Bremen is a medieval German city that’s full of charm, with its urban diversity, street musicians, delicious food and many historical landmarks in the centre and the surrounding area. It is currently the tenth largest city in Germany that sits on the River Weser, and is part of the country’s smallest federal state, also called Bremen.
The history of this area in north-western Germany has given Bremen its own unique vibe, shown in its different styles of architecture and abundance of natural resources. Bremen’s town square, along with the city hall and the Roland statue, draws in visitors from all over the world every day. Since 2004, the city hall has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage site as a cultural monument. It’s the only city hall in the world to earn this title.
The night watchman, Ulrich Dammer, dressed in medieval clothes with a sword in his right hand and a small street lantern, brought the city’s stories and the lives of its people to life, giving us a glimpse of what it was like to live here in the past. We walked through the oldest neighbourhood Schnoor, then continued along the elegant Böttcherstraße with its unique architecture, admiring the city’s historic features at every turn.
In the city centre, there’s one of the many landmarks you simply can’t miss. On the western left side of the city hall stands a two-metre-tall bronze statue of the Bremen Town Musicians, created in 1953 by Gerhard Marcks at the request of the tourist office. It’s recommended to touch the donkey’s shiny front legs, as it’s believed to bring good luck. As I touched the statue, I made a wish myself, and I hope it comes true. Because the statue is so popular, you’ll have to wait a bit to touch it and take your photo, as it’s usually crowded.
The bronze statue isn’t life-sized, but that hasn’t lessened its popularity with locals and visitors alike. It’s also not the only famous work by Gerhard Marcks. You can see more of his pieces at the Gerhard Marcks House Museum. He created over 1,000 sculptures and used a variety of techniques and materials.
In the heart of the city, you’ll find plenty of beautiful parks, gardens, and nature reserves, making Bremen one of the greenest cities in Germany. On a Saturday afternoon, we took a walk and got some exercise in Bürgerpark with Rita Immisch, recharging our batteries for the rest of the day. Rita Immisch heads to the park every day to lead the health walks. With the stretches, we really loosened up and worked up a sweat, and the feeling afterwards was incredibly refreshing.
The city’s largest park has something for everyone. There are many playgrounds, mini golf, walking paths, boat rentals, and in the warmer months, you can spot animals like pigs, ducks, baby goats, and birds. The park is worth visiting in every season, so make sure not to miss it if you find yourself in the medieval city of Bremen.
Next to Bürgerpark, the Rhododendron Park is also worth a visit. Spanning over 46 hectares, it’s home to more than 10,000 rhododendrons, which is how the park got its name, and it looks stunning in spring.
In Bremen, cycling isn’t just a way to get around, it’s a way of life. Cycling is a great way to explore Bremen and its surroundings, so for an active holiday, I recommend renting an electric bike. There are plenty of cycling routes for visitors, including a circular route around the city and another that stretches over 90 kilometres along the River Weser to the twin city of Bremerhaven, which we also visited.
In Bremerhaven, we rented bikes, put on helmets, and cycled around the city and its surroundings with a guide. The route was mostly flat and easy. Along the way, our local guide shared interesting facts about the city and the lives of its people. Bremerhaven is home to one of the largest ports in the world, handling over six million containers annually from all over the globe. It’s the busiest port in the world for transporting cars.
Bremerhaven is a city on the German North Sea coast, known for its waterfront and maritime atmosphere. Take some time to explore and try the local seafood.
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