Bremen (state)

Understand

History Bremen was once a member of the medieval Hanseatic League and is still one of the most important cities in northern Germany. Together with the city of Bremerhaven on the North Sea it forms Germany's smallest state. Bremen has more than 1200 years of history, and was, for most of its existence, an independent city-state.

Bremer Stadtmusikanten

The Bremer Stadtmusikanten (Town Musicians of Bremen) perhaps the most well known figures associated with Bremen are characters from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale of the same name. Their image adorns many of the souvenirs in the city. Next to the Town Hall is a much photographed statue of them.

Geography

Bremen is a rather long and narrow city, lining both sides of the river Weser. Along the north-west/south-east axis it stretches about 10 km, but across only 2 km. The entire city is located on flat plains.

Tourist information 1 Tourist-Information Bremen, Böttcherstraße 4 (im Haus des Glockenspiels), ☏ +49 421 3080010. M–F 09:30–18:00, Sa 09:30–16:00, Su 10:00–16:00. In the historic "Haus des Glockenspiels" right at the market square. It offers city maps, guided tours, hotel bookings, and the "ErlebnisCard" for public transport and discounts. (updated Apr 2026)

Getting there

By plane 1 Bremen Airport (BRE IATA) (in the south-west of the town). Mostly caters to low-fare and holiday flights. The low-fare carrier Ryanair offers by far the most connections, spread all over Europe but with stronger focus on the Mediterranean (especially holiday destinations) and countries around the Baltic Sea. Apart from Ryanair and holiday specialists, there are a few high-fare business-oriented flights from specific destinations (like Toulouse, serving Airbus Group which has facilities in both cities), and feeder flights from major hub airports operated by flag carriers. While Ryanair has reduced its offer at BRE, Sundair offers flights from some holiday destinations. If you want a smooth intercontinental connection to Bremen, your best bet is to fly with Star Alliance or SkyTeam. Star Alliance founder Lufthansa flies to Bremen from their hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, sister airline Eurowings from Stuttgart, Swiss from Zurich, while alliance member Turkish Airlines flies from Istanbul. SkyTeam member KLM connects Amsterdam-Schiphol. You can connect from the alliances' vast networks of intercontinental - and European - connections there. If you are cost conscious, it might work out cheaper to forgo the domestic flight on the last leg and use an air rail alliance such as rail&fly instead. Though thanks to the quirky nature of airline pricing, the exact opposite may be the case. Getting from the airport into town is quick, smooth and painless. Tram (Straßenbahn) 6 leaves right outside the main terminal building and takes you into downtown every 10 minutes during the day. Travel time is 10 minutes to downtown (Domsheide) and 16 minutes to the Main Railway Station (Hauptbahnhof). Further afield, you can fly to Hamburg and Hannover. Both cities have frequent train connections with Bremen.

By train

Regular and frequent services connect 2 Bremen Hauptbahnhof. with the rest of Germany. There are two trains every hour from Hamburg (1 hour) in the north, and Osnabrück (1 hour), Münster (1 hr 20 min), the Ruhr Area in the south, and from Hanover (1 hr 20 min). Flixtrain serves the city. Train tickets can be quite expensive (unless bought in advance), and the cheapest way to travel can be to share a group ticket with other people. However, group tickets are not as cheap as they once were and often an early bird fare (starting from €19 for short routes) on a high-speed connection is cheaper and less stressful than dealing with group tickets which are almost always only valid on regional trains. For more on that issue see rail travel in Germany.

Getting around

By foot Much of Bremen (or at least the part frequented by tourists) can be negotiated by foot - the best way to explore the old city and its surrounding districts.

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. In the west lie the cities Delmenhorst and Oldenburg and the Frisian islands. In the east you can travel to Verden, in the south to Osnabrück. There are trains from the main station to the peripheral areas of Bremen (twice per hour to North Bremen, to Mahndorf via Sebaldsbrück and to Hemelingen.)

By bus/tram

Bremen offers an extensive public transportation network with trams and buses. Public transport maps of Bremen are available in German. There are night buses and trams (indicated by an "N") running through almost the whole night on F/Sa and Sa/Su, departing at :30 each hour from central station. Fares on the night network are €1 in addition to normal individual, group or day fares (2013). You can buy tickets on the bus or tram, but is slightly cheaper to buy a set of 4 rides or a day pass for individuals or groups, or a weekly pass for individuals. Note that on trains, tickets must be purchased before you board. Public transportation timetables and ticket fares are available in English. As by technical problems since 2024 the bridge Bgm.-Smidt-Brücke over the Weser river may not be used by tram, only by bus.

By taxi Taxis are found nearly everywhere and every time, with a cost of about €1.25/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. The two main taxi companies are

Taxi-Roland, ☏ +49 421 14433. Taxi-Ruf, ☏ +49 421 14014.

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. Its former mayor Hennig Scherf is an avid cyclist (who despite the wishes of his bodyguards rode his bike every day to his office or he simply walked to the office.)

See

1 Rathaus (Town Hall), Am Markt 21, ☏ +49 421 3612733. M–Sa 11:00, 12:00, 15:00, 16:00; Sun 11:00, 12:00. 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. €6.50. (updated Apr 2026) 2 Roland, Am Markt. 24/7. This statue on the main square, in front of the town hall, is of the Knight 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. Free. (updated Apr 2026) 3 Dom St. Petri (Cathedral of St Peter), Sandstraße 10-12, ☏ +49 421 365040. M–F 10:00–17:00, Sa 10:00–14:00, Su 14:00–17:00 (Check website for tower hours). Over 1200 years old, its huge towered façade dominates the main square. The interior is impressive with some fine painted details on the ceilings. There is a treasury displaying the collection of the cathedral. Entrance is free, for €3-€5 you can climb the Southern Tower offering nice views over the whole city. Free entry to cathedral; Tower and Museum: €3–5. (updated Apr 2026) 4 Böttcherstraße. 24/7. 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). Free. (updated Apr 2026) 5 Wallanlagen (Bremen City Park), Am Wall. 24/7. 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. Free. (updated Apr 2026) 6 Schnoor (Schnoorviertel). 24/7. 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. Free. (updated Apr 2026)

Museums 7 Überseemuseum (Natural History and Ethnographic Museum), Bahnhofsplatz 13 (near central station), ☏ +49 421 160 3810, [email protected]. Tu-F 09:00-18:00, Sa Su 10:00-18:00.

Do

Stroll around the city center and visit the Schnoor-Viertel with its old buildings - most were built between the 15th and 18th century. If you are interested in art, visit the Bremer Kunsthalle (museum of art) with one of North Germany's finest collections. Football: SV Werder Bremen play soccer in Bundesliga, the top tier. Their home ground is the multi-purpose Weser Stadion (capacity 42,000) on the north riverbank, 1 km east of city centre. The women's team play in their top tier at a smaller ground at Weser Stadion. If you want to see green fields, cows, and birds, visit "Blockland" (site in German with some pictures) where thousands of local bikers and inline skaters go every weekend to enjoy the agricultural side of Bremen. It is located just north of the university, between the Autobahn and the meandering river Wümme. You can bike or skate along the dyke that contains the river, have traditional coffee and cake at Landhaus Kuhsiel or Gartelmann's Gasthof, or eat gourmet organic ice cream at Biohof Kaemena (they also sell organic milk and cheese). In winter there is no ice cream but there is ice skating on the river and many small canals. In warmer months it is also possible to rent a canoe or kayak to explore the nature preserve from the water. There is indoor ice skating at Paradice, the skating hall in Walle (site in German). Paradice is opened from October to February. A good way to get in touch with the locals is to stroll along the river Weser on the scenic Osterdeich, where - in good weather - lots of little groups hanging out on the grassy hills may invite you to barbecue with them or have a beer. Don't miss the beautiful Bürgerpark either, a large, well-maintained park right in the middle of the city, which has a little Central Park vibe to it. Have a drink in the renowned "Emma" Café, rent a boat and row around the ring-shaped pond, play mini-golf, visit the petting zoo, or simply sit on the grass and enjoy some tasty ice cream. 1 Stadtwaldsee (City Forest Lake) (Unisee) (From the University and the Universum Museum go west about 1 kilometer). 24 hours. 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. Free. (updated Aug 2017)

Farther away 2 Bruchhausen-Vilsen–Asendorf Museum Railway (Deutscher Eisenbahn-Verein), Bahnhof, Hoya (35 km upstream the Weser). Vintage steam & diesel trains operate over a 7.8 km (4.8 mi) metric-gauge line. (updated Aug 2019)

Events Jan

Buy

Kluten are a traditional sweet from Bremen. They are cubes of peppermint, partly covered in chocolate. Hachez, near the Town Hall, is a traditional Bremen based chocolatier and their store is well worth a visit to buy the Kluten, though they are also available at many other places throughout the center. Areas

Schnoor is a den of tight lanes selling boutique style products including jewelry, African artifacts, paper models and a year round Christmas shop. There are also a lot of shops selling tourist souvenirs. Böttcherstraße, This wonderful Art Nouveau street has many outlets that cater to buyers of upmarket/high quality products. Weekly markets are held on most of the squares around the Town Hall. Lloyd Passage, Obernstraße, Sögestraße are the main shopping streets with all the main High Street chains. Waterfront Shopping Centre, Waterfront Bremen, AG-Weser-Straße (Motorway A27, Junction 17 (Dreieck Bremen-Industriehäfen) to the freeway feeder A281 (Überseestadt-bound) you will see the Waterfront Bremen on the right side after approximately 4 kilometres.), ☏ +49 421 33 05 199. M-Sa 10:00-20:00. 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. Various prices.

Eat

Several cafes and restaurants line the "Schlachte" along the Weser river while other popular areas are the marketplace and the "Viertel" ("quarter") east of the Kunsthalle. Many traditional dishes from Bremen and Northern Germany are very satisfying. The region is famous for cabbage (Grünkohl- green cabbage), fish (smoked eel, herring, smelt in March), an old sailor's meal called Labskaus (lobscouse) consisting of mashed potatoes, corned beef, onions, fried egg and beetroot or chick ragout (very fine) as well as red fruit jelly or Butterkuchen (cake with yeast and topped with lots of butter, sugar and almonds). You can find some fish restaurants in Böttcherstraße. "Knigge" is the name of a traditional coffee house in Bremen. Bremen culinary specialties are Knipp (smoked sausage), Labskaus, (fried corned beef with onions and mashed potatoes) and Braunkohl (leaf cabbage)

Budget

In the Old Town 1 Bratwurstglöck, Unser Lieben Frauen Kirchhof. Grilled sausages (updated May 2022) 2 Muchos más, Am Wall 135. Spanish cuisine (updated May 2022) 3 Kiefert Imbiss, Unser Lieben Frauen Kirchhof 27. Grilled sausages (updated May 2022) 4 Kismet, Sögestraße 72. A Turkish restaurant (updated May 2022) 5 Asia Bistro 68 Bremen, Papenstraße 2/4. (updated May 2022)

Around the main train station 6 Crêpes Suzette, Contrescarpe 74. (updated May 2022) 7 BeatzBurger, Auf d. Brake 13. (updated May 2022) 8 Mersin Tantuni & Grillhaus, Hillmannpl. 1. A Turkish eatery (updated May 2022) 9 Pyramide, Rembertiring 14-16. Spanish and Syrian dishes (updated May 2022)

Mid-range 10 Bremer Ratskeller, Am Markt (The entrance is in the western corner of the city hall, near the Roland and the City Musicians), ☏ +49 421 321676. 11:00-00:00. 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. €10-20 (Aug 2017).. (updated May 2022) 11 Gasthof zum Kaiser Friedrich, Lange Wieren 13, ☏ +49 421 326429. M-Sa. Slightly smoked cut of pork with cabbage and mashed potatoes (Braunkohlteller) (updated May 2022)

Splurge 12 Das Kleine Lokal, Besselstraße 40. (updated Sep 2022)

Drink & nightlife

The world-wide known Beck's Beer is brewed in Bremen. Guided brewery tours in English and German are offered Thursdays - Saturdays. The tour costs €10.50/person and lasts approximately 2 hours. The Ratskeller is a wine cellar and restaurant with a famous collection of wines and the oldest wines in Germany. There are many bars, pubs and cafes in Bremen: the Schlachte along the Weser and the Viertel, a young and lively quarter. If you like beer and pretzels, try the Schüttinger brewery house (next to Böttcherstraße) where several types of beer are brewed and served directly.

Sleep

Budget 1 International Youth Hostel (Jugendherberge Bremen), Kalkstraße 6 (Take tram 1 to Am Brill from Hauptbahnhof), ☏ +49 421 163820, fax: +49 421 1638255, [email protected]. 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. (updated Jul 2017) 2 GastHaus Backpacker Hostel Bremen, Emil-Waldmann-Straße 5-6, ☏ +49 421 2238057, [email protected]. 3 Townside Hostel Bremen, Am Dobben 62 (Take tram 10 from Hauptbahnhof to Humboldtstrasse or tram 2 or 3 to Sielwall), ☏ +49 421 78015, [email protected]. 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. 4 B&B Hotel, Findorffstraße 28-32, ☏ +49 421 619580, fax: +49 421 61958444, [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. (updated Jan 2016) 5 B&B Hotel Bremen Süd, Borgward Straße 10, ☏ +49 421 837350, fax: +49 421 838820, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. (updated Aug 2025) 6 Hotel Nordraum, Europaallee 1, ☏ +49 421 458570, fax: +49 421 45857100, [email protected]. (updated Jul 2017) 7 Novum Budget Hotel Hansahof, Brüggeweg 20-22, ☏ +49 421 41760, fax: +49 421 415026. (updated Jan 2016) 8 Southend Hostel Bremen, Jakobistraße 23a (In the Altstadt), ☏ +49 421-69620561, fax: +49 421-14172777, [email protected]. (updated Jan 2016) 9 Zollhaus Hostel, Am Kaffee-Quartier 1, ☏ +49 421 6965180, fax: +49 421 69651818. (updated Jan 2016) 10 Hotel zum Wiesengrund, Bremer Straße 116a, ☏ +49 421 875050, fax: +49 421 876714. (updated Jan 2016) 11 Boutique Hostel Kremer, Dobbenweg 12, ☏ +49 1721660462, [email protected]. Check-in: 4pm, check-out: 10am. €39. (updated Jun 2019)

Mid-range 12 Prizeotel Bremen-City, Theodor-Heuss-Allee 12, ☏ +49 1805 697749, [email protected]. 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. Double incl. breakfast €100. (updated Jul 2017) 13 7THINGS Hotel, Universitätsallee 4, ☏ +49 421 69677377, [email protected]. Hotel with 89 rooms near to the University and the Universum Science Center. Public bus stop with a direc

Go next

Hamburg Bremerhaven Oldenburg Verden These are all accessible by rail; the Niedersachsen ticket is cost effective for a day trip.