10 Best Museums in Bremen

Universum Bremen, set in the University District, is a science museum that attracts curious minds with more than 300 exhibits, many of which are interactive. Kids will enjoy the children’s area and its Milky Way theme with a rocket launch pad and other fun features. Outdoors, EntdeckerPark is all about water and wind and also features a 27-metre-tall tower with scenic views.

Inside Universum Bremen, humans, nature and technology are the main areas of focus. You’ll encounter fascinating experiments and displays touching on everything from how things work to why the grass is green and other interesting phenomena.

St Petri Cathedral Museum provides a look into the history and architecture of one of the most significant landmarks of Bremen, St Peter's Cathedral. Located in the market square in the centre of the city, this museum is accessible through the cathedral at the end of the southern right aisle.

Set in one of the cathedral’s historical rooms next to the high choir, the museum features archaeological objects on the 1st floor. Among the things you’ll see are an 11th-century bishop sarcophagus, statues of saints and 15th-century stone reliefs. Other highlights include the graves of medieval bishops and a painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder.

Overseas Museum (Übersee-Museum Bremen) is a natural history and ethnographic museum that takes you on a journey around the world. Located near the Bremen Rail Station, the museum was established in 1896 and is one of the important cultural organisations in Germany. Housing 1.2 million articles from around the globe, this place is a treasure chest of discoveries.

When you visit the museum, you can experience Asia, the South Pacific, Oceania, the Americas and Africa with diverse exhibitions. Some places you'll see along the way include the underwater world of Oceana, the international global city Shanghai and the fascinating history of Nairobi and the animal world.

Kunsthalle Bremen attracts art lovers with an exquisite collection of works from the Middle Ages to modern times. Founded in 1823, the world-class museum sits on the Culture Mile near Bremen Old Town. It has the distinction of being the 1st independent institution to house a civic collection in Germany.

Walking through the Kunsthalle Bremen, you'll see art from the likes of van Gogh, Monet and, more recently, Beckman and Paik. Along with its permanent collection, another highlight is the Kupferstichkabinett, a collection of over 200,000 sheets of hand drawings and prints. The museum also hosts special exhibitions, with previous ones including Goya and Manet: Revolutionary Etchings and Hans Christian Andersen: Poet with Pen and Scissors.

Schuppen Eins, or Shed One, appeals to auto enthusiasts with its collection of cars and exhibits. Located in a former warehouse on the Europahafen quayside in the Überseestadt district of Bremen, the centre for automotive culture and mobility offers you a chance to view classic cars and collector’s vehicles in its contemporary space.

The display of vehicles at Schuppen Eins is diverse, ranging from sporty roadsters to coupes, limousines and more. Along with the vehicles, there are exhibits about the future of mobility and glass-fronted workshops where you can see technicians working on cars. You’ll also find restaurants and cafes outside along the water’s edge.

Focke-Museum intrigues visitors with its informative exhibits focusing on the history, art and evolution of the city-state of Bremen. Spread out across 6 buildings and an old manor house and park, including structures from the 16th to 19th centuries in the neighbourhood of Riensberg, the state museum provides a fascinating look into years past.

Established in 1884 with the consolidation of the trade museum and the Historical Museum for Bremen Antiquities, this museum presents 1,200 years of local history. At the thatch-roofed Eichenhof, you can see relics ranging from axes to bronze jewellery, while the Tarmstedter Scheune focuses on agriculture. Also onsite is Focke’s Cafe if you’re in the mood for a bite.

Bremer Geschichtenhaus is a living-history museum that takes you on a historical journey back in time with costumed performers who recount Bremen's history from the 1600s to the early 1900s. The museum spans from Bremer Kaufmannkonter to Schokoladenburnnent to the marketplace.

From the moment you arrive at Bremer Geschichtenhaus, the show will entertain and engage you with riveting stories about the German city-state. Every experience is different depending on the actors. You'll learn about significant events and what life was like over the centuries, from the black plague to cathedral fires and other colourful moments.

Schulschiff Deutschland provides a glimpse into what it’s like to sail the 7 seas aboard the traditional training ship, the Deutschland. You can find this unique monument and museum ship at its berth at the Neuer Hafen in Bremerhaven, about a 47-minute drive from Bremen.

Once aboard the Schulschiff Deutschland, you’ll learn how the vessel served as a school ship for seafarers in 1927. Over the years, the square-rigger travelled on the North and Baltic seas and also served as a hospital ship and a youth hostel. There are different ways to experience the 3-masted, 87-metre ship, from taking a guided tour to enjoying an overnight stay.

Weserburg - Museum of Modern Art (Weserburg Museum für moderne Kunst) offers a captivating experience with an impressive collection of international contemporary art and special exhibitions. Located in an old factory building on the Teerhof peninsula along the River Weser, the modern art museum is Europe’s 1st collector’s museum.

Since opening in 1991, the museum has continued to present alternating individual and group thematic exhibitions. Past exhibitions include Teresa Burger: The Tightrope Walker and Until We Meet Again: Place-making in Southeast Asia, among others.

Heimatmuseum Schloss Schönebeck provides a glimpse into local history inside a beautiful palace. The castle museum, the only surviving aristocratic estate in the Bremen area, is in the town of Vegesack on the Weser river, less than a 30-minute drive from Bremen. Inside the former seat of a noble family, visitors can see historic objects and exhibitions highlighting the area.

At the museum, you can tour the reconstructed kitchens, bedrooms and living rooms. For those interested in shipping, trade and crafts, head to the upper level of the estate to see interesting exhibitions ranging from industrial whaling to ceramic production and more. Throughout the year, the castle museum also hosts intimate concerts to enjoy.