Bremen had long been on my list of German cities to visit as it’s just a few hours’ drive from my home in Amsterdam. With a long weekend approaching, I finally decided to make the trip – and I’m so glad I did! There’s something undeniably charming about Bremen. This northern German city, on the shores of the Weser River, is home to a trove of history, impressive monuments, quirky legends and streets right out of a fairy-tale. The main sights can be visited in a day but I’m happy I stayed longer to experience its quiet beauty and wonderful ambiance. The compact nature of the historic city centre makes it perfect to explore on foot. If you’re planning a stroll around the Altstadt (Old Town), follow my self-guided walking route below that covers the top things to see in Bremen.
Marktplatz with the Rathaus (left) and St. Peter’s Cathedral.
Bremen is the second-largest city in northern Germany, after Hamburg, and one of the historic Hanseatic cities of northern Europe. For the most part of its existence, Bremen was an independent city at the centre of the League of Hanseatic Cities, a 13th-century northern European network of merchant cities. This network included cities such as Hamburg, Lübeck and Stralsund in northern Germany as well as Gdansk (Poland), Bruges (Belgium) and Riga (Latvia). Bremen flourished during this time – many of the historic buildings that can be seen today were built during this period. It’s this historic legacy, beautiful riverside setting and vibrant atmosphere that make Bremen absolutely worth a visit.
Bremen Weser Riverfront
Bremen walking route
My Bremen sightseeing walking route below starts at St. Peter’s Cathedral (St. Petri’s Dom) and ends at the lively Schlachter (Weser River promenade) where you can end your day with a well-deserved drink served with beautiful river views. This route can be done in a day, though I recommend two days if you’d like to visit the attractions suggested below. Along the way, look out for the intriguing bronze statues scattered across the city – the famous ones include The Bremen Town Musicians, Shepherd with Pigs and Brunnen Beim Bade. Each of these statues has its own story or legend to tell.
Below, I’ve listed ten things to see and do in Bremen, the first 8 of which are covered by my self-guided walking tour in the same sequence as the route above. I’ve also included some tips about other things to do in Bremen.
1. St. Peter’s Cathedral (St. Petri Dom)
With over 1,200 years of history, St. Peter’s Cathedral (St. Petri Dom) is a silent witness to Bremen’s past. I wandered inside and was struck by the peacefulness and sheer scale. If you’re up for a climb, the South Tower offers one of the best views over the city – but fair warning, the stairs are narrow and steep!
St. Peter’s Cathedral 
The imposing ceiling 
Beautiful arches in the Dom
2. Kunsthalle
The Kunsthalle Bremen is an art museum located at one end of Bremen’s Culture Mile. It’s a lovely museum that houses work by famous European artists such as Monet and Cézanne, and paintings and sculptures through to the 21st century.
3. Schnoor Quarter
My favourite part of Bremen, hands down, is the Schnoorviertel (Schnoor Quarter). It’s Bremen’s oldest district, and its name (derived from “Schnur”) means ‘string’ that probably refers to the lines of narrow houses, like gems (or pearls, if you will) on a string. The district consists of around 100 houses built between the 15th and 19th centuries.
The charming Marterbrug street in the Schnoor Quarter 
Schnoorviertel
It’s such a lovely district to explore. Think crooked lanes, tiny half-timbered houses, and quaint shops selling everything from local crafts to tea. I spent quite a bit of time here, camera in hand, losing track of time, and loving every minute! Get here by 10am and you’ll most likely have the little lanes all to yourself. One other thing to do is to join a guided tour to learn about the stories and legends of Schnoor.
Wüstestätte street
4. Die Glocke
From Schnoorviertel, I continued my walk past the gorgeous St. John’s Church to Die Glocke. I’d seen this concert hall in photos before and I was intrigued by its architecture, a wonderful marriage of Art Deco and Brick Gothic. Competed in 1928, Die Glocke still functions as a concert venue.
St. John’s Church in Brick Gothic style 
Die Glocke
5. Böttcherstraße
From Die Glocke, it was a short stroll to my next stop. As soon as I turned onto Böttcherstrasse, I felt like I’d entered another world. This narrow alley, redesigned in the 1920’s in a blend of Expressionist and Art Deco styles, is unlike any other street I’ve seen in Europe. It’s packed with galleries, shops, and even a Glockenspiel House (carillon) with a chime of porcelain bells. I recommend pausing here with a coffee (or a beer) and just soaking up the atmosphere.
Entrance to Böttcherstrasse 
Böttcherstrasse 
The Glockenspiel has 30 bells made of Meissen porcelain. The carillon chimes three times a day. Wooden panels depicting pioneering seafarers and aviators appear on a rotating mechanism inside the tower. 
Ständige Vertretung Rheinland Bremen is a traditional café in Böttcherstrasse.
6. Marktplatz
The central point of Bremen, the Marktplatz is an impressive square with numerous historic sights:
Deutsches Haus
One of the grand houses that line the northwestern corner of the Marktplatz, the Deustches Haus stems from the Middle Ages and was used as a wine warehouse.
Deutscheshaus (right)
Rathaus and Roland Statue
Across the road is Bremen’s iconic Rathaus (the old town hall). The façade, a prime example of Brick Gothic and Weser Renaissance styles, is a feast for the eyes. It’s adorned with intricate carvings, statues and large windows. I suggest joining a guided tour of the Rathaus to learn about his colourful history and various architectural styles.
Rathaus 
The side of the Rathaus isn’t too shabby either.
Just a few paces away stands the mighty Roland Statue (erected in 1404), sword in hand, symbolising Bremen’s freedom. Together, they’re UNESCO-listed and utterly awe-inspiring.
Roland Statue
Rathauskeller
Under the Rathaus lies a massive vaulted space that’s home to one of the largest and oldest wine cellars in Germany! It’s possible to book a tour to visit the cellar – I recommend booking way in advance as I didn’t manage to get tickets even a few days beforehand. As an alternative, I suggest having a meal at the adjacent Bremer Ratskeller restaurant, which I found absolutely stunning!
Ratskeller restaurant
Bremen Town Musicians
You can’t come to Bremen and miss this! Tucked beside the grand Rathaus, the bronze statue of the Bremen Town Musicians (donkey, dog, cat, and rooster) stands as a tribute to the Brothers Grimm fairy tale. It’s one of the most famous things to see in Bremen – smaller than I expected, but quite endearing. Tradition says touching the donkey’s front hooves brings good luck. Naturally, I obliged. Haha!
Bremen Town Musicians
Haus Schütting
This ornate building was once the merchants’ guild house and later became the offices of the Chamber of Commerce.
Haus Schütting
7. Wallanlagen
From Marktplatz, I crossed the historic city centre to Wallanlagen. What was formerly part of Bremen’s medieval defense walls is now a lush park with beautiful views. I enjoyed strolling along the lake (formed by the old moat) and looking out for quirky artworks along the way. There’s also a beautiful windmill to admire, where you can also stop for a drink and a snack.
Windmill in the Wallanlagen
Near the park, you’ll find one of Bremen’s famous bronze sculptures: the Shepherd and Pigs.
The Shepherd and his Pigs
8. The Weser Promenade (Schlachte)
I continued westward to the Weser River and strolled along the Schlachte promenade. It’s especially lively in the warmer months, with outdoor cafés, historic ships, and riverside views. There are many restaurants, beer gardens and alfresco cafés to choose from. The ones I loved, for the wonderful atmosphere, include Luv, Feldmann’s Bierhaus and Paulaner.
Schlachte (Weser promenade)
I found a shady spot with great views, ordered a Flammkuchen and a beer and watched the boats and the locals pass by. It was the perfect way to end the day. [note: if you choose a self-service alfresco café, the price of the beverage includes a deposit for the glass. You’ll receive the deposit when you return the glass].
Chilling at the Weser promenade
9. Das Viertel
The hipster district of Bremen, Das Viertel, is just a 10-minute walk from the old town. If you have time, I suggest adding this district to your Bremen itinerary. The Ostertorsteinweg, a busy shopping street, is the main thoroughfare through the district. The side streets are filled with art galleries, artisanal studios, shops, cafés and street art. I recommend exploring the area between Bleichesrstrasse/Beim Paulskloster and Sielwall/Hollerstrasse.
Ostertorsteinweg (image by H.Traber/Wikimedia Commons).
10. Other things to do in Bremen
It’s also quite lovely to take a serene cruise down the Weser River to the old industrial and warehouse districts (which have now been redeveloped) and the port area. The cruise starts at the Martinianleger pier and lasts about 2 hours.
Cruise down the Weser
You can also choose to cross the Weser River and visit the Weserburg Museum of Modern Art and the Beck’s Brewery.
Northeast of the old town is another Bremen attraction: the Universum Science Museum. Housed in a building that resembles a crashed UFO, this is an interactive museum with many interesting exhibits.
Bremen by night
This walking route can be done in a day but I recommend spending at least a night in Bremen. This gives you more time to explore the city, and you get to see the historic buildings in all their glory when all the day-trippers have left.
Marktplatz by night 
St. Peter’s Cathedral by night
Walking through Bremen’s historic centre felt like peeling back layers of time. I particularly enjoyed the architecture of the Marktplatz, Schnoor and Böttcherstrasse, as well as the laidback vibes at the Schlachte. Whether you’re here for a few hours or a few days, make sure to slow down, look up, and let yourself be charmed. Bremen doesn’t shout for your attention – it simply, and quietly, wins your heart.
Where to stay in Bremen
I stayed at the H+ Hotel Bremen in the heart of the old town. The rooms and beds were comfortable and breakfast was plentiful. Its location, a stone’s throw from the Marktplatz, is fantastic!
Booking.com
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