Discover Bremen: Culture, History and the Weser

Bremen combines an impressive urban history with art, interactive discoveries and activities along the Weser. You can focus your stay on historic districts and museums, spend time outdoors, or combine both. When choosing accommodation, it helps to decide on the activities you want to enjoy first and then choose a location.

City history and distinctive architecture

The Town Hall and Roland statue on Bremen’s Market Square make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 2004. They represent civic autonomy and state sovereignty as these developed in the Holy Roman Empire. Visitors can experience the Town Hall through guided tours, exhibitions and markets in the Lower Hall, among other things; specific visiting options may change.

Another well-known city landmark is the bronze statue of the Bremen Town Musicians, created by Gerhard Marcks in 1953. It stands with its back to the Town Hall and faces Liebfrauenkirchhof. According to tradition, touching the donkey’s front legs is said to bring good luck. A visit to the Market Square can therefore also include a look at a work that brings a story into the urban landscape.

In the Schnoor, Bremen’s oldest district, narrow lanes wind between small houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. The Bremen Stories House Museum is also located in the district. Böttcherstraße offers a different architectural accent, bringing traditional and Expressionist brick architecture together with museums and crafts. At the House of the Glockenspiel, 30 Meissen porcelain bells ring as ten carved wooden panels depicting famous seafarers rotate on the façade. In the craft courtyard of the Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum, you can watch goldsmiths and glassblowers at work. In the Schnoor, the Bremen Candy Manufactory offers demonstrations of confectionery making and workshops; workshop availability may vary.

Art and learning for a range of interests

The Kunsthalle Bremen traces European painting from the 14th century to the present day. Its collection also includes sculptures from the 16th to the 21st century, international media art, and more than 220,000 drawings and prints. Since displays change, not every work is permanently shown in the same exhibition. Exhibitions across several floors at the Übersee-Museum offer insights into the diversity of the world. Those interested in sacred art and architectural history can explore topics ranging from the 1,200-year history of Bremen’s St. Peter’s Cathedral to finds from seven bishops’ graves at the museum in the cathedral.

Universum Bremen combines a whale-shaped science center with hands-on exhibitions about people, nature and technology. Its outdoor area is also designed for independent exploration: Across 5,000 square meters, it features hands-on experiments, a climbing wall, a crawl tunnel and a Moon Jumper. The botanika also offers interactive activities for families. Its Discovery Centre explores plant and animal life through stations and exhibits.

Green breaks and routes along the Weser

Together with the adjoining city forest, Bürgerpark forms a 200-hectare green oasis with numerous recreational facilities near Bremen Central Station. Extensive networks of paths along the Weser are available for cycling, jogging and inline skating. This lets you add some exercise to your stay without missing out on the city’s museums, historic buildings or neighborhoods.

The Weser Cycle Route also offers a practical starting point for planning your trip: a 91-kilometer section connects Bremen and Bremerhaven. Bicycles can be taken on ships or trains between the two cities; check the current route and bicycle transport conditions in advance. Weser sightseeing cruises, harbor tours and trips to Bremerhaven, Oldenburg or Verden also depart from Martinianleger. It is worth checking the timetable before planning your days. Activities such as rowing and sailing are also available on the Weser; options depend on providers and conditions.

Maritime dining and the right accommodation

Along the Weser, the Schlachte brings together restaurants, bars, pubs and local beer gardens in a maritime dining district. It’s an easy way to add some time by the water to your day.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Vegesack, Bremen, Blumenthal, Bremerhaven.

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