Prior to our visit, Bremen wasn’t even a blip on our radar—it was merely an attainable weekend trip we decided to take in lieu of a more grandiose (and expensive) excursion outside of Germany. Our hopes weren’t high; we had seen some enticing photos on Google, but we were fully expecting to plow through Bremen’s attractions in an afternoon and then spend the night twiddling our thumbs at the hotel.

Wow were we wrong!

Bremen blew us away with its quaint, utopic charm and now holds a special place in our hearts as a European favorite. Breathtaking medieval architecture is juxtaposed with a modern bohemian downtown, sprawling green spaces are dolloped throughout the cityscape, and there are cobblestone-laden residential areas that seem fit for a fairytale storybook.

Bremen blew us away with its quaint, utopic charm and now holds a special place in our hearts as a European favorite.

While Hamburg is the focal point for Northern Germany, we think that Bremen gives it a seriously good run for its money.

How to get there

If you’re staying in Hamburg, Bremen is only a little over an hour away by bus. We took a Flixbus (for about 7 euros) which departed from the Hamburg Central Bus Station (near the train station). Be sure to buy snacks before you get to the bus station, as the convenience store there marks up their prices by a considerable margin.

Our bus pulled into Bremen at around 11:00 AM on a Saturday and we made the four-minute trek to our Hotel. The bus stop is fairly inconspicuous (not a station or anything), so it’s good to keep that in mind when you go to catch your departing ride.

Where to stay

We stayed at the ACHAT, which was only about a block removed from what we would consider a ‘buzzy’ area. The staff were super friendly and were kind enough to hold our bags before and after our stay. It was quite comfortable and only ended up costing about €90 for the one night. If you’ve got a bit more of a budget, you can certainly find hotels that sit more directly in the historic district (check out Hotel Classico or the Radisson Blu) but as far as a cost-to-value ratio goes, ACHAT hit the mark.

What to do

Explore Bremen’s historic, medieval neighborhood

Our first stop was, of course, the beautiful historic district that we had been teased on Google. The city square was only 10 minutes from our hotel, and the walk there did not disappoint aesthetically.

We passed a grand, old windmill (the kind you’d see in an antique children’s book), we walked through a more refined retail corridor, and then the buildings parted ways to reveal a literally breath-taking center square that was lined with ornate Gothic architecture on every side. The sun was shining, the bird were chirping, and it was just about perfect.

After a few moments were spent taking pictures and enjoying the scenery, we proceeded down to Böttcherstraße to see if we could find a good cup of coffee. While short in length, this alleyway was truly awe-inspiring as its architecture dated back to the 1500’s. Sure, what once must have been blacksmith shops and meaderies were now Le Crousette shops and bars playing house music, but the overall aesthetic did not disappoint in the slightest. We managed to find a small cafe at the end of this medieval passage and replenished our caffeine reserves.

Our next stop was a sizable farmer’s market in a neighboring square. As a couple of foodies, this was amazing. Cheeses, meats, breads, jams… you name it, they had it. Wanting something quick and portable, we settled on a cinnamon croissant for one of the bread stands… and dang it was delicious. But I’d be lying if I said we didn’t have the temptation just to buy a loaf of bread and some cheese and then find a nice park somewhere to consume our masterfully-crafted carbs like gremlins.

A modern, bohemian part of Bremen (with a surprise)

After some wandering, the old-world buildings were replaced by chic, mid-century modern retail spaces and restaurants/bars. It was a completely different vibe, like a totally different city, but we were here for it. Everything was vibrant and colorful, with stores’ window displays competing with each other for the coveted attention of passers by and top-to-bottom collages of posters for concerts and events.

But just one block over, parallel to the hustle and bustle of the main drag, lay the most beautifully quaint residential area you could imagine. Vibrantly colored German-style houses, cobblestone streets, lush flowers, kids playing in the street… I don’t think the good folks at Pixar could dream up something more wholesome. We spent about an hour wandering through the fairytale-like streets before returning to the main drag.

I don’t think the good folks at Pixar could dream up something more wholesome.

And as chance would have it, we soon discovered that we had happened upon Bremen during their Bremer Samba-Karneval, an annual celebration of Latin American Samba (how random!). But randomness aside, it was such a cool experience! The streets were blacked with people and performers walked up and down the street dressed in vibrant and colorful costumes. Genies, flamingos, butterflies… you name it! Some were even on stilts. There was a band of birds (yes, birds) playing on the center stage and people dressed as penguins dancing on a nearby balcony. These festivities were nothing short of a feast for the eyes and ears!

I wouldn’t suggest that you travel all the way to Bremen just for this celebration, but if you happen to be in the area around April, it’s certainly worthwhile.

On the way back to our hotel, we stumbled upon the most beautiful park. People were enjoying picnics, biking along the trails, and just soaking in the beautiful Spring-time weather. We found a patch of wild flowers to lay down in and ended up having a quick outdoor nap (and getting a little sun-burned in the process).

Photography at Golden Hour

We spent the remainder of the afternoon weaving in and out of the historic passageways and nibbling on small bites we found along the way. Of course it was golden hour, and the ornate Gothic architecture marinating in the sun’s fading glow made for some breathtaking shots.

We also took this opportunity to see the famous stacked animal sculpture. You’ll see references to it throughout the city (they’re big into it) but it wasn’t nearly the most impressive thing we saw, if we’re being honest. That being said, it’s a decent photo op and you can grab the donkey’s leg.

An Italian Dinner to Die For

For dinner, we went to an Italian restaurant called Due Fratelli on the perimeter of the historic town center. I know, we didn’t exactly go for the quintessential Schnitzel or Sausage (“wurst”), but this restaurant did not disappoint. It’s situated below ground-level and showcases a fun juxtaposition of an old-world interior combined with modern neon lighting. There was a plate of bread waiting for us just as we sat down, and the waiter quickly took our order.

We opted for a bottle of red wine (couldn’t tell you the name; but it was a Pinot Noir), and then started with the pumpkin soup which was velvety, savory, and wonderfully complex. We highly recommend it. For our mains, Olivia ordered Black Truffle Tagliatelle and I got Fettuccine that was tossed table-side in a giant wheel of Parmesan. I also added Black Truffles because, well, truffles. Both dishes were to die for.

And Doughnuts and Ice Cream for Dessert

Even though we were both stuffed to the brim by the time we finished dinner, we decided to go for dessert at a place we had passed earlier in the day called Donnie’s Ice Cream & Bakery. It was a small cafe-esque place that served ice cream between two pieces of doughnut-like sweet bread. We got two different flavors (caramel and oreo) so that we could try a bit of both. They were super delicious, but we definitely recommend going on an emptier stomach because the portions are not for the faint of heart.

Sunday Breakfast

Our bus wasn’t scheduled to depart until later in the afternoon the next day, so we decided to start the day with a leisurely breakfast in the more modern part of town. Not many places were open, given it was a Sunday, but we found a nice corner restaurant that (being a designer) I chose primarily based on the typography of their sign.

It ended up being a solid choice. We split a charcuterie board of cheeses, fruits, and spreads along with various breads and had a couple of coffee beverages and some fresh-squeezed orange juice. The vibes here were on point, so we definitely recommend eating here any time of day.

Drinks by the Water

After our meal, we walked around the modern district some more and then headed over to the river for a lovely walk along the water. It was a beautiful sunny Spring day and people were sprawled across the sloped lawn overlooking the aquatic view. We happened upon an outdoor cafe with picnic-style seating by the water, so we decided to get a beer and a glass of wine and take in the views. I don’t think I could think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

I don’t think I could think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Upon finishing, we still had a couple of hours before our bus left, so we walked in the opposite direction along the water for some time and discovered a beautiful riverfront district with posh-looking eateries and bars. If we had had more time and more room in our stomachs, we absolutely would have stopped for a bite and a drink. However, we feel as though we can recommend any of these restaurants just on visuals alone.

Heading Home

Finally, it was time to catch our bus and head back to Hamburg. We were both so enamored by the unexpected beauty of Bremen and will absolutely be making a return trip in the near future. Hamburg is beautiful and is certainly the region’s focal point, but if you’re looking for a quiet(ish) weekend trip that combines beauty with culture, then you should absolutely put Bremen high on your list.