Wondering what to see and do in Wroclaw? Not sure the best way to get into the city or how to get around? I've got you covered. I do all the research so you don’t have to. I will tell you everything you need to know so you can enjoy your time visiting this remarkable city. In this post, I will go over one, two and three day itineraries for you to choose from depending on how much time you have.
Is Wroclaw worth visiting
Wroclaw is an absolute gem. It is full of charm and character. It also has unique things to offer the visitor such as the gnomes, the bridges, the multimedia fountain and so much more. It is definitely worth visiting!!
How many days in Wroclaw
If you are in a rush, Wroclaw can be done in a day but you will miss a lot of what the city has to offer. If you have time I would suggest two or three days here.
A little intro...
Wroclaw is the third largest city in Poland with a population of 675,000. The borders have changed quite a bit through the centuries and Wroclaw has been part of many different kingdoms and countries including Germany, Hapsburg monarchy, Prussia, Kingdom of Hungary and kingdom of Bohemia. It was actually German speaking from the middle ages until 1945 when it became part of Poland after the war. Its German name was Breslau. In January of 1945 there was a 3 month siege of the city. Eighteen thousand civilians died in snow storms trying to leave the city during the siege. A large part of the city center was demolished and used as an airfield at this time. By the end of the siege, half the city had been destroyed and 80,000 civilians had died.
The city is surrounded by rivers and canals. It is known as the Venice of Poland. It is built on 12 islands and there are many bridges throughout. The actual number is disputed but it is around 130.
Fun fact - The Wroclaw dwarfs or gnomes first started appearing in the city in 2003. They were made to commemorate the Orange alternative movement, which was an anti-communist movement that began in Wroclaw. The gnome or dwarf was a symbol for the movement. Now there are over 600 of them. They are small figurines about 10 inches tall. Each has its own personality. It is a fun game to try to find them all over the city.
Getting there
Worclaw has an airport, the Nicolaus Copernicus airport. It is located about 6 miles southwest of the city center. Flights from other Polish cities as well as other European cities come into the airport.
To get from the Wroclaw airport to Wroclaw Glowny (the main station in the city), you take the 106 bus right from the airport to the Dworzec Główny (Dworcowa) stop.
There are also taxis outside of the arrivals area that can take you anywhere you need to go.
By train - Wroclow is well connected by train. For example, the distance from Wroclaw to Krakow is about 3h and 20 minutes and to Warsaw is around 5 hours. The main railway station, Dworzec Główny (Dworcowa) is about a 15 minute walk to market square so depending on where your accommodations are you can get a taxi, uber or other public transportation from there.
By car - If you are arriving by car I would park it in a public parking lot and then walk, or use public transportation when you are in the city. The city can get congested with traffic so you won't want to drive.
Getting around
Most of the things you will want to see are within walking distance. There is also great public transportation with buses and trams. Buses and trams run regularly from 4 to midnight with some irregular times from midnight to 4. You can get tickets for those at kiosks at the tram or bus stations or on the actual trams or buses. You can use credit cards if you are buying on the vehicles but not cash. The kiosks at the stations take both cash or card. You need to stamp your ticket once on the vehicle. The tickets are for one ride or for a certain length of time all the way from 15 minutes to 168 hours.
Expert tip
If you are riding a taxi, make sure the taxi is clearly marked, has a fee card in the window and turns on the meter when you start driving. If you need to pay by card, make sure to ask if they accept them before you get in.
Wroclaw also has city bikes that you can rent as well as electric scooters such as Lime. To use those you will need the company app. Once registered, you check out the bike or scooter on the company app. Bikes are picked up and dropped off at certain locations. The scooters though, are just picked up and dropped off anywhere within a certain area. They are then picked up at night at recharged. If you see a Lime with no one using it, it is available for you. Both the bikes and the scooters are a great way to see a city. We’ve used Limes in cities in both Europe and North america, with kids and without kids. They are fun and let you see way more of the city than you would otherwise. If there are bike lanes you can ride the scooter in those. Also, if you go outside an area where the scooters will not be picked up they will stop working.
Expert tip
Just remember that the meter is running so you need to park them using the app if you go into any shop or cafe and if they are off, they are up for grabs.
Wroclaw itinerary - One day in Wroclaw
Our first stop is the heart of Wroclaw - Market Square. This lively square dates back to the 13th century and is surrounded by picturesque townhouses, cafes, and restaurants. It is has a ton of charm and is a great place to wander and spend some time. There are a few interesting facts about this square. The restaurant Świdnicka Cellar may be the oldest restaurant in Europe. If it is not the oldest, it is close to it. There is a secret tunnel that leads from the restaurant to the house at number 22 where the beer for the restaurant used to be brewed.
The new town hall, on the west side of the square was built in 1860. It is the seat of the Mayor as well as the city council.
The old town hall is at the center of market square. Constructions of This Gothic building was begun in the 13th century, but it has been added to and changed through the centuries. Today it houses a restaurant in the basement, a museum and it is used for civic events and concerts.
On building no 5, try and find the fake window. There is a window that was painted to keep symmetry with the rest of the windows but it can be hard to spot.
St. Elizabeth church dates back to the 14th century. From 1525 to 1946 it was a Lutheran church. After the war it was given to the Catholic church. In 1976 the church was gutted by a fire. The tower was originally 400 feet tall but the reconstruction is only 300 feet tall. It is still a great place to see a panoramic view of the square. It has 300 steps though, so be prepared. The tower is only open from April to October (weather dependent)
and there is a small fee to climb the tower.
Just off of the square is St. Mary Magdalene church. This church was completed in 1232. It was the first parish church in the city but it was rebuilt in 1360. The two towers of st. Mary Magdalene church are connected by a footbridge you can walk on for another great view. This bridge is called "Mostek Czarownic" (Witches’ Bridge) or Penitents bridge and there are many legends surrounding the bridge. One states that the shadows visible on the bridge are the souls of the girls who didn't want to be married because they didn’t want to do the housekeeping and be obedient to their husbands. Instead, they wanted to be idle and seduce the men without the confines of marriage. Another legend says that the bridge was used as a test for witches. When someone was accused of witchcraft they were made to walk across the bridge without any guardrails. If they lost their balance and fell to their deaths they were exonerated. If they made it across they were deemed a witch and burned at the stake. There is a small fee to go on the bridge. It is open from 10-8.
Make sure to wander into Salt square which is right next to market square. It got its name because wagons of salt used to be brought into the square. Nowadays it is full of flower stalls. It is a great place to wander and shop.
For a peaceful retreat from the city buzz, head to Ostrow Tumski, also known as Cathedral Island. This historic district is home to stunning architecture and many churches. It is actually the oldest part of the city and it was expanded from here. For a great panoramic view go just behind sand bridge where the promenade starts and you can look at the whole of cathedral island.
Cathedral island is a great place to wander and enjoy the city. Take a leisurely stroll along the riverbanks, and admire the charming bridges of this quiet neighborhood. There is a really pretty botanical gardens there. You do have to pay a small amount to go in.
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, which boasts breathtaking Gothic interiors, is a must see in the area. There is an observation deck which does cost to go up. You cannot tour during services so check the schedule.There is an elevator that takes you up so you don't have to climb!!
Expert tip
Cathedral island has over 100 gas lanterns. During the evening, you can watch the lamp lighter in his cape light the lanterns by hand. The only other place this happens in Europe is Zagreb. To catch him, go to the cathedral 10 minutes before sunset.
2 days in Wroclaw
Wroclaw University is a great place to spend some time. The main building is one of the most beautiful examples of baroque design in Poland and has one of the longest baroque facades in the world. It houses a museum. When you get a ticket to the museum it includes the mathematical tower for a nice view of the city and 2 beautiful baroque halls, Oratorium Marianum and Aula Leopoldina.
Make sure you also go in the Church of the blessed name of Jesus in the University quarter. This is a stunning baroque rococo church. It was built by the Jesuits in the 1690s. The interior is painted to look like white marble and is filled with ornate decor. Donations are suggested but not required. There is an audio guide as well if you are interested.
Market hall is a must visit. This is a two story covered market with almost 200 stalls. It was built in 1908 and known for its art nouveau architecture. There are all sorts of food vendors, flowers and even clothes. It is closed Sundays.
3 days in Wroclaw
No visit to Wroclaw would be complete without marveling at the architectural masterpiece that is Centennial Hall. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a prime example of modernist architecture and hosts various events and exhibitions throughout the year. Built in 1913, it was the largest reinforced concrete structure in the world at the time. As it was being built, its builders were worried that it would collapse as soon as the supports were removed, but over 100 years later it is still standing. It is used for cultural and sporting events holding 1000 people. You have to buy tickets to see it. They can sell out so and they don’t sell them on the website so there may be lines. On the website they do have a calendar that predicts how busy it will be. There are also guided tours available.
The multimedia fountain is the largest in Poland and one of the largest in Europe. It opened in 2009, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of free elections in Poland. With 300 water jets and 3 fire jets it puts on a wonderful show. Schedule times can change so make sure to check the website. There are daytime and nighttime shows but only from April to October.
The Old Jewish Cemetery was built in 1856. It is full of interesting headstones and mausoleums. It features many architectural styles and is an interesting place to stroll around. There is a fee to get in but Thursdays are free.
With even more time visit the zoo, ride the cable car over the river or take a ride on a boat. Wroclaw is a beautiful city and you will absolutely love your time there!
Ready to travel to Wroclaw? Let us custom create the perfect itinerary for you. Contact us at eurotravelsbydesign@gmail.com to get started!
Comments