It may be 45km (28 miles) upriver from the North Sea, but that didn’t stop Bremen becoming Germany’s oldest seaport, and also the oldest coastal town in the country. It can trace its history way back over 1,200 years, and this rich heritage is reflected in its many fascinating old quarters and picturesque

Public Transport

Bremen’s tangle of medieval streets makes walking the best option, but there is also an efficient public transport network in the form of buses and trams. Night buses run on some routes at weekends. Services are operated by Bremer Strassenbahn (BSAG; tel: (0421) 55960, www.bsag.de). Buy tickets from bus drivers or from machines at stops.

Climate and best time to visit Bremen

Although Bremen is a place to visit year round, the best times to arrive are often late spring or early autumn, when the weather is usually warm, and the city is not overrun with visitors. Prices are also often lower. Winters can be bitterly cold, and summers hot, but it is best to come prepared for anything in all seasons. In October and November the Bremen Friemarkt fair transforms the city centre into a colourful two-week-long party, with street entertainers, music, beer and general revelry. The pre-Lent Carnival, usually in February, is also a big event in town.

Telephone/Mobile Telephone

Dialing Code: +49

Telephone

Local and international calls can be made from phone boxes in towns and cities. These usually accept both coins and pre-paid cards (available at post offices and other outlets). In larger cities, you’ll often be able to make international calls from internet cafes too.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good. It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile telephone while driving. If you’re going to be in Germany for a long period of time, consider obtaining a local SIM card.

Key Areas

The streets to the north and west of the central Marktplatz Square – Obernstrasse, Knochenhauerstrasse and Sögestrasse in particular – are lined with shops where you will find everything you need from chic designer label boutiques to simple high-street chains. The atmospheric old Schnoor district has become a magnet for artists, and numerous small galleries have opened up in the area. Böttcherstrasse is the place to find arts and crafts stores.

Markets

There’s a colourful daily flower market on the main square. An antiques and flea market sets up on the Schlachte promenade each Saturday morning, and reconvenes on Bürgerweide on Sundays.

Handshaking is customary, and it is considered rude to address people by their first name unless invited to do so. Normal courtesies should be observed. Before eating, it is normal to say “guten Appetit” to the other people at the table to which the correct reply is “danke, gleichfalls” (“Thank you, the same to you”). If you’ve been invited to eat at a German house, it is customary to present the hostess with unwrapped flowers (according to tradition, you should always give an uneven number, and it is worth noting that red roses are exclusively a lover’s gift).

In shops and other businesses, courtesy dictates that visitors should utter a greeting such as “guten tag”

Main emergency number: 112

Food & Drink

There’s nothing to mark out German produce as particularly risky to general health (although it has a partly founded reputation for being fatty). Tap water is safe to drink.

Other Risks

Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forested areas of southern Germany; vaccination is advisable. Rabies is present; look out for ‘Tollwut’ signs. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered.

During the summer months, sunburn can be a problem. The southwest generally draws the highest temperatures. The usual precautions apply: use a generous amount of sunscreen and be sensible about how long you spend in direct sunlight. Be aware that a breezy day can sometimes mask high temperatures.

If walking over a long distance in warm weather, it’s advisable to drink – and carry – plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing, including a sun hat. Blisters can be another problem for hikers. These can often occur if new walking shoes are being worn across a long distance. Ideally footwear should be worn in before the trip.

IATA Travel Centre

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