I wouldn’t call Wroclaw, Poland a hidden gem as the city is already fairly known among tourists but still, not as popular as other famous Polish destinations – Krakow and Warsaw. Which is surprising as Wroclaw has so much to offer!

Beautiful Old Town, the variety of architecture, numerous green spaces, amazing food and cafe scene and lots of cool spots – Wroclaw has it all!

Over the years I’ve been to Wroclaw numerous times and know the place fairly well. Most of the time, when I went to visit Wroclaw, it was mostly to see my friends living there.

During my last trip to Wroclaw, however, I focused on sightseeing too so I could remind myself of some of the great Wroclaw attractions, discover new things to do in Wroclaw and fall in love with the city all over again.

I truly believe this is one of the best places to visit in Poland, the one you can’t miss in your Poland itinerary. That’s why I’ve prepared a long list of what to do in Wroclaw so you can go there fully prepared and enjoy the place as much as I always do!

How to pronounce “Wrocław”?

But before you set off to discover Wroclaw, you should know how to pronounce the name of the city correctly.

When saying the name of the city aim for “Vrots-Wav” and you should be more or less fine!

This youtube video gives you an idea of how to say the name of the city correctly. This knowledge might come very handy when getting around or buying a ticket.

Where is Wroclaw, Poland?

With over 600.000 inhabitants, Wroclaw is the fourth biggest city in Poland.

It is located in the south-west part of the country, not far from the borders with the Czech Republic and Germany. Krakow is 270 km away, Warsaw is 350 km away, Prague is 280 km away, Berlin is 350 km away and Dresden is 270 km away. Wroclaw has decent connections with all of these places.

A short history of Wroclaw, Poland

Wroclaw is one of the oldest cities in Poland, it was mentioned for the first time in the year 1000 however the area was inhabited already before.

Over the centuries the city has been developing rapidly, also due to the fact that two important trade routes crossed here (Via Regia and Amber Road). Wroclaw has been also changing its belongingness and thus, the name too – you might know it as Vratislavia or Breslau.

In recent centuries the biggest impact on the city and its current shape had German influences – the city was under the Prussian and the German rule from the beginning of the 19th century till the end of World War 2. That’s when some of the most spectacular and famous attractions (such as the Town Hall or the Centennial Hall) were built.

After the conference in Potsdam Lower Silesia together with Wroclaw returned to Poland and the city was inhabited by the Polish population from other parts of the country as well as territories in and around Vilnius or Lviv that Poland lost.

Wroclaw travel tips

Best time to visit Wroclaw

Wroclaw is beautiful all year round, even when it’s freezing cold (been there, done that).

But if you have to choose the best time to visit Wroclaw I would recommend between late spring (mid-May) to early autumn (end of September).

That’s when you can spend a lot of time outside and enjoy numerous parks, outdoor cafes or just hang out at the riverside.

How to get to Wroclaw

Wroclaw has good connections with numerous cities in Poland as well as all over Europe.

The local airport is served by low-cost airlines (Wizzair and Ryanair) as well as a few traditional airlines. You can fly to Wroclaw directly from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Israel, United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, Poland, Ukraine, Portugal, Spain, Malta, Norway, Greece, Montenegro, Denmark, Switzerland, Georgia, and Sweden.

You can also easily get to Wroclaw by train or bus from lots of cities in Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic. The city really is at the crossroads!

How to get from Wroclaw airport to the center

Wroclaw airport is located fairly close to the center and you can easily travel between these two by public transport.

There is a bus no 106 (in the day time) and no 206 (night one) that connects the main train station with the airport, via the city center.

The ticket costs 4,60 PLN one way (around €1). You can buy the ticket in the bus, payment is made by card.

Wroclaw is also served by UBER and Bolt. The estimated price of the Uber ride from the airport to the main train station is between 25 and 39 PLN (€6-9).

How to get around Wroclaw

Most of the things to do in Wroclaw are within a walking distance from each other.

However, Centennial Hall or WUWA are a bit outside of the center and you might walk there, of course, but you might also use public transport to get there. Your best option will be tram – it’s efficient, reliable and very affordable.

Before your trip, you might want to download the app with schedules and life info of Wroclaw public transport. The official app is “iMPK” but another one (that works in many cities in Poland) is “Jak dojade”.

You need to purchase the ticket before the journey, you can do it from the ticket machine at the stop or inside the tram. There are a few kinds of tickets, from 15-minutes to 7-days tickets.

You can find all the details at the website of Wroclaw public transport.

Things to do in Wroclaw, Poland

Now, that you know all the practicalities of visiting Wroclaw it’s time to talk about what to see in Wroclaw.

There are so many attractions that will keep you busy for at least 2 days but of course the more time you spend in Wroclaw, the better (especially with all the great day trips from Wroclaw too!).

Here is the list of some amazing things to do in Wroclaw that you might enjoy!

Fall in love with the beautiful old town

Wroclaw has one of the most beautiful market squares in Poland, and I even dare to say in Europe.

The medieval Market Square is now a pedestrian zone and the heart of the city. Around the square, you can admire numerous colorful houses, one prettier than another.

Some of them still hold their historical names, associated with their exterior details or the function. You can find here house under the golden jug, under the golden eagle, under the golden star, under the black eagle and many more.

Most of the houses were built centuries ago, in the gothic or renaissance style, but you can also find some art nouveau gems here, such as the department store “Feniks”.

There is only one building that doesn’t really fit here – a sky scrapper from 1931 (back then it was the tallest building in Wroclaw). Fans of modernist architecture will definitely appreciate it but let’s be honest – it really doesn’t belong to the picture-perfect Market Square of Wroclaw.

The real gem of the Market Square is the old town hall. It looks like from a fairy tale, it makes my jaw drop every single time I see it.

It was built in the late gothic style, between the end of the 13th century and 16th century. Afterward, it was rebuilt, extended and renovated numerous time to eventually become the gem we can admire now.

Underground used to be one of the oldest restaurants in Europe, Piwnica Świdnicka, operating there since 1237. Unfortunately recently it was closed and is waiting for the renovation.

The whole Market Square was badly destroyed during World War 2 and what you can admire now might be a reconstruction but, just like in Warsaw Old Town, it was done perfectly well and the place is just stunning.

But Market Square isn’t the only beautiful part of Wroclaw Old Town.

Wander around nearby streets, find some hidden gems (like the old street – Jatki – where butchery stores used to be located) and just enjoy the place.

You can also visit Wroclaw Old Town with a guide – click here for more details and to book the tour!

Find as many dwarves as possible

When doing Wroclaw sightseeing you will quickly stumble across small dwarves, many of them. Currently, there are around 400 of them and the number is constantly growing!

Dwarves are the legacy of Orange Alternative, an underground protest movement that was fighting with the system in the 1980s using methods that were considered funny.

The first dwarf appeared on the streets of Wrocław in 2001. No one knows exactly how many dwarves are in the city, currently the estimated number is over 400 and it’s still growing.

Dwarves hunting is one of the coolest things to do in Wroclaw. It lets you see the city from a different perspective and finding more and more dwarves is always so much fun!

You can pick up the map with the dwarves or just follow your instincts.

My personal favorite dwarves are the tourist one, the one taking money from the ATM or the one eating pierogi.

Fun fact, you can find Wroclaw dwarves not only in Wroclaw but also in its sister cities, like Kaunas Lithuania or Lviv Ukraine!

Click here to read my article about Wroclaw dwarves.

Enjoy the local cafe scene

The cafe scene in Poland is growing, new places are popping up and Wroclaw is no exception here. Whenever Wroclaw sightseeing tires you or you just want to relax with the cup of coffee there are plenty of places you can stop at.

Here are some of my favorite cafes and those recommended by my local friends from Wroclaw:

• Gniazdo
• Etno Cafe
• Mleczarnia
• Art Cafe Kalambur
• Tajne Komplety
• Cafe Rozrusznik
• Cafe Targowa
• Vinyl
• Cherubinowy Wędrowiec

See different architecture styles

Due to the long and rich history, Wroclaw is a real mix of architecture styles. They all work together really well, creating an interesting blend in the cityscape.

You can find here Romanesque church, Gothic (mostly churches and the town hall), Renaissance (houses in the Market Square), Baroque (University), Neoclassical (Opera), Historicism (Main Train Station), Art Nouveau (Department Store Feniks on the Market Square), Modernism (Centennial Hall), monumental architecture from the Nazi times (Lower Silesian Voivodeship building), Socialist realism (main building of the Technical University), Brutalism (Racławice Panorama building), and Modern architecture.

These are only a few examples of what kind of architecture you can find in Wroclaw. The city is a real playground for all architecture fans!

Admire Wroclaw from above

I love looking at the cities from above to see it from a different perspective. Fortunately, Wroclaw offers some amazing viewpoints that will help you get to know the city better.

I’ve visited four of them (and one more that is not really accessible) but apparently I missed the best one – from the tower of the Garrison Church (there is always a reason to return to Wroclaw again!).

The Penitent Bridge is probably the most unique viewpoint as you are on the bridge, 45 meters above the ground, connecting two towers of Mary Magdalene church.

It’s not the place for faint-hearted as looking down might give you chills but if you are brave enough you can enjoy a really nice view of Market Square and beyond.

Keep in mind that there is no elevator up and you need to walk over 200 stairs to get to the bridge. But it’s worth it!

In the Cathedral of St. John Baptist you can take the elevator up to the tower (there are still some steps included but not too many) and enjoy the view of Odra river floating around and Ostrow Tumski island – one of the oldest parts of Wroclaw.

The cathedral itself is worth visiting too. It was rebuilt after WW2 and now you can admire some spectacular monuments inside, such as a triptych Dormition of Mary from 1552 or many tombstones from the Middle Ages.

The Mathematical Tower, part of the main building of Wroclaw University, offers nice views of both, the Old Town and the islands on Odra river.

With the ticket to the tower, you can also see the beautiful interior of the university building as well as Aula Leopoldinum – a real baroque masterpiece. There is no elevator to the tower but taking the stairs isn’t too exhausting.

Another viewpoint, not so popular, is from the terrace of the restaurant in Hotel Monopol. It’s a bit of a fancy place but together with the food and drinks, you get a really nice view of the center of Wroclaw.

Hotel Monopol itself is the oldest hotel in Wroclaw, visited by some of the famous people of the world – Pablo Picasso or Marlena Dietrich.

See the city from a different perspective

Wroclaw, together with cities like Saint Petersburg, Hamburg or Amsterdam, is known as “Venice of the North”.

The second longest river in Poland – Odra – goes through Wroclaw, four smaller rivers confluent to Odra within the city’s borders. There is also an extensive network of canals as well as moss.

Wroclaw is a perfect city to see from the water’s perspective and that’s what you should definitely do when the weather is good!

You can go for the boat cruise or rent a boat or kayak and explore the city yourself. Either way, it will be a fun experience!

Click here to book the boat cruise.

Or you can go for the evening party boat, a perfect ending to your day in Wroclaw. Click here for details.

Visit the oldest part of Wroclaw – Ostrow Tumski

The former island of Ostrów Tumski is the oldest part of Wroclaw, with remnants of the first settlement from the 10th century. You need to come here for the viewpoint at the tower of Cathedral of St. John Baptist but there is more to see in the area.

Most of the buildings you will find here are religious but they are of the extremely high historical value and are worth paying attention to. Ostrów Tumski feels like a completely different world than the rest of Wroclaw.

It’s so peaceful and quiet, like the time has stopped here. A perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The bridge leading to Ostrow Tumski, Most Tumski, is known as the lovers’ bridge. There were lots of lovelocks on it but since it’s currently going through the renovation process they were all removed. Let’s see what happens once it’s open again.

Try to be here before the dusk. Everyday rain or shine, some 20-40 minutes before the sunset, the lamplighter walks around the area and light up 103 original gas lamps.

You are welcome to join him in his walk around, peek into his job and chat a bit. Only a few cities in Europe still have gas lamps (Brest, Belarus is one of them) but Wroclaw is the only one in Poland so this is a really unique attraction you can’t miss!

Go for grocery shopping to monumental Market Hall

You can find beautiful market halls in many places around the world (recently I visited a really lovely one in Santiago de Chile) but the one in Wroclaw is different than others.

It looks impressive already from the outside but it’s still nothing in comparison with the interior.

The market hall was built between 1905 and 1908 in the place where the former armory was located (two towers are its remnants). It was a very innovative project for its times, one of the first with the use of concrete.

Inside you will see a large open space with massive and monumental concrete arches. If you are a fan of architecture (I am) your heart will beat faster here, that’s how spectacular the place is!

If you are planning to do some grocery shopping this is the perfect place (many local people and chefs can’t be wrong). You can find here lots of fresh vegetables and fruits as well as other products. A really decent cafe, Cafe Targowa, is located here too.

See where one of the popular Polish TV-shows was filmed

A few years ago a tv-show called “Belfer” (“Teacher”) was very popular in Poland, I’ve been watching it too.

The second season was filmed in Wroclaw and one of the main venues was the main building of the Faculty of Architecture.

The building dates back to the very beginning of the 20th century and it was designed by leading Wroclaw’s architects of the period Karl Klimm and Richarda Plüddemanna (they are behind numerous buildings in the city from that period, including the Market Hall).

It is a wonderful example of art nouveau architecture and even if you haven’t seen the tv-show you should see this beauty.

The building is located next to the nice park, in a very pleasant residential area, and is a nice getaway from the center.

Find some interesting brutalism architecture

It’s no surprise I like brutalism architecture and try to find it everywhere. And I did it in Wroclaw too.

Besides the Market Hall that can be considered brutalist (even if it was built years before this style was popular) I really enjoyed the blocks of flats next to Grunwaldzki Bridge.

So-called “sedesowce” (or “Wroclaw’s Manhattan”) were designed by the well known local architect Jadwiga Grabowska-Hawrylak and built between 1970 and 1973. The complex of six residential blocks and three service pavilions will interest every fan of brutalism!

Nearby you can also stop by at the university campus to find the chemistry auditorium that desperately needs renovation.

Another interesting building is the pavilion of Racławice Panorama. The rotunda was built in 1985 to be home for the magnificent painting from the end of the 19th century (it was one of Lviv’s attractions but was moved to Poland after World War 2).

The painting impresses numerous visitors from all over the world, including some well-known people, but not many seem to pay attention to the building itself that is worth seeing too!

Admire some incredible Wroclaw’s bridges

Due to its location on the water, Wroclaw has a lot of bridges – the official number is 118.

The most beautiful and impressive ones are the Grunwaldzki Bridge and Zwierzyniecki Bridge. Both were designed by the architects mentioned above, Karl Klimm and Richarda Plüddemanna, and built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

See the building of the National Museum in autumn

Don’t get me wrong, it’s worth visiting the National Museum all year long but it’s extra special in autumn.

The museum building is all covered in leaves that turn into all shades of autumn colors, making it look just spectacular! Click here to see how amazing it is!

The National Museum itself has been established in this building in 1947 and shows exhibitions on Medieval art, Silesian art from 14th-16th century and Polish art until 19th century.

Find beautiful staircases

Wroclaw is beautiful not only outside but also inside. You can find here some beautiful and very picturesque staircases and tiled floors that will be a nice add-on to your Instagram feed.

One of them is at Plac Teatralny 1, entrance is next to the “Niezły Dym” pizza place. You need to ring the bell to enter the door but it’s definitely worth it!

Hang out at the islands

With all the water flowing through the city there are a few islands that are a nice addition to the cityscape.

The most popular one is probably Słodowa Island that is a nice getaway from the busy center. It is located across the university and is the unofficial students’ zone with lots of cultural activities and performances.

While in most of the places in Poland it is forbidden to drink alcohol in the public spaces, Słodowa Island is the official exception and you can enjoy a beer or two in here.

Explore edgy Nadodrze district

For years this part of the city was considered dangerous and shady but in the past few years it has been going through a major revival and is the cool, alternative and somehow edgy part of the city. You might compare it to Praga in Warsaw, Kazimierz in Krakow or Zizkov in Prague.

The district, with cobbled streets and tenant houses from the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, is full of cozy cafes, street art, charming corners, craftsmen’s shops and lots of tiny details that make the place unique.

You should take it easy here, just wander around aimlessly and discover what it has to offer. If you like alternative Berlin – you will like Nadodrze too!

Take the cable car across the river

Wroclaw has probably the shortest cable car I’ve seen but that’s already a big attraction. It connects two banks of Odra river and two parts of the Technical University, the journey takes some 2-3 minutes.

Students were often late for classes and using excuses that they were stuck in the traffic jam. So they got a cable car to be in time for classes.

But even if you are not a student you can use it. The regular ticket for public transport applies here, you can buy it in the ticket machine at the cable car station.

Admire the UNESCO gem – Centennial Hall

Most of the places on UNESCO World Heritage List are pretty and colorful but there are some unusual buildings too (like Villa Tugendhat in Brno, Czech Republic). And one of these surprising buildings is the Centennial Hall in Wroclaw, a real masterpiece of modernist architecture.

The Centennial Hall was opened in 1913 when Wroclaw hosted the Centennial Exhibition for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Leipzig.

The hall was built mostly with ferroconcrete, which was very innovative for its time. The dome has 65 meters span and it used to be the largest dome in the world.

The hall is used for events, exhibitions, and shows (some 20 years ago I was there at Nick Cave’s concert!).

When you are there be sure to walk around a bit as the park around is very pleasant too.

The best view of the Centennial Hall is from across the pond on the right side. That’s also where you can attend the light show in the evening.

Next to the hall, you can find the Japanese Garden that apparently is very nice too (but I haven’t been there yet).

You can visit the Centennial Hall and the surroundings on the guided tour – click here for details!

Find the colorful yard

Once you enter the gate at Ruska 46C street you will be transferred to a completely different world, full of typography and colors. That’s where you will find neon signs lighting brightly and making everyone smile.

The peculiar gallery was created here in 2005, when the passionate local man bought the first neon that was supposed to be destroyed (a story similar to Neon Museum in Warsaw). Now there are around 30 neon signs that used to advertise shops, companies, restaurants and more.

Recently the yard with the neons went through the renovation and now is shining brighter than before!

But these are not the only neon signs you can find in Wroclaw. Look carefully around as there are more of them on the streets.

Here is the map of all the neon signs you can find in Wroclaw.

Enjoy the nightlife

Since Wroclaw is the city of students (around 20% of the population) you can find some good nightlife options in here.

Two main hubs are “Nasyp” (“dyke”, close to the main train station) and the Four Temples District.

At “Nasyp” there is a long line of pubs and restaurants serving various food (I had good Czech and Georgian meals there). It’s opened until late night hours and always busy.

Sometimes you need to stop the conversation when a loud train is going above you but that just adds up to the overall atmosphere of the place.

The Four Temples District is just a stone’s throw away from the Market Place and besides the said temples you can find here multiple cafes, restaurants and pubs.

Some of them are hidden in the gates, like the one next to the Synagogue. It’s such a cool area to hang out!

Even if both places are alive until late evening you can enjoy them during the daytime too, you can come here for a delicious lunch, coffee or early drink with friends.

Find the unique bauhaus district

Once you are at the Centennial Hall walk across the park to get to WuWa district. The name WuWa stands for Wohnung und Werkraum – Home and Workplace.

The district was built in 1929 for the exhibition held in Wroclaw, to show the minimalist and cheap living arrangements.

11 Silesian architects were involved in this project and they created 32 example buildings in the popular at that time Bauhaus style. Today you can still walk around the area and admire the architecture.

Similar neighborhoods were created in Stuttgart, Prague, Brno and Zurich but the one in Wroclaw is considered to be of the highest architectural value.

Discover local street art scene

Wroclaw was one of the first cities in Poland that were actively involved in the street art scene. As a result, you can admire numerous works of local and world-famous artists on the city’s walls.

Some of the best places to find local street art are Neon’s Yard or Nadodrze district.

Discover Four Temples district

On a very small area between Ruska and Włodkowica streets, you can find four temples (hence the name of the place): Orthodox Church, Roman-Catholic Church, Synagogue and Evangelical Church (this reminds me a bit of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Jerusalem, Israel).

The district is known for its multicultural past and mutual understanding between religions and has been set as an example of collaboration between religions.

That’s also where you will find beautiful architecture and numerous restaurants, cafes and pubs. Lots of cultural events are held in this part of the city too.

The district is cool, hip, vibrant and on the weekends it’s alive until late at night.

Dream about studying at Wroclaw university

If everyone could study at Wroclaw university this part of the education would be so much nicer.

The University of Wroclaw was founded in 1702 as Leopoldina and was changed into the Polish university after World War 2, in 1945, based on the legacy of German universities in Wroclaw and Lviv University.

Its main building – Collegium Maximum – has one of the longest and most impressive facades in Central Europe but the real beauty hides inside.

The interior is splendid and rich in decorations. The biggest gems you can’t miss are Aula Leopoldinum and Oratorium Marianum, both famous for its stunning Baroque decor.

Here you will also find Mathematical Tower offering nice views of the city.

It is possible to visit the University and other Wroclaw attractions during the guided tour – click here for the details.

See one of the most beautiful train stations in Poland

You can find some beautiful train stations in Poland (like the one in Przemysl, for example) and the station in Wroclaw is definitely among them.

It was built in the Eclecticism style and opened in 1857. Over the years the station was expanded but the building remained impressive and beautiful, reminding a bit of a castle.

The place is a beautiful starting point for your trip to Wroclaw.

Explore Lower Silesia region – day trips from Wroclaw

While there are so many great things to do in Wroclaw, the city can be also a perfect base to explore the area around in the Lower Silesia region. This is one of the most interesting parts of Poland and offers so much to see and do!

You can visit the beautiful palaces and garden, go hiking in stunning mountains, visit charming spa towns, see beautiful church moved here from Norway, do sightseeing in some lovely cities – there are just so many options to choose from!

Click here to check some of the best day trips from Wroclaw!

For more of a unique experience, I recommend staying overnight in one of the castles near Wroclaw.

I stayed in Karpniki Castle and it was one of the best accommodations I’ve ever seen.

The castle, originally from the 15th century, was transformed into a beautiful place to stay, with tasteful details and stunning interior. Click here to see the details of Karpniki Castle accommodation.

You don’t need to limit yourself with day trips from Wroclaw to Poland only. You can also easily go to the Czech Republic or Germany. The border town Goerlitz is one of the most hidden gems of Central Europe that you definitely want to see!

Map of Wroclaw attractions

I put all the places mentioned above (and a few more) on the map so you can use it during your trip to Wroclaw. Click here to access the Google map.

Then click on the three dots in the upper left corner and download kmz/kml file. Upload it to your phone and open with maps.me application. Then you will be able to use the map offline when you visit Wroclaw!

Final thoughts on visiting Wroclaw

Wroclaw really is one of the most interesting, beautiful and worth visiting places in Poland.

With so many things to see and so, such a vibrant atmosphere and so many great day trips from Wroclaw you should spend at least a few days in the city. And I guarantee you will want to come back for more!

Further reading

I published many articles about Poland that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 37 Amazing Things to Do in Krakow, Poland
• 20 Great Places to Visit As Day Trips from Warsaw, Poland
• Visiting Auschwitz – How to Plan the Auschwitz Tour
• 17 Amazing Things to Do in Lublin, Poland
• The Complete Guide to Visiting Slownski National Park, Poland
• Visit Grudziadz – One of the Hidden Gems of Poland
• 19 Amazing Things to Do in Gdansk, Poland
• Visit Sandomierz, Poland – One of the Prettiest Towns in the Country
• Visiting Malbork Castle, Poland – the Largest Castle in the World
• and many more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in Central Europe and ask your questions there.

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• Sign up to my newsletter or follow me on Bloglovin to get updates about the new posts
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• I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to Poland too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Thank you!

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Disclaimer: during my last trip to Wroclaw I was hosted by Polish Tourism Organisation. As always all opinions and experiences described above remain my own and I really think Wroclaw is one of the best cities to visit in Poland.

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