Wroclaw does not at any time usurp its nickname "Venice of the North", even if its architecture is quite different from the original. Long ignored by travelers, it was put in the spotlight by becoming in 2016 the European capital of culture. Since then, she has been able to take advantage of its highlighting. Warm and greedy, she welcomes in beauty and originality the tourist passing through who will not know what to do in Wroclaw, the possibilities are so varied, tempting and affordable. Discover without delay the must-see places of this city which finally reveals its treasures!
Visit the old town
Competitor of Prague in the Middle Ages, Wroclaw is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Its old town is worth a detour for its many testimonies of the past. First, the curious will discover the Grand Place, the Rynek, where Gothic town hall, one of the largest on the old continent. Amateur photographers will not miss the facade with its pinnacle gable and the astronomical clock. It is here that tourists will enter the City Museum, which houses the Swidnicka Cave, where the beer of the same name was served, the one that all Europe drank.
Wroclaw Town Hall
Stroll on the bridges
Wroclaw is a Polish city built on the arms of the Odra, a European river that has its source in the Czech Republic. Over a hundred bridges and footbridges span the islets and canals. The most famous is called the Grunwaldzki Bridge. It is also a listed monument. It is no coincidence that Wroclaw is nicknamed “the city of a hundred bridges”! Several solutions exist to indulge in a peaceful walk. Cruises, and even gondola tours, are organized. The more athletic will choose the kayaking option.
The Grunwaldzki Bridge
Stroll through the stalls of the covered market, Hala Targowa
They exist all over Poland, but the Hala Targowa market remains an inevitable stopping point for all those who appreciate warm and popular atmospheres. It is the perfect place to have a good time with the very friendly local people. The well-organized stalls are colorful and offer a bit of everything: fruits, vegetables, flowers, butchery and textiles. You will also find a surprising tea room which will gladly serve you some delicious pastries.
The Hala Targowa market
Relax in the Ossolineum gardens
Ce small baroque garden, very quiet, allows you to rest for a few moments before resuming the visit of this bustling city. Even if the building does not present any architectural peculiarity that is really worth the detour, its small interior courtyard takes you to the peak of romanticism. Do not hesitate to visit the outdoor gardens which promise you a real moment of disconnection.
Ossolineum garden
Taste the tradition of the mleczny bar
With this term, one must understand a “milk bar”. These addresses are indeed the legacy of communist restaurants, where the students are displayed in large numbers. They allow you to discover the Polish culinary tradition by paying only a few euros. A must to do in Wroclaw!
Inexpensive meal in a Mleczny bar
Search for the dwarves of Wroclaw
Several hundred bronze dwarfs are scattered throughout the city. If you are traveling with the family, make it a game of spotting them! Impossible to give the exact number of these figurines, which are sometimes stolen or vandalized… and welcome new congeners from time to time. Guided tours and brochures identify these motionless stars easier. They commemorate the Orange Alternative anarchist movement.
A dwarf perched on a lantern
Climb to the top of one of the towers of Saint John the Baptist Cathedral
Although the climb to the top of the cathedral is chargeable, go for it to discover a majestic view! It is from here that you will observe the most beautiful panorama of the city with orange roofs. It's the thing to do in Wroclaw before you go! Of course, you will not be the only ones to climb the steps to reach the top of this bell tower, but your effort will be worthily rewarded. Don't forget to take the opportunity to take a look inside this majestic church.
Wroclaw Cathedral
Relax by the water
Do you like relaxation and idleness to intersperse your visiting days? Do you need to land to recharge your batteries? We advise you to make yourself comfortable, with some local products to taste without moderation, by the river. Odra and its small scattered islands abound nice places who are waiting for you. Slowly and in peace, find the place that suits you and savor every moment of this bucolic break !
Odra river
Wait patiently for the lantern lighter
Live a moment really out of time and observe the comings and goings of falotiers in the alleys of the city. If you are wondering what to do in Wroclaw before starting your evening, be patient and watch for the arrival of these lantern lighters, dressed in their timeless black cape. This moment, as magical as it is original, will plunge you into a whole new era. Nostalgia guaranteed!
Wroclaw, in the evening
Admire the Panorama of Raclawicka
Tourists are looking for the Mona Lisa in Paris. In Wroclaw, they wait to see the Panorama of Raclawicka. Installed in the Rotunda that bears her name, this fresco was painted by Wojciech Kossak. 114 meters long and 15 meters high, the canvas represents the Battle of Raclawice, which broke out in 1714 during the Kosciuszko uprising. It is the oldest Polish work of art! The fresco literally immerses visitors in history, thanks to its circular shape which produces a very realistic effect.
A fragment of the panorama Raclawicka
Useful information
Here is some additional practical information to help you prepare for your stay:
- Payment : consider changing your euros or withdrawing into local currency, the Zloty, from an ATM. You will find it worry-free all over town. Remember, some bank cards allow you to pay in different currencies free of charge.
- When to go : the best time to visit Wroclaw is the month of April, with the lowest number of rainy days of the year, and a relatively low influx of tourists. Learn more about the climate in Wroclaw.
- How to get there :
- Ryanair offers you extremely cheap direct flights
- From Krakow, choose Flexibus. A 3h30 trip costs you only a few euros
- From Warsaw, you have the choice between a 1-hour flight with the company Lot for around fifty euros or a 5-hour journey by bus for around ten euros.
- Travel:
- the dense network of public transport, mainly buses and trams, allow you to get where you want, almost when you want! The prices are also excessively affordable.
- The taxi also remains popular, convenient and inexpensive, even more so if you share it. Watch out for nightly rates, which increase significantly after 22 p.m.
- Cycling and scooter can also be an option for the more adventurous among you.
- Pass : Wroclaw Tourist Card is valid for 48 or 72 hours and allows you to benefit from many advantages such as reductions on public transport fares or on admissions to museums and other attractions to do in Wroclaw.
The essentials of Wroclaw… and after?
Wroclaw will have seduced you with its polish charm and the diversity of its attractions. It's a safe bet that this getaway will make you want to sample other places in this fabulous country. After following our advice on how to best visit this town and know what to do in Wroclaw, do not hesitate to browse our other articles to approach serenely your next trip to Poland !
