14 Of The Best Things To Do In Wroclaw Poland

Last updated on June 4th, 2026 at 11:33 am

The beautiful city of Wroclaw in Poland is perfect for anyone looking for somewhere teeming with history and character.

I visited Wroclaw for 3 days in December for the Christmas markets and discovered a city with a long rich history, beautiful architecture, many bridges and waterways and hundreds of dwarfs! Whatever the duration of your trip, there is much to keep a visitor fully occupied in Wroclaw.

In this post, I’ll set out 14 of the best things to do in Wroclaw. I’ll offer some suggestions for other activities you can add to your Wroclaw itinerary, answer a few frequently asked questions and provide a general travel guide and some travel tips so you too can have a wonderful time visiting Wroclaw.

Visiting Wroclaw – Frequently Asked Questions

Before I set out 14 of the best things to do in Wroclaw, it’s helpful to answer a few FAQs:

1. How do you pronounce “Wroclaw”?

This is the first thing you will need to know! “Wroclaw” is pronounced “Vrohts-wouahf” or “Vrots-Waaf”.

In terms of spelling, the Polish spelling is Wrocław and the English spelling is Wroclaw. The difference being the letter “ł”. I will use the English spelling in this post.

2. Is Wroclaw Worth Visiting?

100% yes! Wroclaw has a long and interesting history, lovely architecture, its famous dwarfs and numerous sites to keep a visitor occupied. On top of that, it’s referred to as the Venice of Poland due to its large number of picturesque waterways and bridges and has a great restaurant and café scene. It’s also home to wonderful Christmas markets!

3. How many days should I spend in Wroclaw?

I would recommend spending 3 days in Wroclaw. That’s the amount of time I was there and I managed to see and do a lot. Obviously, the longer you stay, the more opportunity you will have to explore the wider area, but if your intention is to explore the city, then 3 days in Wroclaw is a perfect amount of time.

4. What Currency is Used in Wroclaw?

Poland is a member of the European Union but has not adopted the Euro. Instead, it retains its own currency, the Polish Zloty, referred to in this post as PLN.

How to Get to Wroclaw

There are three main options for getting to Wroclaw:

1. Flying

Direct flights to Wroclaw Airport (WRO) are available from London Luton and London Stansted and from other UK and European cities. I flew from London Luton and the flight took around 2 hours.

You can review all flight options and book here:

I chose the cheapest flight option and travelled with this small suitcase. It fits under the seat in front of mine and is perfect for these short city break adventures.

2. Train

Europe’s extensive rail network will mean you can also get to Wroclaw by train. Trains arrive into Wroclaw’s main train station (in Polish, Wroclaw Głowny) not far from the Old Town. Dating from the mid-1850s, it’s surely one of the most beautiful train stations you could arrive into!

A direct train operates between Vienna and Wroclaw and between Prague and Wroclaw making it a convenient option for those travelling in Europe or for those wanting to visit multiple Christmas market destinations!

Whatever your originating city, you can review all available options and book here:

3. Bus

The third option for getting to Wroclaw is by bus. There are regular connections to Wroclaw from Germany and the Czech Republic and elsewhere within Poland. Buses arrive into the main bus station, Dworzec Autobusowy, which is in the basement of a shopping mall.

You can review available bus routes and book using the Omio search form above.

How to Get To/From the Airport

Wroclaw Airport is about 10 kilometres from the city centre. To get from the airport to the city centre you have the following options:

1. Bus

Public transport will always be your cheapest option. If you arrive during the day then bus route 106 will take you to the central train station. The bus runs frequently and costs 4.60 PLN. I caught this bus from the station back to the airport when I departed Wroclaw. The trip takes about 40 minutes although with traffic it can take longer. My trip took around 1 hour so plan accordingly. The bus stop was in a road adjacent to the main railway station – to the left of the station as you look at it.

If you arrive at night, bus route 206 will take you to the main bus station.

On the weekends, bus route P operates between the airport and the main bus station but has fewer stops so takes a slightly shorter time.

2. Taxi

Taxis operate from the airport as do ride sharing services Bolt and Uber.

3. Private Transfer

If you prefer to arrive knowing you have transport already organised or you arrive late at night (or in the wee small hours as I did!) then you may want to consider pre-booking a private transfer.

Where to Stay in Wroclaw

As you would expect, there is a variety of accommodation options in Wroclaw. I stayed at the Wyndham Wroclaw Old Town Hotel which was about a 5 walk, at most, from the Old Town Market Square and opposite St Elisabeth’s Church (more on that below). I had a great stay there and am more than happy to recommend it.

You can review all available accommodation options and book here:

A Bit of History

Wroclaw’s history is long and interesting! Whilst I’m no historian, I think it worthwhile to understand a bit about the city in order to make sense of the things to see and do there. I found a useful tool for doing this in Wroclaw itself – the Wroclaw Historical Trail.

Along the footpath on Nankiera Street, between Ossolinskich Street and St. Wincentego Church, you will find embedded bronze markers highlighting significant events in Wroclaw’s history. You can find the trail on Google Maps.

Here is a (very!) short summary of Wroclaw’s history:

• c.900/1000 – Wroclaw is founded; the name at the time was Wrotizla and it was at the cross roads of the trading route linking the Black Sea to Western Europe
• 1138 – Wroclaw becomes the first capital of Silesia
• 1241 – Wroclaw is destroyed by the Tartars
• 1335 – now rebuilt, Wroclaw becomes part of Bohemia and was renamed Wratslaw
• 1526 – Wroclaw becomes part of the Hapsburg Empire and was known as Bresslaw
• 1530 – the city is renamed Bressla and the Bohemian King, Ferdinand I, creates the city emblem which it retains today
• 1741 – Wroclaw becomes part of Prussia then Germany and is known as Breslau
• 1945 – Nazi Germany declared Breslau a city to be held at all costs, however following a 3 month siege, the city surrendered to the Soviets. In the post WWII Potsdam Conference, Wroclaw was transferred to Poland
• 1989 – Poland, which had been under Soviet Communist control, held its first free elections
• 1999 – Poland joins NATO
• 2004 – Poland joins the European Union

How to Spend 3 Days in Wroclaw – 14 of the Best Things to Do

There are many things to see and do in this beautiful city, however if you are visiting for 3 days like me, then here are 14 of the best things to do in Wroclaw which you can easily incorporate into your 3 day itinerary:

1. Join a walking tour

If you have visited my blog before, you will know I’m a big fan of walking tours! A walking tour is a great way to start your time in any city and Wroclaw is no different. I booked this walking tour and can highly recommend it. It’s a tips based tour meaning you pay what you think the tour was worth. There is no fixed price, hence they are often referred to as free walking tours.

Walking tours are led by locals who live in the city so you will often get advice about places to eat and drink in addition to the information you will learn about the city. Walking tours are also an opportunity to meet fellow visitors.

2. Explore the Old Town

One of the best things to do in Wroclaw is to simply wander through the streets of the Old Town. It’s often the case that you will come across interesting things to see and places to eat without planning to!

3. Spend Time in the Market Square

Wroclaw’s Medieval Market Square (in Polish, Rynek) is huge! In fact, it’s one of the largest market squares in Europe, although not as big as the Market Square in Krakow!

The Square was laid out in the early 1200s and, in the absence of addresses and with much of the population was illiterate, buildings were given names and images so they could be identified, for example, Golden Stag House, Golden Jug House. The Square is dominated by two Town Halls – the Old Town Hall dating from the 13th century and the new addition which was built in the 1860s.

During World War Two, the Market Square suffered damage, however buildings were restored to what you see today. Around Wroclaw, including near the Market Square, you will see photos on the walls showing the condition Wroclaw was in at the end of World War Two.

The main Market Square is also home to the annual Christmas market. Whilst the stalls do create somewhat of a barrier to taking good photos of the main buildings you will still be able to see them. You will need to dodge the stalls, rides and visitors at the Christmas markets however to see some of the other interesting features on the Square. Look out for:

a) The Pillory

Located in front of the Town Hall, the original dated from 1492 and was the site of punishments (think floggings to executions). It was destroyed in WWII and rebuilt.

b) Bear Cub Fountain

A reconstruction of the pre-WWII fountain, the Bear Cub Fountain is by the southern wall of the Old Town Hall.

c) The house with the fake window!

The building at number 5 has a fake window….painted onto the building purely for the purposes of symmetry!

d) Egyptian Reliefs

Yes, you read that correctly! On the entranceway into what I think is the ugliest building on the Square there are various Egyptian reliefs and I have no idea why. The building dates from the 20th century (1929-32) and escaped damage during the War. Today it houses a bank.

e) The House of the 7 Electors

Dating from the 13th century, this building is one you will definitely see! Depicted on its exterior are images of Leopold I together with 7 electors.

f) Modern Fountain

This modern fountain dates from 2000 and seems at odds with its historic surrounds. It’s named after a former Mayor of the city but unfortunately it did not appear to be working during my visit, perhaps because of the Christmas markets?

g) The Hansel and Gretel Houses

These two small houses are joined by an archway that leads into what used to be the graveyard of St Elisabeth’s Church (more on that below). The houses date from the 16th and 18th centuries and the inscription on the arch reads “Death is the gate to life”.

Don’t forget to visit the adjacent Salt Market Square (in Polish, Plac Solny). Now home to many flower sellers, Salt Market Square actually dates from around the mid-1200s. The Salt Square (as it’s also known) is a stopping point for many of the electric car city tours of Wroclaw and home to several nice restaurants and cafés. During December, it is home to a Christmas market.

4. Visit St Elisabeth’s Church

Once you have found the Hansel and Gretel Houses pass under the arch and follow the path into St Elisabeth’s Church. Originally a Lutheran Church, it was given to the Military Chaplaincy of the Polish Roman Catholic Church in 1946 and is known today as a Garrison Church.

The structure of the church dates back to the 14th century, however it was damaged by a storm in 1529 and gutted by fire in 1976. The church was rebuilt and today you can see the fire depicted in the stained glass windows.

The original church tower was 130 metres tall, however following reconstruction today it stands at 91.5m tall. You can climb the tower and you should, the views are wonderful! The entrance to the tower is outside the church to the left of the main entrance. It currently costs 15 PLN to climb and there are 300+ concrete steps in a spiral staircase formation to negotiate!

5. Visit the Cathedral of St Mary Magdalene & the Penitents Bridge

The Cathedral

Another of the best things to do in Wroclaw is to visit the Cathedral of St Mary Magdalene. The Cathedral is one of the oldest places of worship in the city with the first church on the site having been built between 1226 and 1232. A fire destroyed the church and it was rebuilt during the 14th century with the towers being completed in the 15th century.

The Cathedral suffered significant damage during WWII resulting in complete reconstruction between 1960 and 1970. The roof has also been renovated and the traditional red and green checkboard tile design restored.

Entrance to the Cathedral is free (donations welcome) and inside look out for the 12th century Romanesque portal which was taken from a Benedictine Abbey in Ołbin, the Pulpit (original Nave décor dating from 1579-1580) and the beautiful vaulted ceiling.

The Penitents Bridge

Probably the main drawcard for visitors to the Mary Magdalene Church is the Penitents Bridge located between the two towers. The bridge, also known as the Witches Bridge, was constructed prior to 1459 but fireworks in 1887 set fire to one of the towers. It, along with the bridge, was rebuilt in the 1890s.

The Penitents Bridge (just visible in the photo above) is 45 metres high and visiting it is one of the best things to do in Wroclaw! The only way to get there however is by climbing 247 stairs!

There is no lift and the stairs, from about the halfway point, are open grill, metal stairs so if you’re not keen on heights….don’t look down! The stairways themselves are quite wide and not spiral like the St Elisabeth’s Church Tower. There are places to stop on the way up and various information boards explain the history of the Cathedral and its legends. There is also mood lighting and spooky noises to accompany your climb!

It costs 18 PLN to climb up to the Penitents Bridge.

There are two legends that surround the bridge and explain its names:

1. First Legend – Tekla

The first legend concerns a vain and lazy girl called Tekla. She was not interested in getting married, would not do any housework and was concerned only with having a good time. Her father was so angry that her cursed her. She was taken to the bridge where she was to spend the rest of her days sweeping.

Eventually she grew old and no longer had strength to sweep, so she got a young witch called Martynka to help. Martynka was a very kind witch and one day, having taken Tekla’s broom and flown to the Market Square, she helped a wizard who granted her a wish. Martynka asked for Tekla to be freed. When she flew back to the Bridge, Tekla was gone, never to be seen again.

The bridge serves as a warning to disobedient daughters of the fate that awaits them!

The dwarf statue of Tekla and Martynka on the bridge makes for an iconic photo opportunity and is no doubt one of the most recognised images from Wroclaw!

2. Second Legend – Witches

The second legend is linked to the Witch Trials of the 15th to 17th centuries and is what gives the bridge its other name, the Witches Bridge. Wroclaw, like much of Europe, did not escape the hysteria surrounding witchcraft at the time. Old, widowed and unmarried women (and sometimes men) were often accused of engaging in witchcraft and blamed for things such as illness, crop failures etc.

The accused were usually ‘tested’ to ascertain if they were in fact witches, absurd tests that would usually result in death. The Penitents Bridge was the site of one of these tests. Accused persons were required to walk across the bridge’s railing from one side to the other without falling. Those who did fall the 45 metres to their deaths however were exonerated, whilst those who made it across must be witches and were burned at the stake!

6. See the Panorama Racławice

Seeing this huge cycloramic painting is definitely one of the best things to do in Wroclaw! A cycloramic painting is one that is housed within a cylindrical platform which allows viewers standing in the centre a 360 degree view of the scene.

In this case, the painting depicts the Battle of Racławice which was fought on 4 April 1794, one of the first battles in the Polish-Lithuanian uprising against Russia. The painting itself was completed a century later in 1894. You can learn more about the battle and the painting on the official Panorama Racławice website.

The Panorama Racławice is part of the National Museum in Wroclaw and located about a 15-20 minute walk from the Old Town Market Square. Alternatively, you can catch a tram from Zamkowa station, however it will take about the same amount of time as walking.

The main points to note when visiting are:

• Tickets cost 50 PLN (concessions available) and grant entry to permanent exhibitions at the National Museum in Wrocław, the Ethnographic Museum and the Four Domes Pavilion (mentioned below) for 3 months following the date of viewing the Panorama
• entry is by 30 minute timed slots
• the viewing lasts 30 minutes
• as you enter the theatre you will gradually climb in a circular direction to the top, the walkways however are flat
• on arrival at the painting, be sure to ask the host for an audio guide in your language. The main narration is, of course, in Polish however an audio guide is included in the ticket price and available in 18 languages including English

I highly recommend including a visit to the Panorama Racławice in your Wroclaw itinerary.

7. Visit Wroclaw University

The main student entrance into Wroclaw University alone is worth seeing! However, if you want to visit the amazing Oratorium Marianum and Aula Leopoldina and climb the mathematical tower, then you will need to use another entrance located to the left.

The Oratorium Marianum is one of the historical halls within the University. Its baroque interior is beautiful making it one of the most amazing things to see during your visit to Wroclaw.

In addition, Wrocław University is home to another hall, the magnificent Aula Leopoldina. It too has a baroque interior and is simply stunning. Built between 1728 and 1732, it is named for Emperor Leopold I.

Once you have finished looking at the halls, head upstairs to the viewing platform of the Mathematical Tower. At 42 metres high, you will have great views over the city. As a former astronomical observatory, the Mathematical Tower also has an interesting exhibition of sun dials.

Tickets to visit both halls and the Mathematical Tower cost 18 PLN (concessions available).

8. Explore the Four Denominations District

The Four Denominations District is also known as the Four Temples District, Tolerance Quarter or Mutual Respect District. The reason for this is simple – it’s an area within which you can find representatives of the four main religions here:

• The 16th century Orthodox Cathedral of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God
• The 17th century Roman Catholic Church of St. Anthony of Padua
• The 16th century Augsburg Evangelical Church of Divine Providence
• The 1829 White Stork Synagogue – the only Conservative Jewish synagogue to have survived the Holocaust

In addition, the area is known for its nightlife, cafes and restaurants. I visited around 12 noon mid-week and it was fairly quiet!

At the entrance into the district you will find the Crystal Planet sculpture depicting a young woman wearing a dress in the shape of planet earth.

9. Visit Market Hall

Wroclaw’s Market Hall (in Polish, Hala Targowa) dates from 1906 -1908 and is made of reinforced concrete. At the time, this was very unusual. Market Hall escaped any real damage during World War II although it has been refurbished since it was first built.

Inside, you will find a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers, tea, coffee and other food and non-food products to buy not to mention various cafés and restaurants selling traditional Polish food. It’s location between the Old Town and Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island) makes it the perfect place to stop and eat or just browse.

10. Explore Cathedral Island

Ostrów Tumski, also known as Cathedral Island, is the oldest part of Wroclaw. It was here that Wroclaw was founded in the 9th century. The first Bishopric in Lower Silesia was founded in the year 1000 and for the next 200 years, Ostrów Tumski was the centre of Wroclaw.

When the city centre moved to the Old Town, Ostrow Tumski became a site of mainly religious and royal importance. Today, there aren’t many shops, cafes etc. Rather, its mainly religious institutions you will see.

Although it was once an island, today it is not. In the early 19th century, one of the tributaries of the Odra River (in English, Oder River) was filled in as part of an effort to stop persistent flooding. That said, access onto the island is over the Sand Bridge (the oldest in Wroclaw built in 1861) and then the Tumski Bridge (1890).

What to See on Cathedral Island

In addition to the Cathedral and lamplighter (more on those below), look out for:

a) Katedralna and Idziego Streets

Hard to miss of course but it’s worth just wandering these lovely, cobbled streets and soaking up the atmosphere.

b) St Martin’s Church

Once part of the defensive walls of the Piast Castle, it was here where Wroclaw began. The Piast dynasty, founded in the 9th century, were the first rulers of Poland.

c) Notre Dame House

Located across the road from St Martin’s is this Bed & Breakfast however it also houses a small café open to the public (Kawiarenka sw. Jadwigi). Inside you can see some of the underground remains of Piast Castle.

d) Archdiocese Museum

Unfortunately I didn’t get inside here, however I understand it holds the Book of Henryków, a Latin text containing the first sentence ever recorded in Polish (c1270).

e) Archbishop’s Palace

Be sure to view this beautiful building through the iron railings!

f) John of Nepomuk statue

This statue is located next to the impressive Church of the Holy Cross, on your left as you walk toward the Cathedral. John of Nepomuk was thrown into the Vltava River from the Charles Bridge in Prague in 1393 because he would not divulge the secrets of the Queen of Bohemia. He is the Patron Saint of confessors and bridges amongst other things.

11. Follow the Lamplighter on Cathedral Island

One of the best things to do in Wroclaw is to follow the lamplighter as he makes his away around Cathedral Island lighting over 100 gas lamps. I have read that there are only 2 cities in Europe where lamplighters are still performing this duty – Wroclaw and Zagreb in Croatia – however I know there is one on the Charles Bridge in Prague and also in Belarus.

In the past, lamplighters would ignite the gas lamps in the street and extinguish them again in the morning. Over time, gas was replaced by electricity, however on Ostrów Tumski over 100 gas lamps remain.

The lamplighter is dressed in a top hat and cape (under which I believe he has a butane tank!) and carrying a large pole which he uses to ignite the lamps. He moves fairly quickly and usually has a load of tourists (including me!) following (stalking!) him.

Visitor Tips

Here are a few tips to ensure you get to experience this magical event:

• I saw him close to the back of the Cathedral and not the front as I had expected, so I would suggest being in that general area to make sure you see him
• there is a lamp lighting schedule so do look it up beforehand, however he was there at around 3.50pm when I was expecting him after 4pm so get there early in any event
• be aware that the streets are cobbled so be careful of your footing as you follow along
• check your shoe laces are tied tightly before you set off. One of mine came undone as he was heading off to the next lamp…of course!

Lamp lighting is a long forgotten job so it’s a wonderful and rare sight to see and really adds to the atmosphere of Ostrów Tumski.

12. Visit the Cathedral of St John the Baptist

There is no doubt that a visit to the Cathedral of St John the Baptist (aka Wroclaw Cathedral) is one of the best things to do in Wroclaw…but make sure you climb the tower!

As you would expect, this isn’t the first church on this site, however the Cathedral seen today was consecrated in 1272. There’s much to see inside, including of course various chapels and burial places. I suspect one of the main draw cards for many visitors however is the opportunity to climb the tower.

The get to the top of the tower, there are 40 spiral steps to climb then a lift then a further 16 steps before stepping onto the observation deck. At 97 metres high, the tower gives wonderful views over Ostrów Tumski.

It is free to enter the Cathedral however tickets to climb the tower are 25 PLN (concessions available). There is also a charge of 15 PLN (concessions available) to visit the baroque chapels and Altar of St John the Baptist.

Do check the official Cathedral website for up to date visitor information including as to pricing.

13. See Centennial Hall

Wroclaw’s Centennial Hall (in Polish, Hala Stulecia) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 1913 from reinforced concrete, today it operates as an event hall hosting sporting, business and entertainment events. It’s an impressive sight, although I did not have time to tour inside. The grounds are very popular and nearby there are a number of tourist attractions:

• the Japanese Garden – located close to Centennial Hall in Szczytnicki Park
• the Pergola – I imagine this to be a really nice space in the spring and summer, however when I visited in December it was rather bleak with the vegetation having died down for winter!
• Four Domes Pavilion – part of the National Museum in Wroclaw, it houses a collection of contemporary art
• Multimedia Fountain – the operational season is spring to autumn so it was not performing during my visit to Wroclaw
• Wroclaw Zoo – this is a a short walk from Centennial Hall. Visiting both on the same day if you have time would make sense

Check the official Centennial Hall website for up to date visitor information including as to pricing and availability.

To get to Centennial Hall, you can walk from the city center as I did, or take public transport. Use bus routes 115, 145, 146. Alternatively, Trams 1, 2, 4, 10, 19 in the direction of Biskupin / Sępolno will get you there.

14. Hunt Down the Dwarves of Wroclaw!

The most famous inhabitants of Wroclaw are of course its dwarfs. And there are over 1,000 of them! Hunting down Wroclaw’s dwarfs is certainly one of the unique things to do in the city!

The history of the dwarfs dates back to the 1980s when images of dwarfs began appearing on walls and buildings in the city. They were put there by members of the Orange Alternative, an anti-communist movement, as a protest against the Polish Peoples Republic during the time of martial law.

In 2001, the first dwarf, Papa Dwarf, was installed on Swidnicka Street to commemorate the Orange Alternative. The next five dwarfs appeared in 2005 and are much smaller than Papa Dwarf.

Be sure to stop at the information centre in the Market Square next to the Town Hall where you can purchase a map, for 12 PLN, showing the location of 100 of the dwarfs. Maps with stickers are also available to buy.

Alternatively, you may prefer a Follow the Dwarfs Guide Walking Tour – check availability here:

However you choose to go dwarf hunting, wherever you go in Wroclaw, you will likely encounter them…I challenge you to resist taking a photo every time!

To learn a bit more and to see some of my favourites, check out my post Dwarfs of Wroclaw – All You Need To Know.

Looking for Something Else?

If you have a little longer in Wroclaw or you’re looking for some other ways to spend your time, then do read my post Weird and Wonderful Wroclaw – 10 Alternative Things to See.

If you’re considering Wroclaw for a festive break, do read my guide on the Wroclaw Christmas Markets for help in planning your visit.

You can also consider:

• admiring the Street Art in Nadodrze
• joining a craft beer walking tour & tasting
• relaxing in the Botanical Garden (open April – October)
• taking a boat trip along the River Odra
• riding the Polinka Cable Car over the River Odra
• joining a night walking tour
• taking some day trips to places such as Ksias Castle, a concentration camp, a hiking trail
• enjoying eating and drinking outside on Słodowa Island
• climb Sky Tower – I made it up 4 of the 5 towers in Wroclaw but not this one!

You can review many more options from individual activities to day trips and book here:

Final Thoughts

The Polish city of Wroclaw is beautiful and definitely worth visiting. Its long history, beautiful architecture, position on the River Oder and of course its cheeky little residents (I mean the dwarfs not the locals!), make Wroclaw a perfect city break destination. Having visited during December for the Christmas markets, I can also confirm that the festive atmosphere only enhances the visitor experience.

If you need further help in planning your trip to Wroclaw, or any other trip for that matter, do check my Resources page.

If you’re interested in visiting elsewhere in Poland, then do check out the blog posts on my Poland page.

Disclaimer – Information correct at the time of writing but do check before visiting.