Airbus Defence & Space

Bremen is well known as a centre for aviation and aerospace, and Airbus is one of the reasons for this. It's the successor to ERNO, a company which brought Bremen into the space age in 1961. Nowadays, Bremen is a major centre for aeronautics. Many European space projects are built here, such as the ISS space station, and the Spacelab which was used on the Shuttle, Columbus and other exploration missions.

• Web:

  https://www.bremen.eu/tourism/activities/behind-the-scenes/airbus

• Address:

  Airbus-Allee 1

Alexander von Humboldt sailing ship

Welcome aboard! The Alexander von Humboldt, which has played a starring role in advertisements for Beck's beer, lies at anchor on the Weserpromenade. Relax on the historic upper decks or stay the night in one of its comfortable cabins. On board, you'll find not only a restaurant, which is open to everyone, but also a hotel.

• Web:

  https://www.bremen.eu/tourism/attractions/maritime-bremen/ships-on-the-weser

• Address:

  Schlachte 1A

Böttcherstrasse

Built in 1931 to plans created by Bernhard Hoetger, the Böttcherstraße deserves its reputation as a monumental Expressionist artwork. At the very heart of the street is the "Glockenspiel House" whose 30 Meissen porcelain bells chime on the hour to mark the passing of time. The two museums in this street are also well worth a visit. The Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum is the very first museum in the world to be dedicated to the work of a female artist. It not only displays her artworks, but also a series of ever-changing temporary exhibitions. In contrast, the Ludwig Roselius House museum is where you'll find an impressive collection of ancient works of art and domestic artefacts. In addition to these two museums, this wonderfully eclectic street has numerous other venues to discover, such as the Handwerkerhof courtyard and the Bonbonmanufaktur confectionery shop.

• Web:

  https://www.bremen.eu/tourism/attractions/boettcherstrasse

• Address:

  Böttcherstraße Bremen

Böttcherstraße

Böttcherstraße was built in the 1920's, the 110 metre-long lane houses shops and restaurants, Bremen’s casino, museums, workshops and the carillon.

• Web:

  www.bremen-tourism.de/boettcherstrasse-4

• Address:

  Böttcherstraße

• Phone:

  +49 421 33 88 20

• More info:

  www.boettcherstrasse.de/en

Guided tour of the Town Hall

Bremen`s 'drawing room' is the Markplatz, and its greatest attraction is the Town Hall. Guided tours of the historic building provide an insight into its fascinating 600-year old history. The tour includes the impressive Upper Town Hall and a look into the splendid Golden Chamber. Since 2004, the Town Hall and the Roland have been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

• Web:

  https://www.bremen.eu/tourism/attractions/world-heritage-town-hall-and-roland

• E-mail:

  info@bremen-tourism.de

• Opening hours:

  Mon-Fri 11am, 12 noon and 3pm, on Saturday additionally 4 pm, on Sunday 11am and 12 noon

• More info:

  Please note: The Town Hall is closed to visitors during offical resceptions, council sessions and other events.

• Tickets:

  https://www.bremen-tourism.de/bremen/offer/detail/DEU99999990039255330?lang=en

Maritime mile

Bremen's seafaring traditions are especially well preserved in the Vegesack district to the north, where Germany's first man-made harbour was created almost 400 years ago. Today the recently completed 1.8km maritime mile along the river Weser boasts a range of attractions including the multimedia Spicarium exhibition, captains' houses, the signal station and the towboat Regina.

• Web:

  www.bremen-tourism.de/maritime-mile

• Phone:

  +49 421 222 399 0

• More info:

  www.maritimemeile-bremen.de

Bremen Carnival (February)

In February, Germany's biggest samba carnival bursts into life in the centre of Bremen. It's an extravaganza of dazzling colours, flamboyant costumes, fanciful masks, amazing stilt walkers and pulsating drum rhythms. The real highlight is the grand parade of all the samba groups, as a sea of people, drums and exotic costumes thrusts its way from the market square to the bohemian Steintor quarter.

• Web:

  www.bremen-tourism.de/bremen-samba-carnival

Bremen Music Festival (September)

Bremen Music Festival explores music's vast emotional spectrum, close up and from every angle. It offers a packed programme, with dazzling performances by renowned musicians who offer stirring journeys across the centuries, genres and continents – in Bremen, Bremerhaven and selected venues in north-west Germany. The opening night presents a foretaste of the festival's variety, with musicians from around the world playing 24 concerts in eight venues around Bremen's beautifully illuminated market square.

• Web:

  www.bremen-tourism.de/bremen-music-festival

Bremen Summer Theatre Festival – Shakespeare in the Park (July)

Every year in July, Bremen Shakespeare Company performs Shakespeare in the Park, an outdoor tapestry of burning passions, broken vows, romantic longing and betrayed friendships. Seeing the bard's plays in the Bürgerpark is always a magical experience, for this green expanse in the city centre creates the perfect romantic backdrop – a worthy setting for works by the father of English literature.

• Web:

  www.bremen-tourism.de/bremen-summer-theatre-festival

Breminale (July)

The Breminale arts festival is held at the fairground on the Weser riverbank. It lasts five days and offers a programme of live music in circus tents, outdoor art, jugglers and entertainers, inventive children's games, theatre, dance and poetry readings, as well as gorgeous food. Around 100 bands and performers entertain live and free of charge.

• Web:

  www.bremen-tourism.de/breminale

Christmas market and Schlachte-Zauber (December)

Bremen's atmospheric Christmas market is set around the UNESCO-listed town hall and Roland statue. It is perfectly combining a historical backdrop with romantic Christmas lights and lovingly adorned booths. There's also the Schlachte-Zauber market, which lights up the Weser embankment with its historical and maritime-themed attractions. In among the flickering torches spice sellers, blacksmiths and bone carvers display their wares.

• Web:

  www.bremen-tourism.de/christmas

• Opening hours:

  Christmas market: daily 10am-8.30pm, sundays from 11am Schlachte-Zauber: daily 11am-8.30pm

Events and activities

Whether it's art and culture, entertainment and festivals, sports or trade fairs, you'll find what you're looking for in our listing of the biggest and best events.

• Web:

  www.bremen-tourism.de/events-and-activities

Cycling in Bremen -Discover Bremen by bike!

The Bremen BIKE IT! project is working to promote cycling throughout the state of Bremen. It's not just a project though. BIKE IT! is a means of discovering the city and its surroundings by taking thematically inspired cycle routes. Pick up a flyer from the Tourist Information Office, from the ADFC (German Automobile Association) or from BIKE IT! bicycle stations. Alternatively, download the Bike Citizens App and get the tickets sent directly to your mobile phone. Get on your bike and off you go!

• Web:

  https://www.bremen.eu/life-in-bremen/sport/cycling-in-bremen

• Address:

  Touristinformation Bremen

The Bürgerpark (People's Park)

Founded more than 150 years ago, the Bürgerpark has more than enough space for people to relax or take part in sport. There's any number of ways of keeping active here – running, cycling, rowing on the lakes or playing mini golf. Children can let off steam in the many playgrounds or visit their furry friends (goats, sheep and guinea pigs) in the open air animal enclosures. The grassy meadows are the perfect place to have a picnic. Alternatively, there's a great selection of refreshments available at any of the park's four restaurants. The municipal forest is located right next to the Bürgerpark. Its lake (also known as the Unisee (university lake)) is a wonderful place for swimming in summertime.

• Web:

  www.bremen.eu/buergerpark

• Address:

  Bürgerpark Bremen

Blockland

Although the Blockland borough is part of the city of Bremen, it has a village-like atmosphere. When it comes to sustainability, Blockland, which encompasses lands outside the city of Bremen, is a true pioneer. The products sold here are all locally sourced and its surrounding countryside enjoys the protection of being a nature conservation area. Blockland is home to more cows than people, which makes it the ideal place to escape from the hurly burly of city life. With its low traffic density, this district is a popular destination for cyclists and water sports enthusiasts who can paddle along the River Wümme to their heart's content.

• Web:

  https://www.bremen.eu/life-in-bremen/blockland

• Address:

  Blockland Bremen

Gemüsewerft (urban garden)

The Gemüsewerft is a peaceful oasis with a welcoming beer garden in the centre of Bremen. You'll find it in the Überseestadt (the New Harbour District). The unique feature of the Gemüsewerft is that it is run as an inclusive employment project and serves local beer made by the nearby Hopfenfänger brewery. The organic hops used in the beer are grown on site – you can't get more sustainable than that!. So, sit back and enjoy your beer in a laid-back atmosphere on the river bank.

• Address:

  Gemüsewerft Bremen

Knoops Park

The Knoops Park is a magnificent 19th century garden in the north of Bremen. It was designed by the landscape designer Wilhelm Benque, who also created the Bür-gerpark (People's Park). The park's highlights include the elegant Mühlenthal palace and the sensory garden, which gives people with impaired vision the chance to enjoy the natural world in an approachable and accessible way. In summer, the Knoops Park hosts a series of classical concerts as part of the "Summer in Lesmona" music festival.

• Web:

  https://www.bremen.eu/knoops-park

• Address:

  Knoops Park Bremen

Mühle am Wall

This 100 year-old windmill in the Wallanlagen park is still one of the most popular destinations in the centre of Bremen. The former flour mill is now home to a welcoming café and restaurant. The mill's elevated position in the park, overlooking the city's old defensive walls, makes it the perfect place for taking photos. Come here to enjoy a coffee and a slice of cake in peace, even though you're right in the city centre. The Kaffee Mühle café is also the ideal starting point for a stroll through the Wallanlagen park.

• Web:

  https://www.bremen.eu/wallanlagen-park

• Address:

  Mühle am Wall Bremen