Wroclaw – Exploring the 2016 European Capital of Culture

Wroclaw was a good choice.  Many travelers told me to go to Krakow but I’m glad I went to Wroclaw.

There were reduced tourists, lots of locals and students wandering around, great coffee, street art and beautiful buildings.

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Wroclaw has a colourful history dating back to 1175.  With approx 600,000 peeps it’s the largest Western Poland city.  It only became Polish in 1945, after it was taken off Germany and given to Poland.

But now it’s 2016, and Wroclaw is currently the European Capital of Culture. It is also world-known for it’s high standard of living and was ranked in 2015 by consulting firm Mercer as one of the Best Cities to Live!

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Great Coffee

How can you have great culture, without great coffee? You can’t.  I recommend…

Cafe Rozrusznik

Just a short walk from Old Town.

20160903_172951In Poland, a cappuccino tends to have a lot of milk, so if you want an option with more coffee and less milk, you might have to opt for something else, like “Americano with milk”.

This cafe had tasty coffee…

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And why is this the first time I am finding the miracle of cheesecake and meringue together?

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Gniazdo

Opposite the Opera House, this is the best coffee I have had since Copenhagen.

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They also have amazing treats…

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And a courtyard at the back for warmer days…

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Wroclaw Centre

Just next to the Old Town, on the Oder River, is a collection of small islands, all connected by bridges.  It’s just fantastic to walk around on a hot, sunny afternoon.

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Krasnal Tumek

This amazing little bridge leads the way to the John the Baptist Cathedral.  Like most lovely bridges, it is full of those awful, egotistical padlocks with love hearts that are supposed to confirm a couples love – blerrrrkkk. So sad. I file these under “ugly self-absorbed graffiti”…

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I like how proud cities like Warsaw and Wroclaw are, of what they have survived and rebuilt since 1945.  They have some beautiful displays, as art and as reminders.  I like this one, showing the John the Baptist Cathedral in the background.

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John the Baptist Cathedral

A major landmark and attraction of Wroclaw…

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With a great view outside towards the sunset…

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Then it’s time to head back towards the Old Town…

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Market Square, Old Town

The market was founded according to Magdeburg law as early as the rule of Henry I the Bearded between 1214 and 1232.

It is one of the largest markets in Europe, and is home to many beautiful buildings including the Old Town Hall and the New Town Hall.

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Wroclaw Opera House

The opera house was opened in 1841 and up to 1945 was known as the Breslau Opera.

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Park Mikołaja Kopernika

Wroclaw has a lot of parks, and I really liked this one…

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Street Sculpture and Street Art

Loved it!

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Shopping

Of course, I should mention the shopping.  There are plenty of stores, and the usual Zara and H&M.

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Ibis Hotel Centrum

As I mentioned before, this was my first hotel stay in Europe, as Airbnb usually provides a better more affordable option.  But I was impressed and it was quite a treat to stay in a lovely Ibis/ Novotel Shared Hotel.

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I love Wroclaw.  Definitely should be on everyone’s Poland to-do-list.

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