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Capital of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Germany
Photo: Pedelecs, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Free Hanseatic City of Bremen is a city in northern Germany with a major port on the River Weser. The population is 567,000 (2020). It is also the name of one of the states of Germany which consists of two separated enclaves on the River Weser; the other enclave, Bremerhaven, is covered by its own article.
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Town Hall
This is one of the finest in Europe and has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Building work started in 1410 and it is seen as an important display of the wealth and freedom of the city.
This statue on the main square, in front of the town hall, is of the Knight Roland, subject of the Medieval epic, the Song of Roland, who was a protector of trade. He appears in many European cities, especially those involved in the Hanseatic league. Bremen's is considered one of the finest and is included with Town Hall on the World Heritage List. The standing figure is 5.47 m tall.
Cathedral of St Peter
Over 1,200 years old, its huge towered façade dominates the main square. The interior is also impressive, with some fine painted details on the ceilings. The cathedral was damaged by fire and lightning in the 17th century and also seriously impacted by bombings during World War II, and some of the damage is still visible, but it has been restored twice and is imposing, beautiful and well worth admiring for its form and the artwork and monuments that remain part of its exterior and interior. There is also a treasury displaying the collection of the cathedral. Entrance is free; for €3-€5 you can climb the Southern Tower, which offers nice views over the whole city. There are sometimes organ concerts in the Cathedral, particularly in the summer; see the Orgelsommer schedule for details. Admission for the organ concerts is €15, and the sound of the organs is great.
An incredible Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) street that runs from the main square towards the river. There are many fine façades and courtyards all with large amounts of design detail. There is an impressive Glockenspiel that chimes at regular intervals. There are lots of shops and several museums, including the impressive Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum. Haus Atlantis (now the Hilton) has an impressive spiral staircase just inside, at the top of which is the staggering Himmelshaal (it is not normally open to the public).
Bremen City Park
Built on the site of the former city fortifications, this star-shaped park is the oldest public garden in Germany. It features scenic walking paths, colorful flowerbeds, and the historic "Am Wall" windmill.
Schnoorviertel
Bremen's oldest district, characterized by narrow lanes and timber-framed houses dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Once a quarter for fishermen and craftsmen, it now hosts numerous galleries, cafés, and small handicraft shops.
Natural History and Ethnographic Museum
A good overview of the history of Bremen City with a wide range of collections.
Science museum with plenty of interactive exhibits such as an earthquake simulator. The main building is a huge steel shell designed by the Bremen architect Thomas Klumpp.
Housed in a former cotton warehouse. Models of ships used during the past.
Museum of the football club SV Werder Bremen
The sports museum shows the history of the football club SV Werder Bremen. You can see photos, jerseys, trophies and more.
Museum of Arts
The contemporary art museum shows the work of Gerhard Marcks the sculptor of the statue "Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten", a city landmark.
Founded as a design museum but also used for exhibitions in modern art. The museum is named after Wilhelm Wagenfeld, an industrial designer born 1900 in Bremen.
Modern art museum located on the Teerhof peninsula.
Unisee
Free swimming at a public beach in a recreation area. There is also a separate nude beach. Fishing, windsurfing, and boating are all possible. Many locals simply enjoy walking or biking on the path that runs around the lake.
Deutscher Eisenbahn-Verein
Vintage steam & diesel trains operate over a 7.8 km metric-gauge line.
Grilled sausages
Spanish cuisine
Grilled sausages
A Turkish restaurant
A Turkish eatery
Spanish and Syrian dishes
Stunning classic wine cellar located in the basement of the historic city hall. Has stored and sold German wines since 1405. Large menu includes regional specialties and has English translations.
Slightly smoked cut of pork with cabbage and mashed potatoes (Braunkohlteller)
Jugendherberge Bremen
Looking like a work of art from the exterior, with a yellow-and-orange Plexiglas facade and slit windows, this hostel has comfortable rooms, a rooftop terrace and a bar-breakfast room with huge glass windows overlooking the Weser River. Linen is included.
Bright, professionally run hostel is right in the middle of Bremen’s nightlife quarter and handy to Werder Bremen’s stadium. The building has no elevator or air conditioning. Inside as well as outside noise insulation is a problem. Hotel not hostel prices are quoted for double bedrooms with private bathroom.
Designer hotel directly opposite the AWD Dome and Bremen Exhibition Halls. 127 air conditioned rooms furnished with 180 x 200 cm beds, 32" flat screen TV, desk, wi-fi.
Hotel with 89 rooms near to the University and the Universum Science Center. Public bus stop with a direct line to the central station is 50 m away.
formerly 5 Seasons desinghotel Bremen
Business hotel with modern, contemporary rooms. Free wellness center with sauna, breakfast buffet and à la carte restaurant. A very short distance walk from the Waterfront shopping centre
The hotel is right by the river Weser only 15 minutes walk from old town. All 137 rooms and suites have air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV with Sky Sport channels, a minibar and a coffee machine.
This station-side chain hotel in the restored heritage Lloyd Building is recommended for a bunch of reasons: convenience and value; airy, oversized, light-filled rooms; comfy beds; and friendly helpful staff. Modern bathrooms are delights of German design: think super-soaker tubs and floating toilets. It’s worth paying the few extra euros for a larger room in the Lloyd building.
A bit dated but clean hotel in the Altstadt without elevator or air conditioning. Rooms are (very) large and breakfast is good.
Just metres above river level. Black, white and chrome create a sleek, postmodern vibe that extends to the rooms, which feature open bathrooms. Suites have river views and a private sauna and whirlpool. Breakfast costs €14.50.
On the Hollersee in the middle of the Bürgerpark. It offers 155 rooms and 20 suites, a 1,200 m² wellness area, its own fitness centre as well as 4 restaurants and bars.
This hotel has a strong claim to being the smallest Hotel in the world. In fact if you stay here you have the whole hotel to yourself as it has just one room. It has a great location in the heart of the Schnoor district. It is based on the tradition of small hotels catering for newly wed couples seeking somewhere to consummate their marriages after the ceremony, and is aimed at a market that can help continue this tradition. €350 for first night €250 for subsequent nights.
In an excellent location just off the main square with an entrance on Böttcherstraße in the Altstadt. Rooms are the high standard you would expect from the chain, and there is a small pool, sauna and micro gym in the basements.
Hotel with a magnificent view over the city wall.
Pitched around a central courtyard, moments from Bremen’s quirky Böttcherstrasse in the Altstadt, the simple, effortlessly stylish, dark-wooded rooms with chocolate leather armchairs and top-notch service from attentive staff make this classy hotel an excellent choice.
A shopping and leisure centre with a unique location directly on the banks of the River Weser. As its name and location suggest, there is always a fresh wind blowing through and around the Waterfront: shopping, feasting, cinema and events assure high spirits all year round. The centre offers more than 80 shops from fashion (Primark, Desigual, Tommy Hilfiger, Clockhouse and many others) to shoes, jewellery, athletic apparel and equipment to leather goods and gifts—nearly everything the heart could desire. To nourish visitors, there is a gastronomic selection of more than 15 different venues in the Food Court and on the outdoor terrace, with its Weser panorama. There are events held regularly in and around the Waterfront: fashion shows, exhibitions, concerts or activities for children—something for everybody. In the Food Court there is also a 25-m² screen where broadcasts of all Werder Bremen football matches and highlights of the German Football League can be viewed.
By train
Regular and frequent services connect with the rest of Germany.
By bus
Flixbus has all but cornered the market.
By car
Autobahn 1 runs to Hamburg in the north and Cologne in the south, but do check the traffic information!
By shared car
Members of the Cambio car-sharing network, whether in Germany or Belgium, can hire cars - Bremen is the company's headquarters.
By train
Most trains are operated by Deutsche Bahn and even the local trains that aren't can be booked through their website.
By bus/tram
Bremen offers an extensive public transportation network with trams and buses.
By taxi
25/km. There is no need to book a taxi in advance. Taxi drivers and call center employees may have difficulties to understand a phone call in English.
By bike
You can rent bicycles at the railway station and several bike shops in Bremen. See details in German only. Bremen is the most bike-friendly city among the biggest German cities.
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