Wroclaw – best things to do in my favorite Polish city

Last Updated on January 19, 2022

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Poland has many beautiful cities, but Wroclaw is and will always be my favorite. Some might say I’m biased, because I spent 4 years living there while in college. While it’s probably true, that there is some sort of connection and sentiment there, but the beauty of the city is undeniable. If you are looking for a destination in Poland, that is not Krakow or Warsaw, consider visiting Wroclaw. The city is a great combination of history, culture and beauty, and there are many things to do in Wroclaw, that will keep you entertained.

About Wroclaw, Poland

Wroclaw is the 4th largest city in the country. It’s located in Western Poland in the Silesia region, on the Oder River ( Odra ). In 2016, Wroclaw was named the Cultural Capital of Europe, which doesn’t come as a surprise. With many theaters, museums and an Opera, cultural life thrives in Wroclaw. This recognition gave Wroclaw an opportunity to host various cultural events, which brought the city the much deserved attention. Wroclaw is also a vibrant student city, as it’s home to one of the best and biggest universities in the country: Uniwersytet Wroclawski.

Things to do in Wroclaw

Visit Market Square ( Stary Rynek )

Market Squares are very characteristic to Polish cities, and Wroclaw is not an exception. Rynek, as it’s called in Polish, is the heart of the city and a very lively place, no matter what time of year you visit. In the summer, it’s bustling with action, from the many street performers to people enjoying the outdoor cafes and restaurants. Come December, and you will find an amazing Christmas Market, that could easily compete with the ones in Germany.

Market Square in Wroclaw is one of the largest in Europe, and without a question one of the most beautiful ones. Even though it got severely destroyed during World War II, the reconstruction brought it back to what it used to be. Visiting the Square is one of the top things to do in Wroclaw, and for a good reason. Besides the lively atmosphere, you can soak in all the beauty around you and the beauty of the Market Square in Wroclaw is undeniable. The houses surrounding it are painted vibrant colors, and represent different architectural styles. In the center sits the Old Town City Hall, that impresses with its size and architecture ( more on that later ).

As a contrast to all the colorful, historic buildings in the Market Square, there is a modern glass fountain. When it first appeared, it caused quite the controversy, with the critics slamming its modern appearance against the historical buildings. Despite all the protests, the President of Wroclaw approved its placement, and even though it was supposed to stay there for 2 years, it’s still there after all these years. Some people love, some hate it, but one thing is sure, the Fountain is now an integral part of the Square.

Old Town Hall ( Ratusz )

The Gothic style Old Town Hall sits in the center of the Market Square. It’s construction began in the 13th century, and the building wasn’t completely finished till 250 later.

Go on a Dwarf hunt

As soon as you start walking through the streets of Wroclaw, you will notice little bronze statues in various locations. In front of hotels, banks, restaurants and other businesses. Dwarfs, or Krasnale in Polish, are simply everywhere. They each come with a name and a personality. It won’t be long until you start wondering, what is up with all these dwarfs? To explain this cute, yet quirky addition to the city, you first need to know a little bit of Polish history and its communist past.

Back in the 1980s, when Poland was under communist rule, an underground movement Orange Alternative would use the Dwarf symbol as a way to protest against it. Years later, in 2001, to honor that movement, the first dwarf Papa Krasnal appeared in the former meeting spot, for those involved in Orange Alternative. I don’t think anyone expected that this tribute would start a dwarf craze in Wroclaw. 

Fast forward to 2005, a local sculptor Tomasz Moczek was asked to create five dwarfs to be placed in and around the Market Square. They instantly became a hit and a unique attraction in Wroclaw. More and more dwarfs were created and now there are about 400 of the one foot statues all over the city. Finding as many as you can became sort of a mission, for both kids and adults. You can follow a map ( sold at the tourist office ), but simply walking around the city and finding them in random places is the most fun. It’s without a question, one of the most unique things to do in Wroclaw.

To learn more about this unique attraction, read Hunting for Dwarfs in Wroclaw.

Visit Jatki

In case you didn’t have enough of bronze statues, you can find even more in another one of Wroclaw attractions. A short walk from the Market Square, there’s a small alley called Jatki. This area used to be a butcher’s quarter, and bronze statues of farm animals were placed there as a memorial to slaughtered animals. They are especially popular with little kids, and Jatki is sure worth a quick visit. The old butcher’s shops were converted into stores, that now sell polish crafts and art. 

Cathedral Island ( Ostrów Tumski )

One of the best things to do in Wroclaw, is to head across the Tumski Bridge to Cathedral Island. Ostrów Tumski, as it’s called in Polish, is the oldest part of the city dating back to 900. It’s a very picturesque and quiet area, perfect for a stroll away from the bustle of the city center.

Cathedral Island is home to many churches. The main and most visited is the Cathedral of St John the Baptist ( Katedra św. Jana Chrzciciela ). You can spot its double spires from far away. This beautiful, Gothic church is free to visit. If you enjoy panoramic views of the city, you can head up to one of the towers for 7 zloty. They’re open every day in the summer, but more limited other part of the year. 

Visiting Cathedral Island and Tumski Bridge after dark is especially magical. Each day at dusk the lamplighter makes the rounds and lights up all the 103 gas lanterns on the island. If you time it right, you can see him in action, which is an attraction in itself. There are only two cities in Europe left, that still employ a lamplighter, and Wroclaw is one of them. Look for a man wearing a black cape and a tall hat, and it will sure take you back in time.

Take a Boat cruise on the Oder River

To take a break from all the walking around, head down to the river and take a 45 minute boat ride. It’s quite relaxing and especially enjoyable on a hot summer day. There are a couple different boats to choose from, but they’re basically offering the same ride, for the same price. If you are heading to the Wroclaw Zoo, the boat can be used as a water taxi, as it has a stop right by it.

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How to get to Wroclaw, Poland

By plane

Wroclaw is easily reachable by air from many other European destinations. Copernicus Airport is located just 8 miles ( 13 km ) west of the city.

By train

Wroclaw is very well connected with other Polish cities by a railway system. To be completely honest, I prefer taking a train to driving, when it comes to getting around Poland. Wrocław Główny is the main train station, one of the biggest in the country.

By bus

While trains are faster and cheaper, buses are another way of getting to Wroclaw, especially from the nearby cities. If you are traveling through Eastern Europe and are visiting Prague prior to coming to Poland, Wroclaw and Czech Republic’s capital are just 4 hours apart by bus. It’s a very popular route, and a few bus companies offer this service, with buses leaving multiple times a day.

How to get from Wroclaw airport to city center

Copernicus Airport is located just 8 miles ( 13 km ) away from the city center and there are a few ways to get there.

• Express bus – a shuttle bus connecting the Airport with the Wroclaw main train station ( in the city center ) in just 30 minutes with one stop in between ( Pl. Dominikanski ). The first bus leaves at 4:10 am and last at 1 am. The ride costs 10 zloty, paid directly to the driver.
• Local bus Nr 106 – if you want to save a few zlotys, and don’t mind more stops during your ride, hop on the local bus 106 , that connects the Airport with Dworcowa Street ( Main tran station ).You will need one regular bus ticket for 3,40 zloty and the ride will be about 40 minutes ( depending on time of the day and traffic ).
• Taxi – if convenience is your top priority and you prefer door to door service, you can hop in one of the taxis. Expect to pay 60-80 zloty for the 20 minute ride.

How to get around Wroclaw, Poland

Walking

Walking is always my preferred way of getting around a new destination, and it’s no different with Wroclaw. This way you can take in all the sights and what’s around you, and most likely discover spots, you might have missed otherwise.

Public transportation

Most big cities in Poland, including Wroclaw, have excellent public transportation. You can get around the city either by bus or a tram, and both are very frequent and cheap. Tickets can be bought from automated machines at almost every stop.

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If you enjoyed this article, you can download it via the GPSmyCity app – it will give you access to the guide, you will be able to use, even if you’re offline. Download it here.

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