WROCLAW TRAVEL GUIDE AND THINGS TO DO

106

Wroclaw is one of the most beautiful cities in Poland and a perfect destination for a city break. It has many attractions and a great historic centre to explore with beautiful architecture. The old market square is one of the most beautiful and largest in Europe. The city has a nice riverside setting, and it’s a great base for visits to Lower Silesia and the surrounding countryside.

This travel guide will help you plan the perfect trip to Wroclaw by showing you the best attractions, things to do and places to visit including a tourist map, photos and an itinerary with day trip suggestions.

Wroclaw is the main city and capital of Silesia, a southern region of Poland. Wroclaw has become a popular destination in the last few years due to the arrival of low-cost airlines at the local airport. It is a perfect destination for a city break and it can be combined with day trips to the rest of Silesia.

Wroclaw’s old town is an attractive place to wander around with the main highlight being the large old market square with the old Town Hall, one of the most beautiful in Poland. Some of the best attractions include the Cathedral Island (Ostrów Tumski), where the Cathedral of St John the Baptist is located, and the Panorama of Raclawice.

Wroclaw is also famous for its Christmas Market during December.

The best time to visit Wroclaw is during the summer months, late spring or early autumn for the best weather, as it is warm and sunnier, although in the summer months there is a high risk of rain and thunderstorms.

The peak tourist season is July and August. May, June and September are probably the best months for sightseeing and day trips as you can enjoy the sights with comfortable temperatures, but without the large crowds.

If you want to enjoy the Christmas Market you need to visit from mid-November to the 31st of December, but it can get very cold.

Two days will be enough to cover most of the major sights in the city at a relaxed pace, but you would need to stay longer if you want to combine your stay with day trips to Lower Silesia; probably 3 to 4 days will be good.

There are some very good hotels in the centre of Wroclaw with affordable prices.

The best place to stay is the old town of Wroclaw with all the major sights within walking distance. Ostrów Tumski is also a good choice.

Best hotels in Wroclaw

• Hotel Monopol: Nicely renovated historic building near the old town with a wonderful rooftop terrace, excellent breakfast and spa facilities.
• Hotel Altus Palace: Fabulous 5-star hotel in a beautiful building, recently restored, Very helpful staff and exceptional buffet breakfast.
• The Bridge Wroclaw – MGallery: A modern hotel located in Ostrów Tumski, close to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and 10min from the old town. With spa facilities and parking.
• AC Hotel by Marriott Wroclaw: A wonderful hotel offering large rooms with a beautiful pool, a lovely lounge area, just 5min from the main square.
• Double Tree by Hilton: Close to the centre, spacious rooms, friendly staff, with underground parking and great breakfast.
• Wyndham Wroclaw Old Town: Great location, right off the main square with large rooms and a good breakfast.
• Radisson Blu Hotel, Wroclaw: A great hotel in a good location close to the Panorama Raclawicka and the river overlooking Cathedral Island.
• PURO Wrocław Stare Miasto: A modern hotel located in the centre of Wrocław, just 500 metres from the Old Market Square with small but lovely rooms.
• Hotel HP Park Plazza: A great 4-star hotel located by the Oder River, a 10min walk from the old town.
• Art Hotel: Excellent location just 200m from the main square with a parking garage.
• SleepWalker Boutique Suites: Finely decorated rooms, and a 5min walk to the main square.
• Hotel Europeum: A boutique hotel, located in the heart of Wrocław, less than a 5-minute walk from the lively Market Square.
• Novotel Wrocław Centrum: Great hotel near the central train station, just a bit further away from the old town (15min walk).
• AbsyntApart Krawiecka: Nice apartments in the centre of Wroclaw, good value for money.
• Hostel Mleczarnia: A great hostel near the market square if you are looking for somewhere cheaper with private ensuite rooms available

Click here to check and compare prices on accommodation for the whole city of Wroclaw.

By Plane

Wroclaw Airport (Wrocław Nicolaus Copernicus Airport) is connected to a few European countries, like the UK, France, Germany, Italy & Spain. There are mainly low-cost airlines operating here, like Ryanair & Wizz Air, so flights can be quite affordable, even in the summer months.

Getting from/to the airport

The airport is located about 10km to the west of the city of Wroclaw and it can be reached by car, taxi or bus in about 25 to 40min.

There is bus line 106 that connects the airport with the main railway station and bus station of Wroclaw. The bus service is scheduled every 15-20 minutes and the bus ride takes about 40-50 minutes (depending on traffic in the city). There is also a night bus service (bus 206). You can pay by credit card or buy the ticket from the driver.

There are also taxis available outside the Arrivals Terminal, and the cost to the city centre is about €15-20.

Alternatively, you can also rent a car in one of the rental offices at the airport. The airport is the best place to book if you haven’t done it before you arrive. However, booking a car is only recommended if you are planning to do day trips to Silesia and the surrounding countryside.

By Land

Wroclaw is well connected with a good road network, bus and trains to the rest of Poland. Bus and train travel in Poland is very affordable and a good option if you want to explore nearby towns but can be time-consuming.

Rome2Rio is a good website for checking prices & times on train and bus travel.

By Car

I would only recommend hiring a car if you would like to explore the rest of Silesia as part of your visit to Wroclaw as you can make the most of your time and enjoy this beautiful part of the country without having to rely on public transport timetables. The best place to rent a car is the airport if you haven’t done it before you arrive.

Car rental is quite inexpensive, but it is always better to book in advance before your travel for the best deals. Also in high season, there might be low availability and the prices can be much higher if you leave it until you arrive. Check the link below to book and compare car rental prices.

Parking

There are various car parks and parking garages in the city centre where you can park your car for a fee.

You can also park on-street in various places. Payment can be made at the ticket machines that accept coins, cards or by mobile phone using an App. Parking in the city centre is free from 8pm to 9am.

Be aware that car traffic is restricted to areas of the Old Town.

By Taxi

Taxis are the most expensive way of travelling around the city but they are still more affordable compared to most European cities. The licenced taxis should be clearly marked with a beacon and a taximeter inside. The tariff is more expensive at night and on Sundays. It might be possible to pay by card but better to ask beforehand.

You can also use Uber.

By Train

Travelling by train is a convenient, fast and cheap way of exploring the nearby towns from Wroclaw. However, you will need to rely on the specific timetables and not ideal if you have limited time.

PKP InterCity operates all the long-distance express trains and connects Wroclaw with the rest of Poland. This is the fastest rail service.

Most of the regional and local train services in Poland are operated by Polregio.

Koleje Dolnoslaskie operates the local train network in Lower Silesia and connects Wroclaw with the various regional towns.

By Bus/Tram

The public transport in Wroclaw is very comprehensive and the easiest way to get around. There are trams and buses operating from 4am until midnight with various routes.

Public transport tickets can be bought at newsagents and in ticket machines near bus/tram stops. You can pay for them in cash or by card. Tickets are also available to buy from a ticket machine inside the bus or tram by card or via a mobile app. Prices and other information about tickets are available here.

More information regarding tickets, routes and timetables can be found here.

By Bike

Cycling is a good way of exploring the city and reaching neighbourhoods further away from the old town. There are some dedicated cycle routes and the city is relatively flat. There is a bicycle rental service, Nextbike, with rental points located throughout the centre and beyond. In order to rent a bike, you have to register in the Nextbike system.

There are many good Polish restaurants in the heart of Wroclaw offering authentic and typical Polish cuisine. For a cheaper option, you can try the traditional “Milk Bar”, which is government-subsidised cafeterias from Poland’s communist era offering low-cost traditional meals. Also, you cannot leave Wroclaw without trying the traditional doughnuts.

Best restaurants in Wroclaw

• Konspira: Beautifully decorated restaurant with an 80’s theme offering large dishes of traditional Polish food
• Nasza Paczkarnia: One of the best doughnut shops in Wroclaw. Variety of fillings. Pączek z serem (doughnut with sweet cheese) is amazing.
• Karczma Lwowska: One of the best Polish restaurants on the main square with a nice interior, Touristy but offers good traditional polish cuisine
• Restauracja Pod Fredra: Rather expensive restaurant in the main square but with good authentic polish food.
• Pierogarnia Rynek 26: A great place by the main square to taste the famous pierogi (dumplings).
• Bar Witek: Old fashioned fast food bar with good toasts and zapiekanka.
• Wrocławska: Fine traditional polish restaurant in the old town.
• Piekarnia gruzinska PURI: A good bakery for fresh buns and pastries close to the train station.
• Bar mleczny Mis: Traditional polish ‘milk bar’ with a cheap but good variety of dishes, in polish only.
• Restauracja Lepione Kuznicza: A modern self-service buffet-style restaurant with a great selection of dishes, close to the University

You can check the location of these restaurants on this map.

Local Cuisine

Polish cuisine is rich in meat, especially pork, potatoes and cabbage. It can be quite heavy but also delicious. Some well-known Polish dishes that you must try are pierogi, bigos, golabki and various soups.

• Pierogi: Flour dumplings with a variety of fillings either savoury or sweet (e.g. meat, cheese or berries). Served usually boiled, but also baked or fried.
• Bigos: A rich stew (‘hunter’s stew’) made of chopped meats and cabbage.
• Golabki: Cabbage rolls with minced meat and rice served with tomato sauce.
• Kotlet Schabowy: Pork cutlet coated in breadcrumbs. 
• Potato dumplings: Kluski slaskie (Silesian dumplings) or Kopytka.
• Placki Ziemniaczane: Potato pancakes served with sour cream or as an accompaniment.
• Barszcz or borscht: A clear beetroot soup, coloured in red, usually served with dumplings.
• Zurek: A typical sour soup of fermented cereal.
• Rolada: Traditional dish from Lower Silesia of rolled beef patty often served with Silesian dumplings.
• Paczki: Polish doughnuts with a great variety of fillings.
• Sernik: Polish cheesecake
• Makoviec: Poppy-seed swiss roll
• Kvass: A traditional fermented beverage with low alcohol

1. Market Square (Rynek): This is the main attraction of the city, surrounded by attractive restored townhouses and the amazing gothic town hall in the centre. It comes alive in the evenings with tourists and locals enjoying strolling or sitting in cafes, bars or restaurants. There are usually street performers in the evenings. It is one of the largest squares in Poland as well as Europe’s.
2. Ostrów Tumski: This is the site where Wroclaw was founded and one of the most interesting and oldest parts of the city. It was formerly an island and it is now connected with Tumski bridge to Piasek Island. It is a great place by the river to wander around, with some fine churches and the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.
3. Cathedral of St. John the Baptist: This is a beautiful cathedral, built in the 14th century, but damaged in WWII, and reconstructed. You can take the lift to one of the towers that provides the best views over the river and the city.
4. Wroclaw Old Town Hall: This is one of the finest buildings of gothic architecture in Poland with an impressive facade and ornamental decorations. It now houses the Museum of Bourgeois Art.
5. Church of St. Elizabeth: This is an impressive gothic church, built in the 14th century, with a tall tower offering the best views of the market square. You need to climb the tower by a narrow spiral staircase (about 300 stairs), but worth the effort. The price is 15 zl (cash only).
6. Cathedral of St Mary Magdelene: This is a fine Gothic church built in the 15th century that provides views of the city from a bridge between its towers (Bridge of Penitents). The bridge is only accessible by stairs and costs 15 zl.
7. Panorama of Raclawice: This is a huge 360-degree painting, housed in a Rotunda building, that shows the battle of Raclawice. This is a popular attraction in Wroclaw, so better to book it online in advance. A ticket holder can visit the National Museum for free.
8. Plac Solny: A beautiful small square next to the main market square.
9. Wroclaw University: This is a fine baroque building with a beautiful assembly hall full of frescoes. The Mathematical Tower Of Wroclaw University provides some fine views over the city.
10. National Museum: The museum is housed in an attractive 19th-century building facing the river. It displays mainly Polish gothic art including sculptures and paintings by Silesian artists.
11. Church of the Holy Cross and St. Bartholomew: An impressive two-tiered gothic church, close to the cathedral.
12. Centennial Hall: This is a grand circular building designed by Max Berg and built in 1911. It now functions as an events venue for major exhibitions, sports events or trade fairs. It is part of the Unesco World Heritage Site List. The surrounding grounds contain a pond and a steel needle. Also, a multimedia fountain located on the premises of Centennial Hall displays a music and light show after the sun sets. This operates only during the summer months (May until October).
13. Four Denomination District: It is an interesting neighbourhood where four religious denominations historically coexisted: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Jewish. There are some fine churches and the area is full of bars and cafes.
14. Plac Nankiera: A nice little square with the Cathedral of St. Vincent and St. James, the gothic church of St, Matthew and the church of St. Clare.
15. Church of Holy Name of Jesus: This is a fine example of Silesian baroque architecture with a fine interior.
16. Church of St. Mary on Piasek: Impressive gothic catholic church on Piasek island with a fine collection of gothic altars.
17. Church of St. Martin: A small roman catholic church dating from the late 13th century.
18. Archibishop’s Palace: A nice building that is the residence of the Archibishop only seen from the outside.
19. Botanical Gardens: This is the Botanical Garden of the University of Wroclaw and one of the best in Poland. It contains ponds, fountains, bridges and thousands of plant species.
20. City Museum of Wroclaw: This museum is housed in a fine baroque building. The building used to be the royal palace and residence of the Prussian King. It has an exhibition about Wroclaw history, as well as a gallery of Silesian Art.
21. Museum of Architecture: This is a fine monastic building that now houses Poland’s Museum of Architecture. The are not many exhibits, but the building is beautiful. Free on Wednesdays.
22. Museum of Natural History: This museum has a big collection of animals and plants; popular with children.
23. Szczytnicki Park: An 18th-century park for a pleasant stroll with a Japanese garden, pavilion and footbridges.
24. Wroclaw Comedy Theatre: Historical building for theatre performances
25. Museum of the Archdiocese: This museum contains Silesian religious art from the middle ages. It is currently closed for renovation.
26. The White Stork Synagogue: An interesting 19th-century synagogue with exhibits about the history of Jewish people in Wroclaw.
27. Church of St. Stanislaus, St. Wenceslas, and St. Dorothea: A Gothic church with a baroque interior.
28. Hydropolis: This is a science interactive museum of water. Good for kids.
29. Opera Wrocławska: 19th-century opera house with beautiful exterior and interior. It has opera performances as well as ballet and concerts.
30. Church and Monastery of St. Adalbert: Another great Gothic church in the heart of the city.

1. Swidnica

Swidinica is a pretty town with a fine market square and a 14th-century cathedral, well worth a visit.

The main attraction is the Church of Peace located within a short walk from the town centre. It is a timber-framed Protestant church built in the 17th century, one of the few of its kind and part of the Unesco World Heritage Site List.

The Cathedral of Saints Stanislaw and Wenceslas is an impressive Gothic church with a beautiful baroque interior and a high tower.

2. Ksiaz Castle

Ksiaz Castle (Zamek Książ) is located north of the city of Walbrych. It is a great excursion from Wroclaw although it is a bit difficult to get there without your own transport.

It is an impressive sight situated on a rocky hill surrounded by forest. It used to be a Gothic castle, rebuilt in the 16th century when bought by one of the wealthy Silesian families.

During WWII it was converted into Hitler’s headquarters. There are tours of the tunnels drilled into the hill under the castle.

They are paid guided tours of the interior of the castle and gardens, and you can also explore the surrounding park for free. A nice walk is towards the viewpoint for a fine view of the castle.

More information on how to get there without a car can be found here.

Both above excursions (Swidnica and Ksiaz Castle) can easily be combined in one full-day trip.

3. Church of Peace in Jawor

This is another beautiful timber-framed church and part of the Unesco World Heritage Site List located in Jawor and well worth a visit.

4. Jelania Gora

This is a nice town in Lower Silesia further away from Wroclaw and a popular destination for hikers.

It has a beautiful market square with arcade town houses and a nice gothic basilica.

5. Czocha Castle

This is a picturesque castle by a lake and a popular attraction in Lower Silesia.

It was built in the 14th century but it has been renovated and now is a hotel.

You can click on the map below for the location of the best attractions and places to visit in Wroclaw.

It is worth staying in Wroclaw for 2 to 4 days if you want to explore it and combine it with day trips to the surrounding region. Two days should be enough to explore the city. The following itinerary includes things to do for 3 days with overnight stay in Wroclaw.

Day 1: Wroclaw Old Town

• Start with a tour of the old market square (Rynek)
• Admire the Old Town Hall
• Climb the tower of the Church of St. Elizabeth for great views of the square
• Continue towards the University and Plac Nankiera
• See the Cathedral of St Mary Magdelene and the Bridge of Penitents for more views
• Visit beautiful Plac Solny
• Wander around the Four Denomination District
• Walk on the pedestrian street where the Opera is located
• In the afternoon enjoy a walk at Szczytnicki Park or visit the zoo if you have kids
• In the evening go back to the market square for a stroll and a meal.

Day 2: Ostrów Tumski

• Enjoy a walk by the river and Piasek Island
• Cross the Tumski Bridge to the Cathedral Island
• Visit the Cathedral of St John the Baptist
• Take the lift to the top of the tower for great views of the river and city.
• Cross the Peace Bridge for an optional visit to the National Museum
• Visit the Panorama of the Battle of Racławice
• Optional visit to the Botanical Gardens in the afternoon
• In the evening visit Centennial Hall to enjoy the light show

Day 3: Swidnica & Ksiaz Castle

Visit Swidinica and Ksiaz Castle on a day trip from Wroclaw.

You can check the best photographs from Wroclaw here.

Here is a list of the best viewpoint locations in Wroclaw where you enjoy great views.

1. Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
2. Church of St. Elizabeth
3. Bridge of Penitents
4. Mathematical Tower Of Wroclaw University
5. Sky Tower
6. Xawery Dunikowski Boulevard
7. Bastion Ceglarski
8. Piotr Włostowic Boulevard

You can check these viewpoints’ locations and the best photo spots of Wroclaw on the following map.

Lower Silesia Tour

Lower Silesia Tour From Wroclaw is an 8hr full-day tour of Lower Silesia from Wroclaw. The tour includes visits to the Church of Peace in Świdnica and its market square and Ksiaz Castle. Price: €129.

Wroclaw Old Town Walking Tours

Wroclaw Old Town Guided Walking Tour is a small group walking tour that lasts for 2 hr to explore the streets of Wroclaw’s historic centre with a knowledgeable local guide. Price: €35.

There are also free walking tours with GuruWalk. These tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guide at the end of the tour the amount that he considers appropriate.

Wroclaw Food Tour

Delicious Wroclaw Food Tour is a small group tour that lasts about 3hr to get a taste of Wroclaw’s culinary culture on a food and walking tour led by a guide. Price: €84.

Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour

Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour from Wrocław is a full-day trip (10h) to Auschwitz-Birkenau from Wrocław. The tour includes transportation by minibus, entrance fees to the museum and concentration camp, snacks, and hotel pickup and drop-off in Wrocław. This visit is probably more suitable when you visit Krakow, as the site is much closer from there. I don’t think it’s worth the money and time to do it from Wroclaw but if that’s your only chance, it’s something to consider.

Major Festivals & Events

• The Wroclaw Christmas Market is regarded as one of the best Christmas markets in Poland; it is usually open from mid-November to 31st of December. It is located on Marquet Square and Plac Solny.

More information about excursions & tours in Wroclaw can be found here.

You can also search for activities hosted by locals on Airbnb experiences.

Check the following video slideshow to get further inspiration to visit Wroclaw 🙂

Some good websites for more information about Wroclaw:

• VisitWroclaw: The official tourist website of Wroclaw.
• WroclawGuide.com: A great travel blog and guide about Wroclaw written by two locals.

Some good travel guides to buy before you visit Wroclaw:

• DK Eyewitness Poland: A great guide about Poland that includes information about Wroclaw.
• Lonely Planet Poland: Another good guide for Poland that includes information about Wroclaw.

• Flights: I always use Skyscanner as my first choice as it’s so easy to use and you can search best deals by month. Google Flights is another very good search engine.
• Accommodation: I always use Booking.com as my first choice, as it offers a great choice of accommodation at affordable prices and it’s so easy to use. Airbnb is a great alternative for homes and apartments to rent by real homeowners. HotelsCombined is one of the best search engines to check deals from different websites.
• Car Rental: I always check Skyscanner for the cheapest car rental options. Discover Cars is also a good and easy-to-use website with great prices.
• Public Transport: Rome2Rio is a good website for checking prices & times on train and bus travel.
• Day Trips & Tours: Viator provides the most comprehensive list of day trips and you can book directly with them. GetYourGuide is also a great place to search for tours & activities to do.
• Travel Insurance: SafetyWing is a great choice for long-term travellers and digital nomads. Alternatively, you can use one of the price comparison websites for cheaper quotes.

Sharing is caring!