The 8 things to do in Wroclaw

Visit Wroclaw: what are the best things to do and see in the fourth city of Poland located southwest of the country?

Visiting Wroclaw is falling under the charm of the one that is surnamed the “Polish Venice” for the presence of many canals and a river all around the city center. Designated European Capital of Culture in 2016 Wroclaw has to seduce its visitors.

Founded around the 10th century this city is one of the oldest in Poland. She has therefore experienced a long succession of regimes that explain her wealth and cultural diversity. Don’t wait to visit Wroclaw!

1. Wroclaw Centenary Hall

Built in 1913 on the occasion of the centenary of Napoleon’s defeat in Leipzig, this hall of unmeasured size is a marvel that will not fail to delight architectural enthusiasts. Inscribed to UNESCO’s World Heritage, it is Poland’s largest cultural hall that hosts throughout the year exhibitions, concerts and other conferences.

2. The Cathedral of Wroclaw

The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist was built between 1244 and 1341 in a Gothic style. It has twin towers of 98 meters high! This is probably the first brick construction in Poland. This building is located on the island of the cathedral that we present below.

3. Take a walk in the district of Ostów Tumski

The district of Ostrow Tumski or the Cathedral Island is the oldest in Wroclaw and develops around the cathedral located in its centre. Enjoy a walk in its old paved streets and don’t forget to borrow the Tumski Bridge, one of the oldest bridges in the city, a place full of charm.

4. Rynek, a stop on the market place

You can't avoid the Rynek, the marketplace of the city. Dating from the 13th century it is one of the largest market places in Europe. You will find a magnificent Gothic-style city hotel (Ratusz) whose visit is worth a look. Don’t miss the Basilica of St. Elizabeth, one of the oldest churches in the city, or its 91-metre arrow with an observatory at the top.

5. A must-see work, the Panorama of Racławice

This is probably the major artistic attraction of the city. This 19th century panoramic fresco of 114m long for 15m high gives to see the battle of Raclawice of April 04, 1794 ending with a Polish victory over the Russians. At first exposed to Lviv in Ukraine, the canvas was transported to Wroclaw after the Second World War, a work that allows to apprehend part of Polish history. Located in a room entirely dedicated to this huge canvas, you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of the battlefield.

6. Go to Krasnale hunting

When you visit Wroclaw, you will quickly observe that dwarfs populate the streets of the city. There are no less than 280 gnomes ("Krasnale" in Polish) spread throughout Wroclaw. Find them all dwarfs of Wroclaw ?

7. See also in Wroclaw

Are you still looking for what to do in Wroclaw? Don’t hesitate to pee in this second list of ideas:

• Hala Targowa, the city's covered market
• Relaxation in the gardens of the Ossolineum
• The church of La Madeleine
• The synagogue at the White Cigogne
• The National Museum of Wroclaw

8. Things to do in the vicinity of Wroclaw

Poland is a country that asks only to be explored. Here are some places to visit if you continue your stay in the region:

• Polish castles and especially the castle of Ksiaz
• The Peace Churches of Jawor and Swidnica, Europe’s largest religious buildings with wooden structure (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Karpacz, small mountain village for hiking enthusiasts
• Poznan at about 2 hours train, capital of Greater Poland

How to go to Wroclaw?

To get directly to Wroclaw from France, there are direct flights from Paris. Otherwise, you can fly to Poland to land Krakow or Warsaw Then take a train or a bus. To find cheap flights to Wroclaw, you can search our partner's website Skyscanner .

Where to stay in Wroclaw?

The main areas of Wroclaw are those of Stare Miasto (the Old Town), Srodmiescie ("city centre") and Nadodrze (which means "above the Odra River"). The ideal is of house in one of these three districts of Wroclaw to be close to the must-see monuments, entertainment and restaurants in Wroclaw. You can find a cheap hotel in Wroclaw by doing a search on this Compare hotels .