Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich. We’ve all heard of the big German cities. But as beautiful and popular as they are, I think one of the best things about Germany are the small towns that dot the countryside. From the friendly locals to the charming medieval neighbourhoods steeped in history, places like Bremen should definitely be added to your bucket list! Here’s a look at some of the highlights this Hanseatic city has to offer including my favourite insta-worthy photo spots.

1. Marktplatz

Bremen’s market square is where you’ll find many of the city’s beautiful buildings including its stunning town hall. The Weser-Renaissance-style building was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004 and houses the historical Ratskeller – Germany’s oldest wine cellar.

2. Schnoor Quarter

For that classic, medieval, fairytale experience, head over to Bremen’s Schnoor Quarter. As Bremen’s oldest district, Schnoor is home to a maze of narrow, cobblestone lanes lined with 15th and 16th century, half-timbered houses. You can easily spend an entire afternoon exploring the many photogenic alleyways and crevices packed with cute cafes, restaurants and colourful boutiques.

3. Bremen Cathedral

Situated adjacent to the town hall, the soaring two-tower, Bremen Cathedral is hard to miss. The church dates back to 789 A.D. and after several fires and war damage, has been rebuilt with elements of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. Step inside and wander around the spacious nave where ornate carvings and colourful columns fill the space. If you do get a chance to visit, be sure to head down into the catacombs which house a collection of preserved mummies.

4. Böttcherstraße

This narrow laneway connects Bremen’s market square to the Weser River and is lined with craft shops, boutiques and artist studios inside a mix of Art Deco and red-brick buildings. Bremen’s famous Glockenspiel House is also located here and features a set of 30 porcelain bells that play several times a day.

5. The ‘Stadtmusikanten’ statue

A popular Bremen landmark, the Stadtmusikanten statue is based on the popular fairytale by the Brothers Grimm that tells the story of the Town Musicians of Bremen.

6. Schütting

Situated on the opposite end of the Marktplatz from the Bremen Cathedral, the Schütting building is another notable architectural landmark. It was built in the 1500s by Flemish architect Johann den Buschener from Antwerp, Belgium. Like many German structures, the Schütting was destroyed in World War II but was rebuilt and is now the seat of the Bremen Chamber of Commerce.

7. Schlachte Promenade

The Sclachte embankment is Bremen’s waterfront promenade where you can find tall ships, cafes, restaurants, beer gardens and the Bremen Casino. At sunset, take one of the bridges over the Weser River to get some epic views of the Bremen skyline.

8. Am Wall Windmill

The Am Wall Windmill is located between Bremen’s Central Station and the Old Town, so it’s likely to be one of the first landmarks you see on your visit. The first windmill on this site was built in 1699 but was destroyed by fire and rebuilt a number of times. Popular with residents and tourists alike, this area of Bremen is a great place for a walk, picnic, or a hot cup of coffee from Kaffeemühle, located inside the windmill. For a view of the windmill and its gardens with the surrounding park and canal in the foreground, be sure to take some photos from Herdentor Street.

9. Bremen Hauptbahnhof

With several major German cities just a few hours away, Bremen is easily accessible by train. The city’s main train station is about a kilometre north of Marktplatz so it’s easily walkable. But before you head out to the main sights, take a minute to enjoy the station’s intricate tile murals, red brick facade and ornate details.

To see more of my travel and architecture photography visit jamesbombales.com and be sure to follow along on Instagram.

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Top 9 things to see and photograph in Bremen, Germany