The Überseestadt district

The Town Musicians of Bremen, made famous by the Brothers Grimm fairytale, are the unmistakable icon of our Hanseatic city. In 1953, they were honoured in bronze with a statue created by the artist Gerhard Marcks. You'll see the statue on the left-hand side of the Rathaus (Town Hall). Another insider tip: grabbing the donkey's front legs with both hands is said to bring luck. However: you'll reveal yourself as a newcomer if you only grab one of the legs. As the local saying goes, that's one donkey shaking another one by the hand. The "Bremer Hole in the Ground" in front of Bremen's Parliament building is also something worth noticing. For a modest donation, the animals will thank you personally. And, if you don't believe in fairy stories, a visit to the grave of the Donkey in the Böttcherstraße will surely change your mind.

The trendy districts of Ostertor and Steintor – which the locals simply call the 'Viertel' – are only a few minutes' walk from the city centre. In the quirky pubs, trendy bars and cosy cafés here, you can relax or get into the party spirit for the night ahead. Tips on pubs and bars can be found here. Two of the best places to go dancing are Lila Eule and Club Moments: Lila Eule Opened in January 1965, this basement disco has a long tradition. It was a meeting place for the Bremen APO (extra-parliamentary opposition) and a starting point for the German student movement of 1968. Today it is a club and concert venue, open at weekends and occasionally during the week. It offers a wide spectrum of music that includes everything from electro swing and hip-hop to indie. Thursday is student night. www.lilaeule.com Club Moments As colourful as the Viertel itself, Club Moments is a bar and disco and can be hired for events. It hosts salsa and Latin American dance parties weekly, GayCandy every month and regular concerts. www.club-moments.de

This area of Bremen offers chic waterfront lifestyle with a twist as the former docklands are transformed into the city's latest residential, retail and office development. Contemporary architecture contrasts with old warehouses directly opposite, while trendy bars and fascinating shops attract growing numbers of visitors.