Bremen IN 24 HOURS

Bremen is one of the cutest cities of Bundesland, Germany. It is very small but it has a lot to offer. Bremen population is the third largest in North Germany. We all remember The Town Musicians of Bremen from our childhood but that's only one of the famous things to do in Bremen. It's a vibrant tiny town with its delicious food, interesting traditions and architecture with red bricks and narrow, triangle roofs. We only had one day in Bremen and it was crazy cold, so we want to share our one day itinerary in Bremen with you.

10:00 - Start the day in Hauptbahnhof, Bremen's main train station. This station has a fairy tale architecture with its red bricks, which is typical for North European architecture. It has a very lively atmosphere because it is the main transportation hub of Bremen. You can have a morning coffee around here and then head to the city center.

11:00 - Take Hauptbahnhof to your back and head to Bremen city center following Herdentor Road. You'll cross a bridge on your way, don't miss the Mühle am Wall windmill on your right when you're crossing! It's hard to believe but that windmill is the most photographed place in Bremen. It really looks like it's out of a fairy tale because it sits right next to Stadgraben River, amidst lush greenery. Mühle am Wall was built in 1898 in this location, where the city walls were once upon a time.

​Join one of these Popular Bremen Walking Tours.

If you continue in the same direction down the Söge-Unsel Strasse, a small herd of pigs will greet you right at the entrance of Bremen city centre. This the spot where shepherds used to bring their pigs around evening time for them to feed on leftovers from the bazaar. Soghestrasse is the place to go shopping in Bremen and this pig herds story is where its name comes from.

11:30 - Bremer Marktplatz is the Bremen historic center's main square. This square has those historic buildings that I like to call cookie buildings, it's also typical North European architecture. It is expected but I can't help finding them cute every time! So, Bremen Town Hall, some churches, a monument and nice cafes are all in Bremer Marktplatz Square.

Bremen Town Hall, also called Rathaus, is one of the best town halls of Europe, they say. It's in UNESCO World Heritage List and it was built in 1410. If you like, you can attend a Rathaus Tour in English every day in specified hours.

The monument in Bremer Marktplatz is called Roland and it's a modern, tall and thin sculpture. Bremen Roland Statue is dedicated to Knight Roland, who symbolises richness and can be seen in many European cities. Bremer Marktplatz, also known as Am Markt, is occasionally filled with a street musician's melodies and it also houses a gothic cathedral called St. Petri Dom Bremen. Entrance fee to this cathedral is free and the ceiling workmanship is worth seeing.

And of course the Town Musicians of Bremen, which we all remember from our childhood tales, is in this historic square. It's customary to hold the donkey's two feet and make a wish!

Just when we are talking about customs, Bremen culture has some interesting traditions. We saw a young man brooming hundreds of beer caps down some stairs when we were looking for a warm cafe because we were shivering from the cold. We went close to him and he told us that it was his 30th birthday and he had to broom these garbage until a maiden comes and kisses him because he is still not married! Otherwise, it is believed that he will be sent to a place where he will be cleaning all the time after his death. How surreal this is! Anyway, we wished him happy birthday and went for a cup of hot coffee in one of the many cafes of Bremer Marktplatz.

13:30 - One of Bremen's must see places is Böttcherstrasse. There is a house called Robinson Crusoe in this narrow and pleasant street. According to the legend, Crusoe's father was from Bremen and therefore there is a house dedicated to Robinson Crusoe here. You can see the famous story in the staircase of this house. There is also a museum on this street with a very interesting inner yard.

14:30 - After you finish Böttcherstrasse, cross the road and you are in Schlachte, the riverside much loved by Bremen residents. There are a lot of restaurants and cafes in this area. It would be lovely to have a leisurely walk after a nice lunch by the river.

16:00 - After lunch, head to Schnoor District, one of the most popular things to do in Bremen. Schnoor District consists of 6-7 historic streets, that haven't been damaged much because cars cannot enter here. It's so full of narrow, lovely historic buildings with lots of tiny stores and Instagram worthy cafes, that you'll lose it!

You can find anything here from small souvenirs to designer clothes. World's smallest hotel Hochzeitshaus is also located here. It only has one room and mostly caters to newly weds. By the way, you can have your afternoon tea in the magically decorated English teahouse Teestübchen (Wüste Statte, 1), with porcelain cups. We opted for glühwein, sweet warm wine with a china set. Actually glühwein is famous in Bremen Christmas Market but it was nice to have a sweet, warm wine here.

19:00 - If you look up what to eat in Bremen, you'll find Lochnouse, which is a steak dish served with mashed potatoes and eggs. However, there are so many Turkish people living in Bremen that the most famous food of Bremen is doner kebab! You can also choose to eat in a wooden decorated restaurant with candlelight.
21:00 - Bremen has a Beck's Brewery, so don't forget to have a Beck's at a pub before you head to your hotel.

Alternatively join this Beck's Brewery Tour.

​WHERE TO STAY IN BREMEN

We stayed in Gast Haus Bremer Backpackers Hostel. It was very central and clean but it was also a little too simple. It has everything a hostel should have but it was more like a school dormitory. The sheets required extra fee back then! 

These are all hotels to stay in Bremen.

THINGS TO BUY IN BREMEN

We bought a small metal box with Town Musicians of Bremen on it as a souvenir. You can find many Bremen souvenirs in Schnoor District including magnets, boxes and funny gifts.