Year has pass, and yet, no new trips, no new photos. Luckily, still got many memories from the past. Here, just some of the captures from a very cool trip I did with just my niece and nephew to the south of Poland. Zakopane offers many easy and beautiful trials around lakes, to and from the tops of mountains, around valleys and more. This makes this place as a great option to visit with young ones.
Mulled wine, food stands, a personal horseshoe, made by a real blacksmith, and gifts are only a few examples you can find at Christmas market in one of the Polish cities, Wrocław. December truly transform, though already magnificent, main square in a very mystical place with an extra hint of a magic, in a place not only kids would enjoy. There is no grumpy look at any face. People loves it, enjoy it, taking part in. Great for family, group of friends, tourists, seniors, everyone. There is a different treat for anyone and the same for us all…the magic Christmas spirit.
Food. Many stands offer an amazing and very tasty traditional Polish delicacies as szaszlyk, (pork, beef or chicken knuckle), bigos (finely chopped meat of various kinds stewed with sauerkraut and shredded fresh cabbage), home-made bread, Saint Martin’s croissants, szare kluchy (potato dumplings), potatoes with herring, pierogis (dumplings with all kind of fillings), gołąbki (cabbage rolls with rice and mince meat) and kwaśnica (sauerkraut soup from the highlands…not my fav;).
Apart from Polish food, you can enjoy Hungarian lángos with filling and cold meats: spicy smoked pepper sausages or traditional kolozsvári bacon. Lovely Spanish sweet option as churros. Balkans brought an amazing borek (pastry with different fillings, mmm I loved it when I was in Serbia).
Finishing at Alsatian pancakes known as flammkuchen and Turkish baklava.
For kids. Apart from many stands with all kind of sweets, youngsters can watch some animatronic characters behind glass convey fairy tale plays like The Little Red Riding Hood, The Brave Little Tailor, The Snow White or Pinocchio.
Children can also join one of the workshops to learn how to paint, and then practice it, their own baubles. This activity can be found next to the Christmas Windmill. On another corner, next to the Dwarf House, children can meet Santa at parking space of his sleigh with reindeer.
“Nooooo!” That is the word expected to hear when teacher announces upcoming visit to the museum in a class. Not surprisingly, we all know how difficult is to get an attention of a young mind, the curious mind that needs an extra shot of imagination to hold too, to keep the focus. Proud to admit that my city, Wrocław, managed to achieve that. Hydropolis, in the simplest explanation the museum of water, attracts thousands of visitors from every group of age, especially youngsters. The light, interactive places and modern computer projections became as a top match in the way the knowledge about the purest, simplest and most important substance on the planet Earth, WATER, can be presented.
Now as a must see attraction while visiting Wrocław, city in Poland, just can not be missed, especially by family. Easily accessible, as close to the city center (address: Na Grobli 19, Wroclaw 50-421, Poland), with a very affordable ticket prices: 18 zł (5$) concessionary ticket, 27 zł (7.5$) regular ticket, 72 zł (20$) family ticket (2+2).
By public transport: buses: 145, 146, N; trams: lines – OL, 3 ,5.
Don`t skip it!
Kościeliska Valle is one of the most beautiful valleys in Poland. Located around Tatra Mountains, on a Polish side of the range, creates an absolutely amazing and breath-taking trial. It is one of the most popular family walks while visiting close by Zakopane, as the whole path up to Ornak Hall (Hala Ornak-Schronisko) is flat and easy done even by a small children. Walk from the entrance right up to hall, even with breaks, wont take longer than 2 hours each way. There are also 4 caves on the way to add, but you have to allow extra time for it, as some of them are located 1h of walk away from the main road of the valley, some just 25 mins. This place is definitely a must see and can be extended to a proper hike trial, if you will carry on after Ornak Hall. More or less, even that the entrance to the park is located 20 mins ride from the center of Zakopane, you do not need to take a taxi. Bus is the best and cheapest option. Some can even get to Kiry, for Kasprowy Wierch cable card, with one of the numerous mini buses operating in the area along with a public PKS bus. The ticket cost just 3zl (less than 1$) each way, and is paid to the bus driver only by cash. There are two main bus stops in Zakopane. One is at the main Bus Station and the other one at the beginning of Krupowki Street, main street in Zakopane. Both places got a signs pointing the bus stop, in polish called Dolina Kościeliska or Kościelisko. Please see the map attached for bus stop near Krupowki street.
And here is a timetable, but please be at the stop 10-15 mins before, as the bus is always early and never waits!! Welcome to Poland 🙂
legend:
b – only in summer and winter season
k – Monday till Friday only
BUS do not run on 1 and 2 day of Easter, Christmas 01.11 and 15.06
the right) towards Dolina Kościeliska (Koscieliska Valley): 6.50, 7.50, 9.00, 10.25, 12.20, 13.20, 14.30, 15.30, 16.25, 17.35, 18.15, 19.20, 20.15legend:
A – Except Sunday, 1 and 2 day of Easter and Christmas 01.11 and 15.06
L- Do not run on 1 and 2 day of Easter, Christmas, 01.11, and New Year and 15.06
Return bus stop from Kościeliska Valley offers loads of options towards Zakopane, almost every 15-20 minutes in high season time. Just please don’t be later than 18.00 – 19.00 to be sure to catch one. Thought, they run till 21.00, I suggest to take earlier one anyway. Here, I will just write few examples. They all stop in few places in Zakopane (near main street Krupowki, finishing usually near main bus station). The bus stop is located just outside of the entrance to the park (to the left, when leaving the valley)
legend:
k – Monday till Friday only
BUS do not run on 1 and 2 day of Easter, Christmas 01.11 and 15.06
legend:
k – Monday till Friday only
BUS do not run on 1 and 2 day of Easter, Christmas 01.11 and 15.06
We all, as backpackers, know way to well what daily budget means to us, and how essential is to stuck to it! We have to fallow the plan on accommodation prices, food, transport and other pleasures. I can not say that you will find the cheapest hostels and, especially, hotels in Wrocław, city in Poland, but when it comes to meals…luckily we do offer few very good and very affordable restaurants. You can have a breakfast there from 1$ with a coffee, a soup for 1.50$ and a lunch/dinner starting at as little as 2$. And do not think it compares the quality of the food, because it really doesn’t. Food is home-made, traditional and simply delicious!! These restaurants are also very popular among students, that usually have a limited budged themselves. The only minus, I am afraid, is that the staff do not speak almost any English and that might be hard for travellers, but there is always someone around to help. Once you will master the task of getting an order, you just wont be disappointed. Here, I will write about top ten best and cheapest restaurants and some milk bars, as we call them, you can find in the city center in Wroclaw.
Definitely my number one and all time favourite. I always dine there when possible and when in the city center area, and not because is very cheap there. Students favourite too and well popular in general in Wroclaw, offering anything from breakfast, lunch and dinner at lowest possible price with and old school vibe present all around. And, most importantly, all is well made and taste very good. Location is just perfect, right next to the University of Wroclaw and very close to the main square and town hall. Please trust me and pop in for a lunch! The only minus is that some dishes, like pierogi, go fast and after 14.00 it`s difficult to order them. Opening hours also may be a problem for travellers who like to eat late, otherwise nothing is stopping you!
Address: ul. Kuźnicza 48, Wrocław
Opening hours: Mon–Fr: 8.00–18.00, Sat: 8.00–17.00
Examples of dishes and prices (English/Polish)
1. Soups
2. Meat Dishes
3. Dumplings, pasta, pancakes
4. Breakfasts
Tu dla moich polskich braci moj ulubiony fragmet z Misia:
“Jedziecie do stolicy kraju kapitalistycznego, ktory to kraj ma byc moze tam i swoje plusy. Rozchodzi sie o to jednak zeby te plusy……nie przyslonily wam minusow”.
Just opened recently, so does recently became one of my favourite. Highly recommended for tourists, students and “grandma`s kitchen” lovers”. You can find here pierogi, mash potatoes with meat, loads of salads, krokets and recently pizza. Its very close to the city center (main square). You just must to pop in!!!
Address: ul. Kazimierza Wielkiego 17 (next to NH cinema)
Opening hours: Mon-Fr: 11:00 – 17:00
They also have a bar at Main Railway Station in Wroclaw (ul. Piłsudskiego 105, opened: everyday from 9.30-19.00, Sunday 10.00-19.00) and one more at ul. Mikołaja Reja 2C, 50-353 Wrocław (opened Mon-Fr 11.00-17.00)
Examples of dishes and prices (English/Polish)
Another milk bar very similar to Miś Milk Bar. Also in the city center area, just a bit further north. Prices and menu are very similar to Miś, so you can have a tasty, homemade, delicious meal at a very affordable price again. The big plus is that this place seems less busy than Miś, but also popular. Pierogi are served from 13.00 and are the most popular dish, so you need to pop in earlier to have a chance to get them.
Address: ul. Drobnera 4, Wrocław
Opening hours: Mon–Fr: 9.00–17.00
Examples of dishes and prices (English/Polish)
All dishes and prices are very similar to Miś Bar (see above).
Address: ul. Legnicka 23, Wrocław
Opening hours: Mon–Fr: 11.00–19.00, Sat: 11.00-17.00
Examples:
This bar offers a great traditional range of our old school PRL toasts – a typical Polish fast food during the communism time. It has been opened in 1979 and still serve one of the best and very cheesy toasts with mushrooms. Portions are very big and very filling.
Address: ul. Wita Stwosza 40/1a, Wrocław
Opening hours: Mon–Fr: 12.00-19.00, Sat: 12.00-18.00
Examples of dishes and prices (English/Polish)
Another amazing milk bar near the city center. This one is open a bit longer. You can find loads of tourists here, as its very close to the main train and bus station. Food is homemade and very traditional, however a bit more expensive than other milk bars like Miś or Mewa.
Address: ul. Kołłątaja 27/28, Wrocław
Opening hours: Mon–Fr: 11.00–18.00
Examples of dishes and prices (English/Polish)
There is no way I will not think about Lepione (old Bazylia restaurant) without remembering my time at university. This buffet style restaurant is located inside one of the law department buildings, where I studied. I can’t say the food is top mach, but I love the fact that its cheap, you can fill your plate with everything you like, and you pay the same price of 0.90$ (1.20 zł) per 100g. I used to eat there after my lectures, exams, alone, with friends or family. The other thing about this place is location and surrounded stunning architecture you can enjoy while eating.
Address: ul. Kuźnicza 42, Wrocław
Opening hours: everyday: 12.00–23.00
Examples of dishes and prices (English/Polish)
This is a buffet style restaurant where you add to the plate anything you like and pay for 100g. You will find there anything from traditional dumplings, salads, fish, chicken, goulash to Chinese chicken with bamboo. Price is 4.19 zł, that’s 1.30$, for 100g.
Promotions
After 17.00 all 15% cheaper, after 17.30 all 25% cheaper and after 18.00 all cheaper by 50%.
This amazing bar is located in one of the biggest indoor markets in Wroclaw, called Hala Targowa, so after a very tasty traditional, homemade meal you can have a look around.
Address: ul. Piaskowa 17, Wrocław
Opening hours: Mon–Fr: 9.00–18.30, Sat: 9.00–15.00
Examples of dishes and prices (English/Polish)
All dishes and prices are very similar to Miś Bar (see above).
One of my earliest discovery of a great food at a very low price. However, this bar is special for me for another reason. Staff keeps some unused food to share later with homeless people and that is a huge plus for me!
Address: ul. Komandorska 147, Wrocław
Opening hours: Mon–Fr 10.00–18.00, Sat: 10.00–17.00
Examples of dishes and prices (English/Polish)
Welcome to Wrocław, the coolest city on Earth. The best place on the planet. Most beautiful, amazing, interesting, with the tastiest food ever and the best nightlife, you will experience. Yes, you guessed it right, I am from there. Been born there, raised, studied and worked. Welcome to my home. However, since I wont pick you up from the airport, at least I can guide you on getting from there to your hotel.
A shuttle bus operates on the route Airport – City Centre (Plac Dominikański) – Dworzec Wrocław (Central Bus and Railway Station). A ticket will cost PLN 10 or 2.5 Euro (to be paid directly to the driver by cash or by card). The journey will take about 30 minutes. Bus is waiting just outside the airport, blue colored, can`t be missed.
Departures from the airport:
| 04:10 | 05:00 | 05:50 | 06:40 | 07:30 | 08:20 | 09:10 |
| 10:00 | 10:50 | 11:40 | 12:30 | 13:20 | 14:10 | 15:00 |
| 15:50 | 16:40 | 17:30 | 18:20 | 19:10 | 20:00 | 21:05 |
| 22:55* | 23:40* | 01:00* |
* departure time depending on the aircraft’s’ arrivals
Price: 3$ or 2.5 Euro or 10 PLN (but paid only in Polish currency PLN)
Length: 30 minutes
For the city center (where your hotel/hostel probably will be) you have to get off just one stop before the last one. The stand is called Renoma, and from there you will, I assume, just walk to your accommodation. It takes around 30-40 minutes to get to the city center, unless traffic is very bad.
106: PORT LOTNICZY (Airport bus stop) Day BusPORT LOTNICZY – DWORCOWAAirport-Main railway/bus station |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| W dni robocze (Mon-Fr) |
Sobota (Saturday) |
Niedziela (Sunday) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PLEASE NOTE that the night bus 206 with Z letter does not go straight to the city center, you have to change, so during the night I really would suggest taxi or Wro Airport Express buss!!
Price: 1$
Length: 30-40 minutes
Nice, quick and comfortable way. Please always agree on the price before getting in! You shouldn’t pay more than 50-60 złoty to the city center area. That`s around 15$. Taxis are just outside the main entrance, and driver should speak good/enough English.
Price: 15$
length: 15-20 minutes
I am sorry, but there are no more options, unless you want me to come and pick you on my bike. The tram does not go there, and we do not have an underground. Walking is not an option too, since the airport is on the edge of the city.
Please contact me if you need any tips. I will be more than happy to help and thank you for visiting my city 🙂
Solo female traveller 
You must be logged in to post a comment.