Bremen – you really surprised us during our Germany tour. Until now, we thought the city of Bremen consisted only of the Bremen Town Musicians and a few old buildings. But we were completely wrong. Bremen is a super relaxed, cool, laid-back, and above all, green city. Just a few meters inside the city, and we were surrounded by greenery, amidst various oases.
And the open sea is only an hour’s drive away. Water plays a major role anyway, because twice a day, the North Sea’s high tide reaches the city. Then the Weser, Lesum, Hunte, and Wümme rivers flow “backward” – upland. About six hours later, the water reaches its highest point, and Bremen’s rivers flow downhill again. Strange, isn’t it?
- Good morning from the Ibis Styles Bremen
- Beautiful coffee mill on the Wall
- The beautiful old town of Bremen
- The pretty and charming Schnoorviertel
- The cool and hip “Viertel” district
- End the day in the Bürgerpark
- More tips for the city of Bremen
Good morning from the Ibis Styles Bremen
Our day started in the heart of the city, at the Ibis Styles Hotel right in the old town. After a super-relaxed night in our Space room, we were treated to an extensive and delicious breakfast buffet. Muesli, bread, rolls, croissants, spreads, sausage, cheese, fruit, cornflakes, eggs, scrambled eggs, and much more – we certainly didn’t go hungry. While we love having breakfast in cool cafés, we also find it just as relaxing when we don’t have to worry about anything in the morning.
The Ibis Styles Hotel is located right in the center of Bremen, making it the perfect base for a city trip. The historic Schnoor district is less than a kilometer away on foot. The 118 rooms were designed and furnished in a space-age look.
The beds are super cozy and comfortable, and some rooms even have a small sofa bed with a beanbag. The private bathroom is spacious and bright. We really felt very comfortable here! Free tea and coffee are available all day in the lobby, and the Wi-Fi works perfectly.
Beautiful coffee mill on the wall
Well fortified, we headed toward the city center. Quite by chance, we passed the city moat and wall, turned right, and strolled through the beautiful green area. It somehow felt as if we were somewhere in Holland – the colorful flowers, the mill, the little houses on the water – simply wonderful.
Here you’ll find the over 100-year-old coffee mill, where you can leisurely sip a coffee or grab a bite to eat. The mill is nestled among flowerbeds, which looks really beautiful. It really didn’t feel like we were in a city at all.
The beautiful old town of Bremen
At the end of the Wallanlage, we entered the beautiful old town of Bremen. There’s a lot to discover here. The large market square (also called the “parlor”) forms the center of the city center. The impressive backdrop of the historic buildings is almost breathtaking. The Bremen Town Hall is truly an eye-catcher and one of the most beautiful Renaissance facades in Northern Europe.
The St. Peter’s Cathedral is also impossible to miss, with its mighty towers towering over the market square. 265 steps separate you from a truly beautiful view of Bremen. The observation deck of the southern tower is open from April to October.
A visit to the Bremen Town Musicians was a must, of course. A snapshot with the four most famous Bremen figures belongs on every memory card and hard drive. We were lucky, because there weren’t as many tourists in front of the sculpture as we initially expected. It can still get quite crowded here.
Past the market square and the Schütting, there is a passage to Böttcherstrasse. The entrance is marked by a large golden relief plaque – it’s hard to miss. This street, stretching almost 110 meters, offers tradition, gastronomy, museums, workshops, and the famous carillon. The carillon, consisting of 30 Meissen porcelain bells, plays here every hour from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The pretty and charming Schnoorviertel
We continue on to Bremen’s oldest district. Here, small houses are lined up like a string along a narrow street. Hence the name “Schnoor,” which means “string.” The dreamy alleys invite you to stroll and shop, with numerous handicrafts, restaurants, cafés, and pubs lined up one after the other.
Here you’ll find originality, art, small businesses, and shops. Anyone looking for fast-food chains and consumer temples is definitely in the wrong place. The small half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries are particularly beautiful.
The cool and hip “Viertel” district
A short time later, we arrived in the “Viertel”. We particularly liked this lively part of town with its many cool cafés, trendy pubs, restaurants, and charming shops. We somehow had the feeling of being in a trendy Berlin district. Young people, artists, students, and creative types are the mainstays here in the “Viertel”. It’s a kind of cult mile in Bremen with lots of second-hand shops, canned beer, and street art.
A few minutes’ walk from the city center, you reach the “Viertel,” which Bremen residents also like to call Ostertor and Steintor. If you’re looking for international flair and culture, this is the right place for you in the city’s most diverse and vibrant district.
End the day in the Bürgerpark
Behind the main train station and the exhibition center begins the city’s green lung – Bremen’s Bürgerpark. For us, it was a perfect day trip destination with plenty of peace and nature. We strolled right through the park and enjoyed the tranquil ambiance. Here you can even play a game of mini golf, rent rowboats, or enjoy a delicious ice cream. There is also a playground and a few animal enclosures with pigs and deer for the little ones.
More tips for the city of Bremen
- eat at Vegefarm in the middle of the Steintorviertel
- delicious tarte flambée at Lilie in Findorff
- Yalla Yalla falafel in the district
- Universum Bremen (interactive museum)
- the beautiful Rhododendron Park in Bremen
- Bremen Art Gallery
- Timber and Factory Harbor
- Cool store: Überseekaufhaus “Fette Beute”
- Great Asian cuisine at Jaya
- Great viewing platform at the Bamberger department store
- Loriot sofa – great photo opportunity
- Super delicious ice cream at the Ice Cream Lab
- Even more peace and tranquility at the Focke Garden
♡ A very warm and heartfelt thank you to Bremen Tourism for its fantastic support. We would also like to thank the team at the Ibis Styles for the wonderful days at the Ibis Styles Hotel in the old town. ♡