Weekend in Bremen

The bronze statue of the Town Musicians of Bremen stacked on each other by the side of the town hall. Tourists queue to rub the donkey's hooves and legs for good luck.

Tip: Check out the manhole cover immediately in front — it has a mouse and a cat etched in, continuing the fairy tale underground. Also, visit around midday when the carillon in the town hall opposite plays the tune.

A bronze statue of the donkey, dog, cat, and rooster from the Grimm fairy tale, stacked outside the town hall.

Tip: Rub the donkey’s front hooves for good luck (they’re polished shiny by locals).

A 10-metre stone knight symbolising market rights since 1404, paired with the Gothic town hall that's a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tip: Look for the tiny mouse at Roland's feet—it's a local legend about a cheese thief.

The bronze statue of a donkey, dog, cat, and rooster stacked on each other, based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale. It sits beside the medieval Rathaus. Rub the donkey's front legs for good luck—local

Tip: Come early morning (before 9am) to avoid queue for photos. The legend says rubbing both front donkey legs gets your wish granted.

A 100-metre street created in the 1920s by a coffee magnate. The buildings mix expressionist brickwork with Art Deco glass, topped by a golden relief of a winged lion and eagle. The carillon plays dai

Tip: Go inside the Glockenspiel House when the chimes sound (hourly 12-6pm + 9pm) — the 30 Meissen porcelain bells make a thin, clear sound that carries right through the courtyard.

A narrow 1920s expressionist street lined with red brick buildings, shops, and a glockenspiel. Free to walk through; small museum inside costs a few euros.

Tip: The glockenspiel chimes at noon, 3pm, and 6pm — pause on the small bridge for the best view.

The bronze statue of the donkey, dog, cat and rooster from Grimm's fairy tale, standing on the western side of Bremen's medieval town hall. One of the most photographed spots in the city.

Tip: Rub the donkey's front legs — locals say it brings good luck. The statue gets busy from 10am; come at 8am for a quiet selfie.

A 1920s brick expressionist street with quirky architecture, a carillon, and a museum building.

Tip: Stand under the carillon at noon and 6pm to hear the glockenspiel play sea shanties.

A maze of narrow cobblestone alleys and tiny houses from the 15th and 16th centuries. Originally a fishermen's quarter, now packed with artisan shops, galleries and cafes.

Tip: Go early morning before the crowds to see the streets empty and spot the subtle differences in house numbers — odd on one side, even on the other, but with gaps where houses were bombed in the war.

A 110-metre lane rebuilt in the 1920s in Expressionist brick style. Features the unusual 'Glockenspiel House' with 30 Meissen porcelain bells that chime three times daily, and art

Tip: Stand under the carillon at 12pm, 3pm, or 6pm to hear the full chime sequence. Inside the 'Roselius Haus' museum is free on the first Sunday of each month.