The city of Bremen, along with nearby Bremerhaven, forms the smallest of Germany’s states. The oldest coastal town in the country and one of the main industrial centres in northern Europe, Bremen is situated along the River Weser about 45 km from the North Sea coast. It has been one of Germany’s most important ports for over five hundred years now.

In the 8th century Bremen was a major religious centre and the base for most missionary work in the region. 500 years later, it joined the economic-political association of the Hanseatic League, and despite absorption into the German nation in 1871, the city has maintained some of its autonomy. 

An interesting blend of the old and the new, Bremen offers lots of rewarding sightseeing. Restored medieval streets and localities, like the Schnoor and the Böttcherstrasse, literally take you back in time, and the city’s many medieval monuments (mostly centred around the square known as Marktplatz) are a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Among the not-to-be-missed sights are the Dom St Petri, St Peter’s Cathedral, a majestic 11^th century building; the Rathaus or the Gothic Town Hall, with its fine carving, including a wonderful oak staircase; and the Kunstsammlungen Böttcherstrasse. The latter consists of two restored houses with probably the finest representations of Bremen life in years gone by. You should also, if you have the time, go for a walk on the ramparts, the highlight of which is a medieval windmill that still works.

Getting There: Bremen’s airport, the Bremen Flughaven, is used mainly for commuter flights within Germany; the city is, in addition, well connected by train to the major cities of the country, with regular trains from Frankfurt, Hamburg and other large cities. Bus networks are not quite as efficient, but can be used to get to Bremen from some of the smaller towns in the region. If you’re going to be driving down, Bremen lies on the A7 autobahn (east-west) and the A27 (north-south).

Accommodation: Within Bremen, accommodation options range from hotels to cheaper pensions and inns, with a hostel or two as well. Getting around is easy, too: taxis are fairly convenient, and the network of trams and buses is very economical indeed.

For detailed country and visitor information, see Germany.