Things to do in Bremen
-
A
Delano
The black wood furniture, fat columns and ringed black-and-white lampshades lend this Italian brasserie an upbeat feel. The pizzas are menacingly large.
reviewed
-
B
Böttcherstrasse
This charming lane with a golden entrance and staggered red-brick walls is a superb example of expressionism. The 110m-long street was commissioned in 1931 by Ludwig Roselius, a merchant who made his fortune by inventing decaffeinated coffee and founding the company Hag in the early 20th century. Most of the street was designed by Bernhard Hoetger (1874–1959), including the Lichtbringer (Bringer of Light), the golden relief at the northern entrance, showing a scene from the Apocalypse with the Archangel Michael fighting a dragon.
Hoetger’s Haus Atlantis, now the Bremen Hilton, features a show-stopping, multicoloured, glass-walled spiral staircase. Hoetger worked around…
reviewed
-
C
Bremer Stadtmusikanten Sculpture
In the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, the Bremer Stadtmusikanten never actually make to it Bremen, but when you do arrive in the city, you might enjoy a quick reminder of what the fuss is about. Starting with a donkey, four overworked and ageing animals, fearing the knacker's yard or the Sunday roasting pan, run away from their owners. They head for Bremen intending, like many young dreamers, to make their fortune as musicians.
On their first night on the road, they decide to shelter in a house. It turns out to be occupied by robbers, as our heroes discover when they climb on the donkey to peer through the window. The sight of a rooster atop a cat, perched on a dog, which is…
reviewed
-
D
Rathaus
Although the ornate and imposing Rathaus was first erected in 1410, the Weser Renaissance balcony in the middle - crowned by three gables - was added between 1595 and 1618. It's besides the 1200-year-old Dom St Petri. In front stands the 13m-high Knight Roland statue (1404). This is Germany's tallest representation of this just, freedom-loving knight, and his belt buckle is certainly in an interesting position.
However, it's the statue tucked away on the Rathaus' western side, in front of the Kirche Unser Lieben Frauen (Church of our Beloved Lady) that people more readily identify with this city. Sculptor Gerhard Marcks has cast the Town Musicians of Bremen (1951) in…
reviewed
-
E
Markt
With high, historic buildings rising up from this very compact square, Bremen’s Markt is one of the most remarkable in northern Germany. The two towers of the 1200-year-old Dom St Petri dominate the northeastern edge, beside the ornate and imposing Rathaus, which was erected in 1410. The Weser Renaissance balcony in the middle, crowned by three gables, was added between 1595 and 1618. In front of the Rathaus is one of the hallmarks of Bremen, the city’s 13m-high Knight Roland statue (1404). As elsewhere, Roland stands for the civic freedoms of a city, especially the freedom to trade independently. On the western side of the Rathaus – in front of the Kirche Unser…
reviewed
-
F
Stubu Dancehouse
This long-term Bremen institution has spread its wings and now offers five different spaces over three floors, from the traditional 'music club' in the basement to the new Skyline area, with house, funk and chart hits. Stubu is on a street of wall-to-wall clubs, including the huge, ex-multiplex La Viva (cnr Rembertiring & Auf der Brake). Many Bremers, however, dismiss this area as largely for 'teenies'.
Clubbing in Bremen is relatively cheap; expect to pay around €4 to around €8 at the door for regular nights, although special events may cost more.
reviewed
-
G
Theater Bremen
Bremen’s main theatre company performs at several venues. The main theatre, which stages opera, operettas and musicals, is Theater am Goetheplatz, where the famous 1970s film director Rainer Werner Fassbinder honed his craft with the company. In the attached Neues Schauspielhaus you’ll find new interpretations of classics and avant-garde drama as well as performances of the Dance Theatre of Bremen. The Brauhauskeller (Brewery Cellar), the smallest venue, is used for anything from Elvis musicals to Edward Albee, while the youth-focused MOKS has a venue upstairs in the same former brewery.
reviewed
-
H
Cafe Kweer
Part of the information centre for gays and lesbians, this place turns into a dance club on Fridays with everything from 1920s sounds to urban lounge. On Sundays it’s a place for coffee, cake and a chat, and whenever Werder Bremen plays it shows this soccer match. There are also special events, so check the website.
reviewed
-
I
Hal Över Schreiber Reederei
Operates a 75-minute Weser and harbour tour three to five times daily from January to November. Also runs scheduled services along the river in summer, the ferry across the river to Café Sand and – surely a unique way of getting to a football game – can even take you by boat from the Martinianleger to Werder Bremen’s stadium during home matches.
reviewed
-
J
2raumlounge
This is the jiving lynchpin of the Auf den Höfen scene. Sitting in the space-age orange chairs, you can gaze at the regularly changing art on the walls and even buy a piece if you feel inclined to do so. Though the crowd is largely mid-20s, a few older regulars dig in here, especially when football team Werder Bremen is playing - Werder matches are always screened here. Thursday is student night.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Beck’s Brewery
Germany has well over 1200 breweries, and about half of these are found in Bavaria, not the north. The beer of one brewery in particular, though, has long washed beyond the shores of Germany to establish itself as an international brand. You can see where the wares come from during a two-hour tour of the Beck’s brewery, run in conjunction with the tourist office. Book online or by telephone and meet at the brewery by taking tram 1 or 8 to Am Brill. Prost!
reviewed
-
L
Kunsthalle
For art lovers, Bremen's Kulturmeile (Cultural Mile) boasts the Kunsthalle, which at the time of research was being given two new wings and a revamped cafe. When it reopens, you can expect to find a large permanent collection of paintings, sculpture and copperplate engraving from the Middle Ages into the modern, as well as changing exhibitions.
reviewed
-
M
Casablanca
The emphasis is on the 'Casa' in this homey Bremen institution, where goths, grannies and particularly students while away the hours within scuffed walls painted to look like marble, and under a ceiling that's a trompe l'oeil jungle canopy. Upstairs is a glass booth for smokers that begs for a 'Do Not Feed!' sign. It's usually open later weekends and on theatre nights.
reviewed
-
N
Luv
A friendly atmosphere reigns in this large, upbeat bistro with a lounge-bar feel and a menu strong on salads and pasta, which is complemented by more-substantial fare with a Mediterranean or Central European focus. A Texas burger can be found alongside the Wiener schnitzel and nouveau-hearty dishes.
reviewed
-
Weser Stadion
After the FIFA Football World Cup 2006, local team Werder Bremen (www.werder.de) became hugely popular, thanks to its inclusion of Miroslav Klose, the winner of the tournament's 'Golden Boot' award for most goals. National footballers Torsten Frings and Tim Borowski also play for Werder Bremen, whose home games are at the Weser Stadion.
reviewed
-
O
Stromburg
This retro restaurant is relaxed and chilled, with pink, purple and beige overtones, plus tasty international cuisine. Try the king prawns on Asian greens with mushrooms, mint, coriander and lime sauce, or see if they're still offering the Sunday evening 'surprise' menu, where you can pay only what you think their invention was worth.
reviewed
-
P
Übersee Museum
The Übersee Museum takes you to all continents of the world and offers an insight into natural evolution with its dazzling collection of exotic artefacts. It can call on about 1.1 million objects, including African art, tropical plants and gold from South America.
reviewed
-
Q
Universum Science Center
Bremen has a strong aerospace industry, and space buffs will enjoy the eye-catching, oyster-shaped Universum Science Center, where you can make virtual trips to the stars, as well as to the ocean floor or the centre of the earth. Take tram 6 from the main train station to Universität/NW1 stop.
reviewed
-
R
Ständige Vertretung
An offshoot of Berlin’s best-known restaurant for homesick Rhineland public servants, this large, bustling place thrives on its political theme and solid cuisine washed down with Rhineland wines and beer.
reviewed
-
Botanika
If you’re a plant-lover, don’t miss a trip to Botanika and its replicated Asian landscapes from the Himalayas to New Guinea. Admission to the rhododendron park itself, where you find 2000 rhododendron and azaleas, is free. To get here, take tram 4 to Horner Kirche.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
S
Schröter’s
A modern bistro with artful decoration, Schröter’s is known for its antipasti and abundant Mediterranean mains, from risotto to fish. It is a veritable warren of rooms, including a Toulouse-Lautrec room upstairs, decorated with plenty of copies of the painter’s pictures.
reviewed
-
T
Schnoor Teestübchen
If you can ignore the hint of twee tourist shop about it, this is a great place to indulge in Frisian tea-drinking rituals - putting huge crystals of sugar into your cup with tongs, or twirling honey into your char. Some local blends are wonderfully smooth, too.
reviewed
-
U
Salomon's
This designer restaurant in a former law courts building is smart enough to impress a business partner or date, but there are a few bench seats where you won't feel alone dining on the Eurasian cuisine. A bar, courtyard and club are found in the same complex.
reviewed
-
V
Haus der Bürgerschaft
The one obviously modern building on the Markt is the 1966 Haus der Bürgerschaft, whose geometrical steel-and-concrete structure features artfully moulded pieces of metal attached to its façade, helping it to blend in with the historic square.
reviewed
-
Modernes
South of the river in Neustadt, this club converted from an old movie theatre also hosts live music and remains Bremen’s best club, bar none. The centrepiece is the domed roof that can be opened to let in some much-needed air towards the end of the evening. Take tram 4, 5 or 6 to Leibnizplatz.
reviewed