Complete Guide: 17 Magical Things To Do In Wroclaw, Poland

Is Wroclaw worth visiting?

Yes! In my opinion, Wroclaw is one of Europe’s most underrated cities – it’s a beautiful and colourful historic city with plenty of magical activities and experiences, as well as a great food scene and nightlife!

The city feels very safe and it’s perfectly walkable. As it’s still an under-the-radar destination, it keeps its authentic feel and doesn’t feel crowded, even in the main Market Square.

If you’re looking for a European city break that is kind on the wallet and doesn’t feel overly-touristy, Wroclaw is the perfect option!

How to pronounce “Wroclaw”?

One of the first things you’ll want to do before visiting Wroclaw is practicing how to correctly pronounce the city’s name!

It’s a tricky one because the way the word appears to read to English-speakers (perhaps you read it as “Roh-claw” in your head) is completely different from its correct Polish pronunciation!

Wrocław is pronounced Vro-tz-waaf (click to listen to an audio demonstration).

Where to Stay in Wroclaw?

Wroclaw is quite a compact city, but there are two main areas where I suggest staying: the Old Town of Wroclaw and Cathedral Island.

• The Old Town of Wroclaw (Stare Miasto) is perfect for a stay in the heart of the city, where you can easily reach most of the must-see highlights and attractions on foot.
  
  Understandably, it’s the pricier and busier area of the city, and parking can be difficult, but you will always have plenty of options for food, drinks, and nightlife within walking distance.

• Cathedral Island (Ostrów Tumski) is where the city of Wroclaw was founded, and it’s certainly one of the most beautiful, romantic, and quieter areas. However, there is a more limited choice of accommodations here.
  
  You’ll still be within walking distance to the Old Town, and this is also where you can spot the famous Lamplighter working his round, manually lighting the island’s gas lanterns each evening.

During my visit to Wroclaw, I stayed at The Bridge Hotel Wroclaw on Cathedral Island. The hotel has been renovated in partnership with the National Museum in Wrocław, and nearly every room pays homage to historical figures that contributed to the development of the city in between the 17th and 19th centuries.

While some of the rooms face the street where the Lamplighter makes his round, others face the Oder River, and the hotel’s Sky Bar has an unbeatable view to Wroclaw’s iconic Cathedral of St John the Baptist. Plus, they serve a delicious breakfast spread and the hotel is also completely pet-friendly!

17 Best Things to do in Wroclaw, Poland

1. Wander through Wroclaw’s colourful Market Square

Wroclaw’s Old Town Market Square (Rynek) is the heart of the city, renowned for its colourful tenement houses surrounding the magnificent Gothic Town Hall.

Largely rebuilt from the damages of WWII, Wroclaw’s Market Square is the third-largest in Poland, and one of the largest in Europe. Wandering around and admiring all the little details on the buildings, shops, and restaurants is lovely, especially when you spot the many elusive gnome statues hiding in plain sight (more on that next!).

Adjacent to the main Market Square, you can also find a smaller square, Plac Solny. A 24-hour flower market operates here, surrounding a beautiful fountain.

You can also join a walking tour to learn more about Wroclaw’s history and its hidden gems!

2. Hunt down over 1,400 Gnomes across the city

Wroclaw is known as the City of Gnomes (or City of Dwarves) thanks to the hundreds of dwarf statues scattered across the city!

In the 1980s, Poland was under Communist rule, and Wroclaw was an important epicentre of anti-communism movements and protest. The Orange Alternative was one such underground group, who used satire and ridicule to peacefully oppose the regime, using dwarves as their iconic symbol.

As such, little dwarf statues became a symbol of the city and now can also be commissioned by local businesses – by September 2025 there are officially over 1,400! You can find the little gnomes by the ice cream shop, the ATM machine, depicting historical figures, and my personal favourite one – holding a pierogi!

Tip: Some gnomes are listed on Google Maps – just search “Krasnal” (“dwarf” in Polish) to bring them up!

Alternatively, especially if you have kids, you can buy a gnome-hunting map at the tourist office, which comes with stickers and makes for a fun treasure-hunt experience!

The easiest way to stay connected in Wroclaw is by installing an eSIM ahead of your trip!

You can get 5% off Holafly eSIMs with my code “JESSICAVIANA“!

3. Stalk one of Europe’s last Lamplighters

If there was one thing I was super excited to do in Wroclaw, was to stalk the Lamplighter that still manually lights up each of the 102 gas lanterns on Cathedral Island (Ostrów Tumski) every evening!

The tradition of employing lamplighters in Wroclaw dates back almost 200 years, when there was no electricity, and gas lanterns needed to be manually lit and extinguished.

Today, the Wroclaw Lamplighter still works his round on Cathedral Island each evening, 365 days a year. As somewhat of a local celebrity, people gather by the Cathedral of St John the Baptist around 15 minutes before the official sunset time to catch a glimpse of the elusive lamplighter wearing his cape and top hat.

I made a video about the experience, check it out here 👇

4. Climb 247 steps to see the best view of Wroclaw

In my opinion, the best view in Wroclaw is from the top of the Witches’ Bridge (or Bridge of Penitents). The open-air footbridge straddles the two towers towers of St. Mary Magdalene’s Church. It is said that this bridge was used to test women accused of witchcraft.

To reach the bridge, you must climb 247 steps up the church tower (with break points along the way), but you’ll be rewarded by spotting Tekla and Martynka: the witchy gnomes sweeping coins with a magnificent view of Wroclaw’s Old Town in the background.

Opening times: 10 AM – 8 PM daily (Apr-Oct), 10 AM – 6 PM daily (Nov-Mar).
Entry fee: 15 zł (approx. 3.50 EUR) for adults, with reduced prices for children, students, and seniors.

5. Admire the opulent Aula Leopoldina at Wroclaw University

The Museum of the University of Wroclaw is one of the most beautiful buildings in the entire city, making it a must-visit in this guide.

Entry to the museum includes the exhibition rooms, the Mathematical Tower (with sweeping views over the city), and the two magnificently-adorned rooms of the Oratorium Marianum and Aula Leopoldina.

The Aula Leopoldina is named after Emperor Leopold I, the university’s founder from 1702, and it’s mainly used today as a ceremony hall for the university. Take some time to admire its impressive Italian Baroque-style frescoes, the detailed stucco ornaments, and the marbling.

Opening times: 10 AM – 5 PM (May-Sep), 10 AM – 4 PM (Oct – Apr) – closed on Wednesdays.
Entry fee: 28 zł (approx. 6.50 EUR) for adults, with reduced prices for children, students, and seniors.

6. Eat in one of Europe’s oldest restaurants

Located at the heart of Wroclaw’s Market Square and tucked in the cellars of the Gothic building of the Town Hall, Piwnica Świdnicka boasts the title of one of Europe’s oldest restaurants, having been around since 1273!

Backing up its legacy, I can confirm that the traditional Polish food served here is up to standard (the pierogi are delicious and I highly recommend trying their hearty Silesian sour rye soup!). For the beer-lovers, make sure to enjoy some of the craft beer produced in-house!

7. Take a boat cruise on the Oder River

Did you know that Wroclaw is known as the Venice of Poland? This is because the city was built over 12 islands, and is connected by more than 100 bridges.

The Oder River, which crosses the city and splits into smaller waterways and canals, is the perfect stage to admire Wroclaw’s architecture onboard a river cruise. Plus, one of the city’s earliest dwarf statues can only be seen from the water, as he washes his clothes in the river.

Book a Wroclaw river cruise:

8. Visit the 360º Racławice Panorama

One of Wroclaw’s most impressive attractions is the Racławice Panorama – a 360-degree painting depicting the Battle of Racławice. This triumphant battle fought on 4 April, 1794 marks a symbolic event when the Polish nation united to defeat the Russians.

I will concede that the price seems a bit steep initially, but in fact the entry ticket for the Racławice Panorama also includes free entry to the National Museum in Wrocław, the Ethnographic Museum, and the Four Domes Pavilion within 90 days – so you get four museum tickets in one!

You can only view the Racławice Panorama on a 30-minute guided visit ticket with a timed-entry slot, therefore I recommend booking in advance.

Opening times: 8:30 AM – 7 PM daily (Apr-Oct), winter opening times here.
Entry fee: 50 zł (approx. 11.75 EUR) for adults, with reduced prices for children, students, and seniors.

9. Dine at Konspira, a 1980s Communist-Era Themed Restaurant

Another restaurant you cannot miss in Wroclaw is Konspira – not only for the traditional Polish food, but because it is sort of a museum as well!

After WWII, Poland did not get its much-desired freedom, instead seeing German occupation replaced by Soviet-controlled puppet governments up until the 1980s.

Wroclaw was an important hub of anti-communism opposition, and Konspira pays homage to the great achievements of Wrocław’s “Solidarity” underground movements.

I loved reading the small bites of historical context behind some of the dishes in the menu itself, to better understand how life was during Communism years (plus, I highly recommend their stuffed cabbage rolls!).

Tip: Make sure to ask the staff to visit their secret room – behind one of the wardrobes, hides a room recreating an 1980s Polish apartment, stocked with everyday household items, toys, electronics, and even riot gear from the days of martial law. It’s truly like stepping back in time!

10. Watch a Multimedia Fountain Show at the Centennial Hall

Right by the Centennial Hall – a UNESCO World Heritage Site (and filming location of the Hunger Games, by the way!) – is where you’ll find the Multimedia Fountain.

It is the largest fountain in Poland, making it also one of the biggest in Europe. Between April and October, you can watch several free daily multimedia shows combining 300 water jets, 800 lights, music, and sometimes fire and projections. They usually last for up to 10 minutes.

Of course, the best displays happen after dark – when I went, I got to attend a Hans Zimmer-themed display.

Opening times: April – October. Shows on the hour, every hour from 10 AM to 9 PM, and at 9:40 PM.
Entry fee: Free entrance for all, no ticket required.

11. Wander through the Botanical Garden of the University of Wroclaw

The Botanical Garden of the University of Wroclaw is located on Cathedral Island, and a lovely place for a serene escape in this picturesque part of the city.

This is the second-oldest botanical garden in Poland (after the one in Kraków), founded in 1811 for the university medical students.

Opening times: 9 AM – 7 PM daily (May-Aug), 9 AM – 6 PM daily (April & September), 9 AM – 5 PM daily (October)
Entry fee: 30 zł (approx. 7 EUR) for adults, with reduced prices for children, students, and seniors.

12. Taste Pierogi at a Pierogarnia

Of course, you cannot visit Poland without eating some pierogi!

Wroclaw is home to some great pierogarnias (essentially, restaurants that specialise in serving pierogi!), and my favourite was Pierogarnia Rynek 26, right on the Old Town Market Square. The building is very cozy inside, with exposed brick and arched ceilings.

I ordered the mixed plate with boiled and oven-baked dumplings for two people. It came with potato pancakes and dipping sauces, and it was great fun trying all the different fillings! We were a bit ambitious, as we also ordered a mix of sweet pierogi for dessert – it was a lot of dumpling action, but I have no regrets!

13. Have a drink at Wroclaw’s most beautiful pub

If I didn’t know what hides behind the façade of the Św. Jan Pub, I probably wouldn’t even glance twice at it. Yet, once you step inside, you’ll be absolutely gobsmacked by its interiors.

The building is nicknamed “The Old Gallows Tenement House“, and it was the earliest brick building erected in the Old Town Market Square, from the early 1300s. Over the centuries, it was owned by several merchants and councillors, and it was ultimately severely damaged during WWII. The building was then reconstructed in the Renaissance-Baroque style, closer to what it would’ve looked like in the 1600s.

Now, we get to go in and enjoy this incredible historic place in all its splendour. Admittedly, I didn’t try the food here, but I have heard good praises. Instead, I headed straight to the bar and had a couple drinks while taking in the vibe. Highly recommended!

14. Ride Wroclaw’s Historic Tram

Like many European cities, Wroclaw now also has its very own historic tram line that you can ride!

The first stop is the “T” Stop at Opera, and it runs all the way to the Centennial Hall, before returning via Cathedral Island and passing by Wroclaw University.

Schedule: Every 30 minutes between 12 PM – 6 PM on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays between May and September.

Ticket price: 4.60 zł (approx. 1.10 EUR) for adults, with concessions for children, students, and seniors. Tickets can be purchased from the conductor.

15. Enjoy the nightlife at the Neon Side Gallery

Despite being a small-ish city, Wroclaw’s nightlife is extremely lively and diverse!

One of the coolest places to wind down with a drink is Galeria Neon Side on Ruska Street – a hidden courtyard filled with street art, cafes, bars, art studios, and an outdoor collection of salvaged Soviet-era neon signs.

The location used to be the headquarters of the old Reklama company – the largest manufacturer of neon signs in Lower Silesia in the 1960s. Thanks to the Neon Side Wroclaw Foundation, these historic neon signs have found a home in their place of origin.

16. Discover the colourful Backyards of Nadodrze 

For any street-art lovers, strolling through no. 5A on Franklina Delano Roosevelta Street into the colourful Backyards of Nadodrze feels like a treasure hunt!

Within these courtyards, you’ll discover all sorts of murals, sculptures, graffiti, and mosaics, turning an otherwise ordinary neighbourhood into an outdoor art gallery. This revitalisation project involved all the local residents of the neighbourhood, and some of them are even depicted in the murals themselves!

17. Take a day trip to Książ Castle – Poland’s Pink Castle

From Wroclaw, you can take a day trip about 1.5 hours closer to the border with Czechia to visit Poland’s pink Książ Castle (pronounced like “change” with a French accent – “shawnge“).

You can reach the castle from Wroclaw either by train from Wroclaw Główny station or with a guided small-group day tour, which also includes a visit to the Church of Peace, a UNESCO Site.

There are a couple hotels on the Książ Castle grounds, so you can have the most fairytale-like visit by staying overnight! Check out Hotel Książ.

The pretty and pink Książ Castle is the largest in the Silesia region, and it’s the third-largest castle in Poland. Built in the 13th century, it was occupied by the wealthy and influential Hochberg family for centuries, until it was seized by the Nazis during WWII.

A mysterious underground network of tunnels was built during this time, presumably to conduct Nazi operations. You can visit the underground tunnels with the castle’s All Day Ticket.

Opening times: 9 AM – 6 PM Mon-Fri, 9 AM – 7 PM on weekends
Entry fee: 69-99 zł (approx. 16-23 EUR) for adults depending on ticket type, with reduced prices for children, students, and seniors.

What to do in Wroclaw: FAQ

Last thoughts

Next time you’re in Poland, don’t make the mistake of skipping Wroclaw. This fairytale city will surprise you and make you fall in love with its food scene, historical legacy, and vibrant culture.

If you’re planning a trip to Wroclaw, I hope this guide is helpful to make the most of your time!

Feel free to write any questions you may have in the comments – I’ll do my best to help.

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