Full Guide: 15 Epic Things to Do in Wroclaw, Poland
This is the most underrated city in Europe! Welcome to the colorful city of gnomes, Wrocław, Poland.
I instantly fell in love with this charming town. I loved hunting down all the adorable gnomes – there are nearly 1000 of them!
Read on for the best things to do in Wroclaw, Poland. One of the highlights was climbing the 247 stairs to a view of the city and strolling on Cathedral Island. I even spotted a lamplighter lighting the streets by hand like the old times.
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Before you go:
☀️ Best time to Visit: From May to June or September to October are great times to visit.
💱 Currency: Polish Złoty (PLN). You can generally divide the currency by 4 to convert it to USD (e.g., 40 PLN ≈ 10 USD).
🏨 Book Wyndham Wroclaw, located just minutes from the Old Town.
🎫 Best Tour Option is a sunset cruise with views of the city.
🧷 Travel Insurance with SafetyWing in case of any accidents. Better safe than sorry!
📱Mobile E-sim card to stay connected while traveling without the hassle of changing out your sim card!
Is Wroclaw Worth Visiting?
1000% yes — Wroclaw is one of the most underated destinations in Europe. I honestly don’t know why more people aren’t talking about it.
I adored strolling the colorful streets and spotting nearly 1,000 hidden gnomes. There are endless unique things to do here, like watching a lamplighter light gas lamps at dusk! This place completely surprised me in the best way.
Where to Stay in Wroclaw
I stayed at the Wyndham Wroclaw and it was conveniently located 3 minutes away from the colorful Old Town. The rooms were modern and comfortable. It was the perfect base for exploring Wroclaw.
Foodies Guide to Wroclaw
Wondering what the best restaurants in Wroclaw are? Or even where to grab a drink or coffee? Then check out my favorite spots below. I tried them all and can attest they were great! The food in Wroclaw was super impressive.
Piwnica Świdnicka – One of the oldest restaurants in Europe, located beneath the Old Town Hall. A great spot for traditional Polish dishes in a historic setting.
Ida Cuisine and Wine – Silesian cuisine in an elegant atmosphere. Good for a more upscale dinner.
Café Targowa – Simple, cosy café with a nice view of the market. Ideal for a quick coffee break in between sightseeing.
Wrocławska Restaurant – Stylish restaurant serving classic Polish food with a modern touch. Great lunch stop near the museums.
Browar Stu Mostów – Local craft brewery with a solid menu of modern Polish dishes. Worth visiting for both the food and the beer.
Forum Kulinarne – Modern spot in the city centre with creative dishes and a relaxed vibe. Good final meal before heading to the airport.
15 Things to Do in Wroclaw, Poland
1. Wander through the colourful Market Square
The top thing to do in Wroclaw is to visit the Old Town. The Market Square is one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. The colorful buildings all around it look straight out of a storybook, and I loved just strolling around with no real plan. The square dates back to the 1200s. It’s been beautifully restored over the years, especially after being damaged in World War II.
In the middle, there’s this modern glass fountain, which isn’t any ordinary fountain. In fact, it was actually designed to mimic the shape of the surrounding buildings. I just love the architecture of the Polish buildings and how colorful and unique each one is.
If you wish to learn more of the quirks and history of Wroclaw, I’d definitely recommend this walking tour!
2. Hunt down over 1000 gnomes across the city
Did you know, Wroclaw is considered the city of gnomes? That’s because you will find nearly 1000 of them spread across the city!
If you are wondering how it all started, it was actually a form of protest in the 1980s. A group called the Orange Alternative used gnome graffiti to make fun of the communist government. It was their way of standing up without getting into trouble.
Since then, the city has turned it into a fun tradition. It started to become a commercial thing to attract more tourists. And now there are hundreds of little bronze gnome statues scattered around town.
Don’t just look to the floor to find them, look up too as they are hiding in unique places. Finding them is a cool way to explore Wroclaw and learn a bit about its history. Each one has its own legend or story behind it.
One of my favorites was the love bench in Cathedral Island. You will find a male and female gnome on each side of the bench which represented their love for each other. It’s a really cute photo spot as Wroclaw is full of instagrammable places.
3. Dine in one of Europe’s oldest restaurants
Piwnica Świdnicka is one of Europe’s oldest restaurants established in 1273. The name “Świdnicka” comes from the city of Świdnica which is known for its beer. So not only will you need to taste the delicous food here, having a beer is a must.
One of Polands specialties is pierogi which are Polish dumplings usually filled with potato and cheese or meat. I had some here and they were amazing. I also tried schnitzel, which is a thin, breaded cutlet (usually pork or chicken) that’s crispy on the outside. While schnitzel is originally Austrian, it’s become super common in Polish cuisine too.
4. Climb 247 steps for the best view of Wroclaw
Speaking of gnomes and legends, the Bridge of Penitents has one of the most unique stories. This bridge is actually known as the Witches Bridge. It is a suspension bridge with the best views over the city and connects two towers of the Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalen. It is not far from the market square, but you will need to climb 247 stairs to reach the top.
According to legend, the gnome represents the ghost of a young woman who was punished for her sins. She was sentenced to sweep and clean the wooden bridge forever as penance.
5. Admire the magnificent Leopoldinum Hall at Wrocław University
WIthin the University of Wroclaw, you will find the most beautiful place in Poland. This stunning hall is Leopoldinum Hall. It serves as a venue for academic ceremonies and was built between 1728 and 1732.
Inside, you will find the most gorgeous Baroque frescoes. It’s seriously jaw-dropping. There are other halls you can visit within the university,y including the Oratorium Marianum, but the Leopoldinum Hall is by far the most impressive.
There is also a Mathematical Tower where you can find views over the city.
Tickets are 20 PLN ($5) for all four hallways and will also give you access to the Mathematical Tower. Or, you can book this tour, which includes it all as well as a guide.
6. Stroll the serene Japanese Garden in Szczytnicki Park
Tucked away in Szczytnicki Park, you will find one of the most peaceful places in Wroclaw. The Japanese Gardens are full of greenery, flowers, and bridges that span over a lake. There’s even a waterfall inside. It’s the perfect place to stroll around in the morning before you start your day. I’d recommend about an hour and a half to explore it. The tickets cost 8 PLN (around $2).
7. Check out the Multimedia Fountain Show at Centennial Hall
Located right before the entrance of the Szczytnicki Park, you will find Centennial Hall. This modern building was built in 1911 by architect Max Berg to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Leipzig.
You will find a gorgeous pergola covered with greenery. It is the best spot to watch the Multimedia Fountain Show.
This water and light show takes place from May to October in the evenings at the start of every hour. You will find colorful lights illuminating the moving water with music.
It is free to visit the show. However, if you want your transport taken care of from central Wroclaw and to see and learn about the landmarks along the way, I’d recommend this tour.
8. Watch a lamplighter light gas lamps at dusk
Cathedral Island is the oldest part of the city. You will find some really beautiful old style buildings here. The walk here from the Old Town is about 15 minutes and it’s such a nice walk. As you walk from the Old Town, I’d cross the red bridge which eventually takes you to the Tumski Bridge and then you will find yourself on Cathedral Island.
The Tumski Bridge has got many love locks on it but there’s a cute little gnome nearby cutting the locks. This is because it was believed to actually be bad luck to hang these locks.
St. John the Baptist Cathedral is one of the highlights and you can even climb it for views of the city.
In the evenings at dusk (30 minutes before sunset), you will find a lamplighter manually lighting nearly 200 lights. This old tradition has continued daily to this day, and it’s such a unique thing to do in Wroclaw. When you find him, you will probably be following him all around the area like a stalke,r taking pictures like I did! I believe by sunset he stops, so don’t miss it!
9. See the epic Racławice Panorama, a 360° battle painting
One of the top things to do in Wroclaw is to see the epic Racławice Panorama. This 360° battle painting depicts the Battle of Racławice and is so impressive to see in person. The room is circular and spans 15 × 114 meters. The artists include Jan Styka and Wojciech Kossak, who painted detailed scenes of war and conflict.
You will have timed slots, and buying a ticket in advance is recommended. With your ticket, there’s an audio guide that will explain the significance of this interesting and detailed painting. The tour lasts around 30 minutes.
10. Sample craft beers at Browar Stu Mostów brewery
If you love craft beer and gourmet food, then going to Browar Stu Mostów is a must. It is located a little outside the city center so you will need to take a taxi there, but I promise, it’s worth it.
I met with the owner, Arletta, and she was so kind and welcoming. You could see how passionate she was about her business, which she started with her husband, out of her love for tasting fine beers.
The beers are sold now all over the world, and they’ve partnered with other companies to bring a wide range to the offering. I really liked the Orange Espresso Sour, which is a fruity sour drink with espresso notes.
The food here is also incredibly delicious and fresh. I highly recommend eating here. You will find beer incorporated into the food as well. They have a bakery with fresh bread and pretzels. The potatoes and croquettes I tried were amazing. Each dish had a beautiful presentation. This is not something I really expected or thought when I was planning to have dinner at a brewery!
Location: Jana Długosza 2, 51-162 Wrocław, Poland (Google Maps)
11. Explore Wrocław’s Four Denominations District
The Four Denominations District is one of the only places you will find a Catholic Church, an Evangelical Church, an Orthodox Church, and a Synagogue all in one neighborhood. In fact, all of these religions and places of worship actually come together to educate each other. It’s fascinating to witness.
I had the chance to visit the inside of the White Stork Synagogue, and there are tours you can take to learn about its history.
Just outside near to the synagogue, you will find a statue of a woman in a dress, which represents the fact that we are all human and have different forms of belief.
If you’re looking for a good lunch spot in the area, I’d recommend Forum Kulinarne. They have a Mediterranean cuisine here and I tried delicous pasta. It’s a good break from Polish food if you want to mix things up.
12. See the Street Art
Wroclaw is such a creative city and as someone who is obsessed with colorful places, I had to do a street art hunt. You will find an entire parking lot filled with street art known as the Colorful Backyards of Nadodrze (Google Maps Location). It is such a hidden gem in Wroclaw. Located in a quiet neighborhood which many of the murals are the work of the residents themselves.
But as you drive through the city, past the center, you will also spot multiple buildings with colorful artwork. So keep an eye out for these beautiful murals around the city.
13. Do a Sunset Boat Ride
The best way to see the stunning architecture and the Old Town is by boat! At sunset, Wroclaw is extra magical, so don’t miss the chance to cruise along the river. Book your tickets for the sunset boat ride ahead.
14. Take a day trip to Książ Castle
Just 1.5 hours from Wrocław, you’ll find this stunning pink castle! It’s the third-largest castle in Poland. To get there, I’d recommend this tour which will take you there straight from Wroclaw.
This place has serious history. It was built in the 13th century and was later taken over by the Nazis during WWII. Eventually, it became part of Project Riese — a top-secret underground tunnel system.
Some even say Hitler planned to use it as his headquarters. You can actually go down into the tunnels today!
The castle has over 400 rooms with views of the countryside. Also, you will learn about the White Lady, aka Duchess Daisy, whose ghost is said to still roam the halls.
In early May, the castle hosts a Flower Festival, and although I visited a bit later, I still caught the last remnants of it.
15. Visit the Wałbrzych Palm House
Most people don’t realize there’s a palm house just a 2-minute drive from the castle — and it’s so worth the stop. It’s full of over 250 plant species and feels like a tropical escape hidden away in Lower Silesia.
The Wałbrzych Palm House was built between 1908 and 1914 by Prince Hans Heinrich XV. It was a romantic gesture for his wife, Princess Daisy, who adored exotic plants and flowers.
Today, it remains the only facility of its kind in Poland preserved in its original form.
Hopefully, this post helps you explore this beautiful city with ease, especially if you’re looking for the best things to do in Wroclaw!
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