Bretleben is a village and a former municipality in the Kyffhäuserkreis district in Thuringia, Germany.

It is located at the right side of the river Unstrut, between the towns of Heldrungen and Artern.

Number of inhabitants (as of 31 December [year missing]): Bretleben is on the Sangerhause-Erfurt railway line.

The so-called Kyffhäuserbahn to Sondershausen branched from Bretleben, but the train doesn't run anymore.

The Bundesstraße 86 passes nearby and the Bundesautobahn 71 between Sömmerda and Sangerhausen crosses the river Unstrut between Bretleben and Artern.