{"id":460167,"date":"2025-09-29T10:23:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T10:23:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/460167\/"},"modified":"2025-09-29T10:23:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T10:23:15","slug":"the-venice-of-eastern-europe-is-a-youthful-city-with-35-flights-and-800-gnomes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/460167\/","title":{"rendered":"The \u2018Venice of Eastern Europe\u2019 is a ‘youthful’ city with \u00a335 flights \u2014 and 800 gnomes"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Panoramic
\n\t\tAn underrated gem \u2014 and the flights are cheap too (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Cobbled squares, colourful houses<\/a> and boats bobbing along winding waterways<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sound familiar? Nope, we\u2019re not describing an Italian<\/a> jaunt, but rather Wroc\u0142aw, a city in Poland<\/a> dubbed \u2018the Venice<\/a> of Eastern Europe<\/a>\u2019.<\/p>\n

It earned its title thanks to the\u00a012 islands<\/a> that make up Wroc\u0142aw, each connected by bridges<\/a> (there are 130 in total) and canals reminiscent of the famous sinking city in Italy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Summer
\n\t\tTake a stroll in the Market Square (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The chances are, you\u2019ve never heard of Wroc\u0142aw, except maybe if you\u2019re a Chelsea<\/a> fan. Supporters will be flocking to Poland<\/a> ahead of the Europa Conference League<\/a> final tonight.<\/p>\n

But if you\u2019re after a laid-back \u2014 and cheap \u2014 city-break, it\u2019s time to give Wroc\u0142aw a try. <\/p>\n

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How to get to Wroc\u0142aw<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Tumski
\n\t\tIt\u2019s bridges and waterways have earned it the name the \u2018Venice of Eastern Europe\u2019 (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s pretty easy to get to Wroc\u0142aw from the UK, with direct flights to Port Lotniczy<\/a>, the city\u2019s major airport, which is just 12km from the centre.<\/p>\n

The cheapest flights currently available on Skyscanner can be found in October, flying with Ryanair<\/a> from Stansted for just \u00a335 return.<\/p>\n

However, the low-cost carrier also has flights available from various UK airports, including Manchester<\/a>, East Midlands and London Stansted<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What to do in Wroc\u0142aw<\/p>\n

The Market Square is at the heart of Wroc\u0142aw\u2019s Old Town, and a good place to start for any tourist. The city is easily walkable<\/a>, so be sure to wander around the streets, marvelling at the architecture that dates back to the 12th century.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Wroclaw
\n\t\tTake a trip to Hala Targowa (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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\u2019s schedule of concerts, plays and performances.<\/p>\n

Wroc\u0142aw is also a market-lovers paradise. There\u2019s the Hala \u015awiebodzki, 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 Caf\u00e9 Targowa, which is somewhat of an institution.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Wroclaw,
\n\t\tThe pretty Cathedral island (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

As Eastern Europe<\/a>\u2019s answer to Venice, it\u2019d be remiss of you not to wander along the city\u2019s waterways and explore it\u2019s many bridges connecting the islands. Cathedral Island is perhaps the most famous \u2013 dating back to the 10th century \u2013 and also the most beautiful.<\/p>\n

For something a bit different, head to Nadodrze, an artsy neighbourhood famed for its street art. Roosevelt Street, with its \u2018colourful courtyards\u2019 is worth checking out.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tWhere to eat and drink in Wroc\u0142aw\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Need some refreshments after all that sight-seeing? Patrycja shares her favourite spots in Wroc\u0142aw:<\/p>\n