12 amazing things to do in Wrocław, Poland 2023

Brightly painted market squares, lofty church spires, and a scenic perch beside the banks of the Odra River make Wrocław the sort of destination that is just so easy to adore. From hearty meals at traditional Milk bars to one of the quirkiest additions to any city - a collection of bronze gnomes, discover this Polish city one medieval pocket at a time.

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Wrocław (pronounced “vrots-waf”) is the sort of place that you’d conjure up in a medieval dream with its striking old town square and towering church spires. Set on the banks of the Odra River, a collection of 12 islands comprise the sprawl of Poland’s fourth-largest city.

Most of Wrocław's history was lived under German occupation as the city of Breslau until it became part of Poland following the Second World War in 1945. As the capital of Lower Silesia, Wrocław is often compared to Kraków for its colourful town square and Gothic churches, however, it has earned merit as a destination worthy of far more than comparison.

From one of the world’s most beautiful universities featuring baroque halls to the quirky addition of hundreds of miniature dwarf statues peppered throughout the city, Wrocław seriously remains one of the most under-the-radar destinations I’ve visited.

On a cold winter’s morning, I set out to explore the buzzing market square before the daytime revellers made their way to the Christmas market. With the streets almost entirely to myself, I could appreciate the most handsome pockets of Wrocław without interruption. 

Easily explored on foot, the centralised sights that make Wrocław so remarkable are easily visited in just a few days making it ideal to pop by for a weekend break or add it to a longer itinerary of Poland or central Europe.

Make the most of your time with this list of the best things to do in Wrocław.

Things to do in Wrocław

1 | Marvel at The Market Square (Rynek)

Wrocław’s resplendent market square is the third-largest in Poland and one of the largest in Europe. The now pedestrianised square was once a hive of activity with cars and trams passing right through the centre. It’s hard to imagine nowadays, as the brightly painted facades wrap their way around the wide, paved walkways.

Like many of Poland’s cities, Wrocław’s market square suffered considerable damage during WWII, however, was able to be restored as is seen today. First established in the 13th century, by the middle of the 14th century a closed construction had been formed, with the plots’ limits defined.

2 | Climb to the top of Mary Magdalene church and admire the view from The Bridge Of Penitents

One of the oldest religious buildings in Wrocław, the Cathedral of St Mary Magdalene is a 13th-century Gothic church located just off the market square. Established as the first Parish church in Wrocław, the basilica features eight arches and three naives, with an additional two towers which were added in 1488.

Once you’ve visited the church’s interior, make your way upstairs to the Bridge of the Penitents, also known as ‘witches bridge’. From here you can soak up the views across the Old Town square where red tiled roofs cover the brightly coloured facades. 

THE DETAILS

Address | Szewska 10, 50-122 Wrocław

Hours | Daily, 10am - 7pm

Cost | Church is free, 10zl for tower tickets

3 | Go dwarf hunting

One of Wrocław’s most iconic and memorable sights are the numerous dwarves placed throughout the city waiting for visitors to discover them. Known by the locals as ‘krasnale’, this legion of miniature gnomes have become ubiquitous with Wrocław, hiding in corners, resting in doorways, and even at the top of church towers! 

While gnomes have long held a place in Polish folklore, the dwarves began filling the streets of Wrocław in 2005. Mostly made of bronze, these tiny characters are spread across the city centre, with more than 600 to spot. If you find yourself in Wrocław in September, there’s a Dwarves Festival that takes place every year. 

4 | Fall in love with the Baroque details of Wrocław University

Wrocław is a university city which means there are a lot of students living nearby. While most universities carry an air of prestige in their architecture, the University of Wrocław has to be one of the most spectacular.

Wrocław University Leopoldina Lecture Hall is a baroque pearl that forms part of the museum which guests can visit. Built between 1728-1732 it features stucco decorations, frescoes, and wooden sculptures. 

Museum visitors can also access the Oratorium Marianum, Mathematical Tower, and various exhibitions as well as access to the rooftop. You can book a guided tour of the museum sights.

THE DETAILS

Address | Plac Uniwersytecki 1, 50-137 Wrocław

Hours | Thursday - Tuesday 10am - 4pm October to April, Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm and Weekends 10am - 6pm May to September, closed Wednesday

Cost | Prices from 12zl depending on how many exhibitions you choose

5 | Stop by Stare Jatki passage and pick up a souvenir from a local boutique

Once the centre of Wrocław’s old meat market, Stare Jatki passage is a tiny street that still retains its iconic medieval half-timber structures. The Old Shambles had a flourishing butcher’s trade for many decades, selling meat to locals for generations.

While the wooden meat merchant shop fronts have been replaced by boutiques selling local ceramics and souvenirs, there remains a modern day symbol to the street’s past. A series of metal animals make up The Monument for the Slaughtered Animals in recognition of the former meat trade.

6 | Pay a visit to Cathedral Island (Ostrów Tumski)

Wrocław’s roots lie in Cathedral Island, the oldest part of the city with some of the earliest construction dating back to the 10th century. An important centre for religious activity, the first buildings here were made of wood by the Piast Dynasty.

Previously surrounded by defensive walls built on the Odra River banks, Ostrów Tumski is now one of the most peaceful places in Wrocław. Start by crossing Most Piaskowy, the oldest bridge in the city, built in 1861. 

Passing through, marvel at the various intriguing sites including Russian Orthodox Church of St. Cyril and St. Methodius, the Baroque University Library, and the Gothic Church of the Blessed Virgin on the Sand. Cross another bridge, Most Tumski, where you’ll discover the namesake of the island, the Cathedral of St John the Baptist.

7 | Admire the masterpiece that is the Cathedral of St John the Baptist

An elegant double-spire building rises tall above the surrounding sights of Ostrów Tumski, commanding attention from every angle. The Cathedral of St John the Baptist is one of Wrocław’s most valuable medieval relics and houses Poland’s largest organ.

The Cathedral of St John the Baptist is not the first church to occupy the site. It is constructed on the same grounds that have previously seen a Bohemian church in the 10th century, a Romanesque-style church in the 12th century, and then largely rebuilt in the present-day Gothic style in the 13th century.

Climb the stairs to the top of one of the towers to take in panoramic views across Ostrów Tumski and wider Wrocław - it’s one of the best vantage points in the city.

THE DETAILS

Address | Plac Katedralny 18, 50-329 Wrocław

Hours | Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 2pm - 4pm, the terrace is closed in bad weather

Cost | 10zl

8 | Explore street art at the Monument of an Anonymous Passerby

This intriguing sculpture of 14 bronze statues encapsulates the political period in the 1980s when Poland was under communist rule when people went missing during a time of Martial law. Split across two sides of the street, several of the figures appear to be descending into the pavement, a representation of the actions of the time.

The Monument of an Anonymous Passerby became a public art installation in 2005 after it was unveiled to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the abolition of martial law in the nation.

9 | Try typical Polish cuisine at a traditional milk bar

Polish milk bars or ‘bar mleczny’ are an institution in Polish cuisine and the best place to tuck into traditional Polish dishes for just a few zloty. Once a Communist party solution for feeding the masses cheaply, they’ve since been adopted as a place to grab a no-frills bite to eat at very affordable prices.

While you won’t get the ambience of a fine dining restaurant, you will get good, tasty food. From borscht to pierogi, and gołąbki (meat-filled cabbage rolls) to kotlet schabowy, this is the kind of place to get that proper home-cooked style Polish cuisine that’s great for filling your belly on a cold day.

Looking for the best milk bars in Wrocław? I’d recommend Bar Mleczny Mewa, Miś Milk Bar, or Ale! Duet Milk Bar.

10 | Grab some local produce at Wrocław Market Hall (Hala Targowa)

Wrocław's Market Hall has been a pillar of daily life in the city since 1908 when the building designed by Richard Pluddemann and Heinrich Kuster opened to the public. The hall’s interior is a concrete cathedral of elliptical arches homing hawkers selling top-quality fruit and vegetables at stalls that fill the open plan ground floor. 

Upstairs, you’ll find an array of bric-a-brac from women’s accessories to kitchen utensils in a rather unassuming affair. In recent years, the market has expanded its food offering to include a series of coffee roasters, bars, and restaurants transforming the hall into a mixed-market.

THE DETAILS

Address | Piaskowa 17, 50-359 Wrocław

Hours | Monday - Saturday 8am - 6:30pm, closed Sunday

11 | Tantalise your tastebuds with sweet treats at Nanan

For those with a sweet tooth, the delights at Nanan go well beyond the marshmallow pink velvet panelled walls and marble table top interiors. Passersby are drawn in by large arched windows that share a glimpse into the world created by BUCK.STUDIO which are also the creators behind other incredible concept cafes including Dinette and Campo.

The reason people keep coming back though is because of the glazed delicacies perfectly presented inside the wood and glass cabinetry in the patisserie’s storefront. From eclairs and macaroons to fudge and mouse-filled sponge cakes, the hardest part is trying not to buy one of everything.

THE DETAILS

Address | Kotlarska 32, 50-120 Wrocław

Hours | Daily 10am - 8pm 

12 | Enjoy the festive season at Wrocław Christmas Market

One of the best things you can do in Wrocław is to visit during the festive season. A time when the scent of winter spices fills the air, steaming mugs of mulled wine are nursed under twinkling lights, and one of Poland’s best Christmas Markets adds seasonal cheer to the already brightly coloured Rynet Market Square.

From local produce like flavoured honey and artisan bread to handcrafted artistic fare and Christmas ornaments, this is one of the largest Christmas markets in Poland, attracting visitors from neighbouring countries including Germany and Czechia. 

From food stalls selling bratwurst and pierogi to hot orange and rum punch, the atmosphere here is one of absolute merriment. Families, couples, and friends alike will all have a wonderful day or night at the markets, with al fresco bars, rides, and dozens of stalls to keep everyone busy.

Are the Wrocław Christmas Markets open in 2022?

Yes, the Wrocław Christmas market is scheduled to run in 2022! The market will be open from 18th November - 31st December 2022, closing only for 24th and 25th December. 

Open hours are 10am-9pm daily, with a late start from 1pm on Boxing day 26th December and closing early on New Year’s Eve at 5pm for shops, but food running until 2am.

Weekends at the market can become very crowded, so if possible I would recommend you plan your visit around the weekdays. I visited over a weekend and by late afternoon, it was often a sea of people moving through the alleys created between the wooden market huts.

Where is Wrocław?

Tucked away in the southwestern corner of Poland, Wrocław skirts the banks of the River Oder in the Silesian Lowlands. 

Settled near the borders of Germany and Czechia, Wrocław is Poland’s fourth largest city and returned to Poland in 1945 as part of the Recovered Territories following the Second World War.

How to get to Wrocław

By air

Wrocław is well-connected to other European countries and domestic connections including Gdansk, primarily by budget airlines Ryanair and Wizzair which fly into Wrocław’s Copernicus Airport. You can reach the city centre by bus number 106 or Uber is a very affordable option to travel the 10km from the airport to central Wrocław.

By train

Wrocław is also connected by train services to other cities across Poland, including Warsaw, Poznań, and Kraków. You can buy tickets directly at the station or online from the Polish Trains website.

By car

If you’re driving, in addition to reaching Wrocław from other destinations in Poland, you can also drive from Dresden in Germany in a little under three hours, or Prague in the Czech Republic in just under four hours.

Where to stay in Wrocław

Stare Miastro, Wrocław’s Old Town, is the prime location when it comes to your stay. With most of the city’s attractions centred around the oldest part of Wrocław, you’ll not only benefit from proximity to the best sightseeing and dining Wrocław has to offer, but you’ll be immersed in the most vibrant area of the city too.

Poland remains more affordable than its Western European neighbours, making it ultra-friendly for budget travellers or the ideal place to treat yourself to something a little more luxe for less. Here are my top recommendations for where to stay in Wrocław.

Scandic Wrocław | A simple and clean stay is budget-friendly and ideally located in Wrocław centre, Scandic Wrocław comes complete with a light wood sauna to loosen up your muscles after a day of exploring.

Hotel Altus Palace | Pastel interiors and aesthetic details make this one very #accidentlyWesAnderson stay at this former palace-turned-hotel. Guests have access to free bikes for exploring the city, as well as a sauna and hot tub to unwind at the end of the day.

PURO Wrocław Stare Miasto | Residing in the beating heart of Wrocław’s Old Town just steps from the market square, PURO is one of the hippest stays in the city. Pairing modern styling with the lightest touch of a mid-century twist, the hotel is also home to Hint, a stylish bistro plating up contemporary street food-inspired cuisine.

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