24 hours in Bremen

Bremen is as diverse, vibrant and interesting as the people who live here. There’s so much to explore in this fascinating city by the Weser, so much history to discover and so many adventures to experience that 24 hours would never be enough. But perhaps you’re just here for one day? Then make the most of your trip in typical relaxed Hanseatic style. Go with the flow with our tips for 24 hours in Bremen.

Breakfast in the Viertel (10 am)

Gather energy for the day ahead: in one of the many cafés and restaurants serving up delicious breakfasts in the ‘Viertel’ district. From a leisurely brunch to freshly brewed coffee to go, you can find just what you’re looking for here. If you want to save your appetite for more treats later, you can opt for a lighter snack at the ‘Coffee Corner’ on the Sielwall. Watch the world go by here and choose from a selection of coffee specialities, bagels (including vegan options) and freshly squeezed juices.

Browsing in little shops (11 am)

Since you’re already in the ‘Viertel’ district, it is an ideal opportunity to browse the little stores there and indulge in some shopping. You can find lots of independent boutiques, specialist stores and food outlets there selling many niche products. Heimathaven is particularly worth a visit, and not just for its diverse array of foodie delights. The store, a grocery and delicatessen since 1874, also impresses with its striking interior built in 1910. This is also a chance to purchase various Bremen specialities.

Art on the “cultural mile” (12.30 pm)

It’s time for a spot of culture now. If you stroll from the Sielwall along the Ostertorsteinweg towards the city centre, you will come to Bremen’s ‘cultural mile’. As well as the Theater Bremen, with the Kunsthalle, Gerhard-Marcks House and Wilhelm Wagenfeld House, you can find three institutions here offering insights into different art movements in their respective exhibitions. The Gerhard-Marcks House focuses on contemporary sculpture, while the Wilhelm Wagenfeld House presents different special exhibitions showcasing the history of everyday culture. With a reputation extending far beyond the local region, the Kunsthalle Bremen presents works from 600 years of art history along with changing special exhibitions featuring an eclectic range of paintings and sculptures. The Viertel district itself is a great place to admire fascinating street art. A guided tour will take you to all the most notable examples.

Sightseeing (2.30 pm)

Not far from Bremen’s ‘cultural mile’, slightly closer to the city centre, clear signposts guide you to the Schnoor district. This is your starting point for a little sightseeing tour taking in some of the city’s classic sights.
The Schnoor is Bremen’s oldest district. Colourful little buildings line the streets of this medieval pedestrian quarter like pearls on a string (‘Schnoor’ means string in Low German). The buildings are home to lots of little shops and cafés – a perfect opportunity to stop off to browse or take a break.
From the Schnoor, you then pass the majestic St. Peter’s Cathedral (St. Petri-Dom) on your way to Bremen’s ‘Gute Stube’ (drawing room), the Marktplatz square. You will find lots of impressive buildings here, most notably, the magnificent Town Hall (Rathaus) and Bremen’s Roland statue, which together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At the Town Hall, you can also admire the bronze statue of the Bremen Town Musicians, a tribute to the fairy-tale by the Brothers Grimm.
Opposite the Town Hall, at the other end of the Marktplatz square, is the entrance to Böttcherstraße. With its expressionistic brick architecture, Bremen’s hidden high street is a unique work of art, creatively designed by Bernhard Hoetger. Don’t miss the chance to see the ‘Glockenspiel House’ while you’re here. From January until March at 12 pm, 3 pm and 6 pm, and from April to December every hour from 12 pm to 6 pm, you can listen to the chimes of 30 Meissen porcelain bells.
In addition: our free audio guide gives you the option of exploring Bremen’s sights at your own pace while still hearing lots of interesting information from professionals.

City centre stroll (4.30 pm)

Your tour of all these sights will bring you to the heart of the city centre. As well as many familiar names, you can find lots of smaller boutique stores here for a spot of retail therapy. And when it’s time for a rest, the many cafés dotted around the area are ideal places to indulge in the local pastime of ‘kaffeesieren’ – the art of the coffee break.

Dining in Bremen (7 pm)

If you’re interested in sampling Bremen’s traditional specialities, you will be spoiled for choice in a wide selection of restaurants in Bremen city centre. The Bremer Ratskeller or the Schüttinger are just two of the many venues serving up typical Bremen dishes such as Knipp (a kind of sausage), Stinte (smelt fish) or Labskaus (corned beef, mashed potato and beetroot). And if you’re dining at the Ratskeller: you can look forward to more than excellent cuisine. The restaurant’s impressive vaulted rooms testify to a wine tradition dating back over 600 years. It is also home to the world’s largest selection of exclusively German wines. It’s well worth a look!

Strolling along the Schlachte promenade (9 pm)

Bremen cuisine is hearty and you might feel like a little stroll afterwards to aid digestion. Not far from the city centre, you can find the Schlachte promenade along the Weser, where you can enjoy the maritime atmosphere and views of the river. If the evening is still young and you’re not tired yet, you can sip a beer, cocktail or glass of wine in one of the many bars along the Schlachte – in beer garden season, you can even sit outdoors looking out over the Weser. In a slightly concealed location set back from the river, fans of good cocktails are in for a treat: open until late, the ‘Blauer Fasan’ bar serves excellent (and not entirely cheap) drinks ranging from the classics to its own creations.

A snack on the Sielwall (midnight)

If hunger pangs start to strike again, you can find lots of snack stands around the Sielwall. This is an ideal chance to sample Bremen’s famous ‘Rollos’ – delicious flatbreads with various fillings, rolled up and served with a choice of dressings.

A new day dawns (9 am)

If you didn’t stay up until the wee small hours last night and are feeling rested and full of energy, you can make a little detour to the Findorff market before you set off for home. Open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, this market sells a wide selection of fresh foods. You can pick up a freshly brewed coffee and a little breakfast snack to go at some of the stalls. And if you still have a little time to spare, it’s just a short stroll from the Findorffmarkt to the Bürgerpark, which together with the neighbouring municipal forest forms Bremen's largest area of parkland. This green oasis in the heart of the city is a perfect place for a leisurely walk, as well as other outdoor activities such as rowing or mini golf.