Universum Bremen

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Universum Bremen was conceived as a science center with a strong hands-on, experiential character, right next to the University of Bremen. Project development was handled by a company founded for the purpose, which worked closely with the university and Bremen businesses. After a construction period of only about a year and a half, it opened on September 9, 2000, and attracted nearly 2.5 million visitors in its first five years.

Its defining feature is the main building by Bremen architect Thomas Klumpp: clad in around 40,000 stainless steel shingles, it resembles a whale or a seashell and has become a city landmark. In 2007 a cube-shaped building with a rust-red Corten steel facade for special exhibitions was added, along with an outdoor area of around 5,000 square meters featuring the 27-meter Turm der Lüfte (Tower of the Winds); both were designed by the firm Haslob Kruse + Partner.

After 14 years of operation, the permanent exhibition was completely renewed within a few months and reopened in March 2015. Instead of the original “expeditions,” it has since been organized into the theme levels Technology, Humans and Nature, supplemented by multimedia stations and insights into current research. Since 2013 the City of Bremen has been the sponsoring body; the center is run by the Universum Managementgesellschaft with around 100 employees. From November 2026 to March 2027 the permanent exhibition will once again undergo a major overhaul.

Highlights

• Whale- or shell-shaped main building with around 40,000 stainless steel shingles
• More than 300 interactive exhibits in the areas of technology, humans and nature
• 27-meter Turm der Lüfte (Tower of the Winds) in the 5,000 m² outdoor area
• Children's area “Milchstraße” for ages three to eight
• Changing special exhibitions in the rust-red cube, plus science shows

Permanent exhibitions

• Technik, Mensch, Natur – Interactive permanent exhibition inside the silver whale with more than 300 stations on three theme levels. Closed for redesign from November 16, 2026, to March 21, 2027.
• Außenbereich mit Turm der Lüfte – Outdoor area of around 5,000 m² themed on wind and water, with a climbing wall, water play features and a 27-meter observation and experiment tower.

Founded

2000

Operated by

Universum Managementgesellschaft mbH (Stadt Bremen)

Director

Dr. Herbert Münder (Geschäftsführer)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Friday of the month, free admission for children and teens under 18 from Bremen and Bremerhaven (sponsored by Sparkasse Bremen)

Until the end of 2026, a limited number of free VBN public transport tickets are available with admission tickets bought through the online shop. The English price page additionally lists unemployed people and recipients of social benefits as eligible for reduced admission; the German page lists Bremen-Pass holders instead.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Largely accessible, with all levels reachable by elevator; only the Turm der Lüfte in the outdoor area is accessible exclusively by stairs. Afternoons are recommended for noise-sensitive or neurodivergent visitors; anti-stress bags can be borrowed at the ticket desk. Website with information in Easy Language (Leichte Sprache) and sign language videos.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Hands-on exhibition to try out, plus the children's area "Milchstraße" for 3- to 8-year-olds with about 30 stations (weekdays from 13:00, Tuesdays also in the morning, all day on weekends, public holidays, and during school holidays). According to the museum, there are no obstacles with a stroller, only the tower in the outdoor area is reachable solely by stairs. Children's birthday parties in several formats (about 2 hours, ages 4 to 14 depending on the format).

Getting there & parking

Approach via the A 27, exit Bremen Universität; the building is outside the low-emission zone. Nearest EV charging station approx. 500 m away (Universitätsallee 2). At times, free VBN tickets in combination with an admission ticket via the online shop.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Restaurant KUBUS in the special exhibition building (daily 10:00–17:00, terrace) and Café Jonas in the main building; you may eat your own food on the first floor. Free, unattended coat check, lockers with deposit. Shop also accessible without admission. Dogs not allowed (assistance dogs excepted).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 1,500 guests.

Event spaces for 20 to 1,500 guests, including the Denkarena (up to 120 people), Universaal (up to 80), Technikstudio, café, Restaurant KUBUS, foyer, outdoor area and Turm der Lüfte; exhibitions and science shows can be booked exclusively. Contact: event@universum-bremen.de.

Plan your visit