It’s something about the coast.
The ‘not so gentle breeze’, the maritime rain jackets, the brick buildings, and the approachable people.
(I find northern Germans very likable.)
When I first came to Germany, I fell in love with the Alps, but overtime as I’ve explored the north, I’ve come to love the coast.
Here the days are unpredictable, and the weather moody. The stories at the coast are bold and daring.
The sea’s ever changing personality is thrilling, motionless, and then charming. The sea always has something new to say, and the next day is never the same as the last.
Bremen is located in north west Germany. It borders the North Sea and is almost 1,200 years old. For many years, it was an independent city operated by governing merchants and guilds. And like many northern towns, the location is rooted to centuries of shipping and trading.
And an interesting fact that I learned on this trip – Bremerhaven, on the sea and about 1-hour from Bremen city center, was the focal point for many German and central European emigrants that traveled to the Americas.
But it’s the architecture that intrigues me the most. Where most American tourists long for the timbered houses of medieval towns (and I’ve done the same), I’ve enjoyed just as much the brick colored buildings of the north. And those unique round shaped roofs for shipping materials.
Architecture in Bremen
Here is a short photo tour of the architecture that you will find in Bremen.
Food in Bremen
Next, it’s not only the architecture that I enjoyed about Bremen. It also was the food.
As a seafood lover, you can’t go without eating a fish meal when you go to the coast. Even if it’s as simple as fish & chips.
MARKTHALLE ACHT Bremen was another fun food spot that we mapped out on Google. I love food trucks or hipster food halls, and this one didn’t disappoint.
Inside you can enjoy different cuisines and eat. A favorite for any foodie!
Sights in Bremen
Bremen is the perfect weekend getaway in Germany. It’s not very big. Meaning, that you can leave the second day to explore outside the city or museums. These are three must see locations in Bremen.
- Schnoor — it’s the artist heaven of Bremen, and it’s noticeable as you walk the streets. It’s also a great location for typical coastal medieval buildings.
- Böttcherstraße — it’s home of the rich merchants of the time period. I thought the stained glass and the bell tower were the most impressive to view.
- Bremer Rathaus am Marktplatz — the Rathaus is majestic in its own right. Where most German towns have significant centers with a government house, Bremen’s really stood out for its architecture.
Overall, Bremen is the perfect town to stroll and not have an agenda. You can easily walk the town within a day, and the maritime feel makes the town feel easy-going and relaxed.
