City trip to Bremen
A city trip to Bremen leads to the smallest state in the north of the Federal Republic of Germany. The city is located in the greater region of the coastal lowlands of the North Sea.
In 1260, the city became a member of the Hanseatic League, but lost importance over time due to the increasing silting up of the harbor. Only when the city acquired land at the mouth of the Weser and founded “Bremer Hafen (Bremerhaven)” there, the importance in trade increased again.
Bremen’s city center can be easily explored on foot. The centerpiece is the historic market square, one of the most beautiful in Germany. Here, you stand in awe before an ensemble that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the magnificent Town Hall with its ornate Weser Renaissance facade, and the stone Roland statue, which has stood for over 600 years as a symbol of freedom and market rights. Legend has it that Bremen will remain free and independent as long as the Roland stands.
Just a few steps away stands what is arguably the city’s most famous monument, which has captured the hearts of young and old alike: the Bremen Town Musicians. Don’t forget to hold the front legs of the donkey – it is said to bring good luck!
The Schnoorviertel is Bremen’s oldest quarter. Here, tiny, colorful houses from the 15th and 16th centuries are huddled together like pearls on a string (Low German: “Schnoor”). In the car-free alleyways, you will find goldsmiths, artisans, and cozy cafés. Getting lost here isn’t a mishap, but a must.
As an architectural counterpart, the Böttcherstraße, only 100 meters long, comes as a surprise. Once inhabited by craftsmen, it was transformed into a total work of expressionist brick art in the 1920s. With its carillon of Meissen porcelain, studios, and quirky shops, it is a fascinating corridor between the market square and the Weser River.
Bremen is proud of its Hanseatic past but looks just as resolutely to the future. In the Universum® Bremen, a futuristic, silvery whale, science becomes an adventure. Here, you can conduct your own research at over 300 exhibits, simulate earthquakes, or journey into the depths of the cosmos – a fascinating outing for the whole family.
Excursion tips for a city trip to Bremen
A walk to the “Überseestadt” district in Bremen took us to an almost forgotten area. These grounds were the birthplace of Coffee Hag, a great coffee manufactory.
On the way to The District in Bremen, our guide of "Bremen erleben" took a little detour with us and led us to the Schnoorviertel. I immediately fell in love with this corner of Bremen.
There were times where many of the so called "works of art" on houses or trains made me start a rant. But if you ignore the pointless scribbles, there are genuine works of art to be discovered on the streets.
The market place in Bremen is located in the centre of the Hanseatic city. These approximately 3500 m2 are one of the oldest places in Bremen and the spot with the most visitors.
"You know what," said the donkey, "I go to Bremen, where I am going to be a town musician, come with me, and take up music, too." And the donkey, the dog, the cat and the rooster walked to Bremen together...
Book a tour
Accommodation tip
During our visit to Bremen, we were able to spend 2 wonderful nights at the Radisson Blu.
John & Will Silo-Hotel by Guldsmeden
Hotel Robben
Parkhotel Bremen
STAYERY Bremen
Alexander von Humboldt – Das Schiff
Maritim Hotel Bremen
Radisson Blu Hotel Bremen
Travel information for Bremen
Arrival
By plane
Bremen Airport is located in the south of the city. Numerous national and international airlines take off and land here and there are numerous destinations.
By train
Bremen Central Station is one of the railroad hubs within Germany. It stops mainly IC connections, but also individual ICE trains.
Bremen has other train stations, which are mainly served by regional connections.
By car
Southeast of the city is the Bremen interchange, from which it is possible to drive into the city or even bypass it. South of Bremen runs the A 1 freeway, east runs the A 27 and the A 28 comes from Groningen.
By bus
The city is served by several German and European long-distance bus lines. The Central Bus Station (ZOB) is located near the main train station.
With the ship
If you arrive in Bremen with your own ship, you will find some possibilities to moor in harbour as a guest.
By bike
The Weser Cycle Route and EuroVelo 3 run through the city. In addition, there are smaller regional and supra-regional well-signposted cycle paths that run through Bremen, such as the Geest-Radweg, BahnRadRoute Weser-Lippe and the Deutsche Sielroute.
On foot
Through the city passes the Way of St. James Via Balitic, which goes from Usedom to Santiago de Compostela.
On the way in...
By car
In Bremen, the entire old town is designated as an environmental zone and may only be entered with the green sticker.
Public transportation
There are numerous bus and streetcar lines in Bremen. These almost the entire city area. In addition, 4 S-Bahn lines of the NordWestBahn run through the city to closer regions.
By bike
The city area is quite bicycle friendly. The signage of the routes is very good.
On foot
The center can be explored very well on foot, the distances are not too great.