Bremen and surroundings

Go on a self-drive holiday to Bremen, a cosy and traditional city.

Bremen is an exciting trading city with more than 1,200 years of history, located in north-west Germany just a few hours' drive from the Danish-German border. Bremen is a big city and offers a wide range of experiences and attractions for the whole family. So pack your car and let yourself be seduced by hospitable Bremen, the perfect destination for a great self-drive holiday.

In Bremen you can combine the best of history, tradition and culture. Start your visit to the city with a stroll around the cosy streets. Follow the route of brass and steel nails and you can experience the best of the city at your own pace. The route takes you from the Liebfrauen cemetery to the city's impressive market square. On the Marktplatz you'll find the city's most famous landmarks, the Weser Renaissance town hall and the venerable Roland statue, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2004. Bremen's Town Hall is one of the most significant buildings from the Gothic and Weser Renaissance periods. Also visit the town hall cellar, which houses a large collection of German wines. Take a break in the market square and enjoy the many old buildings, including the city's fine cathedral and the traditional Schütting Chamber of Commerce. Also be sure to see the famous Bremer Stadtmusikanten, a bronze statue of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale characters, right by the town hall.

From Marktplatz, the route takes you to Böttcherstraße, formerly a craftsmen's street. Don't disappoint yourself with a walk along the 100-metre-long street, which feels like stepping back in time. You'll find galleries, quirky little shops and bars and restaurants where you can take a break. Also visit Bremen's oldest quarter, Schnoor. Small houses from the 15th and 16th centuries stretch as far as the eye can see. The cobbled streets are lined with small shops and the neighbourhood has a unique charm.

Holidays can also offer an exceptional art experience at Bremen's Museum of Modern Art. The museum is housed in the unusual Weserburg building, which consists of old warehouses and is located out on the Weser River, which runs through Bremen. Here you will find more than 6,000 m2 of art to suit all tastes. Find out more about the museum and its opening times on their website. Along the river you'll also find the popular promenade, Die Schlachte, which offers a myriad of cosy restaurants and lively beer gardens from which to enjoy views of the water.

Also visit Bremen's big Science Centre, Universum, which has several fun exhibitions for kids to learn about all sorts of things. The exhibitions involve the visitor, so a visit here involves fun games for young and old. For example, find out if you can generate enough power for a light bulb.

Let your driving holiday lead you into the area around Bremen. Great nature experiences and idyllic towns await you when you hop in your own car and head out into the blue. Take a trip to the Wildeshauser Geest nature park, for example, where you can take a break from city life and just enjoy nature. Or visit Bremerhaven, one of Germany's most important port cities, or take a day trip to the impressive metropolis of Hamburg. The possibilities are endless. Simply fill up the boot and let Risskov take you on the perfect self-drive holiday in Northern Germany.