A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Cologne vs. Bremen for Old Town, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Cologne or Bremen?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Cologne or Bremen? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Cologne

Cologne is a vibrant, colorful, and fun city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bremen

Bremen is a colorful, lively, and historic city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cologne and Bremen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cologne or Bremen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cologne than Bremen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Cologne is very popular for its christmas markets and big city activities, while Bremen attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Cologne is more touristy than Bremen and is known for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. It is also well known for The Cologne Cathedral. Bremen is famous for its beautiful historic center and its role as a cultural hub in Germany.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Cologne different from Bremen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bremen and Cologne. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cologne or Bremen?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Cologne or Bremen.

Cologne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.

Many visitors head to Bremen specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many of the city's landmarks are located around the famous Marktplatz. You can tour the Bremen Town Hall or wander around the Medieval Schnoor Quarter. Also make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Peter.

Is the Food Better in Cologne or Bremen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Cologne and Bremen can be an enjoyable experience.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Cologne area. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bremen. The food is hearty and filling with many meat heavy dishes. Vegetarians may struggle to find local options. Traditional regional dishes include Kohl und Pinkel (kale and sausage), Labskaus (meat and stew), and fried smelt.

Is Cologne or Bremen Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Cologne and Bremen.

Cologne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.

Many people head to Bremen for the nightlife scene. There's a variety of evening activities including cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and fine dining restaurants. Head to the Viertel District for some of the most lively clubs.

Is Cologne or Bremen Better for its Old Town?

Bremen is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Bremen offers plenty to see. The old town is beautiful with its charming streets and beautiful buildings. There's a main market square which is filled with many landmarks and tourist sights.

Cologne is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.

Is the Shopping Better in Cologne or Bremen?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bremen and Cologne.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Cologne. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bremen. The city offers a mix of historic shopping areas and large shopping malls. Some of the biggest shopping malls include Karstadt Bremen, Lloyd Passage, and Weserpark.

Is Cologne or Bremen Better for Christmas?

Cologne is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas activities. However, Bremen does not offer Christmas activities.

Cologne is a fantastic destination at Christmas. Cologne is one of the top Christmas destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Bremen does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Cologne or Bremen Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas markets. However, Bremen does not offer Christmas markets.

The holiday season is a very popular time to visit Cologne because of the beautiful Christmas markets. Cologne is one of the top Christmas market destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Bremen does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Cologne or Bremen Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cologne or Bremen.

Cologne is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.

Bremen is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will appreciate a Sunday visit to the Bremen Town Musicians play which performs popular fairy tales. If the season isn't right, there are many other kid-friendly activities around town including Bürgerpark, the puppet theater, or visiting the beach at Café Sand. Popular museums in town for kids include Universum and Bremer Geschichtenhaus.

Is Cologne or Bremen Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Cologne and Bremen make for a nice place to visit.

Cologne is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.

Bremen is a nice destination for couples. From its beautiful old town to its many great restaurants and shopping streets, couples will enjoy a romantic trip away in this beautiful city.

Is Cologne or Bremen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cologne and Bremen are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cologne. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly destination for backpackers.

Bremen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers love the old town and lively atmosphere. There are enough tourists around that you'll find a decent social scene and the atmosphere makes for a great visit.

Is Cologne or Bremen Better for Students?

Cologne is notable for students. However, Bremen is not popular with students.

Cologne is very popular with students. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.

Bremen is not popular with students.

Is Cologne or Bremen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cologne is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Bremen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Cologne is top-notch. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Bremen. The city has both trams and buses that offer easy accessibility to most of the tourist areas.

Is Cologne or Bremen a more walkable city?

Bremen is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Bremen on foot is easy. It's one of the most walkable cities in Europe.

Cologne is very walkable. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Cologne Worth Visiting? and Is Bremen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bremen or Cologne?

How long in Cologne or Bremen?

It's fun to spend time in either Cologne or Bremen. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Bremen due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cologne, and 2-4 days is enough time in Bremen.

Couples should spend more time in Cologne than Bremen. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cologne that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Cologne or Bremen?

Cologne is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Bremen, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Cologne or Bremen?

Cologne is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Bremen, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bremen has to offer.

Five days in Cologne or Bremen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cologne. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bremen is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Cologne or Bremen?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the accessible big city of Cologne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bremen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bremen. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Germany, The Best Tours for Seniors to Germany, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Munich.

When comparing the travel costs between Cologne and Bremen, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cologne Expensive? and Is Bremen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cologne or Bremen?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Bremen. When comparing the sizes of Cologne and Bremen, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Cologne or Bremen?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cologne or Bremen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Bremen. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cologne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bremen for the family-friendly experiences.

Cologne is a little warmer than Bremen in the summer. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Bremen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Cologne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bremen during summer. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Bremen receives 191 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cologne usually receives more rain than Bremen. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bremen receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cologne or Bremen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Bremen. Many travelers come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Bremen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Cologne is a little warmer than Bremen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cologne in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Bremen averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Cologne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bremen. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bremen receives 100 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bremen. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bremen receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Bremen in the Winter?

Both Bremen and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cologne in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bremen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bremen can be very cold during winter. Cologne can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Cologne is generally much warmer than Bremen. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 3°C (37°F), and Bremen fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Cologne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bremen during winter. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies, while Bremen receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cologne usually receives more rain than Bremen. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bremen receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cologne or Bremen in the Spring?

Both Bremen and Cologne during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Bremen because of the natural beauty.

Cologne is a little warmer than Bremen in the spring. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Bremen fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Cologne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bremen. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bremen receives 153 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets more rain in April than Bremen. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bremen receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bremen and Cologne