Bremen is one of Germany’s oldest cities and is the perfect place to explore by foot as it’s compact. Sitting on the River Weser in north-west Germany, the city has more than 1,200 years of history, a beautiful old town, colourful cobbled streets and plenty of green spaces to explore.
It is perhaps best known for the story of the Bremen Town Musicians by the Brothers Grimm, but there is much more to the city than the famous donkey, dog, cat and rooster. Bremen was an important Hanseatic trading city, and its history can still be seen throughout the centre, from the UNESCO-listed Town Hall and Roland statue to the narrow streets of Schnoor.
I spent a few days exploring Bremen on foot and found it very easy to get around without a car. Most of the main sights are concentrated around the historic centre, while the train station is also within walking distance.
Getting to Bremen by train
One of the things I liked most about visiting Bremen was how easy it was to arrive by public transport. Bremen Hauptbahnhof is just outside the historic centre, and from the station it is possible to walk into the old town in around 15 minutes. There are direct train connections to cities including Hamburg and Hanover, as well as longer-distance connections to other parts of Germany.
Once you're in the centre, you don't really need transport for most of the main sights. The historic centre is compact and very walkable, making Bremen a great option if you're travelling around Germany by train.
And if you don’t fancy walking everywhere, there's a really good public transport network with plenty of trams and buses around the city.
Where to stay in Bremen
I stayed at STAYERY Bremen, which is located right next to Wallanlagen Park, making it a convenient base for exploring the city.
The accommodation is more like having your own apartment than staying in a traditional hotel room. My room had a kitchen, bathroom, dining table/workspace, a comfortable bed and fast Wi-Fi, which was especially useful as I was working while travelling.
There is also a rooftop terrace, which became one of my favourite places to go in the evening. It has views over the surrounding city and is a nice spot to sit and watch the sunset.
The location worked really well for exploring Bremen without a car too. The Town Musicians are around a 10-minute walk away, while Schnoor and Böttcherstraße are around 15 minutes on foot. The hotel is also only a couple of minutes from the tram stop.
Things to do in Bremen
Explore Bremen's historic Market Square
The best place to start exploring Bremen is the Marktplatz, or Market Square. This is where you'll find several of the city's most important landmarks all in one place, including the Town Hall, Roland statue, St Peter’s Cathedral and the Bremen Town Musicians.
The square has been at the heart of the city for centuries and is a good starting point for walking around the old town. The Town Hall and Roland statue are particularly significant. The Town Hall was originally built between 1405 and 1410, with its distinctive Renaissance façade added in the 17th century. Together with the Roland statue, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004.
I'd definitely recommend taking a guided tour inside the Town Hall rather than only seeing it from the outside. There is a lot of history behind the building, and the interior is just as impressive as the façade.
See the Bremen Town Musicians
You can't visit Bremen without seeing the city's most famous residents. The Bremen Town Musicians come from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale about a donkey, dog, cat and rooster who set off for Bremen in search of a better life. The bronze statue by German sculptor Gerhard Marcks stands beside the Town Hall and was created in 1953.
Visit St Peter's Cathedral
St Peter's Cathedral sits directly on the Market Square and is one of Bremen's most recognisable buildings. The cathedral has a history stretching back around 1,200 years and has been altered and rebuilt many times over the centuries. The building you see today combines Romanesque and later Gothic elements, and it has two towers rising more than 90 metres above the city.
Entry to the cathedral itself is free and there's also a free museum inside, where you can learn more about the building's history and see archaeological finds from excavations carried out during restoration work.
Wander through Schnoor
Schnoor was one of my favourite parts of Bremen. This is the city's oldest district and is made up of a maze of narrow, cobbled streets lined with small historic houses. The name Schnoor comes from the Low German word for 'string' which fits the way the houses seem to sit closely together along the winding lanes. Historically, fishermen, craftsmen and traders lived here. Today, the streets are home to independent shops, galleries, cafés and restaurants.
Walk along Böttcherstraße
Another beautiful street worth adding to your walk through the old town is Böttcherstraße. It's only a couple of minutes walk from the Market Square, so you can easily combine it with that. There are also small shops and places to stop along the way, including Böttcher 8 and Werkschau-Laden where I ended up buying some lovely presents for friends and family.
Take a walking tour
Bremen's historic centre is compact enough to explore independently, but I'd recommend taking a walking tour if you want to understand more of what you're looking at. There are centuries of history packed into this area, and many of the details aren't immediately obvious when you're just walking past the buildings.
Take a walk through Wallanlagen
Head to Wallanlagen, a park following the former fortifications that once surrounded Bremen's old town and is now one of the city's central green spaces. There are walking paths, sculptures, water, cafés and a historic windmill, making it a nice change of pace from the cobbled streets of the old town.
The Herdentorswallmühle, often known simply as the windmill at the Wall, is particularly recognisable. The 200-year-old mill stands surrounded by the park and is now home to a restaurant.
Visit Bremen's museums
There are plenty of museums to add to your itinerary. The Kunsthalle Bremen is home to an extensive collection of European art, while the Übersee-Museum focuses on cultures and natural history from around the world. For something completely different, Universum Bremen is an interactive science centre where you can explore subjects including technology, humans and nature. There are also smaller and more specialised museums around the city, including the Focke Museum, Bremen's museum of art and cultural history. So even if the weather isn't on your side, there are plenty of things to do indoors.
Eating vegan in Bremen
One of the things that surprised me most was how easy I found it to eat vegan. There are dedicated vegan restaurants and cafés as well as plenty of places with vegan options, so I never felt like I was struggling to find somewhere to eat.
Some of the places I visited and really enjoyed were:
Frölich's - I had their vegan platter which comes with tofu, tempeh, vegan “brie”, avocado, yogurt with fruit and granola, croissant, bread, jam, grilled vegetables, hummus, and more! I also ordered their iced mango matcha latte.
Kalimeraaa - another great spot to add to your food list. I ordered the Plant Board which has grilled vegetables, hummus, olive paste, jam, fruit, pita and bread.
Pressgut - a vegan café offering fresh juices, soups, quinoa burgers, zucchini spaghetti, etc. I had the bean cutlet, potato salad and mushrooms as well as a delicious watermelon juice.
YupYup Superfood - I tried their raw tiramisu and golden latte and they did not disappoint! They also serve savoury meals including soups, bagels, and bowls with vegan “chicken”, which means I need to return to try them. There’s also a coworking space attached to the cafe so if you have work to do while visiting, it’s a great spot for that.
Markthalle Acht - a food hall in the centre of Bremen with a mix of different food stalls and a focus on sustainable and conscious food. It's a good place to go if you're travelling with other people who all want something different. I went to BAB' MARIA which serves homemade Ukrainian food with plenty of delicious vegan options.
How long do you need in Bremen?
I'd recommend spending at least two full days in Bremen. You can see many of the major sights in the historic centre in two days, and you can slow down and actually enjoy the city rather than rushing between attractions.
One day could be spent exploring the Market Square, Town Hall, Cathedral, Town Musicians, Böttcherstraße and Schnoor, while another could include the Wallanlagen, museums, the Viertel and some of Bremen's food spots. And if you're travelling by train around Germany, Bremen is also an easy city to add to a longer itinerary. Its location between Hamburg and other major German cities makes it convenient for a trip without a car.
If you're travelling around Germany by train and looking for somewhere a little different from the country's biggest cities, I'd definitely put Bremen on the list.
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