family travel guide
Getting to know Bremen starts long before the trip — with the story where a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster set off in search of a better life. A folk tale recorded by the Brothers Grimm describes this city as a place where one can live happily ever after. Does the reality correspond to the fairy tale? Let's say that a holiday with children in Bremen has all the chances to be happy.
The Kidpassage review will tell you about the big city and the small federal state, fairytale places, the best museums and other advantages of a family holiday in Bremen.
Bremen is located in northwest Germany. With the port of Bremerhaven, it forms Germany's smallest state, the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen. Interestingly, the two cities are separated by the territory of Lower Saxony. The distance from Bremen to Berlin is 395 kilometres, to Hamburg — 126 kilometres, to Hannover — 128 kilometres.
The city stands on the banks of the Weser River, 60 kilometres south of the North Sea coast. The terrain where Bremen is located does not seem particularly impressive: it is a marshy plain between the Elbe and the Weser, the so-called "wet triangle". The city was founded in the 8th century, and in the 9th century, it acquired such great political and religious importance that it came to be called Northern Rome. In the XIII century, Bremen's rapid economic development began after joining the Hanseatic League. At the end of the 19th century, the fact that goods from overseas colonies were imported through the Bremen harbour played a positive role.
A fairy tale is a fairy tale, but you don't go to Bremen with your kids just for a story about musical animals. No, of course not. It is just a starter, and the most interesting — as it should be — is ahead.
If you have already been to Berlin or Munich, you will see a completely different Germany, with different weather, cuisine, and dialect. What is constant is the high level of service: both public transport, hotels and restaurants make the most favourable impression.
A family holiday in Bremen can be filled with museum trips like nowhere else. That is because many of the exhibitions are designed for children's curiosity. Even in large, solid museums, children feel the spirit of adventure.
But Bremen has few of the usual attractions for children. They can be successfully replaced by a quest through the narrow streets of the Schnor quarter, where unexpected sculptures can be found at every corner or going out into the North Sea, over which the wind carries legends about sailors and robbers. The most iconic attraction is the German Fairy Tale Road, a journey following in the footsteps of the characters of the Brothers Grimm.
And there are always playgrounds and indoor entertainment centres on hand. If you need to relax with your child, just turn to the nearest park. Just don't forget about a raincoat and an extra warm clothes. The wet and windy weather will not prevent you from spending time outdoors.
There are no obstacles to travelling with an infant either. Although there are no specialised kid-friendly hotels, many places ensure parents with babies are comfortable.
When you arrive, say to Bremen, "Moin moin!" This greeting in the Lower German dialect will immediately make you feel at home in the Free Hanseatic City.
Photo: pixabay.com
What is the tourist season in Bremen? In spring, when the leaves on the trees are only budding, tens of thousands of tulips bloom in the parks. Or maybe summer, when the wind brings the smell of the sea and walks along the River Weser take on a romantic flavour. Or autumn — dry and sunny, sometimes misty, cosy, magical. And almost certainly winter — with its long nights warmed by glühwein and the anticipation of Christmas.
Holidays with a child can be planned for any time of year. It's nice to devote time to long walks in summer, while rainy days are spent in museums and entertainment centres.
Late spring and early autumn are also suitable for outdoor activities: it's an excellent time to explore the surroundings and drive along the "German Fairy Tale Road".
The first winter month is coloured by the Christmas fair, which starts in the last decade of November. Sometimes it rains or snows, but that doesn't stop visitors from choosing souvenirs, sampling warm pastries and singing Christmas carols. There are performances in the square, and Santa listens to children's wishes near the decorated Christmas tree.
We also recommend choosing when to go to Bremen, considering the calendar of holidays and festivals. The Osterwiese festival, for example, starts a fortnight before Easter. Both citizens and visitors love attractions and entertainment for the whole family. In June, you can catch a play just by walking around town: this is a unique feature of the La Strada Street Theatre festival. Come to the Shakespeare in the Park festival in July if you want to see modern interpretations of Shakespeare's plays. Another notable July event is the Breminale open-air arts festival.
September is worth a visit if only for the Maritime Festival. And in October, it's back to two weeks of rides, treats and fireworks — that's the programme for the Ischa Freimaak Festival.
Bremen also has a carnival. It takes place not in winter, but mid-summer, and this colourful event is dedicated to samba. Dancers worldwide come to the carnival, and you can watch them parade and perform endlessly.
The best time to visit Bremen with a baby is in late spring or early autumn. This is a warm and relaxing time for a family holiday.
Although Bremen is 60 kilometres from the coast, the sea still influences the weather. Bremen has the closest climate to a maritime: summers are mild, winters are mild, and humidity is almost always high. There are often strong winds and more cloudy days than sunny ones. But if you dress appropriately, the weather will not interfere with your walks.
Holidays in Bremen are often spent in summer. It is a good time for everything, except for the rain. For example, there is a week of sunny days in July and the same number of inclement days. But the average air temperature in June and August stays at +20-22.5°C during the day and +12.5-15°C at night. Occasionally, the temperature exceeds +30°C or drop to +15°C.
The best holidays in Bremen with children are a little unexpected in the second half of spring and early autumn. There is much less rain in April, May and September than in summer. April temperatures are +6-16°C during the day and +1-10°C at night.
You can expect +12-22°C during the day and +2-10°C at night in May. The weather in September is similar to that in August, with only a few rainy days.
October is also not bad for travelling. Although the average daytime temperature is only about +14°C and the night temperature is about +9°C, heavy precipitation is not expected, and sometimes the weather is sunny and warm. In November, daytime temperatures are around +5-10°C, with the first frosts possible at night.
December is still a little cooler, but temperatures rarely fall below zero. The days are gloomy and windy, but the positive thing is that snow and rain are infrequent.
This weather lasts throughout the winter unless there is a short frost period to -5-10°C. There are more clear days in March, and the air warms up to +4-14°C.
Photo: pixabay.com
Public transport in Bremen is an essential part. The city is comparable in area to Munich, the exciting things are not only in the centre, and you can only do without travelling for a day or two.
The public transport system in Bremen consists of four hundred buses and trams. Travellers are happy with the fact that they all carefully follow the timetable. A single ticket for a short trip costs about €3, and a day ticket costs about €8 (an adult can take up to 3 children 6-14 years old free of charge on such a ticket). Tickets for children are half as cheap as for adults.
As in many German cities, using a tourist card to get around Bremen is advantageous. With ErlebnisCARD or BremenCARD, public transport is free, and this applies to the Weser ferry and regional trains. It also gives you discounts at museums, theatres and other places. The card for 1 day for 1 adult and 2 children costs approximately €11, for 2 adults and 2 children — €13.
Taxis can be called by phone, through apps, or in the car park. The approximate cost per kilometre is €2. A taxi to the airport will cost around €14-18.
Car hire is available, as it is throughout Germany. But within the city, it is also convenient to use a rented bicycle. With a particular app, you can choose one of the sightseeing routes around the city or make your way.
Photo: pixabay.com
Bremen, although a small land, is capable of surprising with its culinary traditions. If you have never heard the names Labskaus, Knipp or Pinkel, don't hesitate to try them on your trip.
These are all names for different minced meat dishes. Pinkel is a type of sausage that is common in the north of Germany. It is made from beef pork and grits, often served with braised kale and smoked pork. Knipp is also a sausage, but the traditional garnish is fried potatoes and pickles. Labskaus is ground beef with herring, pickled vegetables, mashed boiled potatoes and sometimes lard. It is served with scrambled eggs and herring rolls. Note that labskaus is common throughout Northern Germany and Scandinavia.
Fried smelt, a small fish rich in the Weser, is extremely tasty. It is caught in winter and early spring. The prawns caught in the North Sea are also worth eating: they are very small but tasty.
Kükenragout is a very delicate dish that can also be offered to children. It's chicken meat with vegetables in a thick sauce.
There's something to please the sweet tooth, too. Try the succulent Klaben Christmas cake, the Bremer Kaffeebrot toasted white bread slices in sugar and cinnamon, and the Bremer Kluten chocolate-covered mints.
As a souvenir, you can take Bremer Babbeler — lollipop sticks with peppermint, considered the best cough remedy here.
By the way, the Bremer Bonbon Manufaktur will be an attractive place for children. It's a candy shop, but through the vast windows, you can watch warm elastic mass being coloured, kneaded, rolled and stretched to make hundreds of lollipops.
As for alcoholic beverages, Bremen's most famous beer is Beck's. Different beers are available in the beer gardens on the Weser.
Where to start a family holiday in Bremen? Of course, by looking for the monument to the Bremen musicians. You don't need to look for it: it stands next to the town hall. It is always crowded with tourists who want to hold the legs of a donkey — it is believed to bring good luck.
Want to hear the voices of Bremen musicians? Drop a coin into the Bremer Loch: a seemingly ordinary utility hole is a lid for an underground piggy bank. You listen to a little "cat concert", and the money goes to charity.
Don't be in a hurry to look up because a miniature replica of Old Bremen is nearby. The prominent landmarks will help you understand the streets' intricacy later on.
And the Town Hall is also worth seeing. Firstly, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a unique example of the Weser Renaissance. Secondly, it is stunning, thanks to its combination of simple lines and intricate decoration. Thirdly, children stay for a long time near the statues of the town criers.
And besides, there is another UNESCO-protected site nearby. The statue of Roland, the largest in Germany, is a symbol of receiving liberty, a symbol of free trade and justice.
After that, we suggest walking your child around the Old Town. The streets of Schnorr, the old quarter, are very narrow, but this does not prevent the tiny summer café areas.
On Bettcherstrasse, try to get to the time when the porcelain bells ring at Glockenspiel House. It usually happens once an hour in the middle of the day in summer and several times a day in winter. Nearby is a rotating panel with paintings depicting critical historical events.
And on a warm day, a stroll along the Weser promenade (Weserpromenade Schlachte) is an incredible pleasure. There is another Christmas fair in winter; in summer, you can sit in one of the restaurants or go on a river trip.
Those who don't find summers in northern Germany cold will love Café Sand. It's a sandy beach in the city centre where you can sunbathe on a sunny day. Swimming is also possible: the entrance to the water is smooth, and the shallow waters last for quite a long time, though the water only warms up to +20°C.
When the city's noise seems annoying, spend time with the kids in one of the parks. Bremen is one of the greenest cities in Germany for a reason. The Bürgerpark has playgrounds, a petting zoo, a mini-golf course and simply cosy lawns in the centre.
The Wallanlagen Park stretches right next to the town hall; you can see it from the windmill in the photos. Once, there were defensive ramparts here, and now it is a cosy walking area.
We also recommend visiting the Rhododendron park. Rhododendrons and azaleas bloom in early May — imagine how stunning thousands of bushes covered with colourful flowers look. In addition, there is a botanical garden and the Botanica Centre. The centre is a greenhouse that recreates Asian landscapes and is home to 80 species of butterflies and little monkeys. The park also has a museum about the interaction between plants and animals. You can buy rhododendron honey in the souvenir shop.
Photo: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057232646792
If it's wet and windy outside, you can take your child to the puppet theatre "Mensch, Puppe!" in Bremen. The shows are in German, but the story is understandable without words. And the main charm is the incomparable puppets, a little shabby, like the most favourite children's toys.
Indoor entertainment centres for children are also helpful. Leo's Abenteuerpark Bremen and Spiel Coolisse im Weserpark offer plenty of space for running around, mazes, ball pools and places for quiet games.
Photo: facebook.com/Deutsche.Maerchenstrasse
Adventurous for children and moving for adults, the Deutsche Märchenstraße is a 600-kilometre journey through the life and work of the Brothers Grimm. It starts in Hanau, where Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were born, and leads to Bremen, where one of the most famous fairy tale heroes travelled.
How interesting it is for a child to visit the house in Steinau or the Grimm Brothers' Universe museum in Kassel depends on the age of the young tourist. But the ruins of Hanstein Castle, where, according to legend, robbers lived, will make children's hearts flutter. The medieval Sleeping Beauty Castle Sababurg is also worth a visit: according to fairy tales, Sleeping Beauty lived there. Another magical place is Das Holleum Museum in Hessisch-Lichtenau.
Photo: zoo-am-meer-bremerhaven.de
Here's another idea for things to do in Bremen with a child. The city is not far from the sea, so why not head to the coast? Not for the beaches (although there are some on the North Sea and sunbathers there too), but for the astonishing discoveries.
Bremergafen is the first place to visit. Of course, children will be captivated by the Zoo am Meer. Watching a polar bear catching fish in the water and an octopus doing business is exciting.
And then you have to spend at least a couple of hours at the Klimahaus. Not every big city has such unique museums. Deserts, ice, tropics, mountains and depths - look into different corners of the earth, feel, breathe, touch, be an insect, adapt to water scarcity and save the region from flooding.
And there's plenty to see in other places along the coast. For example, a bay near the village of Dangast is home to seals. People come to Dorum Neufeld to fish, but the local restaurants only serve freshly caught fish. The island of Helgoland is lovely: neat houses, a lighthouse with modern equipment, dunes and bird colonies on the steep shore. Salenburg is considered a place for beach holidays: the sand is soft, and comfortable cabins protect from the wind. On the contrary, surfers appreciate the steady breeze and come here to conquer the waves.
Photo: universum-bremen.de
Is it true that the appearance of a building can recognise exciting places for children? In Bremen, this is precisely the case. We are sure that a child will not miss the Universum building, which resembles a whale surfacing from the water or a flying saucer landing on the city's outskirts. It is an interactive science museum, and even the playground for kids here is designed for daring experiments.
Is it true that the appearance of a building can recognise exciting places for children? In Bremen, this is precisely the case. We are sure that a child will not miss the Universum building, which resembles a whale surfacing from the water or a flying saucer landing on the city's outskirts. It is an interactive science museum, and even the playground for kids here is designed for daring experiments.
The Airbus Museum is also dedicated to science, but only to one branch of science — aerospace. It is an excellent chance to show your child how spacecraft are built, how astronauts live and work in orbit, and what successes space robotics has achieved.
A visit to the planetarium will complete the experience. The planetarium has state-of-the-art equipment, and it's easy to believe you're looking at a real starry sky.
The name of the Wuseum may seem like a typo. It tells the story of the Werder Bremen football club. The club has become Bundesliga champion, German Cup and Super Cup winner more than once. You can also take a guided tour of the club's home stadium.
And if you care not only about what to see in Bremen but also how to fascinate children, then visit Bremer Geschichtenhaus. It can be called a museum of living history because the inhabitants of Bremen of the XVII-XIX centuries communicate with visitors: captains, firemen, laundresses, monks, soldiers, and merchants.
Listen to stories about sea voyages, city fires, feasts, black plague — about glorious and sad events in the city's history. The price of the excursion for children is almost symbolic, and pre-schoolers go free of charge.
Photo: kunsthalle-bremen.de
Children don't get bored in regular museums either; it's just a matter of finding an exhibition on a topic that interests them or getting them interested in something you like. Here's what else to see in Bremen with a child:
It is still not a complete list of what to see with children in Bremen. We would like to add that in some museums, admission for children under 18 is free; in others, there is a significant discount.
An hour's drive from the city centre is the Valentin Bunker. It is the ruins of a shipyard, which now houses a museum about the crimes of the Nazi regime during World War II.
Bremergafen also has exciting museums. The Maritime Museum is huge; otherwise, it would be impossible to accommodate a surviving Hanseatic ship, equipment for extracting raw materials from the sea, a lantern from a lighthouse, and a tanker propeller. The open-air exhibition housed vessels of various purposes and harbour units.
"Museum of the 50s", on the other hand, is relatively small. Its exposition is well described by the museum's slogan: "Memories of a time you wanted to forget".
Photo: pixabay.com
Where to stay in Bremen with children? It is not an idle question. There are the standard hotels, apartments, and guest houses, but there are also hotels on ships, rooms in monasteries and tree houses. You can find accommodation in the right area of Bremen through the city's tourist office, book through aggregators or contact the hotel directly.
An excellent approach to where to stay in Bremen is the city centre. It is beautiful, close to most sights, parks and shops, and the railway and bus station.
There are several dozen 4-star hotels with a high level of service. The 3-star hotels will also provide a sufficient level of comfort. Perhaps the place where it is better with children will be apart-hotels, with family rooms with a kitchen. Also, they often choose apartments for independent holidays in Bremen with children.
Budget, but comfortable enough option — hostels in Bremen. Here, you can take the whole room for 4-6 places and comfortably rest between excursions.
At the same time, it is nice to stay in the neighbourhood of Bremen, in pensions and guest houses. The level of comfort and prices are pretty varied. In addition, there are many campsites with fixed cabins and well-thought-out infrastructure near Bremen in picturesque locations.
Bremen's Hans Koschnick International Airport is 3.5 km from the city centre. It is not the largest and mainly receives flights from other German cities and several European countries. Bremen can be reached by tram No. 6, taxi, or hire car via the A281 motorway on arrival.
The nearest major airports are Hamburg and Hannover.
If you choose the train to get to Bremen, you'll go straight into the city centre when you arrive. Bremen is connected by rail to many German cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, Hanover, Frankfurt am Main and Munich. There are also trains from Switzerland. Timetable information is published at https://www.bahn.de/.
Several carriers, including Flixbus, provide bus services from Bremen to different parts of Germany. There are also routes from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Hungary and other countries. Tickets can be purchased on the websites of the transport companies.
Bremen stands at the crossroads of two motorways. The A1 motorway is convenient for travelling to Bremen from Hamburg, Osnabrück and Münster. The A27 motorway leads from Bremerhaven to Hannover.
The speed limit on Bremen's autobahns is 130 km/h — it is the only federal state that has set a speed limit. The city has defined the boundaries of a low-emission zone. To enter it, you must have a sticker confirming the safety of your car or proof of booking accommodation in this zone.
Finding a parking space in the centre of Bremen is not always possible. The interactive map on Bremen's official website makes the search easier.
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