years in Texas. You have done an excellent job describing the charming beauties of my great city. Thank you!

Katelynn Dorn

Wednesday 30th of May 2018

Love your post about Bremen, Germany. What time of year do you recommend going?

Between April and September is your best chance to have warm and sunny days.

Top Things to Do in Bremen

Things to do in bremen.

5.0 of 5 bubbles
4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
Bahnhofsvorstadt
Good for a Rainy Day
Budget-friendly
Good for Big Groups
Good for Kids
Good for Couples
Honeymoon spot
Good for Adrenaline Seekers
Hidden Gems
Adventurous
Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Schnoor Viertel

2. Zaubertheater Bremen

3. Historische Altstadt

4. Marktplatz

5. Bremen Town Hall

6. Universum Bremen

7. Town Musicians of Bremen (Bremer Stadtmusikanten)

8. St. Peter's Cathedral (St. Petri Dom)

9. Böttcherstraße

10. Burgerpark

11. Schnoor One

12. Kunsthalle Bremen

13. Schlachte

14. Bremer Geschichtenhaus

15. Übersee-Museum Bremen

16. U-Boot Bunker Valentin

17. Museen Boettcherstrasse

18. Beck's Brewery Tour

19. Mühle am Wall

20. Der Bremer Roland

21. Botanika

22. Weser Stadium

23. GOP Varieté-Theater Bremen

24. Glockenspiel House

25. Bremer Freimarkt

26. Dom-Museum

27. Focke-Museum

28. Schutting

29. Knoops Park

30. Unser Lieben Frauen Kirchhof

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15 Top Attractions & Things to Do in Bremen, Germany
3. Take a Tour of Bremen Town Hall. Bremen Town Hall. Bremen Town Hall (Bremer Rathaus), also sometimes referred to as City Hall, is a beautiful brick Gothic structure located in the city's Marktplatz. Built in 1410, it's famous for its sumptuous Renaissance facade added later in 1612.
THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Bremen
Schnoor Viertel. Historic quarter with car-free cobbled streets, lined by 15th-century houses, quaint shops, and intimate dining spots. Offers local culture and art in a picturesque setting. 2. Zaubertheater Bremen. 3. Historische Altstadt. Historic quarter with traffic-free alleys, local shops, and dining options.
25 Best Things to Do in Bremen (Germany)
The mill "on the wall" is a "smock mill", on an octagonal base constructed in 1898. It is the most recent of a succession of windmills at this very spot, going back to 1699. The mill now houses a restaurant, and there's a terrace outside shaded by parasols. 16. Das Viertel Source: bremen-tourism Das Viertel
Must-See Sights in Bremen
You can find the Must-See attractions here: The Bremen Town Musicians Schoppensteel 1, 28195 Bremen. The town hall and Roland Statue Am Markt 21, 28195 Bremen. The Schnoor quarter Stavendamm 16, 28195 Bremen. Böttcherstraße Böttcherstraße, 28195 Bremen.
Bremen Tourism: Visit the Hanseatic City
Bremen's always worth a visit, no matter whether you're travelling with your best friend, your partner, the family, a group or on your own. In addition to its multitude of tourist attractions, this vibrant city in the heart of north-west Germany offers cultural and culinary delights, a laid-back Hanseatic atmosphere and an exuberant variety of activities and shopping opportunities.
22 Top Things To Do In Bremen [Don't Miss Them!]
If you only have one day to visit Bremen tourist attractions, find our one day Bremen places to visit itinerary below. Bremen's Old Town. Pin Bremen Old Town in Markt Platz. If there is one place you will absolutely want to head when you visit Bremen, it's Bremen's Old Town. This is definitely #1 on our list of Bremen top 10 tourist ...
30 BEST Places to Visit in Bremen (UPDATED 2024)
I did a whistle stop tour of Bremen and spent some time admiring this beautiful town hall. Characteristically built of red and black glazed bricks, the facade is highly ornate - rich in mouldings, life size figures and bad reliefs of renaissance style.
All Sights in Bremen at a Glance
1,200 years of tradition and cosmopolitanism shape Bremen, the Hanseatic city on the Weser. The old trading city with its historic centre around the market square exudes the flair of a young metropolis. And yet anyone who embarks on a journey through time with open eyes will witness its long and exciting history. Look forward to Bremen's sights.
Top 10 Things To Do And See In Bremen
There's plenty to see inside as well, including Germany's oldest wine cask. Bremen Town Hall, Am Markt 21, Bremen, Germany. 3. The 'Stadtmusikanten' statue. Share. Add to Plan. Bremen is steeped in several sagas and legends. In 1819, the Brothers Grimm published a story of an unlikely group of friends.
25 Fascinating Things To Do in Bremen, Germany
Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum. The architecture on the street is very cool to see up close…. One of the other more notable museums along Böttcherstraße is the Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum. Opened back in 1927, the museum was done in Brick Expressionist architecture - a very important example of that style to this day.
THE 30 BEST Places to Visit in Bremen (UPDATED 2024)
2023. 6. Universum Bremen. 520. Speciality Museums. In Universum® Bremen you go on an extraordinary journey of discovery into the world of science. More than 250 exhibits let you experience and understand scientific phenomena up close and with all your senses. The three subject areas Technology, Humans and Nature are waiting to be explored.
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Bremen Landmarks. 1. Schnoor Viertel. A very nice neighborhood of Bremen, with narrow streets, beautiful buildings and interesting shops. 2. Historische Altstadt. So many terrific historic buildings all around, perfectly restored and shining in its beauty on a sunny June day.
THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Bremen (UPDATED 2024)
2023. 7. Universum Bremen. 520. Speciality Museums. In Universum® Bremen you go on an extraordinary journey of discovery into the world of science. More than 250 exhibits let you experience and understand scientific phenomena up close and with all your senses. The three subject areas Technology, Humans and Nature are waiting to be explored.
Bremen & the East Frisian Coast travel
Deutsches Auswandererhaus. Bremen & the East Frisian Coast. This spectacular museum stands on the spot where more than 7.2 million emigrants set sail for the US, South America and Australia between 1830 and 1942,…
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Self directed Bremen tour. ... This square stone on Domhshof, marked with a cross is the spot where Gosche Gottfried was executed by beheading in 1831 - Bremen's last ever public execution. Gesche Gottfried poisoned 15 people with arsenic between 1813 and 1828 (mostly her close relatives and neighbours). ...
Best of Bremen in One Day Itinerary + Map
Bremen Roland Statue. The Roland Statue, one of the top attractions in Bremen, Germany, was erected in 1404 and can be found in the heart of Bremen in the market square.. Various cities have the Roland statues as a symbol of the city of civic liberty and freedom. This former Holy Roman Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire was deemed the hero of the Battle of Roncevaux Pass.
13 Fun Things to do in Bremen, Germany (2024)
Visit Town Hall. The gorgeous Bremen Town Hall. Built in 1405, Bremen's beautiful Gothic Town Hall (Rathaus) has witnessed six centuries of history in the Hanseatic City and is one of the top places to see in Bremen. On the outside, its detailed, red-brick façade made us feel like we'd stepped into a fairy tale.
THE 10 BEST Tourist Spots in Bremen 2024: Things to Do & Places to Go
Things to Do in Bremen, Germany: See Tripadvisor's 74,093 reviews & photos of 339 Bremen attractions.
Top 25 Things To Do In Bremen, Germany
🚇 Frankfurt Complete Guide 👉 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn6LfgfkpDM🏙️ Munich Attractions Guide 👉 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvRBexhYFy0 ...
Best Places to See in Bremen: Tourist Attractions in the City
Among the best places to see in Bremen are the Bremen Town Hall and Roland Statue, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Bremen Cathedral, Schnoor Quarter, Böttcherstraße, and the Weser River bank. In addition, Bremen Zoo, Science Center, and Botanical Garden are other tourist attractions that can be visited.
THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Bremen
Things to Do in Bremen, Germany: See Tripadvisor's 74,558 traveller reviews and photos of Bremen tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in May. We have reviews of the best places to see in Bremen. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.

15 Top Attractions & Things to Do in Bremen, Germany

1. Explore Bremen's Historic Marktplatz

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1. Bremen Cathedral

2. Cathedral Museum

3. Bremen City Hall

4. Marktplatz

5. Kunsthalle Bremen

6. Böttcherstraße

7. Haus des Glockenspiels

8. Schnoor Quarter

9. Schlachte

10. Schütting

11. Focke Museum

12. Ludwig Roselius Museum

13. Universum

14. Bürgerpark

15. Mühle am Wall

16. Das Viertel

17. Bremer Geschichtenhaus

18. Church of Our Lady

19. Übersee-Museum

20. Rhododendron Park

21. Botanika

22. Beck’s Brewery

23. Valentin Submarine Pens

24. Bremer Bonbon Manufaktur

25. Weser River Tours

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Bremen’s Old Town

Rathaus (Town Hall)

Roland Statue

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Dom St Petri (And Bleikeller)

Kirche Unser Lieben Fraue (Church Of Our Lady)

Böttcherstraße

Haus Des Glockenspiels

Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum

Ludwig Roselius Museum

Schlachte Riverside Walk

Wallanlagen Park

Weserburg Museum Für Moderne Kunst

Gerhard Marcks Haus

Wilhelm Wagenfeld Haus

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Sights in Bremen

Must-See Attractions

City Hall and Roland

Market Sqaure

Böttcherstraße

Schnoor Quarter

Bremen Town Musicians and Ratskeller

Bremen Town Musicians

Bremen Ratskeller

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