Bremen is increasingly establishing itself as a tourist destination, and this picturesque German city certainly has plenty to keep visitors occupied during a week´s holiday. Compact and easily explored on foot, Bremen lends itself well to a week of relaxed sightseeing, made all the easier with our suggestions for a week in the city.

Day 1

After arriving at your hotel, take time to orient yourself in the city. Most tourist attractions are within walking distance of each other, but weary travelers might want to take advantage of the efficient Metro. Head to the attractive Markt area and take in the impressive City Hall and statue of Roland before enjoying dinner and drinks at any of the many restaurants and bars lining this city's pleasant square.

Day 2

Have a cultural day, starting with a visit to the Ratskeller with its impressive frescoes. From here, head to the nearby St Peter´s Cathedral which dates back to the 11th century, and don´t forget to pay a visit to the Cathedral´s museum--which is home to a chapel complete with mummies. There are lots of spots for food and drink nearby, so have a leisurely day and enjoy a few traditional German beers!

Day 3

Take a walking tour of the fascinating and beautiful Schnoor region in the eastern quarter of the Bremen city center. With craft stalls, intimate art galleries and tiny bars and restaurants lining the cobblestone streets of the squares, there´s plenty to keep visitors entertained all day and well into the evening.

Day 4

Head southeast of the Aldstadt, Bremen´s Old Town, and pay a visit to the Kunsthalle museum and art gallery. With a collection that includes works from Dutch, German and French masters, art buffs will be in their element. Head back to the Old Town on foot and enjoy a meal at the Ratskeller Restaurant which is housed in a magnificent old building--and has a wine list that takes in 600 different bottles.

Day 5

Take a day out of the city center and head to the Zoo am Meer (Sea Zoo) at nearby Bremerhaven. Easily reached by bus, this family-friendly attraction is as educational as it is entertaining, with its sea creatures that range from cute and cuddly to downright terrifying. The zoo´s cafe makes a good spot for lunch. In the evening, head for The Schnoor area of downtown for relaxed al-fresco drinks. Gasthof Zum Keiser Freidrich, at Lang Wieren 13,  is a nice option for a light meal.

Day 6

No holiday in Bremen is complete without a visit to Buerger Park, unique in that it is maintained entirely by the efforts of Bremen´s citizens themselves. A vast wooded park in the heart of the city, the Buerger Park provides visitors an opportunity to take strolls through the woodlands, rent a boat on the lake or just relax on the shaded grounds. There is a handful of nice restaurants in the park as well as live weekend jazz concerts during the summer.

Day 7

Visit Bremen´s impressive Universum Science Center--widely considered to be the best science museum in Germany. Situated next to the city´s university, the center has hundreds of hands-on exhibits, making it a popular destination for families. Regular buses run out here, and there´s a cafe on-site. In the evening, say your goodbyes to beautiful Bremen with dinner and drinks at a pavement cafe bar by the MarktPlatz.