Wrocław in Western Poland is a university city that is known for its historic Market Square and an extensive Christmas market which spans four sections of the Old Town. December 2023 saw us visit for the first time, planning a last minute trip between the big day and the New Year. We stayed at the Korona Hotel which is just footsteps from the market and adored making the most of the down days between the two celebrations. If you have followed my website for a while, you will know that I am an avid fan of Christmas markets. There is something about the atmosphere that encourages me to return year after year, and there are a vast variety of festive articles here on the website. If you are considering where to go this December, definitely consider Wrocław. Here are some tips for making the most of your visit!
Sample some local delicacies
Whilst the market absolutely has the European tradition of hot dogs and fries, what is unique about Wrocław is the Polish cuisine within the markets. There are so many varieties of pierogi and various sweet pastries. The sheer variety of food options is admirable, making this market a must-see for its food offerings alone!
Midweek evenings are far quieter
This probably goes without saying, but locals flock to the markets after work on Friday and on evenings at weekends. It means the Market Square is exceptionally busy and difficult to manoeuvre around at peak times. If crowds aren’t your thing, definitely consider visiting on weekday evenings, when it is a lot calmer.
Pick up a souvenir mug
Something I wasn’t aware of on my first European Christmas market visit was that when you purchase a hot drink, you will be charged for the drink itself and a deposit for the souvenir mug. Stall holders do this so that you can take the mug home with you if you like or alternatively return it and receive your deposit back. At the Wrocław Christmas market, the mugs are the shape of festive boots and have the current year printed on them. I would highly recommend keeping your mug as a souvenir, as these mugs are available all over Europe and like us, you can start a collection.
Don’t rely on bank cards
Post-pandemic the world has largely moved to card and contactless payments. Something I noticed last year is the fact that some of the stalls in Wrocław only accept cash. Ahead of your trip, I would definitely recommend exchanging your local currency to Zloty so you have options when it comes to making purchases at the market.
Capture precious photographs during the day
The market stalls open in the late morning and not many people visit before sundown. I recommend utilising this time wisely and capturing your photographs early in the day. There are various festive props to pose with, such as a giant snow boot, and in the evenings you will have to wait much longer to do this.
Make time for exploring the wider city
Beyond the Market Square there are lots of brilliant sights to see, with Cathedral Island being a standout. As the name suggests it is home to Wrocław Cathedral, various churches, a museum and the famous gnome statues, which are positioned on the island and at locations throughout the city. We had so much fun looking out for them and enjoyed taking photos of the little figures. I definitely recommend taking some time out of the markets to explore what Wrocław has to offer. Even if you just do a scavenger hunt for the gnomes, you will end up seeing so many different sides to the city.
Visiting Wrocław from the UK
I hope these tips are helpful, if you are planning to visit the Wrocław Christmas market soon. The festive market is one of the best in Europe in my opinion and the prices are very affordable, from flights to hotels and airport transfers to food and drink. Looking to the future, Kraków is next on our list for Polish Christmas markets!
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
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