Leisure and Shopping

Leisure

There are various possibilities in Bremen to spend your leisure time. Here are some recommendations:

  • University Gym:A cheap option to keep in shape is the University gym program. A large selection for everyone from soccer and swimming to dancing courses. It is important to register on time, although later registration is possible if spaces are available.
  • Sport clubs: There is a large number of sport clubs and gyms in Bremen, where you can do tennis, squash, badminton, handball, soccer, vollyball, basketball, dance, horseback riding, gymnastics, judo, boxing, karate, swimming, track and field, fitness, canoeing, or rowing. The Sport Association in Bremen has a database of sport clubs categorized by sport or region.
  • Bicycle tours in Bremen: In and around Bremen you will find beautiful bike routes. There are maps of these routes and bike stops along the way on   ADFC (German Bicycling Club) or in a bookstore. You can also book tours through the ADFC. 
  • Canoe excursions are very popular in Bremen as there are many beautiful lakes and rivers. Canoes can be borrowed through canoe clubs. The Bremen Canoeing Association has a map online with canoe excursion routes in and around Bremen.
  • Guided Tours: Bremen offers many different guided tours to explore the city. You can book them through Bremen Tourism Office. The customer service office is located at the intersection Obernstraße/Liebfrauenkirchhof, next to the Bremen town hall. You can choose between tours of the city, town hall, Ratskeller restaurant, Mercedez-Benz factory, and more.
Die Glocke
Die Glocke

Events

Various big events take place at different locations in the city of Bremen. Here are some options:

  • ÖVB-Arena Bremen: Concerts, shows, sports, and special events. This arena holds about 14,000 people. 
  • Die Glocke – The Bremen Concert Hall: Die Glocke is 75 years old, the center for music in Bremen, and famous for its excellent acoustics. 
  • Schlachthof Culture Centre: This culture centre attracts people from across the country for concerts, comedy, book readings, and childrens theatre. 
  • St. Petri Cathedral: Musical highlights of the cathedral include symphonies, and classical music. 
  • Weser Stadium: The Weser stadium in Bremen is the home field of the Weder Bremen premier soccer team. It is directly on the the Weser River. The home games are often sold out. 
The market square

Shopping

In Germany, shopping hours are limited by law. Most stores open between 8-10 am and stay open until 6-8 pm. However, this gets tricky on weekends, as most stores have reduced hours on Saturday and are closed Sunday, especially grocery stores. Thankfully, there are gas stations and stores near large train stations that are open late or 24 hours.

Shopping in Bremen: the Weserpark in the east, the Waterfront in the west, Haven Höövt in the north and the Mediterraneo in Bremerhaven, are the biggest shopping malls in Bremen.

The City of Bremen, with large department stores and small boutiques has late shopping nights, sporadic Sunday shopping days, and 24 hour parking garages situated in a historical setting. 

There are two popular flea markets in Bremen:

  • Bürgerweide Flea Market: For the last 20 years, this flea market has offered antiques, modern goods, and oddities. The Bürgerweide flea market is located at the train station and runs every Sunday from 7-2 pm. 
  • Antique and flea market at the Weser River: This flea market is a long tradition, open from 8-2 pm on Saturdays. 

Food and Drink

The restaurant scene in Bremen is a mixture between traditional and international choices including traditional fish restaurants, modern bars, and inviting cafés both in the city centre and surrounding areas. 

The local daily newspaper, the Weser-Kurier, has built an online database of restaurants, recommended by restaurant testers.