The Christmas markets in Bremen are amazing. I may be slightly biased because this was the first German Christmas market that I visited but trust me when I say that if you are in the north of the country, this is one of the places that should be on your bucket list during the season.
I honestly thought that I would explore the city, head out to some museums and then see the Bremen Christmas markets. Should be pretty doable in a day right? Afterall Bremen isn’t that big. I thought wrong!
Our whole day was spent just exploring all things Christmas. The whole city is engulfed by the festival and almost every street and lane is decorated. The actual Christmas markets in Bremen are bustling no matter what time you visit but they get really really busy at night so that is something that you should keep in mind when you visit.
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Parking In Bremen
I know what a pain parking can be when you are moving about Europe. It is hard to find relatively cheap and secure parking so we really plan our trips out in advance. Usually we park wherever we get a chance to and walk. Since we were heading to the Christmas markets in Bremen and it was obviously cold, we decided to park as close to the city as possible.
Our pick was BREPARKhaus Mitte. This is a centrally located multistory parking that is super convenient. Now the only problem is that it fills up super fast and if you come in late, you probably will not get parking. We reached at 11am and we still found parking only on the 10th floor!
Parking here was at the rate of 12 euros a day which made it decent enough to park for however long we wanted.
Where To Stay In Bremen
Bremen has a lot of options when it comes to accommodation but it can get pretty expensive when it comes to booking places at last minute. That is why I always recommend booking in advance.
Radisson Blu Hotel Bremen – Luxury
⭐️ Rating: 8.2/10 (6,017 Reviews) Price: $175 per night 📍Location: Böttcherstraße 2 (Anfahrt über Wachtstraße), Mitte, Bremen Details: Read more on booking.com now!
Centrally located and part of a well known brand, the Radisson Blu Hotel is one of the best places to stay in the city if you are thinking about visiting the Christmas markets in Bremen.
This is because it is so so close to all the action.
“Really nice staff and loved the interior design. Also good breakfast and really nice that the food lasted till the end. also was nice that you announced that breakfast is about to end.”
Lina (read more reviews now!)
You can always head back to your room to warm up if the temperatures get to chilly for you. Such a big bonus especially if you are visiting with kids like us.
The rooms in the hotel are very comfortable and come with all the amenities that you would expect in a luxury accommodation. Plus it has an in house restaurant which cooks up some really delicious meals. Vegan or vegetarian? They’ll take your dietary restrictions into consideration.
The best part? They have their own underground parking so that’s a total bonus!
Altstadt Hostel Bremen – Budget
⭐️ Rating: 8.4/10 ( Reviews) Price: $27 per night 📍Location: 55 Am Wall, Mitte, Bremen Details: Read more on booking.com now!
Accommodation in Germany can get expensive and one great way to cut down on the costs is by staying in a hostel. The Altstadt Hostel in Bremen is one such place. Mind you, the property isn’t central but at less that $30 a night, the short commute is definitely worth it. Oh and when I say short distance, I mean that its just 1 kilometer to the center so its definitely walkable.
“We had a good overnight stay at the hostel, which is located right opposite a park and within walking distance to city center where stores and restaurants are. The hostel amenities are basic but like that it’s very clean.”
Antonio (read more reviews now!)
One great thing is that the staff are very friendly and the property is also very clean. Plus you can get a cup of coffee / tea / hot chocolate whenever you want for free which is definitely a big benefit on cold winter days.
Another big pro is that the wifi is also great so if you need to work from home you will always be connected.
Bremen Christmas Markets
So Bremen is extremely famous for its unique medieval kinda market. In fact, there are two big Christmas markets in Bremen. One is on the banks of the river and the other is in the heart of the city. Both of these markets are mesmerizing as is walking through the lit up city. I’m going to take you on a brief tour through both of them.
Schlachte-Zauber
Schlachte-Zauber is one of the unique Christmas markets in Bremen.
If you are searching on Google maps for this one, you will have to type Freibeuterdorf zum Schlachtzaubermarkt. The name of this market is super hard to pronounce and I really can’t say it! But what’s in a name right? The Freibeuterdorf zum Schlachtzaubermarkt is super pretty.
Schlachte-Zauber is set on the banks of the river and the entire section looks like a buccaneers market. Yes! You read that right. The Schlachte Weser promenade transforms into a pretty interesting Christmas market in Bremen because it is a themed one. Think of ship shaped buildings, little wooden shops topped with snow and yes people dressed up to fit the theme. The ships bob at the side of the festivities really setting the mood! It is one of the places that locals and tourists gather at during the advent season.
Wondering why this odd theme is so central in Bremen? Well apparently way back in the 1400’s Bremen was a hub of piracy. I was amazed at that since there is no coast attached to the city. Anyways, the city awarded contracts to pirates. Why? Because they wanted to target their rivals. These obviously were mostly the Dutch cities because they were biggest rivals as far as trade was concerned.
Today, you can see the remnants of this bygone era here. It is especially prominent in the Christmas markets in Bremen that line the promenade.
There are loads of local artisans selling their wares and some interesting activities like climbing rope ladders for the adults and fishing for stuffed fish for the kids. You can even join a blacksmith and learn to wield his tools to make something interesting like a hook!
The most active places however are the ones that sell piping hot food and alcohol. Mulled wine or gluhwein are extremely popular. I did not realize why until I realized just how much the drink warms you up. There is also a variety of punches that you can try out. Traveling with kids or don’t drink alcohol then try the hot chocolate and tea.
All in all, if you are looking for unique German Christmas markets then the Freibeuterdorf zum Schlachtezauber definitely fits the bill!
Bremen’s Market Square
Bremen’s Market Square is home to the main Christmas markets in Bremen.
While Schlachte-Zauber is a pretty unique Christmas market in Germany, the real action takes place in the main market square next to City Hall and St. Petri Dom cathedral. Here there are loads of cute little stalls that are set up. There is even a carousel that you can ride on. When I say ride on, I mean that everyone can get on it. Both Shawn and I joined the kids and it was so much fun!
There is an indoor carousel too but this one is intended for kids only. Why have two? Well while the kids enjoy their rides, the adults can stand by and enjoy mulled wine and other beverages while chatting. Keep an eye on your kids though. The crowds are insane!
One of the other things to do here is to shop for souvenirs and there are loads! Or maybe search for a cool Christmas ornament or two. Food comes in all types. From chimney cakes to crepes, chocolate truffles and candied apples, bananas dipped in chocolate (I know right! Yummm!) and meat stuffed in buns. There is food everywhere. We didn’t really buy much Christmas stuff but boy did we eat a lot!
Pro Tips For Visiting the Christmas markets In Bremen
Arrive Early: If you really want to experience the Christmas markets in Bremen, make sure to arrive early. This will help for many reasons. If you are headed in by car, you will be able to get parking which can be quite difficult later in the day.
The crowds also set in later in the day when the vibe is right. Aka when the sun sets so think around 3pm. This means that you are always face to elbow with someone else. I say face to elbow because everyone is so tall compared to me!
Large crowds are cool and all but you won’t really get a chance to explore at leisure, you will stand in huge lines and well not enjoy the actual feel of the market. So reach early and then enjoy the evening vibe as well. Plus there are loads of places to explore in the city. So you will not be disappointed if you have less time.
Toilets: There is a pop up toilet that is set up in the market square which you can use. It’s a paid toilet and can be freaking cold but it’s a toilet. So it’s a good option especially if you have young children around and keep needing toilet breaks.
Pace Yourself With The Food: There is so much food in the Christmas markets of Bremen that you can be forgiven for wanting to eat it all. Pace yourself so you get a chance to taste it all. You can also pack some of it to take home! I know that I loved taking the nuts home and they made great snacks for the drive.
Keep An Eye On Your Children: I CANNOT emphasize this enough. Keep an eye on your children. The crowds are insane and pushing a stroller through it later in the day was super difficult. So if you are heading out at peak hour times you may want to carry your kid on your shoulders or in a carrier if they are too small. Always keep an eye on your child because it is easy for them to get lost.
Make Reservations In Advance: The Christmas markets in Bremen make it a popular place to visit during the advent season. That means that everyone who is there wants to eventually get out of the cold. The best (and even the not so great) restaurants fill up. So make your reservations in advance so you have a nice warm place to sit after wandering through the market.
Things To Do In Bremen In Winter
Okay so while we are on the topic, you are probably here because you are visiting the Christmas markets in Bremen in the imminent future. While you are in the city, consider also spending time on some of the epic things to do in Bremen in winter. Here are a few of my favorites.
1. St. Petri or St. Peter’s Cathedral
The St. Peter’s cathedral of Bremen is gorgeous. It towers above the market square and is hard to miss. You may think that it is overshadowed by the market but don’t miss out on visiting this gorgeous structure.
One of the fascinating facts about this church is that it has been standing for over 1200 years! There is a museum inside the cathedral that is free to visit so once you enter, walk right to the very end of the church.
You will see the entrance to the museum. Here a lot of artifacts in relation to the cathedral are kept here. It is a pretty great place to explore.
2. The Bremen Town Musicians
I remember reading this fairy tale as a little girl. It was written by the Grimms brothers. Now the Bremen town musicians were the donkey, the dog, the cat and the rooster.
They never really made it to Bremen but rumor has it that the hooves of the bronze donkey in the town are magical.
Ahem… While the donkey never reached the city, if you rub his hooves you will definitely return!
Now before you get all confused about what these four animals stacked on top of each other have to do with the city, I recommend reading the fairytale. No, I’m not going to give away the story! You will just have to read it for yourself!
Anyways, this iconic fairy tale made Bremen popular. It is still one of the famous landmarks in the city and you will know just how famous when you see the color difference between the donkey’s hooves and the rest of his body! The best part is that if you are visiting the Christmas markets in Bremen this is just a small detour away.
3. Visit The Schnoor
The Schnoor is one of the oldest parts of the city and even if you’ve come to just catch the festive vibes of the Christmas markets of Bremen, consider heading here for a stroll.
The narrow passageways made us make frequent u-turns.
Why? Because the stroller wouldn’t fit through. I’m not joking. They were really tiny and fun because everything was lit up with Christmas décor.
Another thing that the Schnoor is famous for is the half timbered houses. You know those iconic German houses with beams of wood that are very obvious from the outside. The ones that make for great photographs? Especially if you aren’t in the middle of a crowd!
All the cool buildings were coated in snow too when we first arrived so it was pretty festive. Plus everyone was in a very very good mood so being in a crowd did not bother us too much at this point. Mind you the crowds of from the Christmas markets in Bremen spill over everywhere so this place was crowded as well.
There are loads of unique shops and restaurants in this area. Which brings us to our next point.
4. Eat At One Of The Iconic Cafes And Restaurants In The Schnoor
The iconic streets of Schnoor are also home to many really cool restaurants and cafes. One pretty iconic one is Gaststätte Kleiner Olymp. This restaurant is housed in a house that was built in the 1700s. No one really knows the exact date. While the decor and the house itself are huge attractions, the food is another part of the deal that draws in clients every day.
Gaststätte Kleiner Olymp serves up traditional Bremen dishes and it also has a special in house beer which is a must try.
Another place that should be on your radar is Teestübchen im Schnoor, Restaurant & Café. This cafe is known for its wide array of tea. It also has some cool cakes and pastries that you can indulge in. If you want to partake in their famous high tea, then you need to make a reservation a day in advance. It is something that is raved about by the people who frequent the place.
Definitely one of the fav places if you want to warm up after visiting the Christmas markets in Bremen.
5. Learn How To Make Candy
Bottles filled with Bremen bonbons which are absolutely delicious and one of the must haves if you are looking for things to do in Bremen in winter.
One of the iconic places in the city that many tourists pass by is the Bremer Bonbon Manufaktur. If you are in the area for the Christmas markets in Bremen, make sure you stop by here too because in Bremen in winter you will find that they make Christmas themed candy.
Aside from tasting as much candy as you want, you can also watch how candy is made. It is fun to watch, especially as they shape it in different shapes that are themed after the Christmas festivities.
6. Wander Through Böttcherstraße
Oddly enough I had not marked Böttcherstraße on the map. We were walking away from the main Christmas markets in Bremen when we saw a street with a lot of Christmas décor. We obviously decided to explore it.
The Böttcherstraße has history that goes back to the Middle Ages. Now as you walk through the street you will see that most of the houses have plaques on them. These are written both in German and in English and talk about the history of each building.
You could spend hours just reading these and wandering through the street. Definitely worth visiting if you are in the area for the Christmas markets in Bremen.
Some of the notable buildings are:
- Haus Atlantis
- Paula Modersoh-Becker
- Haus St. Petrus
- House of the Seven Lazy Brothers
The Christmas markets in Bremen are legendary but there is also a lot of other things to do in Bremen in winter that should be on your list. Generally speaking a day in Bremen would help you cover all the highlights but why rush? Book yourself a weekend and enjoy a the Christmas markets in Bremen at your leisure. After all, that’s the best way to do it!
