Wroclaw

In the ranking of the Mercer consulting company conducted in 2015, 2016 and 2017, Wrocław was ranked among the world’s first hundred best-to-live cities.

No wonder – also known as a city of islands and bridges, Wroclaw tempts with fairy-tale footbridges across the Odra River, the historic Market Square, magnificent architecture and mysterious alleys. Elected for the European Capital of Culture 2016, it fulfills this role perfectly – the city develops, experimenting with art and creating space for artistic dialogue deeply embedded in the past of Europe and the special role of Wrocław as a city where Polish and German history interchanged.

Exploring the Area

Wrocław is the fourth largest city in Poland. Despite its historical character, you can feel fresh energy and artistic spirit in it. A stroll around Wroclaw is best to start from Ostrów Tumski – the oldest and the most beautiful part of the city, surrounded by the Oder River waters. Cobbled alleys, gothic architecture and small shaded streets will allow you to find the old spirit of this place. It is best to continue sightseeing from Ostrów going towards the Main Market Square, where the city’s life is pulsating 24 hours a day. Tenements in pre-war housing style, the historical Sukiennice building and the Town Hall are interwoven with countless cafes and restaurants, clubs and bars. Walking around the city, you can try to count small figures of gnomes, made of bronze. Over the years, they have grown into the landscape of Wroclaw and seem to be peeping at the lives of its inhabitants. It is a commemoration of the Orange Alternative movement, which during the communist era defended itself against the absurdities of the political system, baring it with the help of an image of a gnome in an orange hat.

Eating and drinking

Old Polish dishes, vegan cakes and maybe ice cream from a local manufactory? The Wrocław culinary scene includes restaurants from around the world, healthy, organic breakfast bistro and classic Polish cuisine. The restaurant boom in recent years has made the place of unique atmosphere, great design and original menu, inspired by travels and global trends, overcome by local twist, appeared on the map of Wroclaw.

A historical phenomenon is the MIŚ milk bar – a legendary diner , founded in 1970, as a place offering state subsidized meals for every citizen, regardless of its social status. It was the egalitarian character of the bars that made them enter social memory as meeting places connecting the nation in the difficult times of socialism. Although, along with the transformation of the political system, many bars were privatized and transformed into other enterprises, the Wrocław MIŚ bar has been operating to this day, offering meals in virtually unchanged form.

 What to see and do

Wrocław, not without reasons called by its fans Wroclove, captures people’s hearts from the first moments. If someone is not an amateur of visiting monuments, a walk around the city and blending in with its atmosphere is enough to feel its unhurried, artistic rhythm. At some point, however, it is worthwhile to enter the tourist route to discover the Main Market Square – one of the largest former market squares in Europe, surrounded by 60 decorated tenement houses, with a monumental old Town Hall. The Four Challenges District, located in the part of the Old Town, links within its boundaries historical sacred objects important for several different religions. It is a place of mutual respect, dialogue and meetings – with particular emphasis on artistic and cultural events. One of the greatest works of architecture of the 20th century, the Centennial Hall, is a monument inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and a necessary point to visit on the tourist map of Wroclaw. The city also has a monumental battle image – Panorama Racławicka, by Jan Styka and Wojciech Kossak, size 15 x 114 m. It is a reflection of the battle of Racławice from 1794, and the unique way of displaying the work allows the viewer to become a participant in history.

Wroclaw is the magic place thanks to the river Odra running through the city. Its canals are cut by dozens of charming bridges, and Ostrów Tumski is the most captivating part of the city. Nature is consistent with the metropolis landscape. The combination of oriental vegetation and Japanese architecture has created the Japanese Garden, which is part of the largest city park – Szczytnicki Park. Visiting classic monuments can be crossed with visits to Hydropolis – ecological education center, with 70 interactive devices and multimedia exhibitions, and Afrykarium – part of the Wrocław zoological garden, where the underwater world reveals its secrets.

Where to stay

A good recommendation for visitors to Wrocław will be staying in the Old Town, near the Main Square. Those who do not mind a short walk to the main attractions of the city should consider Oder. Staying close to the river bank, near Słodowa Island, you will be able to fully feel the romantic atmosphere of Wroclaw.

How to get around

The Wroclaw Airport annually increases its network of connections, serving popular European and global destinations. Direct connections with the cities of the Czech Republic, Germany and Ukraine also offer railways. From the largest Polish cities, you can reach Wroclaw by plane, train or bus – domestic connections are very well developed on these routes.

Moving around Wroclaw is not complicated, because most of the important attractions are short distances. You can beat them on foot or by city bike, and on hot days you can feel the fresh breeze during a cruise on the Odra – by boat, or more intimate, by a motorboat or a private boat.

Highlights

Wrocław is the perfect place for you if:

• you like the romantic atmosphere of cities located on the river,
• apart from the standard visiting of monuments, you are also interested in local cultural events, festivals and concerts,
• you are looking for a city in which you can immerse yourself without having to unhook monuments from the list,
• you like charming cafes and cozy bars with a unique atmosphere,
• nature is important for you in the urban space – parks, gardens, water,
• you feel good in places with a local atmosphere, which at the same time have a lot to offer for visitors.

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