Bremen is a small, proud city-state in northern Germany, made up of the Hanseatic port city of Bremen and its seaport exclave Bremerhaven, straddling the Weser river roughly 60 km from the North Sea. Once a powerful member of the medieval Hanseatic League, Bremen is famous for its UNESCO-listed Rathaus and Roland statue, the fairy-tale Town Musicians of Bremen, and the artistic Böttcherstraße and Schnoor quarter. Compact, walkable, and less crowded than Germany's larger cities, Bremen combines centuries of maritime trading history with a lively university-town atmosphere.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Universum Bremen
A shell-shaped science center beside the university with over 300 hands-on exhibits covering the human body, technology, and the natural world, plus an indoor rainforest and a rooftop climbing structure - Bremen's single best rainy-day family attraction
Duration: Half day
Bremer Stadtmusikanten Statue
The bronze statue of the Town Musicians of Bremen (donkey, dog, cat, and rooster stacked atop one another) beside the Rathaus is a Brothers Grimm fairy-tale favorite; children enjoy holding the donkey's polished front legs for luck
Duration: 15-20 minutes
Buergerpark Playgrounds & Mini Railway
A large landscaped park just north of the center with several playgrounds, a lake for rowboat rental in summer, wide lawns for running around, and a small seasonal miniature railway that loops through the grounds
Duration: Half day
Rhododendron-Park
One of the world's largest rhododendron collections, with shaded woodland paths, a small stream, and play areas that make for an easy, gentle walk; blooms are most spectacular in May, and the adjoining Botanika glasshouse offers an indoor option on wet days
Duration: 1-2 hours
Zoo am Meer Bremerhaven Day Trip
A compact seaside zoo in Bremerhaven, about an hour from Bremen by train, focused on polar and coastal species including polar bears, seals, and penguins viewed through underwater glass - an easy, rewarding family day trip
Duration: Full day
Vegesack Harbor
A former shipbuilding harbor town on the northern edge of Bremen, reachable by tram, with a promenade, historic sailing ships to view, playgrounds, and ice cream stands along the water - a relaxed outing away from the busier old town
Duration: Half day
Schnoor Quarter Wander
Bremen's oldest surviving quarter, a maze of narrow lanes and tiny half-timbered houses now filled with craft shops, small cafes, and a puppet or toy shop or two - an easy, story-book stroll that suits both younger and older children
Duration: 1-2 hours
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Bremen
A large, modern hotel a short walk from the Hauptbahnhof and the old town, with spacious rooms and an indoor pool that appeals to families needing space to unwind after sightseeing
Family features: Family and connecting rooms, indoor pool, central location, breakfast buffet
Best Western Hotel Bremen City
A comfortable mid-range hotel close to the Hauptbahnhof with straightforward tram access to the Marktplatz, Universum, and Buergerpark
Family features: Family rooms, breakfast included, easy tram access to main sights
Apartment rentals in the Ostertor/Viertel district
Self-catering apartments in Bremen's leafy, cafe-lined Viertel district give families kitchen facilities and flexible meal times, within easy walking distance of Buergerpark
Family features: Kitchen facilities, residential quiet streets, walking distance to park and cafes
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
German restaurants generally welcome children, and a Kinderteller (children's plate) is common at casual and mid-range restaurants alike
Bakeries (Backerei) sell inexpensive pretzels, rolls, and pastries that make easy, mess-free snacks between sights
Currywurst and Fischbroetchen (fish rolls) from stalls near the Marktplatz and Schlachte are quick, kid-friendly options
Ice cream parlors (Eisdiele) are plentiful around the Marktplatz and Schnoor for an afternoon treat
Restaurants along the Buergerpark and Schlachte riverside have outdoor seating and space for children to move around while waiting for food
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
The compact, largely pedestrianized Altstadt makes Bremen easy to navigate with a stroller, though the Schnoor's cobblestones are bumpy going
Trams and buses run frequently and are straightforward for families; children under six generally ride free with a fare-paying adult
Pack layers and a light rain jacket regardless of season, since showers can appear even in summer
Buergerpark and the Wallanlagen are the easiest spots for children to burn off energy between museum visits
Pharmacies (Apotheke) are well stocked for minor ailments and a rotating duty pharmacy stays open overnight if needed
Universum Bremen and the Boettcherstrasse museums are the best options for a rainy day