Bremen in the tourist spotlight: beauty, challenges and timeless stories

Bremen in the tourist spotlight: beauty, challenges and timeless stories

There is a lot of activity in Bremen among tourists who are discovering the city as a worthwhile destination. Detlef Theirich and his wife are here today after booking a hotel in Bad Zwischenahn. The couple has already started thinking about planning a vacation in Bremen with friends. Bremen is often chosen as a stopover for bus tours and surprises many visitors with its beauty. The city is becoming increasingly popular, especially due to Überseestadt, which has come into greater focus in the last two years, often through parallels with similar offerings in Hamburg.

Guests appreciate the short distances and the friendliness of the people of Bremen, who are happy to provide information. Popular photo motifs include the historic Schnoor, the famous town musicians and the Wallmühle. Food tours are also very popular, although some tourists are reluctant to try traditional dishes such as Labskaus or Knipp.

Challenges in tourism

However, there are some challenges that tourists complain about in Bremen. A frequently voiced criticism concerns the insufficient number of public toilets, particularly near the main train station. In addition, open drug use is perceived as problematic in this area. Tour guide Jasmin Nitzschner, who has been working in the city for eleven years, reports frequent complaints. She has learned from various Hanseatic groups and individual visitors that there is always shock about the legalization of drinking on the streets.

Viveka Caldicott shares her experiences as a guide for Scandinavian groups and criticizes the lack of acceptance of card payments in many stores. Guests also find graffiti and dirty spots unsightly. Tourists show a great interest in historical topics, especially the history of Bremen during the Nazi era and the Second World War. British visitors are often interested in Werder Bremen because of the cheap flight connections.

Lasting impressions

The old town guide Sönke Schöttler points out that many tourists come to Bremen with little prior knowledge. They are often impressed by the cathedral's old crypts, but there are also occasional disappointments, such as the size of the Town Musicians statue, which does not meet the expectations of many guests. German tourists make pointed comments about Bremen's financial situation, which is a topic of conversation in some groups.

Another highlight of the city is the bunker tour, which focuses on the history of air raid shelters during the Second World War. Bremen was known for its high density of bunkers, and the tour offers insights into two different types of bunkers. Among other things, the ABC bunker at the main train station is visited, which provides a deep look into the past, as well as a high-rise bunker that was built during the war but never used. This tour not only illustrates the function of the bunkers from then to now, but also raises awareness of the city's historical significance during a formative chapter in European history. Weser courier and Instead of trips to Bremen report on the current developments and challenges in tourism in the Hanseatic city.