11 best things to do in Wrocław - complete Wrocław tourist guide

There are lots of things to do in Wrocław as it is one of the major cities in Poland. But not only is it important.

Together with Gdansk, Warsaw and Krakow, Wrocław is one of the most beautiful cities in Poland. I would even say it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe!

Because of its climate, Wrocław is also one of the best summer destinations in Europe.

It is the capital of Lower Silesian county and is located on the Oder river banks. It is sometimes called The City of 100 Bridges - there are over 130 bridges in Wrocław!

There are so many great places to visit in Wrocław, monuments and restaurants that you can come here anytime and be sure you will not get bored in this amazing city.

OK, without further ado let's have a look at Wrocław top attractions.

1. Looking for gnomes

Searching gnomes is one of the most laughable things to do in Wrocław 🧡.

Some say Wrocław could also be called The City of Dwarves – there are 600 figures of dwarves placed randomly here and there (as of May 2024). And the number is still growing! I like this idea - it spices up the city's atmosphere. Good thing is that the gnomes can be found all over the city, not only in Wrocław city center.

You may try to hunt down some of the gnomes and take as many pictures as possible, but the clever beasts are not as simple to find as you would think.

Wrocław gnomes can lurk over the windows few metres above the ground, sometimes they are stuck closely on the wall, some are hidden behind an object - you will need a keen eye for detail to spot them. 😉

The origin of Wrocław gnomes was... politics.

In the '80s in Poland, there was Orange Alternative - an underground anti-communist formation that used absurdity and nonsense to show peaceful but subversive protests.

For instance, the protesters who disagreed with public space censorship drew funny anti-communist signs and pictures. The most popular theme in Wrocław was dwarves.

In 2001, to commemorate the Orange Alternative, the first dwarf figure was placed on Świdnicka street where the group's happenings usually took place.

If you'd like to get to know all Wrocław attractions during just one tour, check out this option on Get Your Guide:

2. Ostrów Tumski

I consider this area as one of the best attractions in Wrocław Old Town and one of the most unique places in Poland.

Ostrów Tumski is the oldest part of Wrocław. Its beginning date back to the 10th century! In the past, Ostrów Tumski belonged to the church and now sacral monuments are the most precious object in this part of Wrocław Old Town.

In Ostrów Tumski you will get to see the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. For me, it is the most impressive church in Wrocław. It is a Gothic sacral building which beginnings reach the 13th century. The Cathedral is considered to be the first Gothic church in Poland.

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is a real treat for architecture lovers - the impressive building is famous for its numerous artful adornments. There are also the biggest organs in Poland. An audio guide in several languages is available for visitors.

If you decided to visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, you should also take a lift on to the viewpoint on cathedral tower to admire amazing Wrocław panorama.

Visiting the cathedral on Ostrów Tumski is free. Fees apply only for access to the viewpoint and to the chapels.

The tower is closed on Mondays but the cathedral is available for visiting every day.

In Ostrów Tumski there are a few other notable sacral buildings. One of them is Saint Giles' church - the oldest church in Wroclaw.

Another interesting place in Ostrów Tumski is Collegiate Church of the Holy Cross and St. Bartholomew - an impressive brick Gothic church. In front of it, there is the biggest in the world statue of Saint John of Nepomuk.

Despite the fact that Ostrów Tumski is no longer an island, there are still bridges leading to this area.

The most popular bridge is Tumski bridge, also known as The Love Bridge. There are several hundred of locks which contain love confessions.

I highly recommend visiting Ostrów Tumski in the evening. After dusk, this area shows its second magical countenance. Perhaps it is caused by gas street lamps which are still lit by lamplighter, or maybe over a thousand-year-old history full of legends which seems to lurk from every corner of Ostrów Tumski.

If you would like to visit this area along with other parts of Wrocław Old Town on a guided tour, check out the below option:

3. Botanical Garden of the University of Wrocław

One more place worth your attention in Ostrów Tumski is Botanical Garden of the University of Wrocław. It is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the country. It was founded in 1811 and initially served as a teaching and research facility for the University.

The garden covers an area of about 7.4 hectares and is divided into several sections, including systematic and ecological plant collections, greenhouses, ponds, and a rock garden. You will find there a wide range of plant species, including many rare and endangered species.

It is a quiet place where you can go for a walk - it is a truly relaxing experience.

Botanical Garden of the University of Wrocław is open every day from April 1st until October 31st, 9AM - 6PM. In high season (May-August) it is open until 7 PM. An adult ticket costs 30 PLN.

Address: Henryka Sienkiewicza 23 Street.

4. Japanese Garden

Endorsed by Veronika of Travelgeekery

If you are looking for an oasis within the city limits of Wroclaw, the Japanese Garden in Wrocław is the best place to go to. When you enter, you will immediately find yourself surrounded by calm greenery.

You can walk in a forest-like arrangement, admire little waterfalls, stroll along a pond... Everything you would imagine a Japanese Garden to be, plus more. It combines features of several types of gardens: public, water, associated with tea ceremony, and rocky beach. Compositionally, it is well thought out and as consistent as a samurai's path.

The plant collection in the Japanese Garden consists of approximately 200 species of trees, shrubs, and flowers, of which about 30 originate from the Far East and Japan.

Even the fish in the pond of the Japanese Garden - Koi carp - are not chosen randomly. They are obligatory residents of traditional Japanese gardens. Koi carp is a symbol of luck, courage, and longevity. Fish of this species can live up to 70 years.

In the Japanese Garden, you may be lucky to admire tea brewing demonstrations, concerts, and outdoor events.

Unusual vegetation, surprising arrangements, and symbolic spatial compositions make the Garden still considered a true treasure by botany and ichthyology enthusiasts.

It was created already at the beginning of the 20th century, but due to decades of decay and a flood that came at a time of a major renovation, today’s well-manicured look of the Japanese Garden is owed to a reconstruction that was carried out in 1999.

You can visit the Garden from spring until autumn. In fact, it is one of the best places to visit in Wrocław in the heat of summer, when you just feel like relaxing in the shade.

The entrance costs just 21 PLN for an adult and is the best investment in having a nice time in a relaxing environment.

Opening hours:

summertime (April 1st - October 31st):
open everyday 9AM - 7PM
wintertime (November 1st - March 31st): closed

Japanese Garden is part of the Szczytnicki Park - the biggest park in southwest Poland. If you'd like to visit it and other great attractions in Wrocław on a bike, check out this guided bike tour:

5. Main Market Square

Recommended by Sharon of Simpler And Smarter

The Old Market Square is one of the most popular places to see in Wrocław. It is situated in the heart of Wrocław's Old Town, surrounded by historic buildings and landmarks.

Many travellers consider Wrocław Market Square one of the most beautiful places in Poland.

It is also one of the biggest Old Town Markets in Europe. 213-metre long and 176-metre wide - it is the third biggest Main Market Square in Poland.

The architecture around the square reflects various styles and periods, including Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau. Many buildings have been restored to their former glory.

Beautiful architecture, climatic townhouses, lots of restaurants and pubs - it all makes it one of Wrocław top attractions. It is a great experience to sit and have a drink to soak the amazing atmosphere of Wrocław Market Square. Nice thing is that it is not as overpriced as its counterparts elsewhere in Europe and we found it very affordable to eat in Wroclaw Market Square restaurants.

The Wroclaw Market Square is surrounded by 60 vintage townhouses.

The most valuable monument is Old Town Hall - the biggest and the oldest city hall in Poland. This late Gothic building was created from the end of the 13th century until the 16th century (took them long, didn't it? 😉).

If you are planning to hunt as many Wrocław gnomes as possible, then Old Market Square is the perfect place - most of them lurk in the area.

There are also other monuments which will also attract our attention: the antique pillory (Sigismund's Column), eye-catching fountain, Aleksander Fredro statue (moved to Wrocław from Lviv).

If you'd like to visit the Old Market Square with a guide, check out the below tour:

6. St. Mary Magdalene Church

St. Mary Magdalene Church is one of the best Wrocław Old Town attractions. If you are on Main Market Square, you should definitely visit this impressive Gothic cathedral.

It is not only the decorative interior which attracts the visitors. In St. Mary Magdalene Church there is one of the best viewpoints in Wrocław - Witches Bridge (Pokutnice Bridge). It is the highest located bridge in the city - it is 45 metres above the ground. It connects two cathedral towers.

After you conquer numerous stairs you get to admire one of the most picturesque Wrocław panoramas.

There are a few legends connected with the bridge. One of them says that in the evenings you can see ghosts of young women who preferred to have fun instead of getting married and taking care of the household.

Another legend comes from witch-hunt times. If the accused woman managed to walk on the bridge, people considered her possessed and condemned her to death. If a woman fell from the bridge, she was thought to be innocent (being considered innocent comes in handy when you fall 45 metres to your death).

Entrance to the Witches Bridge is free of charge.

7. National Museum

Photo credit: mnwr.pl

Beautiful Neo-Renaissance building entwined with ivy and located over Oder river banks. It is one of the most important and biggest museums in Poland.

It has over 200 000 exhibits. There are 3 storeys with 6 galleries which present Silesian, Polish and European works of art. The collection of paintings and sculptures is very diversified - everyone will find here something to their liking.

However, because of the immense number of exhibits, it is advisable to reserve at least 4 hours for a visit. If you only have a couple of hours, it might be better to visit this museum on another occasion. I spent there just 2 hours and felt it was not enough and definitely did not see everything I wanted.

The National Museum is located on Plac Powstańców Warszawy 5 street, about 15-minutes walk from Old Market Square.

Opening hours
summertime (April 1st - September 30th):
Monday: closed
Tuesday-Friday: 10AM - 5PM
Weekend: 10:30AM - 6PM

wintertime (October 1st - March 31st):
Monday: closed
Tuesday-Friday: 10AM - 4PM
Weekend: 10AM - 5PM

Ticket to permanent exhibitions costs 20 PLN. Saturdays are free of charge. If you buy a ticket to Racławice Panorama Museum, you can see permanent exhibitions in National Museum for free.

If you love Poland and the history, you might be interested in this full-day tour of Wrocław museums:

8. Racławice Panorama

Another must-see for all history lovers.

Racławice Panorama is the largest painting in Poland. Its size is enormous: 15 x 114 metres! Several different Polish painters created this work of art for 9 months.

Racławice Panorama presents the battle in Racławice village in 1794. The battle was part of Kościuszko Uprising – Polish rebellion against Imperial Russia and Kingdom of Prussia in 1794.

The painting is an impressive relic of 19th-century mass culture. It is the oldest and, in fact, the only panorama painting which remained safe in Poland.

Thanks to special devices and technical effects Racławice Panorama seems very realistic and we have the feeling that we actually participate in this battle. There is also artificial terrain built right under the painting which makes it look even bigger. A visit to this museum is one of the most interesting things to do in Wrocław.

The painting is available in Panorama Racławicka Museum on Purkyniego 11 street. Audioguide is free of charge and available in many different languages.

Opening hours:

wintertime (November 1st - March 31st):
Monday: closed
Tuesday-Friday: 9AM - 4:30PM
Saturday: 9AM - 5:30PM
Sunday: 9AM - 4:30PM

summertime (April 1st - October 31st):
open everyday 8AM - 7:30PM

Tickets can be also bought online. One ticket gives you entrance to three other museums: a permanent exhibition in National Museum in Wrocław, the Ethnographic Museum and the Four Domes Pavilion Museum of Contemporary Art. An adult ticket costs 20 PLN.

9. Wrocław Multimedia Fountain & Centennial Hall

300 water nozzles, 3 fire nozzles, 800 light points and 1ha of surface - this is Wrocław Multimedia Fountain. It is the biggest multimedia fountain in Poland. It is also one of the best things to do in Wrocław which are free of charge.

Wroclaw Multimedia Fountain is surrounded by an antique pergola which was built in 1913. Interesting architecture, picturesque nature and loads of shaded benches make this place ideal place for a relaxing walk.

The fountain is especially beautiful in the evening when visitors get to admire water spectacles. Water dances to the music and light creates colorful pictures. Priceless experience.

Water spectacles are available for tourists in the summertime. They end on September 30th.

Wrocław Multimedia Fountain is open all year, 24 hours. It is situated on Wystawowa 1 street.

Centennial Hall

When you are in the area, it is worth to visit nearby Centennial Hall. It is one of 15 places in Poland which belong to the UNESCO World Heritage. Centennial Hall is considered to be one of the most important world architecture works of the 20th century.

Visiting the Hall is available through the Visitor Centre. It is an interactive, multimedia exhibition that introduces visitors to the history of this unique UNESCO-listed monument.

The exhibition consists of touch screens and maps, film and sound recordings, as well as two virtual tours developed in Virtual Reality technology. During these tours, you can also learn about the architect of the Centennial Hall - Max Berg.

I also strongly advise visiting the terrace restaurant. The prices are high but the food is exceptional. I tried there vege kaszanka and chocolate with caramel and meringue. It was the best! Plus, you will get to admire stunning view of the fountains and Szczytnicki Park. The restaurant is popular and it's good to book a table in advance (you may do it online here).

Opening hours of the Centennial Hall:

wintertime (November 1st - March 31st):
Monday-Sunday: 9AM - 5PM

summertime (April 1st - October 31st):
Monday-Sunday: 10AM - 6PM

An adult ticket costs 30 PLN.

The Hall is one of the most popular attractions in Wrocław. Before your visit, check the availability calendar here.

10. Hydropolis

Photo credit: hydropolis.pl

If you travel with kids there are lots of fantastic places to visit in Wrocław!

One of them is Hydropolis - a water science center and one of the most unique places in Poland. It is located in 19th century Neo-Gothic underground water tank. Its surface reaches 4600 m².

It is a one and only attraction, one of the best places to visit in Wrocław for families with children.

Before you enter into the building you get to admire impressive water curtains which are created by 46.5-metre long water printer.

There are 9 theme zones which present knowledge about water in an easy and interesting way. You get to know everything about water and its importance to humans, and also learn about various water creatures.

The most important element of Hydropolis is its main exhibition - an enormous room with a 360-degree screen which is 60-metre long. This is where you learn about the beginnings of water and its presence on Earth.

The average time of visit is 2 hours. There is a gift shop and two cafes.

Hydropolis is located on Na Grobli 17 street, about 25-minute walk from Main Square.

This science center is open all year.

Opening hours: 10AM - 8PM

An adult ticket costs 38 PLN. Tickets can be purchased online here.

11. Wrocław Zoological Garden

One of Wrocław top attractions, not only for families with children. Wrocław zoo is the oldest zoological garden in Poland - its beginning reaches 1865.

In this zoo, visitors get a chance to see the biggest in Poland number of species, many of which are endangered. There are over 1000 land animals and about 5000 African animals in Oceanarium.

For me, Oceanarium (also called Afrykarium) is the best place in Wrocław zoo. It is a modern pavilion which presents African flora and fauna. There are enormous aquariums thanks to which we have an unusual nature within hand's reach. Sharks, stingrays, crocodiles, manatees, hippos - the abundance of animals in Wrocław Afrykarium is immense.

Wrocław zoo is open all year, seven days a week, but opening hours vary according to the season. It is best to check them on the zoo website here.

An adult ticket costs 70 PLN. Tickets can be purchased online here.

Best places to stay in Wrocław

There are many nice places to stay in Wroclaw ranging from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious five-star hotels. Let's have a look at the highest-rated accommodations on Booking.com.

Here's our comprehensive tutorial on how to find the best deals on Booking.com.

Old Town Haston - a perfect option if you'd like to stay in a hotel in Wrocław Old Town. Besides location guests are delighted with spacious rooms and tasty breakfasts.

AboutArtApartments by the river - if you prefer to stay in an apartment, this will be a great option. Guests appreciate beautiful decor, comfort and view on the Oder River from the windows.

Babel Hostel - budget-friendly option. Hostel is located in Wrocław Old Town, very close to the main train station. Guests are happy with cleanliness and helpful staff.

Ada Aparthouse - another budget accommodation in Wrocław center. Guests appreciate the location (close to the main train station), cleanliness and spacious rooms.

Paper travel guide

Having a paper travel guide often comes in handy:

✅ Unlike digital maps that rely on the internet, a paper map is accessible at all times, regardless of location or network availability.

✅ Paper maps don't rely on batteries or electronic devices, making them dependable and immune to technical malfunctions or battery drain.

✅ Using a paper map eliminates the need for data usage, which can be costly or limited when traveling internationally. You can avoid roaming charges and data overages by relying on a paper map instead.

If you'd like to visit off-the-beaten-path places in Wrocław and learn some fun facts about the city (e.x. what's the story behind the naked fencer or was there really a cannibal butcher in the market hall?), check out this quirky travel guide on Amazon:

Transportation in Wrocław

To get to Wrocław from other Polish cities you can use trains (here is train journey planner), or private buses. The most popular tourist bus is FlixBus. You can plan your journey here.

If you are travelling by plane, you have a few options to get to center from Wroclaw airport:

→ taxi - several taxi companies offer their services. Taxis wait at the arrival terminal.

→ car hire - fast and comfortable.

→ municipal buses - line 106 and night line 206. Transit time is about 40 minutes. Buses shuttle every 15 minutes from the bus stop near the Central Train Station (address: Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego 105).

It is quite easy to use public transportation in Wrocław - there are many trams and buses to choose from. You can check the timetable here.

Tickets can be purchased in vending machines at bus stops.

However, the most convenient option to travel in Wroclaw is a car as the majority of hotels and apartments offer parking space.

You may check offers on car hire in Wrocław here:

Best places to eat in Wrocław

→ For traditional Polish food, you should head to Dwór Polski restaurant. Located on the Old Market Square, it offers a variety of tasty dishes.

Unfortunately, there are not many vegetarian options, as traditional Polish cuisine has a lot of meat and dairy. But surprise! We ordered there one and only vegan dish - pierogi with green lentils, sundried tomato, and brown mushroom served with salads. It was delicious!

The decor is very interesting and refers to Polish medieval times. In the summertime, it is possible to sit outside. Prices are not very budget-friendly, but the food is definitely worth it!

→ Vegetarian food:

• Vega - the oldest vegan restaurant in Poland. Food is fantastic, I especially like their pasta and cakes. Prices are OK, taking into consideration it is located on the Wrocław Main Square. It is open until 8 PM so it is not a place for late dinner.
• Pod Przykrywką - the name of this place ("undercover") is very fitting because, at first glance, the food resemble classic meat dishes. The service is extremely pleasant and very helpful. The borscht was mega tasty. Rich in toppings, and the baked potatoes served with it, I could eat them as a main dish! The vegan schnitzel was also mouthwatering. Great value for money as the prices are budget-friendly. Address: Więzienna 18/1 Street, 5-minute walk from the Market Square.

Is Wrocław cheap?

If you are looking for cheap places to travel, then Wrocław might be just for you!

Sure, there are some costly hotels and restaurants but still, it is easy to save money in Wrocław and enjoy your stay in one of the best cities in Poland.

Here are some inexpensive travel ideas:

→ WROCŁAW TOURIST CARD

• free entrances to Wrocław top attractions: Hydropolis, Cognitive Cente at Centennial Hall, Muzeum of the University of Wroclaw, Museum of Architecture, Museum of Bourgeois Art, Royal Palace, City Arsenal, Old Jewish Cemetery, Natural Science Museum in Wroclaw University, History Centre Zajezdnia, Botanical Garden, Kolejkowo, ZOO Team Exotic Animals Exhibition, GOjump Trampoline Park Wroclaw, JumpWorld
• discounts to the most interesting places: Battle of Racławice Panorama, National Museum, Four Domes Pavilion, Ethnographic Museum
• discounts to Wrocław restaurants and cafes: Mini-Brewery Spiż, Gastropub, Karczma Piastów Restaurant, OVO Bar & Restaurant, Setka Bar, The Demmers Teahouse and many more
• discounts to hotels and hostels: Art hotel, Terminal Hotel, Patio Hotel, FlyFly Hostel
• unlimited access to Wrocław public transportation
• discounts to gift shops: INFOCenter Rynek Gift Shop, Krasnal Info Tourist Information, Folkstar gift shop
• discounts to SILESIATOUR guided tours, Oder boat rides, bike tours

There are two types of Wrocław Tourist Card:

• 48-hour
• 72-hour

Wroclaw Tourist Card can be purchased at four places:

    1. Tourist Information at the Wrocław Main Railway Station
    2. Tourist Information at Wrocław ZOO
    3. Tourist Information at Wrocław Airport
    4. Tourist Information at WrocławInfo Souvenirs on the Old Market Square

For more information about the card, check out this brochure.

→ MILK BAR (Polish: bar mleczny)

If you wonder where to eat in Wrocław so that your budget will be intact, head to milk bars.

Those self-service restaurants are partially funded by the Polish government. This gives the owners the possibility to offer meals at competitive prices, much lower than "normal" restaurants.

Two-course meal with a soft drink in milk bar costs only about 7-8 EUR (7.5 -8.5 USD). Milk bars offer traditional Polish food, hardly any vegan or gluten-free options are available.

There are several milk bars in Wrocław:

• Miś
• Jak u Mamy
• Mewa
• Swojska Chatka
• Produs

→ FREE THINGS TO DO IN WROCLAW

• Ossolineum Garden - located in Wrocław city centre. Beautiful and peaceful place, perfect to relax after intensive sightseeing.
  
• Multimedia fountain shows
• Szczytnicki rural park - located close to the multimedia fountain and Centennial Hall. Picturesque forest with many paths and several bridges. There is also the antique wooden church of John of Nepomuk built in the 15th century.
• National Museum in Wrocław - free admission on Saturdays.
  
• Archaeology Museum - permanent exhibitions are free of charge. Located on Cieszyńskiego 9 street, Old Town.
• Museum of Architecture - free admission on Wednesdays. Located on Bernardyńska 5 street, Wroclaw city centre.
• Wrocław Contemporary Museum - free admission on Thursdays. Located on Plac Strzegomski 2a street.
  
• Military Museum - permanent exhibitions are free of charge. Located on Pelczyńska 33 street in the northern part of the city. Distant from the centre but an interesting place to visit, especially for military aficionados.
  
• Four Domes Pavilion - permanent exhibitions are free of charge on Tuesdays. Located Wystawowa 1 street, close to Centennial Hall.
  
• Labirynth in Brochów rural park - located in southern Wrocław, quite distant from the centre but fun activity both for kids and adults. Brochów park is a perfect getaway from the city's hustle and bustle.
  
• Old Jewish Cemetery & Museum of Funerary art - free admission on Thursdays. Interesting and one of the unusual things to do in Wrocław. Located on Ślężna 37/39 street.
  
• BWA Wroclaw Galleries of Contemporary Art - there are a few art galleries offering free admission:

1. Awangarda Art Gallery - entry free of charge on Wednesdays. Located on Wita Stwosza 32 street, in the Old Market Square.
2. Dizajn Art Gallery - free of charge the whole week. Świdnicka 2/4 street, city centre.
3. SiC! Art Gallery - free of charge the whole week. Kościuszki 10 street, 15-minute walk from the Old Market Square.

As you can see, there are lots of free things to do in Wrocław. It is one of the best places to visit in Poland and yet it can be so inexpensive!

Even more, Wrocław is one of the best European cities to visit and so cheap compared to Western Europe.

If you wish to travel through Poland on a budget, then think no more - visit Wrocław! 💚

Other beautiful places in Poland

Poland not only offers historic monuments and museums but also diverse landscapes and unique cultures specific to particular regions.

Here are some beautiful places in Poland which you might consider visiting:

🌇 Gdańsk - charming seaside city, my personal favourite. Totally different from other cities in Poland.

🌇 Warsaw - the capital of Poland, must-see for all international visitors.

🌇 Poznań - a bit underrated among international travellers. It hides a lot of national gems.

🌇 Kraków - complete travel guide with insider tips.

⛰️ Babia Góra National Park - great option for hiking near Kraków.

⛰️ Silesian Beskidy Mountains - discover hidden gems in Poland.

⛰️ Easy hikes in High Tatras - a list of hiking trails suitable for everyone in the highest mountains in Poland.

⛰️ The most famous hiking trails in Tatra Mountains, Poland.

🌿 Nature places in Poland - 12 wonders worth a visit.

✅ Day trips from Kraków - the amazing south of Poland.

✅ 12 attractions of Poland you need to see - absolute must-see places in the country.