Travel blog - Tips to explore the world on a budget: Bremen

Bremen is a 1,200-year-old Hanseatic city on the Weser River, known for its well-preserved medieval center. Highlights include the UNESCO-listed Marktplatz and the winding Schnoorviertel district. In the historic center, you’ll find the Gothic-Renaissance Town Hall (built between 1405 and 1410), the 12-meter Roland statue that stands for civic freedom, and the bronze Town Musicians sculpture from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale. The Schnoor area has 111 half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries, now home to artisan shops, galleries, and cozy cafes. St. Petri Cathedral, with its twin spires, stands out on the skyline, and Böttcherstraße is famous for its 1920s Expressionist buildings. The Schlachte promenade has turned the old harbor into a 2-kilometer stretch of restaurants, beer gardens, and boat tours along the river. Bremen’s walkable size, fairy-tale feel, and free walking tours make it a must-see cultural spot in northern Germany.