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Bremen Germany is one of the most idyllic and best places I have visited in Germany! If ever you are close to this fairytale town, you must make a stop. Only a quick train ride from Hamburg here is the best of Bremen itinerary for a weekend trip!
I had never heard about Bremen until I was living in Berlin. It is one of these hidden gems you only find out about through word of mouth. It so happened I had a weekend free, so I took the train from Berlin and checked it out!
Is Bremen Worth Visiting?
Bremen is absolutely worth visiting! It is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany with years of history to explore. The city of Bremen is the perfect place for a weekend trip as it is rather small in size.
It has a good location being so close to Hamburg, visiting for just a couple of days is so easy. What I loved about Bremen the most is that it has a more Nordic twist than traditional German when it comes to delicious food.
Where is Bremen Located?
Bremen is located in Northwest Germany, just southwest of Hamburg. It is situated on both banks of the Weser River, near its estuary into the North Sea.
Bremen is also a port city, with access to the major waterways of the Weser river that crisscross Europe. With a population of 550,000, it has one of the most important economic hubs in Germany.
The closest airport to Bremen, Germany is the Bremen Airport (BRE) which is located about 4 miles from the city center. Another popular way to visit Bremen is via train coming from Hamburg.
It’s an easy day trip, but I would actually recommend staying the weekend in Bremen if you can. The train takes around 45 minutes from Hamburg and runs about every hour or so.
When you arrive at the main train station, you walk a few minutes to the “Altstadt” city center of Bremen. Here you are met with the most beautiful and fairytale-like architecture. Northern Germany is much different than southern Germany (Bavaria), both incredible for different reasons.
In the north, you are close to the sea, and in the south, you are surrounded by incredible mountains. Here in the north, you will feel the influences of the nearby Nordic neighbors of Denmark.
What is Bremen Known For?
Bremen is a Hanseatic city and served as a major center for trade and commerce and was a member of the Hanseatic League. This league was a powerful trading alliance of merchant guilds from the 13th to 17th centuries. Founded by cities including Lübeck, Hamburg, and Bremen, formed to protect their economic interests.
It was disbanded in 1669 but its legacy as a key trading post is still relevant today.
Best of Bremen Itinerary for a Weekend Trip
On your weekend trip to Bremen, you want to hit the most popular attractions! After you are settled in your hotel you can hit the main square and start to explore the old town of Bremen!
I have included a Google map below so that you may save it on your phone for your visit. These locations were my favorite things about this fairy tale town!
A great way to ensure you will see everything on your weekend trip is by booking walking tours. This walking tour of the historic old town is a customized private tour by a local! What I love most about a guided tour is the history you will learn on your journey.
Unless you are googling each site as you stand there, and who wants to do that, you don’t learn anything.
>> BOOK A WALKING TOUR WITH A LOCAL
Bremen Town Hall
Am market 21, 28195 Bremen, Germany
The Bremen Town Hall is an iconic symbol of the German city of Bremen. The Renaissance town hall was built in Gothic Style during the 15th century and has been the crown jewel of the city for centuries!
This most impressive building along with The Statue of Ronald has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Bremen city hall is home to several art galleries and museums where visitors can view a variety of medieval artifacts, including armor and weapons from the middle ages!
The Bremen Town hall also hosts concert venues and markets throughout the year. The beautiful baroque hall with intricate stucco ceilings and frescos is the perfect setting for the town’s musicians to rejoice.
You will find the Bremen city hall in the market square along with the Bremen Cathedral and Bremen town musicians statue.
The Statue of Roland
The Roland Statue, one of the top attractions in Bremen, Germany, was erected in 1404 and can be found in the heart of Bremen in the market square.
Various cities have the Roland statues as a symbol of the city of civic liberty and freedom.
This former Holy Roman Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire was deemed the hero of the Battle of Roncevaux Pass.
The Roland Statue is a symbol of the city’s freedom. Bremen, Germany will remain free and independent as long as the bronze statue of Roland stands to protect it.
The Statue of the Brothers Grimm
The Brothers Grimm Statue in Market Square depicts Wilhen and Jacob Grimm, the brothers who wrote the beloved fairy tales such as Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, and Rapunzel.
This is the town musicians’ statue of Bremen, Germany. Located between the Bremen cathedral and town hall.
The bronze sculpture created by Gerhard Marcks in 1953 stands over 12 feet tall! You will notice the donkey’s legs and nose are now gold from tourists and locals grabbing the legs for luck.
>> BOOK A WALKING TOUR WITH GERMAN NIGHT GUARD
Windmill (Mühle Am Wall)
am wall 212, 28195 Bremen, Germany
A must-stop on your weekend itinerary is to visit the Bremen Windmill (Mühle Am Wall). This iconic building in Bremen was built in 1898 and is open to the public.
The Bremen Windmill is one of the oldest working windmills in the world and has been in operation since 1540. Visitors can climb to the top for a 360-degree view of the city.
The windmill is one of the reasons Breman has a whimsical reputation as a fairy tale town.
You don’t have to travel far to reach the windmill, which is located in the city center. Check here for Directions.
St. Martin’s Church
Martinikirchhof 3, 28195 Bremen, Germany
St. Martin’s Church is a large 12th-century Luthern Church. It is the oldest church in Bremen is St. John’s church, but St. Martin’s church is one of the most important for its history and elaborate architecture.
The church was originally constructed as an abbey for Benedictine monks who resided in the church until the year 1803.
Enjoy the building’s Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance features and its beautiful stained glassed windows.
Inside the church, you can find various sculptures dedicated to the saints and many great relics including the seven Bremen bishops and four archbishops.
St. Petri Dom (Bremen Cathedral)
Sandstrasse 10-12, 28195 Bremen, Germany
The best of Bremen itinerary for a weekend trip has a stop at one of the most magnificent churches in Germany.
St. Petri church (St. Peter’s Cathedral) is a Luthern church located in the city centre of Bremen. The church dates back to the late Middle Ages and was built during the 15th century.
It is one of the few remaining churches in Northern Germany that have maintained some of its original Gothic design elements.
If you have the stamina to climb to the top, I would highly recommend it. The views of Bremen from the top of this church are breathtaking. For more information and hours of operation, check the website here.
Small Shops in Bremen
Böttcherstasse 28195 Bremen, Germany
Nothing like a little shop till your drop on your weekend itinerary in Bremen. You can stroll around the market square to explore everything this town offers.
Don’t miss the shops on Böttcherstasse, Obernstrasse, and Sögestrasse, located in the old town, containing unique souvenir shops and locally made goods.
These boutique shops are of the best in Bremen! If you are looking for more traditional shopping like a mall, there is a MEIN outlet, Columbus Center, Weserpark, and Lloyd Passage to keep you busy.
The Schnoor Quarter
The Schnoor Quarter is Bremen’s oldest district and it gives the city the most fairytale-like vibes. If you don’t know where this little pocket of magic is, you could miss it!
I read about the Schnoor in another blog about Bremen and was incredibly grateful I did!
This medieval center of Bremen gets its name from the old handcrafts that are associated with shipping. These narrow streets and adorable cafes will have your heart. It is one of the oldest parts of the city dating back to before the 13th century.
The traditional brick buildings and half-timbered houses create a unique atmosphere where the town musicians of Bremen come to life.
Enjoy a little coffee or cocktail outside one of the many restaurants that line these winding streets, it was by far one of the best things I did. You can not leave Bremen without adding this hidden gem to your weekend itinerary.
And don’t forget your camera, I couldn’t get enough pictures of the architectural styles of these gorgeous buildings!
Museums to Visit in Bremen
There are a number of museums to visit on your weekend in Bremen! If the weather isn’t great, it is the perfect way to spend some time indoors. I am not the most into museums, but these ones are pretty cool.
- The Kunsthalle Bremen is an art Gallery with various artworks from the Renaissance period to the modern day. Located close to the Bremen Old Town on what is referred to as the “Culture Mile.”
- Übersee Museum located next to Hayptbanhop is the Ethonolfical Museum founded in 1875. It holds a wide range of artifacts and art objects that have been collected from around the world.
- The Universum Science Center in Bremen is the best place to explore the wonders of science. It is an interactive museum with many exhibits and activities that fascinate and educate its visitors.
Best of Bremen Itinerary for a Weekend Trip Eateries
Fill the best of Bremen weekend itinerary with the best food I mentioned, this fairytale town of Bremen, Germany, is very different than other places in Germany.
There are influences from other cultures, such as the Nordic. It is easily identifiable with the cuisine of Bremen. You find a lot of fish and pickled herring, much like in Nordic countries.
Beer lovers shouldn’t miss Beck’s Brewery – Get a guided tour!
Best Restaurants Bremen
- Bremen Ratskeller is one of the oldest and most beloved restaurants in Bremen! You must make time on your weekend to eat here. The restaurant is decorated with historical artifacts from all over Europe. I don’t eat meat, so if you are a vegetarian, options are limited, but there do have menu items for you.
- Spizen Gebel is a bar and restaurant located in the old city center. It has been around since 1854 and it’s one of the oldest pubs in Bremen. It is a casual spot where I enjoyed the best dark bier.
- Ständige Vertretung serves up traditional Bremen and Rhenish specialties. Its English country-style house combines original Hanseatic elements. For a casual menu in a historic setting, try this place!
Do you consider yourself a wine lover? If so, check out the wine capital of Germany!
If you are visiting in the summer months, head down to the Weser river just before the Wilhelm Kaisen Brücke (bridge) and enjoy Beck’s beer in the many restaurants along the water.
Where to Stay in Bremen
I also recommend staying in the city center of any destination. Bremen’s historic old town is small, but there is an old town and a new town to be aware of. The new town is located just across the River Weser. I recommend staying in the old town if you are arriving by train.
Best Hotels In Bremen
A 14-minute walk from Bremen central station, this is an affordable apartment option in the center of Bremen.
It features a kitchen, and washing machine, and some units have a terrace. This is the perfect spot to stay for your weekend in Bremen!
Click here for more information and current prices
Dorint City Hotel Bremen is just 5 minutes from the central train station. An ideal location for a weekend stay. The hotel features a spa, an onsite restaurant, and a bar. The private rooms all have air conditioning and are pet friendly!
Click here for more information and current prices
Designhotel ÜberFluss is a fabulous 4-star hotel that features an indoor pool and spa! Many of the rooms come with a lovely view of the Weser river.
Just 650 feet from the Modern Art Museum and steps away from Bremen’s old town.
Click here for more information and current prices
I hope the best of Bremen itinerary for a weekend trip served as a guide and great inspiration! May your stay in the fairytale town of Bremen, Germany be as magical for you as it was for me!
If you are looking for a taste of southern Germany, I must suggest you check out Nuremberg!
From Nuremberg, you can visit 2 of the most idyllic villages, Bamberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber. These destinations are the fairytale villages of southern Germany.
Christmas Markets: The Most Magical Berlin Christmas Markets
FAQs
The months of June, July, and August are lovely times to visit Bremen, Germany. The weather will be its warmest.
Bremen, Germany covers an area of 325 km2 (125 sq miles) and has a population of around 547,000 people. It is the 11th most populous city in Germany.
The time of year you visit will be a factor in how expensive accommodations are in Bremen. During the winter months, it is more affordable. Consider taking public transit and seek out budget-friendly pubs and street food vendors to keep costs lower.
Christina says
I love Bremen. It is such as beautiful city. This article made me wish I could go back and visit again. The Bremen Rathaus is one of my favorite buildings. If I remember my history correct, it isn’t nearly as old as it appears as it was reconstructed post-WWII.
Vera Silva says
Hi! I’m Vera from Portugal and I loved your article about Bremen! What a beautiful and useful article! 🙂
I have just booked a trip to Bremen and I´m going to stay at the Best Western Hotel Bremen City.
May you help me with some doubts?
Do you think it’s safe to travel alone to Bremen? Is the hotel in a good location? Is it safe for a girl to be on the streets at night?
I hope you will be able to reply before I go (April 22nd) and thank you so much!
Melissa Byron says
Hey Vera! I am so excited you are going to Bremen! It is one of my all-time favorites in Germany!
I did feel very safe on my own walking around in the evening. Mind you I don’t stay out very late, maybe 9-10 pm.
With regards to the hotel, I am going to send you an email, so look out for it. Check your junk mail if you don’t see it : )