Wroclaw: Europe’s 2016 Culture Award Winner

While sitting on a park bench in Dubrovnik, Croatia killing time until we had to go to the airport, we randomly met a well traveled Canadian couple. While chatting they told us they were in Europe to watch their daughter compete in the world ultimate frisbee championships. Seriously, it’s a real thing. After soaking it in we started asking about it and they told us it were held in the Polish city of Wroclaw (pronounced vrots-waff). What perked our ears was the praise of the city. They talked of its unique beauty, buildings, rivers, people and culture. That was enough for us to put it on our try to see list. Then while in San Sebastian, Spain we learned Wroclaw was the city it shared the 2016 European culture award with promptly moving it from a “try to see” to a “must-see.” Fast forward two months later and Wroclaw, here we come!

We only had a six day block in our schedule between Germany and Ireland so we figured we would do a couple of days in Wroclaw then another couple in Prague. So we said goodbye to Katie’s parents in Berlin and jumped on a $20, 4.5 hour bus to Poland. The bus ride was a breeze and we caught an Uber the last couple of miles to our studio apartment in the heart of the city. We quickly realized how much cheaper prices would be in Poland compared to Germany when our Uber total was $2.20 USD. Once again Uber being the cheapest, safest and most reliable transportation in a foreign city. 

Once we arrived at our apartment we realized it was amazing. Not only was it in the absolute center of the city. But it had a separated bedroom, full kitchen and huge living room area aaaaaannnnddd the price was only $51 a night! T&K 1, Wroclaw 0. 

Katie wasn’t feeling so hot with a cold so while we didn’t spent day and night exploring, we did try to get out as much as possible to get to know the local culture, food and sites. In addition to our own exploring we did another free walking tour which we try to find in each city we visit. These 2-3 hour tours are gold and only end up costing us about $5-10 per person tip at the end.

The things that stood out most were the architecture, the cool mix of rivers and bridges around the old town, killer and EXTREMELY cheap food and the wonderful people. The other unique thing about the city is that it’s covered with little metal statues of dwarves, all doing/representing something different. Originally they were placed as a political statement about communism but now are a tourist thing with more than 400 to find around the city.

Without a doubt it stands out as a top city in Europe from the trip. It almost felt like you were in a Disneyland-esque world as everything was beautiful, tasteful and symmetrical. You can see by the pictures below what a gem of a city we were in. These are the places we find really hard to leave. I hope we make it back here someday.