Wroclaw travel guide
Wroclaw Tourism | Wroclaw Guide
You're Going to Love Wroclaw
With its elegant historical market square, impressive cathedral, and beautiful riverfront neighborhood, Wroclaw is everything you'd hope an Eastern European city could be. Stunning to look at, buzzing with nightlife, and culturally vibrant, it's a fantastic urban destination.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Wroclaw
1. The Exquisite Historical Core
Built around Rynek, the market square (which still hosts a lively market), Wroclaw's Old Town is a mixture of medieval Gothic and later baroque and rococo architecture.
2. Beautiful Churches
Wroclaw's religious architecture is second to none in southeastern Poland. Anyone who appreciates soaring Gothic engineering and sculpture will adore Cathedral Island.
3. Fabulous Cultural Attractions
Wroclaw is southeastern Poland's cultural hub, hosting the multinational Dialog Festival as well as summertime organ festivals and events dedicated to ambient music.
4. Superb Nightlife
Wroclaw and nightlife are synonymous in Poland, and anyone who loves clubbing or bar hopping will be in for a treat; visit the bars around Rynek or nightlife complexes like Pasaz Niepolda.
5. The Odra River
One of Wroclaw's major attractions is the River Odra, which is a wonderful place to walk, cycle, or kayak.
What to do in Wroclaw
1. Old Market Square: An Indestructible Civic Landmark
Known locally as Rynek, the Old Market Square is Wroclaw's charming civic core. Dating back to the medieval era, Rynek has been a thriving marketplace for centuries, but it's not as ancient as it might seem. From the immense Old City Hall to the tiny flogging post used to punish criminals, everything you see was reconstructed after the siege of Wroclaw in 1945. And no expense was spared. These days, the Town Hall contains a magnificent art collection, while Plac Solny contains a flower market that almost never closes. With so many wonders to enjoy, you'd never know the area had such a turbulent past.
2. Ostrów Tumski: Wroclaw's Ancient Heart
Literally meaning "Cathedral Island" in Polish, Ostrów Tumski is the oldest section of Wroclaw and is home to a wealth of historical treasures. Crossing over the bridge and down Katedralna, visitors are transported to another Poland entirely - one where religion ruled the roost, but not entirely (the famous libertine Casanova lived here for a few years too). It's hard to believe that so many beautiful churches could be concentrated on so few square meters, and standouts like the Cathedral of St John the Baptist and the Church of the Holy Cross are among the city's most breathtaking buildings.
3. Wrocławska Fontanna: Incredible Illuminations for a Summer Evening
Between April and October, the ornamental ponds in the Wroclaw Exhibition Grounds become one of the most magical light and water shows anywhere on earth. Spread across 1 hectare of the ponds, the fountain was opened in 2009 and incorporates over 300,000 water jets and 800 colored lamps which create dazzling spectacles when night falls over the city. Bring a few bottles of Polish beer, a picnic of pierogi and sausage, and relax in front of a truly spectacular (and free) show.
4. Centennial Hall: Concrete Has Never Looked More Beautiful
Where the Fontanna is a watery wonder, the Centennial Hall is one of the most famous concrete structures in Europe. Built just before World War I to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the city's rebellion against Napoleon, the building centers upon a 23-meter-tall concrete dome, which caps a 7,500-seat theater. If you get a chance, it's a fantastic sporting arena, regularly hosting basketball events. It's also a busy conference venue, although guided tours let you explore this concrete marvel almost any day of the year.
5. Raclawice Panorama: Art on a Gigantic Scale
Located in an attractive park just east of the city center, the Raclawice Panorama is a unique artistic attraction. Painted by a consortium of Polish patriots in the 19th century, the panorama depicts the doomed but inspirational Battle of Racławice, which took place in 1794. It was initially housed in Lvov, but then transplanted to Wroclaw in the 1980s into its own circular building, where the majesty and sheer scale of this 15 by 115 meter behemoth can be appreciated.
1. Old Market Square: An Indestructible Civic Landmark
Known locally as Rynek, the Old Market Square is Wroclaw's charming civic core. Dating back to the medieval era, Rynek has been a thriving marketplace for centuries, but it's not as ancient as it might seem. From the immense Old City Hall to the tiny flogging post used to punish criminals, everything you see was reconstructed after the siege of Wroclaw in 1945. And no expense was spared. These days, the Town Hall contains a magnificent art collection, while Plac Solny contains a flower market that almost never closes. With so many wonders to enjoy, you'd never know the area had such a turbulent past.
2. Ostrów Tumski: Wroclaw's Ancient Heart
Literally meaning "Cathedral Island" in Polish, Ostrów Tumski is the oldest section of Wroclaw and is home to a wealth of historical treasures. Crossing over the bridge and down Katedralna, visitors are transported to another Poland entirely - one where religion ruled the roost, but not entirely (the famous libertine Casanova lived here for a few years too). It's hard to believe that so many beautiful churches could be concentrated on so few square meters, and standouts like the Cathedral of St John the Baptist and the Church of the Holy Cross are among the city's most breathtaking buildings.
3. Wrocławska Fontanna: Incredible Illuminations for a Summer Evening
Between April and October, the ornamental ponds in the Wroclaw Exhibition Grounds become one of the most magical light and water shows anywhere on earth. Spread across 1 hectare of the ponds, the fountain was opened in 2009 and incorporates over 300,000 water jets and 800 colored lamps which create dazzling spectacles when night falls over the city. Bring a few bottles of Polish beer, a picnic of pierogi and sausage, and relax in front of a truly spectacular (and free) show.
4. Centennial Hall: Concrete Has Never Looked More Beautiful
Where the Fontanna is a watery wonder, the Centennial Hall is one of the most famous concrete structures in Europe. Built just before World War I to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the city's rebellion against Napoleon, the building centers upon a 23-meter-tall concrete dome, which caps a 7,500-seat theater. If you get a chance, it's a fantastic sporting arena, regularly hosting basketball events. It's also a busy conference venue, although guided tours let you explore this concrete marvel almost any day of the year.
5. Raclawice Panorama: Art on a Gigantic Scale
Located in an attractive park just east of the city center, the Raclawice Panorama is a unique artistic attraction. Painted by a consortium of Polish patriots in the 19th century, the panorama depicts the doomed but inspirational Battle of Racławice, which took place in 1794. It was initially housed in Lvov, but then transplanted to Wroclaw in the 1980s into its own circular building, where the majesty and sheer scale of this 15 by 115 meter behemoth can be appreciated.
Where to Eat in Wroclaw
Over 700 years old, Piwnica Świdnicka is one of the oldest restaurants in Europe and is a magnet for diners, while other Polish restaurants include Pod Papugami and Przystań, with its fantastic riverside views. Expect meals to cost about zł120.
When to visit Wroclaw
Summer is the best time to visit Wroclaw as it is both the warmest time of year and festival season. Expect temperatures above 75 degrees most of the time during July and August.
How to Get to Wroclaw
Plane
Wrocław-Copernicus Airport (WRO) offers connections to many other European cities. To reach the city, take bus number 106 (zł3) or expect to pay around zł60 for a taxi.
Train
You can reach Wroclaw by train from Warsaw, Prague, and many German cities. All trains arrive at Wroclaw Glowny, a recently modernized station just south of the main square.
Car
If you are driving from Warsaw, take the E67 all the way to Wroclaw. The same road also runs from Prague to Wroclaw across the Czech-Polish border.
Bus
Bus companies serving Wroclaw include Eurolines and PolskiBus, with a wide variety of connections available.
Airlines serving Wroclaw
Where to stay in Wroclaw
Rynek - a market square since medieval times, Rynek is home to the town hall, the lively market, and most of Wroclaw's bars.
Popular Neighborhoods in Wroclaw
Cathedral Island - owned by the Catholic Church since the 14th century, Cathedral Island is a must-see thanks to the stunning cathedral.
Nadodrze - in the process of reinvention by artists, theater, and music venues, Nadodrze is where tourists go to find Wroclaw's creative community in full flower.
Where to stay in popular areas of Wroclaw
Most booked hotels in Wroclaw
How to Get Around Wroclaw
Public Transportation
MPK Wroclaw provides trams and buses, and charges a single fare of zł3 for 30 minutes, zł4.40 for an hour.
Taxi
Taxis in Wroclaw tend to charge a meter drop of zł6, followed by zł4.50 per mile after that. All cabs will charge extra after 10 pm.
Car
You can rent a car from Avis, Europcar, and Hertz, which is a handy way to see the sights. Expect to pay around zł50 per day.
The Cost of Living in Wroclaw
Shopping Streets
The Old Town around Rynek is the core of Wroclaw's shopping district, with plenty of pedestrianized streets to explore. Check out city center malls like Galeria Dominikańska or Galeria Handlowa.
Groceries and Other
Supermarkets in Wroclaw include Biedronka and Carrefour. Prices should be low, at around zł9 for a gallon of milk.