Poland: Where Heritage Meets a Greener Future

Poland has long been famous for its stunning city squares, lively cultural scene and beautiful green spaces, but it’s becoming equally well-known for its sustainability efforts. It’s currently 10^th among 166 countries in the Sustainable Development Report rankings—previously the SDG Index—and Kraków, Łódź, Wrocław, Rzeszów and Warsaw are involved in NetZeroCities. In this EU-funded project, Eurocities and other partners are sharing strategies to become climate-neutral by 2030. Central to this bold goal is the transformative renovation of Poland’s built heritage, where historic yet energy-inefficient structures are thoughtfully reborn as near-zero-emission buildings.

The momentum isn’t limited to architecture and urban renewal alone; there’s a real energy here to chase improvement in the MICE sector, too. In September 2024, the Poland Convention Bureau elevated its commitment by joining the global Net Zero Carbon Events initiative, supported by the influential Strategic Alliance of the National European Convention Bureaux (SANCB). This forward-thinking alliance is creating universal systems for accurately measuring direct and indirect emissions, transparently reporting progress and consistently sharing sustainable best practices across the events industry.

Other Polish signatories are ICE Kraków International Congress Centre, the Polish Chamber of Exhibition Industry and respected conference organisers Symposium Cracoviense. Together, these key stakeholders form the cornerstone of Poland’s drive towards sustainability in event management.

But this transformation transcends individual efforts. Collaborative national action is also strong, demonstrated notably by April 2024’s SITE Poland Responsible Incentive Travel Day Conference, hosted at the Hilton Warsaw City Hotel. Here, SITE Poland Association members joined forces with convention bureaux and tourism leaders to critically examine sustainability challenges and opportunities in the tourism sector, promoting innovative approaches and mindful travel.

As Poland deepens its dedication to sustainability, the narrative shifts from individual stories to a collective ambition, uniting cities, industries and communities. This is Poland’s moment—a moment where historical legacy and environmental responsibility merge seamlessly, presenting an inspiring blueprint for Europe’s sustainable future.

This article was originally published in the Summer–Autumn 2025 edition of Sustain Europe.

The Arche Group: Second Lives and Second Chances

Private-sector stakeholders are also stepping up. A shining example is the award-winning Polish ARCHE Group hotel chain. The Group’s President, Mr Władysław Grochowski, has a guiding principle for the organisation: “We combine contradictions, trust everyone, and change ourselves.”

One of the Group’s primary aims is to give second lives to diverse forgotten sites and their historic objects. Regeneration projects have included Janów Podlaski Castle, Żnin Sugar Factory and Mielno’s Luftwaffe Airplane Factory. Building on that momentum, in 2021, the Group launched its ‘dispersed hotel’ concept, Arche Siedlisko, offering more tranquil stays in eco-units converted from shipping containers. They’re sited in picturesque, rural locations that put guests in the heart of local communities and nature.

“We save and revitalise not only monuments, but also communities,” says Grochowski; it sounds grandiose, but it’s true. Their hotels double as community centres, hosting film screenings, family activities and more. The Group’s Arche Community Association helps long-term convicts rehabilitate and gain self-esteem, involving them in artistic, practical projects such as furniture renovation.

It also gives practical support, premises and 1% of its income to its charity partner, the Lena Grochowska Foundation. The Foundation helps people with intellectual disabilities learn work and life skills, offering employment opportunities in its handicraft workshops and cafés. The Arche Group, supported by the Foundation, has also provided temporary housing for several thousand Ukrainian refugees, and eco-units for crisis centres and homeless shelters.

The Arche Pokolenia—‘Generations’—project will offer supportive, intergenerational living, while the Group’s first EkoFarma will support individuals with intellectual disabilities.

We’ll highlight some Arche Hotels as we explore four fantastic Polish cities ideal for hosting events. First, we briefly revisit Kraków, featured in the previous edition, before shining our spotlight on Gdańsk, Łódź and Wrocław.

Kraków: Pioneering the Green Transition

Kraków, the sustainable star of Poland’s MICE scene, was the first Polish city to rank in the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index. Kraków Convention Bureau’s forward-thinking actions for reducing the carbon footprint of events are defined in the Kraków Sustainable Tourism Strategy.

Collaboration is key here, fostered by several initiatives and networks. The Kraków Network’s 600 members work together to promote Kraków as a desirable, sustainable destination for meetings and events. The Network’s decarbonisation strategy, From WHY to Offset, provides practical steps to reduce emissions from large events. The strategy was developed by decarbonisation experts The Carbon Footprint Foundation, a Kraków-based nonprofit organisation, and partners of ICE Kraków Congress Centre. It also leads the Kraków Network and the Power of 4, a collaboration between ICE Kraków and venues in Warsaw, Lublin and Gdańsk. The result? Events that leave a lasting impression, without a lasting footprint.

Why Choose Kraków?

Here’s a brief reminder of why Kraków is Poland’s most visited city and a great event location.

Compact and Well-Connected

John Paul II International Airport, 15 km away, provides direct flights to numerous European cities and several Middle East destinations, with easy transfers by train, bus or taxi. Flixbus and Sindbad buses run between Kraków and many European destinations, but direct trains from Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Berlin, Vilnius and Bratislava are quicker.

Kraków is very walkable, with an excellent tram and bus network. The ‘Tourist’ KrakówCard provides unlimited bus and tram travel and access to nearly 40 of the city’s attractions.

Top-Class Cuisine

Kraków was the European Capital of Gastronomic Culture in 2019. Twenty-two restaurants here are Michelin-recommended and Bottiglieria 1881 is Poland’s only restaurant with two Michelin Stars. Vegan, vegetarian and organic cuisine is easy to find.

Eco-Friendly Accommodation, Event Venues and Attractions

Over 20 of Kraków’s hotels are eco-certified, with many offering event spaces. In 2024, event organisers Symposium Cracoviense received the Green Meetings Bronze Award from Green Tourism, a major global sustainability accreditation programme.

The ICE Kraków Congress Centre can host events of all sizes. The Centre, whose numerous awards include ‘Best-managed Congress Centre in Central and Eastern Europe’ at the 2023 Meetings Star Awards, hosted the international Carbon Footprint Summit in October 2024.

Without the scar of World War II bombing that other cities carry, Kraków’s UNESCO-listed historic areas are particularly well-preserved. The Royal Route—the former coronation path—visits most key historical sites, including the 12^th-century Floriańska Gate and the magnificent Main Market Square. Here, historic buildings, flower stalls and eateries vie for attention, while underground, the interactive ‘Following Traces of Kraków’s European Identity’ exhibition covers 1,000 years of history. The more sombre but deeply meaningful Jewish Heritage Route ends at Oscar Schindler’s Enamel Factory.

There’s a wealth of green spaces, outdoor leisure activities and rich cultural experiences to enjoy too, including festivals. The annual BNP Paribas Green Film Festival is held near the riverbank, encompassing film, art and ecological education.

Gdańsk: City of Amber and Cycling

Gdańsk is a large, vibrant port, forming the ‘TriCity’ with Gdynia and Sopot. It’s famous for its amber, maritime heritage, a spirit of solidarity and its part in World War II.

Gdańsk is shadowing Kraków’s sustainability journey. It became Poland’s second GDS-ranked city in 2023 and was shortlisted in the 2024 GDS Awards Most Improved Destination category. Competing alongside global finalists such as Solihull in the UK, Kumamoto and Takamatsu in Japan, and Tucson in the USA, Gdańsk’s achievement highlights its growing influence on the international stage of sustainable destinations.

Municipal authorities have introduced a green public-procurement policy and waste-reduction measures, established cycling infrastructure and pedestrian-friendly zones, and expanded the tram network. The Gdańsk Water Policy and Gdańsk Green Policy work together to develop blue-green zones that tackle climate change and improve climate resilience, biodiversity, access to nature and residents’ quality of life.

Gdańsk takes social and cultural sustainability seriously too. Recent and ongoing initiatives include:

• ‘Tastes of Gdańsk’: eleven restaurants have committed to recreating 19^th-century Gdańsk cuisine with local, seasonal ingredients.
• Transformation of the disused shipyard area into tourist attractions.
• The ‘Gdańsk is the City of Equality’ campaign, raising awareness about equal rights and the need to combat hate speech and discrimination.
• Accessible Gdańsk: to improve access for all, seniors, parents, and people with disabilities and specific needs have been asked to audit the accessibility of Gdańsk’s attractions and institutions. “Accessible tourism is an investment in the future of each of us,” says the city’s Tourist Bureau.
• The ‘GDAŃSK Authentically’ campaign promotes the city’s authentic experiences and year-round appeal, combatting warm-weather overtourism and connecting Gdańsk to the ‘coolocation’ trend.

Gdańsk was also chosen to host the Velo-City 2025 Summit from 10^th–13^th June, due to its increasing prestige as a cycling city and commitment to social change through cycling. This major international cycling and urban-mobility event, held in Poland for the first time, had ‘Energising Solidarity’ as its 2025 theme.

Why Choose Gdańsk?

Gdańsk has over 180 ha of green areas, with 21 parks, and 23 kilometres of beaches, including the peaceful, Blue-Flag-certified Stogi Beach. There are also fast, easy road, cycle and train links to Gdynia and Sopot, so it’s easy to access their MICE facilities.

Straightforward Travel

There are flights from over 70 European destinations to Lech Wałęsa Airport, 15 km from Gdańsk, and train and bus transfers arrive in Gdańsk within 45 minutes. Trains run to Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, and to Lithuania and Ukraine via Warsaw. Sindbad and Flixbus provide bus routes to Gdańsk from all over Europe, and ferries cross to Nynäshamn, Sweden, six times a week.

Gdańsk’s bus, tram and local-train services are frequent, and a one-, two- or three-day Metropolitan ticket gives you free travel on all TriCity transport plus free or discounted admission to several attractions. Most venues and hotels are within a 15-minute walk, and cycling is big here. The city has over 850 km of cycling routes, including sections of EuroVelo routes 9—the Baltic–Adriatic route—10, the Baltic Sea Cycle Route, and 13, the Iron Curtain Trail.

There are over 16,400 bicycle-parking spaces, including the multi-level facility at Gdańsk Wrzeszcz Railway Station. MEVO offers bike hire from 736 stations, including electric bikes and lightweight, foldable bike trailers for children or people with disabilities.

European Capital of Gastronomic Culture 2025

Gdańsk lives up to the title with superior seafood and numerous Michelin-recommended restaurants, including Tastes of Gdańsk eateries, Mercato and Tygle. They’re the ideal places to try local dishes, such as creamy herring or dziadówka—Grandfather’s Soup—made with potato, carrots and bacon.

ARCO by Paco Pérez is Gdańsk’s first Michelin-star restaurant and Eliksir is Poland’s first Michelin Green Star restaurant. Offering a cocktail bar and event space, Eliksir uses 100% renewable energy and participates in the European Tourism Sustainability Monitoring 2030 project, a sustainability certification, education and monitoring initiative.

Vegetarians and vegans are well catered for, and at Caffe Aktywni, meals and event catering are provided by the Sensitive World Foundation. This charity fosters companionship and learning between isolated people and those needing work skills, particularly young people with intellectual disabilities and seniors.

Beer has been brewed here since the 13^th century. The historic PG4 Brewery Restaurant is the ideal place to try Jopenbier, brewed since 1449. Unique to Gdańsk, it has notes of fig, raisin, walnut and chocolate.

Green and Accessible Accommodation, Attractions and Event Venues

Highlights include:

• The Radisson Hotel & Suites in Gdańsk is Green Key certified and supports the House of Janusz Korczak, a facility for children with disabilities. Situated in the historic Old Town, this four-star hotel has 341 rooms, a gym, spa and pool, and one of the largest conference spaces in Pomerania, accommodating up to 700 people.
• Mercure Gdańsk Stare Miasto—Old Town—is a four-star hotel with Green Key certification and the BREEAM In-Use certificate. It offers a restaurant, bar, fitness centre and eleven meeting rooms accommodating up to 250 attendees.
• Uphagen Manor House is a four-star Arche Hotel in the Dolne Miasto district, where historic features and objects have been carefully preserved. The complex includes a wellness centre, restaurant, café, nine event spaces for 10 to 140 people, and the Lena Grochowska Foundation headquarters.
• The Gdańsk Shakespeare Theatre, modelled on London’s Fortune Playhouse, has a unique retractable roof. As a ‘Theatre Without Barriers’, it provides accessibility features for those with visual, hearing or mobility impairments. Guided tours are available and there are six event spaces, the largest of which accommodates 1,150 people standing or 600 seated.
• The Museum of the Second World War, one of the world’s largest World War II exhibitions, has a restaurant, bistro and cinema. Its modern conference centre has five event spaces and a foyer, accommodating between 40 and 600 attendees.
• The European Solidarity Centre caters to people with a range of disabilities and impairments. Its permanent multimedia exhibition is on the birth of Solidarity, featuring the UNESCO-listed ‘Boards with the 21 Demands’. Beside the Centre, in Solidarity Square, stands the Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers of 1970: three 42-metre-high crosses.
• EkoKajak is a Gdańsk Sports Centre initiative offering free kayak hire to participants who collect floating debris on the Motława River.
• Boat and Bike offers electric boat tours of the river and canals, with views of the Old Town and restored Granary Island, plus catamaran solar boats for private charter.
• The Royal Way, beginning at the Golden Gate, passes some of Gdańsk’s most characterful buildings, including colourful restored tenement housing.
• The Amber Museum explores amber’s importance to the city in the Great Mill, the largest mill in medieval Europe.

Łódź: A Greener Urban Future

Thanks to its booming textile industry, Łódź expanded and prospered through much of the 19^th and 20^th centuries, but its natural resources suffered.

Today, the city is transforming itself from an industrial city to a green city of culture through sustainable urban development—and it’s not gone unnoticed. Łódź was named one of National Geographic Traveler’s ‘Best Places Championing Sustainability’ in 2022 and is becoming known for hosting major events such as the European Universities Games 2022.

It was also chosen to host the Urban Future 2025 event from 21^st–23^rd May. This annual international conference promotes collaboration and discussion around urban regeneration, sustainable business and community resilience. In 2029, Łódź will host Expo Horticultural—the green event’s first time in an urban environment. The six-month event will transform a substantial area and is expected to attract 4.5 million visitors.

The city’s recent and ongoing initiatives include:

• Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI):
  • New retention basins that filter sediment and pollutants using eco-friendly gravel and hydrophytic plants. The treated water can be reused for cleaning streets and watering plants.
  • The creation of forest parks in places of highest construction pressure; 21 have been created since 2021.
  • Green regeneration. WOŚP Square, Liberty Square and Schiller Passage have already undergone green redevelopment, and Łódź was recognised for these efforts in the 2023 City with Climate competition.
  • The uncovering and renaturation of watercourses, such as the Lamus River within Kiliński Park, which will sit within a new green recreational area.
• The Łódź Schools for Climate programme, launched in 2022, involves students, parents and teachers in ecological experiments, which led to an invitation to the 2024 WEEC World Congress on Environmental Education.
• Green Trails: a proposal for over 126 km of hiking and cycling routes through the city, including paths to attractions and green spaces that will inform users about Łódź and its history.
• Construction, with Veolia Energia, of an Energy Recovery Facility, recovering energy from thermal processing of non-recyclable waste for heat and power. The city also plans, with Innargi, to develop its geothermal-energy potential.
• An underground rail-tunnel project connecting Łódź’s existing Fabryczna, Kaliska and Żabieniec stations with three new underground stations, while accommodating the ‘Y-line’, a new high-speed rail route between Warsaw, Centralny Port Komunikacyjny—CPK, a planned major transport hub and airport—Łódź, Wrocław and Poznań.

Why Choose Łódź?

The bustling cultural scene reflects the diverse peoples who have found a home in Łódź, including the thousands of Ukrainian refugees rehomed and employed here in recent years.

Łódź, with its wonderful Art Nouveau architecture, became the cinematic capital of Poland after World War II. In 2017, it was inducted into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and named UNESCO City of Film.

All Roads Lead to Łódź

The expression is often used because of Łódź’s central, accessible location. Łódź Central Poland Airport, 6 km from the city, has regular flights to London Stansted, East Midlands, Dublin, Brussels Charleroi, Milan Bergamo and Alicante. Transfers are just 15 minutes by car or 25 minutes by bus.

Warsaw Chopin Airport is 120 km away but offers nearly 200 global destinations; transfers are around two hours by Flixbus and two-and-a-half hours by train via Warsaw. Flixbus and Sindbad buses connect Łódź to many European destinations, while train routes via Kraków, Warsaw and other cities link to several European capitals.

Łódź is well served by buses and trams. You can also take a rickshaw or hire a bike from the 157 Łódź City Bike stations from March to November.

Outdoor Leisure

Around a third of Łódź is green space. This includes Stawy Stefańskiego, which is great for watersports, and the expansive Park Na Zdrowiu, with its Botanical Garden, Aquapark and Orientarium Zoo.

Łagiewnicki Forest, one of Europe’s largest city forests, encompasses a nature reserve, three historic chapels and three lakes. Its Arturówek recreation area offers a beach, marina and sporting activities. The forest forms part of Łódź Heights Landscape Park, a hilly area ideal for hiking and cycling. The UNESCO City of Film Trails let you explore Łódź by walking in the footsteps of actors and directors.

Sustainable Accommodation, Attractions and Event Spaces

• Hotel Tobaco is an award-winning Arche Group boutique hotel in central Łódź, with eight event spaces accommodating five to 150 people. This former factory now offers 115 rooms, a restaurant reflecting Łódź’s diverse culinary heritage, a sauna and a mini gym.
• Hotel Ibis Łódź Centrum is a Green Key-certified two-star hotel in the city centre, close to Łódź MT Trade Fairs. It has 207 rooms, a restaurant, a snack bar and three event rooms.
• Hampton by Hilton Łódź City Center holds a BREEAM certification. Located near Łódź MT Trade Fairs, this three-star hotel offers 149 rooms, a fitness centre, a restaurant and three meeting rooms.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Łódź has won many awards for its design and MICE offering, including ‘Best New Hotel in Central Eastern Europe 2013’ from Eurobuild CEE magazine. Close to the Atlas Arena, it’s a four-star hotel with several DEKRA Environmental certifications, a top-floor Spa & Health Club with panoramic views, a swimming pool and a restaurant.
• EC1, Łódź’s historic power plant, has been transformed into a bustling hub of culture and technology. It now houses a planetarium, cinema, the National Centre for Film Culture, the Centre of Comics and Interactive Narration, the Centre of Science and Technology and more. Event spaces include well-equipped conference rooms and the imposing 1,360 m² Machine Hall.
• PURO Łódź Centrum is a centrally located four-star hotel with Silver LEED certification, providing 137 rooms and free bike hire for guests. There’s a fitness centre, bistro, bar and restaurant. For events, it offers a cinema room accommodating 26 people and a conference space for up to 80 attendees.
• Manufaktura is a huge former factory complex that now houses numerous eateries, 15 cinema rooms, a theatre, nine entertainment centres, three museums and 28 conference rooms, offering endless opportunities for event catering, activities and venue hire.

Traditional Food

Traditional Łódź cuisine combines simple pre-war Jewish, Russian, German and Polish dishes; today, they’re given a modern twist using seasonal, local ingredients. Herring is served in multiple ways, including with fruit and nuts, while potato dishes, soups and sweet or savoury dumplings are popular.

Vegetarian and vegan eateries are easy to find, and the hands-on culinary workshops provided by Book&Cook or Baccaro Studio make excellent breakout activities for groups and food lovers alike.

Wrocław: The Green Events Initiative and Citywide Sustainability

Wrocław lies in Lower Silesia, Poland’s warmest region. A third of the city is at risk of flooding, yet it also suffers drought. Unsurprisingly, then, it has a robust Climate Change Adaptation Plan and a policy that all municipal investments must include nature-based solutions. It also funds citizens’ eco-friendly initiatives, such as greening and rainwater management.

The city participates in national and international sustainability programmes and works closely with the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences. There, PhD candidate Grzegorz Budzik developed a tool to measure the cooling effect of BGI. The data has helped the city understand the types of BGI most helpful in certain areas and revealed that the best cooling effects are achieved where trees surround reservoirs or river segments, combining evaporation and transpiration.

Wrocław’s sustainable initiatives include modernising public buildings and infrastructure, and improving air quality, energy efficiency, urban transport and BGI. Społeczny Square, an underused multilevel junction, will become a multifunctional, modern ‘15-minute’ district. Sustainable public transport, green rooftops, vertical greenery, rainwater collection and passive construction will be key. On busy Koszarowa Street, green redevelopment will include a ‘rose belt’ with thousands of roses.

As part of the EU ‘Grown Green’ project, the city has greened street corners, buildings and tenement courtyards, providing shade, rainwater retention, community gardens, play areas and wildlife habitats. The ‘Grey into Green’ project has transformed schools’ outdoor spaces into rain gardens, wildflower meadows and vegetable gardens.

Around 30% of Wrocław’s electricity demand is met by photovoltaic installations: over 7,000 sit on structures from schools to bus stops. On sunny days, the city’s largest urban installation, on Tarczyński Arena’s car-park roof, can power the stadium and the 20 companies based there. This project helped Wrocław attain the ‘Energy Transformation Leader’ title at the 2023 Polish Climate Congress. Soon, Wrompa, Poland’s largest installation for extracting heat energy from sewage and wastewater, will begin operation.

In the MICE sector, the Wrocław Green Events initiative has boosted sustainability significantly, ensuring events meet high standards on waste reduction, energy efficiency and sustainable material use.

Wrocław further strengthened its sustainability credentials by joining the Global Destination Sustainability Index in early 2025. This global performance-improvement programme allows cities to measure their sustainability efforts, learn from international best practices and collaboratively drive forward their green strategies.

Dawid Pańczyszyn, President of the Wrocław Convention Bureau, highlighted the importance of this move, noting that while Wrocław has long prioritised sustainable development, joining the GDS-Index provides valuable tools and insights, helping the city advance even further in its mission to become a leading European sustainable-events destination.

Wrocław isn’t alone in joining the GDS-Index. Although Szczecin isn’t featured among our four spotlight cities, it is worth a mention. Famous for its waterways and sailing heritage—including hosting international events such as The Tall Ships Races—Szczecin has long pursued its ambitious ‘Floating Garden 2050’ strategy, focused on creating a greener, water-rich urban environment. Joining the GDS-Index reflects how widely sustainability is gaining momentum in Poland, reinforcing the impressive efforts already visible in Kraków, Gdańsk, Łódź and Wrocław.

Why Choose Wrocław?

Wrocław, ‘the City of Bridges’, has over 100 road and footbridges connecting its riverbanks and twelve islands. It’s also known for its Baroque buildings, Renaissance squares, street art, gingerbread and dwarves. It’s a colourful and youthful city, with picture-postcard views.

Great Transport Links

Nicolaus Copernicus Airport, 10 km from Wrocław, has flights to many European cities plus some destinations in Asia and the USA. Bus or taxi transfers take 30–45 minutes. Trains run to Vienna, Prague, Berlin and other German cities, while Flixbus and Sindbad bus lines connect to many European destinations.

Wrocław provides good bus, tram and train services, and Wrocław Citybike rental. Electric scooters can be rented from Hive or Lime stations, and the Polinka cable car provides a scenic way to cross the Oder River.

Wrocław’s Eco-Friendly Attractions, Venues and Accommodation

Highlights include:

• Bridges: Tumski Bridge with its hundreds of love padlocks; the Witches’ Bridge—Wrocław’s highest—connecting the Gothic Cathedral’s towers; and the iconic Grunwaldzki Bridge, beautifully illuminated at night.
• The Archdiocese Museum is home to the UNESCO-listed historic Book of Henryków, containing the first sentence ever written in Polish.
• Szczytnicki Park, the city’s largest park, dates to the 18^th century and has ponds, bridges, hills, 350 species of trees and shrubs, and a lovely Japanese Garden.
• The Old Town Square, with brightly painted buildings, Renaissance architecture, musical performers, plentiful eateries and the multimedia Pan Tadeusz Museum, is the vibrant soul of Wrocław, alive with energy year-round—from the glow of Christmas markets to the rhythm of open-air summer festivals.
• The Historical Museum in the grand Royal Palace has beautiful Baroque gardens and an interactive ‘1,000 Years of Wrocław’ exhibition.
• The Wrocław Dwarves, Film Trail and Street Art Map offer three playful ways to explore the city and its culture, including seeking out 300 whimsical dwarves that reference the antics of a historic dissident group.
• Odra Centrum is an ecological-education and social-integration centre on the river, providing event space and eco-friendly catering for 30 to 100 people. It offers workshops and cruises, plus kayak and electric-pontoon-boat rental. An extra free hour of kayak hire can be earned by clearing debris from the river, while floating gardens provide wildlife habitats and help clean the water.
• Klasztor is an Arche Group boutique hotel in a revitalised 19^th-century monastery with a four-hectare private park and preserved chapels and gardens. It has 86 rooms and a restaurant, café, patio and bookstore. Its three event spaces include the Franciscan Hall, accommodating 60 people.

• Centennial Hall, with its dome and lantern, is magnificent and UNESCO-listed. It offers several event spaces, including the main hall, which can accommodate thousands of people. The Hall is working to make its events greener, and single-use plastics are banned. Set within the broader Wrocław Exhibition Grounds, it benefits from nearby green spaces and is part of a city-wide initiative to lower emissions and boost sustainable mobility for event attendees.
• Hydropolis is a fascinating underground multimedia exhibition about water in a repurposed 19^th-century reservoir. Event organisers hiring the space in the evening must adhere to its pro-ecological rules. The venue caterer uses local, seasonal produce and works to reduce waste, donating excess food to community refrigerators or an aid charity.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Wrocław, in the central OVO Wrocław complex, is a five-star hotel built with sustainability in mind. It holds three DEKRA certifications and operates a Zero Waste menu initiative. There are 189 rooms, a restaurant, a 24-hour gym, a swimming pool and a wellness centre.
• Q Hotel Plus Wrocław Bielany, designed specifically as an event venue, uses an energy-management system and local food suppliers, while its kitchen initiatives reduce waste and focus on wholesome food. It offers 201 rooms, two restaurants, a fitness centre and 3,700 m² of divisible conference and event space.
• Hotel Mercure Wrocław Centrum in the Old Town holds both Green Key and BREEAM In-Use certificates, and its Discover Local programme promotes local culture, cuisine and suppliers. It has a restaurant, fitness and wellness facilities, 151 rooms and 13 meeting spaces.

Authentic Cuisine

Authentic, high-quality, sustainable cuisine is easy to find. Młoda Polska Bistro, run by Polish MasterChef winner Beata Śniechowska, has its own garden and offers innovative Polish cuisine.

Bez Lukru serves 100% vegan dishes made from local, seasonal ingredients, primarily from sustainable producers, and its takeaway packaging and cutlery are biodegradable. Spiż was Poland’s first mini-brewery and restaurant. It serves Polish and German-influenced dishes in historic surroundings alongside its own beers.

Poland’s Path to Sustainable MICE Leadership

Poland’s participation in the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative, coupled with the dedicated sustainability efforts across Kraków, Warsaw, Gdańsk, Łódź, Wrocław and other forward-thinking cities, has firmly positioned the country at the forefront of sustainable event management. This commitment is not only evident in its impressive international rankings and numerous sustainability accolades, but is also unmistakably clear in the increasing selection of Polish cities as prestigious hosts for globally significant events.

What makes Poland truly stand out is the way its diverse cities embrace sustainability without losing their unique local charm. Whether you’re drawn to Kraków’s historic beauty and thoughtful approach to eco-friendly events, captivated by Gdańsk’s coastal energy and cycling culture, inspired by Łódź’s innovative urban regeneration, or intrigued by Wrocław’s clever use of natural resources and green spaces, each destination promises a memorable and environmentally conscious experience.

No matter which city you pick for your event or incentive break, you can be assured that there will be a wealth of welcoming eco-friendly venues, eateries, activities and accommodation, alongside beautiful green spaces. And behind it all is the quiet strength of the local convention bureau, ready to help you deliver something genuinely responsible and rooted in place.

Ultimately, choosing among Poland’s sustainable cities for your next event isn’t just about finding the right venue. It’s about becoming part of a greater movement towards lasting change. Whichever city draws you in, you’ll join Poland’s inspiring journey towards sustainability, experiencing first-hand the innovation, hospitality and passion that’s helping shape Europe’s green future. Poland isn’t merely aiming for sustainability: it’s already living it. And it’s inviting you to do the same.

To find out how the Poland Convention Bureau can help bring your event to life, please visit: meetings.poland.travel