Überseestadt by bicycle

By bicycle through the Überseestadt Bremen – Where history meets future

Join me on a fascinating guided tour through Bremen's Überseestadt – one of the most exciting and dynamic districts in the Hanseatic city! Here, centuries of port history meet modern architecture, innovative urban planning and creative city life. Join me on a journey through time from historic port operations to today's Überseestadt, a district that has changed more than any other in Bremen in recent decades.

From port to modern urban district

Where you now find impressive office towers, stylish lofts, restaurants with views of the Weser river and creative start-ups, the heart of Bremen's port industry once beat. The historic halls were once stacked with general cargo from all over the world, cranes dominated the skyline and the smell of distant lands hung in the air.

On my city tour through Überseestadt, I will show you how the former port area has been transformed into one of Europe's largest urban development projects. You will learn why Bremen decided at the end of the 19th century to bring the port closer to the city and how the famous Weser correction under hydraulic engineer Ludwig Franzius paved the way for modern shipping operations. In 1888, the first harbor basin was opened with the "Europahafen" (port of Europe), then still called "Freihafen I" (free port I). In the following years, further basins followed, including the Bremen "Überseehafen" (port of overseas), which was the center of Bremen's goods handling for decades.

A revolution in sheet metal: the container changed everything

In 1966, the first container ship from the USA docked in Bremen and changed the world of ports forever. The inconspicuous, rectangular metal boxes revolutionized global goods transport and ensured that port activities increasingly shifted to Bremerhaven. As a result, Bremen lost its status as a central transshipment hub and the "Überseehafen" was finally completely filled in in 1998.

But the decline gave rise to a new vision: the “Überseestadt Master Plan” was launched and since then, a completely new part of Bremen has been created on an area of around 300 hectares, modern, diverse, and vibrant.

Discover hidden treasures and new perspectives

Today, you can discover impressive reminders of the past in Überseestadt, such as the restored "Schuppen Eins" (Shed One), which was once used to store general cargo. Today, it houses a center for automotive culture and mobility. Next to it, you will find modern residential buildings, innovative companies, art in public spaces and many little stories just waiting to be told.

This guided city tour not only shows you the historical facts, but also the little secrets and anecdotes that make this district so special. What still reminds us of the old harbor life today? What visions have urban planners and architects implemented and what challenges remain? You will learn all this on our exciting tour.

Tour itinerary

We meet in front of the Feuerwache restaurant and cycle across Überseestadt. The tour usually ends there, too. However, a different end point can be arranged on request.

We stop at selected locations so you can listen to explanations and stories. The route we cover during the tour is approximately 10 km. However, we almost always ride very short distances and stop more than we ride. The bikes are mainly used on this tour to explore a larger area of Überseestadt than it would be possible on foot.  

Each person must bring their own bike for the tour. If you do not have your own bike, you can rent one on site. I will be happy to give you tips on how to organize this.

You can book this tour as a private tour for yourself (as an individual or individuals), a small group, or a large group of up to 14 people. Whether you’re visiting Bremen, are new to the city, or just want to enjoy a special experience.

You’ll find a selection of dates that you can book right away in the booking portal below (under “Select Date” or “Book”).

To schedule an appointment for a time slot that is not currently available in the calendar, please contact me directly via email, phone, or the contact form.

Immediately after booking, you will receive an invoice from the booking system. If you need an official e-invoice with your address for your company’s system, please contact me directly BEFORE booking.