If you are considering booking a European getaway but fancy something a little different to the norm, a travel expert has made a case for what she believes is the most “criminally underrated” city on the continent.
Jessica Viana took to TikTok to tell all as she headed to Central Europe for her own escape. “Wroclaw in Poland is a colourful, historical city that doesn’t feel ‘touristy’ at all – and yet it is full of magical things to do and experience,” she began in a video.
Heading down its quaint cobbled streets, Jessica revealed the destination is known as the ‘City of Gnomes’, with 1,400 of the stone ornaments scattered across the city for visitors to track down. “They’re everywhere,” Jessica said, standing below a gnome hanging from a lampost. “Serving ice cream, running the ATM machines and sharing a bit of local history.”
When it comes to Polish cuisine, Jessica recommended pierogi – dumplings made by wrapping unleavened dough around various fillings. “You might want to forget everything you think you know about Polish food here,” she continued. “The food scene here in Wroclaw is incredible – so much so that the city has been recognised in the Michelin Guide this year for the first time.”
Indeed, a total of 22 restaurants in the city have made the Guide, three of which have been awarded Michelin’s prestigious Bib Gourmand Award – recognition for high quality food served at excellent value prices.
“I never thought I would have watermelon steak or bread ice cream, but I did here,” Jessica said of alternative local dishes.
The travel expert revealed she also spent time “stalking” one of the last lamplighters in the world, cruising the city’s rivers she compared to Venice, and visiting “breathtaking” monuments and castles nearby. “I completely fell in love with Wroclaw and I think you would too,” Jessica gushed.
She closed: “I was so impressed! For a city that’s relatively under-the-radar compared to others, the amount of cool things to do and see here just blew me away, and I think more people should know about it!”
Writing in her clip’s caption, meanwhile, Jessica recommended checking out her accomodation. “The Old Town and Cathedral Island are the best areas in my opinion,” she explained. “I stayed at the The Bridge Hotel Wroclaw, which has been renovated beautifully, with stunning views over the river, spa, and a very serene location.”
Jessica also shared a list of 10 “magical” things to do in the city, which is pronouced ‘Vrotz-waaf’.
These are:
- Wander through Wroclaw’s colourful Old Town Market Square
- Hunt more than 1,400 gnomes in the city
- Stalk the Wroclaw Lamplighter around Cathedral Island
- Get the best view in Wroclaw from the Bridge of Penitents (yes, the 247 steps are worth it!)
- Hop on an Oder River cruise
- Admire the Aula Leopoldina at Wroclaw University
- Have a sunset drink with a view over Wroclaw Cathedral at The Bridge Wroclaw MGallery Hotel
- Watch the free Multimedia Fountain Shows at the Centennial Hall
- Enjoy the nightlife at Neon Side Galleria
- Visit the Botanical Gardens of the University of Wroclaw
The city’s official tourism website boasts: “Wroclaw is a pulsating metropolis in southwestern Poland. Its rich history, in which different traditions, cultures, religions intermingle, is combined with the present day of a dynamically developing city. Come and see for yourself what an interesting and nice city Wroclaw is.”
It adds: “Wroclaw (a city with county rights) is the capital of the Lower Silesian province. Located on the Oder River, it is a unique city of 12 islands and 112 bridges. In the heart of the city, strollers are tempted by the Old Town Promenade stretching along the moat and the Botanical Garden located on Ostrów Tumski. The riverside green boulevards can also be admired from the decks of cruise ships and gondolas, which are one of Wrocław’s many tourist attractions. The latter also certainly include the fantastic multimedia fountain shows in Szczytnicki Park.”