Bremen is a city in northern Germany, located on the Weser River. It is the capital of the state of Bremen, which is made up of two cities, Bremen and Bremerhaven. Bremen has a rich history and is known for its Hanseatic heritage, as well as its role as a major port city. It has a population of around 570,000 people, making it the 10th largest city in Germany.

The city is home to many historic buildings and landmarks, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Bremen Town Musicians statue, the 15th-century Gothic-style Bremen Cathedral, the medieval Schnoor quarter, and the iconic Bremen Roland statue in the historic Market Square.

Bremen is also known for its cultural scene, with a variety of museums, theaters, and music venues, such as the Bremen Shakespeare Company, the Kunsthalle Bremen art museum, and the Bremen Music Festival. The city is also famous for its beer culture, with several breweries and beer gardens, and hosts one of the largest beer festivals in the world, the Bremen Freimarkt.

Overall, Bremen is a vibrant and historic city with a unique culture and attractions that draw visitors from around the world.

Visiting Bremen for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Bremen on the first visit. Top help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

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This complete guide to Bremen not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.

This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in Bremen and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!

Schlachte Embankment

The historic waterfront promenade on the Weser in Bremen’s old town is known as Schlachte. It is located in the heart of Bremen directly along the Weser – has seen a lot in its 800-year history and has displayed many different faces. The Schlachte, originally Bremen’s harbor square, it has been transformed into today’s maritime […]

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Location: Schlachte 12, 28195 Bremen, Germany | Distance: 0.30km

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Visiting Schlachte Embankment

Weserburg Museum of Modern Art

The Weserburg Museum of Modern Art is a contemporary art museum located in Bremen, Germany. It is known for its diverse collection of modern and contemporary art and its unique location in a historic building. The museum is situated on a small island in the Weser River, near the city center of Bremen. Its building, […]

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Location: Weserburg | Museum of Modern Art, Teerhof, Bremen, Germany | Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday closed | Price: Adults €9 | Website | Distance: 0.40km

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Visiting Weserburg Museum of Modern Art

Bremen Roland

The Bremen Roland is a statue and an important symbol of the city of Bremen, Germany. It stands in the market square opposite the Bremen Town Hall and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The statue depicts Roland, the legendary knight and nephew of Charlemagne, who served as protector of the city and symbolizes the […]

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Location: Bremen Roland, Am Markt, Bremen, Germany | Distance: 0.50km

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Visiting Bremen Roland

Böttcherstraße

Böttcherstraße is a unique and historic street in the heart of Bremen, Germany. It is renowned for its architectural beauty, cultural significance, and artistic charm. Located in the city’s old town, Böttcherstraße is a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike. The street was originally built in the early 20th century by a Bremen-based coffee […]

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Location: Böttcherstraße, Bremen, Germany | Distance: 0.50km

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Visiting Böttcherstraße

Bremen Town Musicians Statue

The Bremen Town Musicians statue is a beloved symbol of the city of Bremen, located in the heart of the old town. The statue depicts the iconic characters from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale “The Bremen Town Musicians,” which tells the story of a donkey, dog, cat, and rooster who set out on a journey […]

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Visiting Bremen Town Musicians Statue

Schütting

The Schutting, formerly a merchants’ guildhouse in Bremen, now serves as the chamber of commerce. Its construction took place in 1537/38 under the supervision of Johann den Buschener, drawing inspiration from the Renaissance architecture of Flanders. In 1594, during a decorative renovation of the building’s front facing the market, the merchants’ coat of arms was […]

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Location: Schütting, Am Markt, Bremen, Germany | Distance: 0.50km

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Visiting Schütting

Bremen Town Hall

Bremen Town Hall or Bremer Rathaus is a historic building located in the centre of the city of Bremen, Germany. It was built between 1405 and 1410 in Gothic style and is known for its intricate façade, richly decorated with ornate sculptures and reliefs. The town hall has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage […]

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Location: Bremen Town Hall, Am Markt, Bremen, Germany | Distance: 0.60km

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Visiting Bremen Town Hall

Glockenspiel House

The Glockenspiel House, also known as the Haus des Glockenspiels in German, is a historic building located in Bremen, Germany. Situated at No. 4 Böttcherstraße in Bremen’s old town district, it is a prominent landmark and a popular tourist attraction in the city. The Glockenspiel House gets its name from the glockenspiel, a musical instrument […]

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Location: Glockenspiel House, Böttcherstraße, Bremen, Germany | Hours: Mon – Fr: 9.00 am – 6.00 pm Sat: 9.30 am – 5 pm Sun: 10 am – 4 pm | Website | Distance: 0.60km

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Visiting Glockenspiel House

Bremen Cathedral

Bremen Cathedral, officially known as St. Peter’s Cathedral (St. Petri Dom), is a beautiful medieval cathedral located in the heart of the city of Bremen, Germany. It was built in the Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles and is widely regarded as one of the most important cultural monuments in northern Germany. Construction of the cathedral […]

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Location: Bremen Cathedral, Sandstraße, Bremen, Germany | Hours: 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, to 2pm Sat, 2-5pm Sun Oct-May, Mon-Fri & Sun to 6pm Jun-Sep | Price: tower adult/child €2/1, museum free | Website | Distance: 0.70km

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Visiting Bremen Cathedral

Schnoor

Schnoor is a charming and historic neighbourhood in Bremen, Germany. It is located in the city’s old town, not far from the Weser River, and is known for its narrow, winding streets and well-preserved medieval architecture. The name “Schnoor” is derived from the Low German word “Snoor,” which means string or cord. The neighbourhood is […]

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Location: Schnoor, Schnoor, Bremen, Germany | Distance: 0.90km

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Visiting Schnoor

Kunsthalle Bremen

The Kunsthalle Bremen is an art museum located in Bremen, Germany. It was founded in 1823 by a group of private citizens, and today its collection contains over 2,500 paintings and sculptures, as well as a significant collection of prints and drawings. The museum’s collection includes works by major European artists from the 14th century […]

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Location: Kunsthalle Bremen, Am Wall, Bremen, Germany | Hours: 10am-5pm Wed-Sun, to 9pm Tue | Price: adult/child €9/free | Distance: 1.10km

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Visiting Kunsthalle Bremen

Focke Museum

The Focke Museum is a museum located in Bremen, Germany. It is named after Johann Focke, a Bremen entrepreneur, and was opened in 1924. The museum’s collections cover a broad range of topics, including art, cultural history, and natural history. The art collection consists mainly of works from the 19th and 20th centuries, with a […]

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Location: Focke-Museum, Bremer Landesmuseum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte, Schwachhauser Heerstraße, Bremen, Germany | Hours: Monday Closed Tuesday 10:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. Wednesday – Saturday 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sunday 10:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. | Price: Adults: 6 | Website | Distance: 4.40km

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Visiting Focke Museum