Bremen was the next city on my recent Eurotrip and part of my larger effort to know Germany more intimately (as well as to just practice my German). This city is a charming historical one, and while there is not much to see beyond a day’s itinerary, you can definitely appreciate being in a small city like this after spending most of your time in big cities like Berlin and Hamburg. Unlike previous blog posts where I tend to talk about multiple related cities in one post, I’m going to give each city/area its own post now, so that people who are searching for travelogues can have a better time reading them.

A good way to start the day, as with any European city, is in the Altstadt (or Old City). Here you’ll find the historical Rathaus, which is also one of the most ornate town halls you’ll find. Its gothic style is very pronounced, although you can find baroque and renaissance style elements that came about from reconstruction after the wars. What’s very cool is that in the day you can ask for tours within the building that show you some of the highlights including an Art Nouveau style room and the cellar, which now is also a restaurant.

Right in front of the Rathaus is the Bremen Roland Statue. This together with the Rathaus is a UNESCO World Heritage Monument. Roland was the paladin of the first Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne and hero of the Battle of Roncevaux Pass, but he’s especially revered in Bremen because they believe that the city will remain free as long as the statue stands. Rumor has it that they even have a backup Roland in a vault just for this superstition. Another superstition is that if you touch both the knees (slightly difficult now with those fences in front), you’ll find your way back to Bremen at some point.

While you’re in the market center, walk around the old buildings and check out some of the shops and outlets they have. It’s a very walkable city and you can see a lot of cool secondary sights such as the Bremen Cathedral and the Our Beloved Lady Church. You’ll also find a bunch of quirky statues including this of the Three Town Musicians of Bremen. It’s based on the tale from the Brother’s Grimm, and as with any statue, they say you get good luck if you touch a certain part of it. This time, it’s the legs. And yes, you’ll see tourists line up to do it.

One of the spots that is very unique to Bremen is Böttcherstraße, a “secret alley” not too far from the city center. One of the easiest ways to find it is this giant golden art piece that is called Lichtbringer or Bringer of Light. Before you get too excited, note that it actually is meant to glorify Hitler *shudder* as the artist who designed the alley was a big fan of the Nazi party. Thankfully, this art piece is the only noticeable homage to the Nazi party, and even so, only if you understand its context.

The alley itself is home to many quirky shops and buildings. Here you can find artisan soaps, ringing bells and all kinds of craftsmanship. It really is a wondrous walk and you can get lost in some of the shops.

The architecture here is especially quirky with all of the buildings embodying some form of Brick Expressionist style. My personal favorite is the Roselius Haus, although you can find many other interesting facades as well.

Slightly north of the city center, you’ll find a beautiful park, and in this park you’ll find a windmill that hosts a charming cafe. This is where the old city walls were and the windmill is one of the longest remaining buildings from that time. I’d definitely add this location on your leisurely walk through Bremen, especially if you’re trying to grab a midday coffee.

Another area that was recommended to me was the Schnoorviertel. It’s so named because all the buildings look like they’re lined up on a string. This is the artisan district of Bremen and you’ll find tightly packed buildings selling all kinds of crafts and having all kinds of performances, although people come to just get lost in the nooks and crannies of this area. It’s a charming walk and something else to add to your trip.

In terms of food, I’d highly recommend going to Schüttinger Gasthausbrauerei, not too far from the city center and away from the tourists, to grab a delicious stein of beer and some knipps, a regional delicacy. These are fatty sausages made from mixing meat with grains, and they normally come on a bed of deep-fried potatoes, onions and bacon bits. It’s very sinful but washing it down with a beer makes the experience. The pickles here are also surprisingly delicious.

There’s actually a couple more things you can do in Bremen that I, unfortunately, couldn’t make the time for. I was there on a Monday when museums are normally closed so I couldn’t see any of Bremen’s well-known museums especially the Ubersee Museum. Also if you’re a big fan of Becks, the “German Budweiser”, they have their main brewery here so you can check that out too. It is a bit of a detour though, and I heard the experience wasn’t completely great but hey, if you’re a fan, you’re a fan.

Transportation: They don’t have Uber here although you can easily hop on their buses and trams that take you most of where you’ll need to go.

Safety: It’s a relatively compact and safe city, although there are some parts that did seem dodgy around where I lived, east of the Old City. There’s nothing interesting happening past 10pm in this area anyway so there’s no need to stay out.

Accommodation: I personally stayed at Townside Hostel, which is a very quick tram ride or walk away from the old city. Personally, it provided the basic needs for a really good price. The only downside is that ventilation in the rooms tends to be poor which was a peeve for me as well.

I’d definitely encourage anyone to plot Bremen on your map if you’re doing any kind of trip through the region. It’s well worth the time and a good change of pace.