An underrated gem — and the flights are cheap too (Picture: Getty Images)
Cobbled squares, colourful houses and boats bobbing along winding waterways.
Sound familiar? Nope, we’re not describing an Italian jaunt, but rather Wrocław, a city in Poland dubbed ‘the Venice of Eastern Europe’.
It earned its title thanks to the 12 islands that make up Wrocław, each connected by bridges (there are 130 in total) and canals reminiscent of the famous sinking city in Italy.
Take a stroll in the Market Square (Picture: Getty Images)
The chances are, you’ve never heard of Wrocław, except maybe if you’re a Chelsea fan. Supporters will be flocking to Poland ahead of the Europa Conference League final tonight.
But if you’re after a laid-back — and cheap — city-break, it’s time to give Wrocław a try.
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How to get to Wrocław
It’s bridges and waterways have earned it the name the ‘Venice of Eastern Europe’ (Picture: Getty Images)
It’s pretty easy to get to Wrocław from the UK, with direct flights to Port Lotniczy, the city’s major airport, which is just 12km from the centre.
The cheapest flights currently available on Skyscanner can be found in October, flying with Ryanair from Stansted for just £35 return.
However, the low-cost carrier also has flights available from various UK airports, including Manchester, East Midlands and London Stansted.
What to do in Wrocław
The Market Square is at the heart of Wrocław’s Old Town, and a good place to start for any tourist. The city is easily walkable, so be sure to wander around the streets, marvelling at the architecture that dates back to the 12th century.
Take a trip to Hala Targowa (Picture: Getty Images)
From the old to the new(ish), the modernist Centennial Hall is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, built in 1911. Take a tour, or check out it’s schedule of concerts, plays and performances.
Wrocław is also a market-lovers paradise. There’s the Hala Świebodzki, a street-food market located in an old train station, as well as the Hala Targowa, which was built in 1908, selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, sweets, and plenty of flowers. Tucked away inside is also Café Targowa, which is somewhat of an institution.
The pretty Cathedral island (Picture: Getty Images)
As Eastern Europe’s answer to Venice, it’d be remiss of you not to wander along the city’s waterways and explore it’s many bridges connecting the islands. Cathedral Island is perhaps the most famous – dating back to the 10th century – and also the most beautiful.
For something a bit different, head to Nadodrze, an artsy neighbourhood famed for its street art. Roosevelt Street, with its ‘colourful courtyards’ is worth checking out.
Where to eat and drink in Wrocław
Need some refreshments after all that sight-seeing? Patrycja shares her favourite spots in Wrocław:
- BABA. A fine dining restaurant serving Polish cuisine, headed up by a female chef. Be sure to order one of their creative cocktails too.
- Piekarnia Plon. A bakery that’s not to be missed. From croissants to sourdough breads, everything is delicious.
- Charlotte. This popular bistro chain is a must when visiting Poland. Go for one of their famed breakfasts, with homemade breads, jams and spreads.
- Piwnica Świdnicka. One of the oldest restaurants in Europe, which has been serving hungry customers since 1273.
Street art in Nadodrze (Picture: by Omar Marques/Anadolu via Getty Images)
And, with so much to see and do in Wrocław, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for the cities smallest tourist attraction: the Wrocław Gnomes. There are more than 800 cute gnomes scattered around the city, a tradition which began back in 2001, when a statue of a gnome, the symbol of Poland’s anti-communist movement, was placed on one of the city’s main streets.
Since then, they’ve been popping up all over the place, and a festival in their honour is held every September. Tourists can download a map from Wrocław Tourism Board’s website to follow a trail around the city.
Keep your eyes peeled (Picture: Getty Images)
If you’re still unsure about booking a trip to Wrocław, Metro’s Patrycja Zaras suggests pairing it with a break to Krakow instead.
‘These two cities make the perfect pair,’ says Patrycja, who is originally from Poland. ‘Few places capture Poland’s complexity like Kraków, where a storied history meets some of the country’s most beautiful architecture. But once you’ve had your fill of castles and lazy afternoons by the Vistula River, hop on a speedy three-hour train to Wrocław.
‘It’s a vibrant city bursting with youthful energy, creative spirit, and trendy restaurants that’ll have your Instagram followers wondering if you’re still in Poland.’
Alternative Europe
Here at Metro, we love bringing our readers our top tips and recommendations for European city breaks.
For those who love Paris, why not try Bucharest, often dubbed ‘Paris of the East’. While less than a decade ago, the Romanian capital wasn’t much of a tourist hotspot, today, things our different. Metro writer, Caroline Westbrook, returned after her first trip in 2016, to see how the city had changed.
The megawatt metropolis that is Istanbul is ancient, decadent, but can, at times, be a little overwhelming. If you’re heading to ‘The Gate to the East’, but keen to have some down time too, look no further than Büyükada, an under-rated gem just a short ferry ride away from the capital.
And for travellers who enjoy having their head firmly in the clouds, this European capital is the highest of them all — and also one of the smallest.
This article was originally published in May 2025.
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