Bremen

These four fairy tale animals are as much a part of Bremen as the river Weser, and you come across them wherever you wander in the old quarter. You can see the famous sculpture outside the town hall, hear the animals' voices coming out of the ground in front of the State Parliament building and visit the donkey's grave on Böttcherstrasse.

Bremen`s 'drawing room' is the Markplatz, and its greatest attraction is the Town Hall. Guided tours of the historic building provide an insight into its fascinating 600-year old history. The tour includes the impressive Upper Town Hall and a look into the splendid Golden Chamber. Since 2004, the Town Hall and the Roland have been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Built between 1405 and 1410 in the Gothic style, it is one of the greatest testaments to north German architecture. Its facade is fascinating and one of the most striking in Europe. It was created by Lüder von Bentheim, in the Weser Renaissance style, as part of a reconstruction project which took place 200 years later.

St. Petri Dom is a gothic cathedral with over 1,200 years of staying power. World-famous organ and crypt.

Green Sails and the magic of Joe Cockers „Sail away“ – that’s the story of the famous squarerigger „Alexander von Humboldt“. The hotel and restaurant service aboard offers you a unique maritime adventure in the heart of Bremen.

The Viertel (the quarter) is just a short walk from the city centre and is the most colourful and bohemian area of Bremen. It is what locals call Bremen's Ostertor and Steintor districts. Just a few minutes' walk from the city centre, this is the most colourful and bohemian area of Bremen. Popular for kitsch entertainment and the arts, theatres and museums, it offers a cosmopolitan flair and diverse, offbeat nightlife. There are lots of bars, restaurants and pubs and no closing time, so you can easily party till dawn. Shopping in the Ostertor and Steintor districts Alternative shopping at its best: the Ostertor/Steintor quarter is known for its quirky shops, and for specialist outlets such as a spice shop and general store, run by the fourth generation of the same family and featuring art nouveau fixtures and fittings. Cultural mile The Viertel starts with the 'cultural mile' at Wallanlagen Park. This consists of the Kunsthalle art gallery, Gerhard Marcks House, Wilhelm Wagenfeld House and the Bremen Theatre, which stages both opera and plays – culture at its very best. The Theatro café and restaurant on Goetheplatz square is ideally situated for a break amidst all the culture.

Bremen's former docklands are being transformed into a vibrant quarter for the 21st century, with a great selection of cafés, bars and restaurants. Lots to see and do, new events all the time, modern architecture and the charm of historical warehouse buildings: this port district in the midst of change combines its maritime past with a pioneering present.

Bremen is one of the leading centres in Europe for space travel. The European contribution to the International Space Station (ISS) was built at Airbus Defence & Space. How do people live, sleep, and carry out research in zero gravity? Answers to these and other questions are provided in a replica of the Columbus module during the guided space tour (German only).

Visit the 600-year-old town hall, whose Weser Renaissance-style facade was added in later years, and the Roland statue, erected in 1404, are our most precious cultural treasures. However, they are no longer our exclusive property: since 2004 they have been protected by UNESCO as a piece of world heritage for everyone to enjoy.

Bremen's seafaring traditions are especially well preserved in the Vegesack district to the north, where Germany's first man-made harbour was created almost 400 years ago. Today the recently completed 1.8km maritime mile along the river Weser boasts a range of attractions including the multimedia Spicarium exhibition, captains' houses, the signal station and the towboat Regina.

Anyone looking for a break from all the highbrow culture should stroll down to the Schlachte promenade along the river Weser. Its numerous pubs and bars – many with outdoor seating areas – make a great place to chill out. An antiques and bric-a-brac market is held here every Saturday during the spring and summer months. In the run-up to Christmas the medieval atmosphere of the Schlachte-Zauber market gets everyone in the right mood for the festive season.