We are in Poland and in particular we are traveling to Wroclaw, its fourth largest city. Wroclaw was ranked in the top hundreds of cities in the world in the Mercer consulting company "The best cities to live in" in 2015, 2016 and 2017, as well as in the top hundreds of the smartest cities in the world in the IESE Cities in Motion 2017 exhibition. A city full of color, history, art and a lot of street art. Shall we?
Wroclaw is an irresistible city full of little legends, which while one of the largest cities in Poland certainly has something different. It is located 350 km from Berlin and 280 km from Prague. Multicultural and colorful, the Polish capital of street art manages to uniquely connect its picturesque canals and bridges with areas full of street art and dwarfs hiding in every corner. Personally, Wroclaw is now my second favorite after the always lovable Gdansk.
You might also be interested in a trip to gorgeous Poznan
Or might want to explore beautiful Warsaw
How to get to Wroclaw
Either by air or by train from Warsaw in about 3.5 hours. One way ticket costs around € 15 and Wroclaw Railway Station is a work of art!
Just opposite the Station, a huge sign welcomes you to the city. Fun Fact: in Wroclaw there is a cult of neon signs. Keep your eyes open and you will see many!
Most important landmarks
Your trip to Wroclaw should start with exploring the most important sights. We start in the Old Town and the main square, one of the largest squares in Poland. There is the City Hall (Ratusz) together with the 66 meters high tower of the late Gothic style.
👉 Food Stop: You are in Poland, so your first meal must be in a pierogarnia (restaurant that specializes only in pierogi) and specifically in Pierogarnia Stary Młyn Wrocław. It is located right behind the City Hall and is worth eating and eating again!
Ostrów Tumski
Did you know that Wroclaw is the fifth city in Europe in terms of the number of bridges after Hamburg, Amsterdam, St. Petersburg and Venice?
It is a city surrounded by rivers and canals with gorgeous bridges. In the middle of the river Oder is the oldest side of the city, some scattered islands with the largest of them being typically referred to by the locals as the "Vatican" as it gathers a large number of monasteries, churches and chapels. Ideal place for a relaxed afternoon walk. The oldest Tumski Blue Bridge was built in 1889.
See also the Royal Palace and the University of unique beauty with the fountain and the statue of the naked Swordsman in front of it.
Street art in Wroclaw
Wroclaw was the European Capital of Culture in 2016 and rightly so. The city is full of street art. Get a good guide (I recommend Ogarnij Miasto) and get out to the streets in search of the most wonderful works of art or even better take part in one of the many street art tours that are organized.
Some of the most beautiful pieces are hidden in little alleys so the whole search is very mysterious.
Chase the dwarfs
Your trip to Wroclaw can not be completed without seeing some dwarfs. Scattered in the city (but a few in the suburbs) are over 250 ... tiny dwarfs (Krasnoludki) whom you will find mushrooming from everywhere. On the street corners, in the windows, at the entrances of the houses. They hang from the pillars, hide behind benches and look like they are secretly watching you. Ask at tourist information centers for the special map that will guide you in your search or download a special app for your mobile phone and start the hunt!
Legend has it that they are the city's patrons, and they also symbolize the student struggle in the 1980s against the authoritarian government. The first dwarf sculpture appeared in 2001. They usually represent simple everyday things, some read, some drink, some lie on a bench. But some of them symbolize messages or are created as part of social campaigns.
👉Coffee stop: Vinyl Cafe. If you are looking for a quiet place to read your book while enjoying a hot cup of coffee, then you are at the right place. This cafe has a love for old records and you can if you want to choose one of the records to listen to.
Have fun!
Evita
