Att göra i Bremen - 17 tips till stadsmusikanternas stad

What to do in Bremen? This northern German city is perhaps best known for the tale of the 'City Musicians of Bremen', but it is also a beautiful and charming place with much to offer visitors. Here are our top tips!

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Bremen

We fell in love with Bremen as soon as we arrived. Strolling the city's streets reveals everything from magnificent squares to alleys so charming they could be taken from a fairy tale.

There are historical sights and Unesco heritage, but also art, good food and craft beer. For example, did you know that Bremen is considered the coffee capital of Germany and that Becks beer comes from here? The city has a long tradition of shipping and global trade connections via the Hanseatic League, so people here are used to new impressions and have always been open to new flavours and exotic delicacies.

Bremen is located in northern Germany, about 12 miles south-west of Hamburg.

What can you do in Bremen?

So what can you see and do in Bremen? All kinds of things, actually! We've put together a list of our top tips here.

1. see the City Musicians of Bremen

'The City Musicians of Bremen' is a classic fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, about four animals: a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster. The animals, who are a bit old and in some cases at risk of slaughter, escape from their farms to become city musicians in Bremen.

On the way, they find a hideout for robbers, and by climbing on each other's backs and making noise, they manage to scare off the robbers. After that, they no longer want to be town musicians. But at least they have a statue in the centre of town, and the statue is very popular!

As well as the classic statue, there are millions of variations on the theme. You can find the state musicians in other statues, in carousels, in toys, in shirts and well... just about everywhere. And they are charming!

2. Discover the beautiful Marktplatz square.

Although Bremen is a fairly small city, the central square, Marktplatz, feels incredibly powerful. The buildings here are impressively beautiful and it's easy to get caught up in the excitement. very many photos.

On the square you will find, among other things, the "Schütting" building, which originally served as a guild building for traders in the city and later, in 1849, became a chamber of commerce.

On the square there are several restaurants with outdoor seating, which admittedly feel a bit touristy, but nevertheless have a fantastic location. Here we had a lunch (rösti with cold smoked salmon) and we really enjoyed the sun and the location.

3. Impressed by the Unesco heritage Town Hall and the Roland statue

The Marktplatz in Bremen is a Unesco World Heritage Site, with the Town Hall and the statue of Roland. The old town hall was built in Gothic style in the early 15th century, after Bremen joined the Hanseatic League. The building was renovated in the so-called Weser Renaissance style in the early 17th century.

The Roland statue in Bremen is a UNESCO heritage site and a symbol of the city's independence. The statue is 5.5 metres high and dates back to 1404.

4. see Bremer Dom

Bremer Dom, or St Peter's Cathedral, can be found just off the Marktplatz in Bremen.

The cathedral, built from the 11th to the 13th century, was originally dedicated to the Apostle Peter and is very impressive.

5. Step into the Bleikeller

When visiting the Bremer Dom, you can also take the opportunity to look down into the "Bleikeller", which is located at a separate entrance to the right of the main entrance. Here you will find a crypt with a row of coffins, containing mummified corpses.

The mummies were accidentally discovered around 1698 by the journeymen of organ builder Arp Schnitger, who were working in the crypt. Why were the bodies mummified? It is said to be a natural process, related to humidity and the absence of cadaver flies.

6. Check out the Church of Our Lady.

If you want to check out another church in Bremen, check out the "Kirche Unser Lieben Frauen". This church is located in the centre of the city and is worth seeing. In addition, you can experience a beautiful light show from the colourful church windows.

7. check out Böttcherstrasse

Just off the Marktplatz, Böttcherstrasse is one of the city's major attractions. The street is not very long, but the architecture is fantastic and offers one surprise after another. Take your time! There are also several charming shops here, selling things like tea, sweets and handicrafts.

8. Listen to the chimes

Several times a day, on Böttcherstrasse, you can listen to the city's carillon (Glockenspiel). You can see the bells between the two roof tops in the picture below. To the left of these houses you see a picture in the wall that rotates during the carillon. Different!

9. Strolling in the Schnoor neighbourhood

Something you absolutely not Not to be missed in Bremen are the charming Schnoor neighbourhoods. These are old neighbourhoods where the less wealthy once lived. Today, the area has a fairytale feel, with small and slightly crooked houses, imaginative signs and shops selling crafts and toys.

Tucked in between some of the houses, you'll find a restaurant that looks incredibly charming.

In other parts of the area you will find 'the narrowest alley', 'the smallest house' and houses in all sorts of imaginative colours.

10. Take the small ferry across the river Weser

Are you staying with your motorhome at the "Reisemobilstellplatz am Kuhhirten" site? Or do you want to have a coffee at Café Strand? Then take the small ferry across the river Weser. The crossing doesn't take many minutes, and you have to pay a small fee, but it's charming!

11. Passing through the graffiti tunnel

In the same part of the city you will find the 'graffiti tunnel'. This is a pedestrian and bike tunnel between the river Weser and the city centre, where you'll find a lot of great paintings.

12. walk along the Schlachte

Another thing you won't want to miss in Bremen is the Schlachte, the promenade along the eastern bank of the river Weser. It's home to a bunch of restaurants and bars, and on a sunny day the atmosphere is great!

13. Photograph the Mühle am Wall mill.

One of the bridges in the centre of Bremen offers a view of the Mühle am Wall windmill. The mill, which dates from 1898, is beautifully surrounded by greenery and today houses a restaurant.

14. Enjoy the tranquillity of the Bürgerpark

At one end of Bremen is the beautiful Bürgerpark, where you can stroll among green spaces and water.

Here you will also find the exclusive Parkhotel, which is beautifully situated with a pond right in front of it.

15. See art in art museums

If you like art, you'll find a number of museums to check out in Bremen. You can check out the Kunsthalle Bremen in particular, but also the Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum and the Ludwig Roselius Museum.

16. Try a local restaurant

Trying local food is part of the experience in a city. In Bremen, for example, you can visit the Rathauskeller (Town Hall Cellar) or the Schüttinger brewery bar. We also tried, together with our local guide, a restaurant well frequented by locals.

The fish restaurant Knurrhahn, according to the sign outside, has a history dating back to 1620. Here we had classic cucumber salad, prawns and fish with potato salad. Very good!

17. Coffee at Café Sand

Is it summer and sunshine? Then you should definitely check out Café Sand! This café is located on a long sandy beach and offers a summer feeling.

More things to do in Bremen for culture and history lovers

Want to experience even more in this lovely city? Here you will find more suggestions for things to do in Bremen and the surrounding area for those interested in culture and history.

Focke museum is a museum of local history and art history. (Schwachhauser Heerstrasse 240)
The German Maritime Museum is a maritime museum in Bremerhaven (Van-Ronzelen-Strasse 1, Bremerhaven).
Overseas Museum is a natural history and ethnographic museum. (Übersee Museum, Bahnhofspl. 13)
Submarine bunker Valentin is a submarine bunker, where submarines were assembled during the Second World War.

More things to do in Bremen for food and shopping lovers

Of course, there is also more to do in Bremen for those who like food and shopping. Here are some tips.

Becks beer comes from Bremen and you can take tours of the brewery (Am Deich 20).
iron is a charming bar in the Steintor neighbourhood. (Sielwall 9)
Free market is a major festival organised every year in October.
Christmas market in Bremen is popular and cosy.
Litfass is a lovely bar in the Ostertor neighbourhood. (Ostertorsteinweg 22)
Manufactum is a department store with everything from delicacies to gifts (Domshof 8-12).
Market are organised in the mornings in the city, including flowers and vegetables.
Town hall cellar has Germany's largest collection of domestic wines (Am Markt).
Schüttinger is Bremen's oldest brewery, with traditional and craft beers, rustic food and socialising along long wooden tables. (Hinter dem Schütting 12-13)
Tea Trade Office is a popular tea shop. (Böttcherstrasse).

More things to do in Bremen for nature lovers

Here are also some more suggestions for things to do in Bremen for nature lovers.

Botany is a botanical garden. (Deliusweg 40, Bremen)
Rhododendron Park is a large collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, at the botanical garden in Bremen.

More to do in Bremen for those travelling with kids or teens

Travelling with children or teenagers? Then you'll find some more tips on things to do in Bremen here.

Boat trips on the Weser River you can embark on.
Bremer Bonbon Manufaktur is for anyone who likes luxurious sweets. (Böttcherstrasse 8, Marterburg 30, Bremen)
Fairytale roads is a German holiday route that starts in Hanau and passes through fairytale destinations such as Bremen.
Town Musicians Express is a small train that runs around and guides in the city centre.
Universe Bremen is a science museum. (Wiener Strasse 1a, Bremen)

Where can you live or stay with your campervan?

There are of course many different hotels and other accommodation options in Bremen to choose from. We travelled to Bremen by motorhome and stayed at Motorhome site at Kuhhirten. This is a very nice and green place, with good service (albeit somewhat complicated information) and excellent location for visiting the city. If you are travelling with a caravan, you could try instead HanseCamping.

Things to do in Bremen - on film

More to see and do near Bremen

There is of course more to see and do in the vicinity of Bremen. For example, you can visit the exciting city of Hamburg, which has a lot to offer. We also recommend visits to Hannover (especially the castle gardens) and the half-timbered town of Celle.

READ MORE: Things to do in Hamburg - 23 sights and experiences
READ MORE: Things to do in Celle - 12 tips for the half-timbered idyll
READ MORE: What to do in Hannover - 15 sights and experiences
READ MORE: Herrenhausen gardens in Hannover - amazing splendour

More tips for things to do in Bremen?

Have you been to Bremen? Tell us about your experience and your relationship with the city! Do you have any other tips for things to see and do in Bremen?

Facts about Bremen

Country: Germany
Federal Republic of Germany: Bremen
Residents: More than 569 000 (2019)
Read more: You can find more information at the city's website

Travelling to Bremen

Flight: You can fly to Bremen from Gothenburg Landvetter or Stockholm Arlanda, with a stop on the way, for example in Munich or Frankfurt. Another option is to fly directly from Stockholm to Hamburg and continue by car hire from there.
Car: You can take the Öresund Bridge and drive to Bremen (about 6.5 hours from Malmö). Other options are to take a ferry, such as Finnlines Malmö - Travemünde, Nynäshamn - Rostock, Göteborg - Kiel or Rödby - Puttgarden.
Trains: From September 2022, night trains will start running from Stockholm to Hamburg. Then continue by domestic train to Bremen.

4 Comments

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4000mil says:

Wow, it looks so nice in Bremen. We can't wait to stop by this summer on our train trip!

14 May 2022 - 10:43

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Truly an amazingly beautiful and charming little town! Highly recommended! 🙂
  
  14 May 2022 - 17:49
  
BP says:

Don't know if Bremen would agree with you about being called "too small a city". In any case, Bremen has about 600,000 inhabitants. Yes, I know that Hamburg is at least three times as big.
I think Bremen is much more charming than Hamburg. The city has managed to preserve the "old" atmosphere. The buildings themselves are very reminiscent of Gdansk.

14 May 2022 - 18:06

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  You have a point there! I haven't realised that I wrote that (and can't find it right now ;)) but the city of course felt much smaller than Hamburg! Agree that Bremen is a fantastically nice city!!!
  
  14 May 2022 - 19:20

What to do in Bremen - 17 tips for the city of musicians