Northern Germany blends medieval squares and maritime grit with modern design. Over seven days you’ll explore Bremen’s UNESCO-listed market square, storybook lanes, and science-forward museums before gliding by train to Hamburg’s red-brick canals, vast harbor, and one of Europe’s most striking concert halls.

Bremen grew rich on Hanseatic trade; today its Rathaus (Town Hall) and Roland statue anchor a city of elegant gables, quirky public art, and cozy cafés. Hamburg, once the “Gateway to the World,” fuses historic Speicherstadt warehouses with the glassy Elbphilharmonie and lively neighborhoods from St. Pauli to Sternschanze.

Expect hearty North German cuisine—smoked fish, Labskaus, and winter kale—with superb coffee roasteries, riverside beer gardens, and sweets like Bremen’s “Schnoorkuller” and Hamburg’s cinnamon-swirled Franzbrötchen. Trains are fast, frequent, and affordable; Sundays are quieter with many shops closed, so plan museum time and parks accordingly.

Bremen

Bremen is compact, walkable, and packed with character. Start at the Marktplatz for a sweep of Gothic and Renaissance facades, then duck into the Schnoor quarter’s 15th-century lanes, where tiny houses host tea rooms, ateliers, and candy makers. Along the Weser, the Schlachte promenade hums with river cruises and casual dining.

• Top sights: UNESCO-listed Rathaus and Roland statue, the Bremen Town Musicians, Böttcherstraße’s expressionist brickwork and Glockenspiel, Kunsthalle Bremen, Universum Bremen, Übersee-Museum, and the Mühle am Wall windmill.
• Eat & drink: Sample Knipp (a local buckwheat-and-meat specialty), fresh fish on the Schlachte, and centuries-old wine traditions at the Ratskeller beneath the Town Hall.
• Stay: Search stays on VRBO Bremen or Hotels.com Bremen. For first-timers, base in Altstadt (near Marktplatz) or along the Schlachte for riverside strolls.
• Getting there: Fly into Bremen (BRE) or Hamburg (HAM) and connect by train. Compare flights on Omio (Flights). Regional trains Bremen–Hamburg run ~1–1.2 hours, typically €15–30 one way—check schedules and fares on Omio (Trains).

Day 1: Arrive in Bremen, Marktplatz Magic

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Begin at the Marktplatz: admire the ornate Rathaus (Town Hall) and the Roland statue—a symbol of civic freedom since 1404. Rub the bronze donkey’s hooves at the Bremen Town Musicians statue for good luck, then stroll into Böttcherstraße to see the Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum and the carillon’s melodic chimes.

Evening: Dinner at the historic Ratskeller beneath the Rathaus—order pan-fried pike-perch or seasonal Grünkohl with Pinkel sausage (winter), paired with one of hundreds of German wines. Nightcap on the Schlachte promenade; if you prefer a craft pint, try Schüttinger Gasthausbrauerei for house-brewed lagers and a hearty schnitzel.

Day 2: Schnoor Quarter, Art, and Science

Morning: Breakfast at Kaffeemühle am Wall, a café inside a windmill with views across the ramparts. Wander the Schnoor lanes; pop into Teestübchen im Schnoor for a pot of Assam and dense cakes, and watch candy pulled by hand at the Bremer Bonbon Manufaktur (great for kids).

Afternoon: Art lovers head to Kunsthalle Bremen for Monet to Modersohn-Becker; families dive into hands-on experiments at Universum Bremen, where interactive exhibits cover earth, humans, and technology in a dramatic, spaceship-like building.

Evening: Dinner aboard the Pannekoekschip Admiral Nelson, a moored ship serving Dutch-style pancakes—savory with bacon and cheese or sweet with apples and cinnamon. Finish with a Weser river cruise at sunset (75–90 minutes; typically €15–20) to see the harbor lights.

Day 3: Museums and Green Spaces

Morning: Coffee at Lloyd Caffee Rösterei in Überseestadt—one of Germany’s oldest coffee brands—then walk the docks’ modern architecture. Alternatively, visit the Übersee-Museum, a blend of natural history and world cultures that fascinates both adults and kids.

Afternoon: Stroll Bürgerpark; rent a rowboat on the Emmasee in season or picnic under plane trees. Football fans can tour Weser-Stadion (Werder Bremen) to peek behind the scenes of this riverbank arena.

Evening: Try Union Brauerei (Walle) for a brewery tour and dinner—think Flammkuchen from the oven and malty red ales—or circle back to the Schlachte for seafood at Fischbar, where the smoked mackerel plate and potato salad are local favorites.

Hamburg

Hamburg captivates with its web of canals, towering brick warehouses, and a ship-filled horizon. From the UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt to the sinuous Elbphilharmonie, the city’s skyline mixes 19th-century industry with 21st-century curve and glass.

• Top sights: Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District, Elbphilharmonie Plaza, Miniatur Wunderland, St. Michael’s Church, Old Elbe Tunnel, Landungsbrücken piers, Alster Lake, Planten un Blomen, and the Rathaus.
• Eat & drink: Harbor-fresh Fischbrötchen at Brücke 10, cinnamon-laced Franzbrötchen, and modern Hanseatic fare at VLET or Bullerei. Coffee culture thrives at elbgold, Nord Coast, and Törnqvist.
• Stay: Search stays on VRBO Hamburg or Hotels.com Hamburg. First-timers love Altstadt/HafenCity for sights or St. Georg/Schanzenviertel for dining and nightlife.
• Getting there: Morning trains from Bremen to Hamburg run ~1–1.2 hours (€15–30). Book via Omio (Trains). For flights to/from Hamburg, compare on Omio (Flights). In town, an HVV day ticket covers S-/U-Bahn, buses, and public ferries.

Day 4: Train to Hamburg, Speicherstadt and Elbphilharmonie

Morning: Depart Bremen after breakfast; take the RE or IC to Hamburg Hbf (~1–1.2 hours). Drop bags at your hotel and walk to the brick canyons of Speicherstadt, the world’s largest historic warehouse district crisscrossed by narrow canals.

Afternoon: Visit Miniatur Wunderland, a wonderland of model trains and whimsical worlds—book timed entry. Then stroll HafenCity to the Elbphilharmonie; ride up to the free Plaza with a timed ticket for a 360° harbor panorama.

Evening: Dinner at VLET in der Speicherstadt for modern regional cuisine—try the North Sea plaice or confit pork with seasonal vegetables. Cap the night with cocktails at Le Lion • Bar de Paris near Rathaus, famed for its crisp Gin Basil Smash.

Day 5: Harbor Day—Ferries, Tunnels, and Fish

Morning: Fuel up at Nord Coast Coffee Roastery (excellent filter brews and ricotta pancakes) then ride public ferry 62 from Landungsbrücken past shipyards and beachy Övelgönne—your budget harbor tour using an HVV ticket.

Afternoon: Walk the 1911 Old Elbe Tunnel beneath the river for views back to the port skyline. Seafood lunch at Brücke 10: grab a classic Fischbrötchen (matjes herring or North Sea shrimp) with a tangy dill sauce. Explore the International Maritime Museum or the hands-on Chocoversum by Hachez where you can craft your own chocolate bar.

Evening: Dinner at Bullerei in Schanzenviertel (chef Tim Mälzer’s lively spot) for dry-aged steaks, seasonal veg, and solid vegetarian mains. Post-dinner, wander Sternschanze’s bars; if you want a view, try Skyline Bar 20up at Empire Riverside for a glittering harbor tableau.

Day 6: Churches, Parks, and Canals

Morning: Breakfast at Café Paris near Rathaus—grand Belle Époque ceilings and buttery croissants pair nicely with espresso. Climb St. Michael’s Church tower for sweeping city views, then amble to the Rathaus courtyard and boutique-filled Neuer Wall.

Afternoon: Rent a pedal boat on the Alster (in season) or stroll Planten un Blomen, a lush park with themed gardens and a stellar playground. Coffee break at elbgold (Schanze roastery) or minimalist Törnqvist for meticulously dialed-in espresso.

Evening: Splurge on dinner at Rive (Elbe-facing, great for oysters and grilled fish) or keep it cozy at Hobenköök in a market hall, where the menu changes daily with regional produce. Night stroll through the illuminated Speicherstadt bridges for moody photos.

Day 7: Local Tastes and Departure

Morning: If it’s Sunday, hit the raucous Fish Market (5–9 a.m.) for live music, coffee, and absurdly large fruit baskets. Otherwise, savor a cinnamon-laced Franzbrötchen at Herr Max in Sternschanze or Mutterland near the Hauptbahnhof for breakfast-with-souvenirs.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping around Mönckebergstraße or a quick spin through the Hamburger Kunsthalle for Caspar David Friedrich’s romantic landscapes, then depart for your flight or train. Compare options on Omio (Flights) and Omio (Trains).

Evening: Travel day.

Practical Tips

• Transit: Consider regional day tickets (e.g., Niedersachsen/Schleswig-Holstein) for flexible rail travel; HVV day passes are great value in Hamburg.
• Timing: Many shops close on Sundays; museums and parks are ideal that day. Reserve Elbphilharmonie Plaza timeslots and Miniatur Wunderland in advance.
• Food notes: Try local specialties: Bremen’s Knipp, Hamburg’s Franzbrötchen and Fischbrötchen. Tap water is safe; card acceptance is widespread but keep a little cash for small cafés and kiosks.

In one week, this Northern Germany itinerary pairs Bremen’s fairy-tale alleys and science museums with Hamburg’s maritime drama and modern architecture. With short train hops, hearty regional food, and plenty for kids and adults, it’s a trip that balances culture, flavor, and easy logistics.

Save this guide, book your stays and trains, and enjoy a relaxed, detail-rich journey between two of Germany’s most characterful Hanseatic cities.