We've visited two very different Polish cities and both completely won us over. Wrocław with its fairy-tale Christmas markets, beautiful Old Town and famous dwarfs scattered across the city. And Bydgoszcz — Poland's most underrated and genuinely magical hidden gem that most travellers have never even heard of. Poland keeps surprising us. In the best possible way.
Wrocław is one of the most beautiful cities in Central Europe — and at Christmas it becomes something truly magical. The Old Town Market Square is spectacular at any time of year, but when the Christmas markets arrive, the stalls, the lights, the glühwein and the smell of roasting chestnuts turn it into something from a fairytale. Add the famous Wrocław dwarfs hidden all over the city, brilliant food and genuinely warm locals and you have one of the best city breaks in Europe.
Bydgoszcz is Poland's most underrated city and one of the most genuinely surprising places we have ever visited. Most travellers have never heard of it — which makes it all the more magical when you arrive and discover its beautiful Mill Island, its stunning Christmas lights, its warm and welcoming locals and its extraordinary character. This is the kind of city that travel is about — finding the places that haven't been overrun, that still feel real, that still feel like they belong to the people who live there.
Poland is one of the most underrated travel destinations in Europe. Brilliant food, extraordinary history, beautiful cities and some of the warmest and most welcoming people you will encounter anywhere on the continent. It is also excellent value — your money goes much further in Poland than in Western Europe without any compromise on quality.
The country's Christmas markets in particular are among the best in Europe — arguably better than the more famous German ones, with fewer crowds and a more authentic atmosphere. If you have never considered Poland for a winter city break, it should absolutely be on your list.
We have visited Wrocław and Bydgoszcz and both left us wanting to go back. There is so much of Poland still to explore — Kraków, Warsaw, Gdańsk — and we intend to get to all of them eventually. Watch this space.
Walking tours, Christmas market experiences, food tours and more across Poland's best cities:
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Start with Wrocław if you want the Christmas market magic. Add Bydgoszcz if you want the hidden gem experience. Do both if you can — Poland will reward every bit of the effort.