Wroclaw is full of surprises: it has one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, it’s inhabited by a legion of gnomes, and it boasts a number of fantastic restaurants doling out delicious and traditional Polish food. Plus, your money will go far here – it’s an extremely affordable and budget-friendly city.
There are so many reasons to add Wroclaw, Poland to your European travel itinerary, and the following are a few things to see, eat, and do while you’re there.
Wroclaw Travel Guide: What to Do & Experience in Wroclaw, Poland
Wander around Market Square.
At the heart of Wroclaw’s Old Town is Market Square, a charming and colourful square dating back to the 13th century.
The entire area was restored after World War II and is now a hub of activity, with a number of restaurants, bars, shops, and historic sites.
The beautiful facades of the townhouses lining the square are worth the visit alone – the architectural styles range from Medieval to Art Nouveau in a spectrum of colours.
Explore Cathedral Island.
Cathedral Island (Ostrow Tumski) is the site of the city’s earliest settlements and is now mainly an area of worship.
Surrounded by the River Odra, it’s separated from the main part of the city and is characterized by cobbled streets, a serene atmosphere, and church spires.
Here you can visit several churches, including the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Archbishop’s Palace, and the Church of the Holy Cross.
Visit the Town hall.
The striking Gothic Town Hall was built at the end of the 13th century and was once the most important building in the city – the city council, municipal authorities, and even royalty frequented the Old Town Hall.
Today the building houses the Museum of Bourgeois Art and Piwnica Świdnicka – the oldest restaurant in the city – occupies its basement.
Spot the Gnomes.
Wroclaw’s gnomes originated in the 1980s from an anti-communist group called the Orange Alternative.
At the time, police were quick to cover up any anti-government graffiti on city walls, so members of the movement began painting gnomes over the same freshly painted surfaces. It was their way of peacefully (and gleefully) protesting the authoritarian regime.
Gnomes soon became the calling card of the Orange Alternative, and the bronze statues began appearing in the city in the early 2000s.
There are now over 300 gnomes scattered throughout the city, and you can find them with gnome maps from the local tourism office to spot them on your own or take a guided gnome walking tour.
Take a vodka-tasting tour.
Vodka is an inherent part of celebration and everyday life in Poland, and a vodka tour delves into the culture and tradition of the country’s favourite spirit.
You’ll visit several local bars and restaurants, taste of various types of vodka, and sample traditional food along the way.
Learn about the city’s complex history.
From political conflict to communism, destruction and devastation, Wroclaw’s history is lengthy and tumultuous.
There are various free walking tours to help you get a better understanding of the major events that shaped the city, including the Old Town Tour and the World War II & Jewish Wroclaw Tour.
Sample the local cuisine.
A few must-try dishes are sour rye soup, pork knuckle, and pierogi – dumplings filled with everything from meat to potatoes & cheese, sauerkraut or fruit.
Pod Fredra is located next to the Old Town Hall and is a great spot for traditional Polish food.
The food stalls within the main square offer a multitude of inexpensive takeaway meals, like kielbasa (Polish sausage), golabki (stuffed cabbage rolls), or szaszłyk (grilled skewers of meat and vegetables).
Grab a Pint.
Poland is one of the largest producers of beer in Europe, and there are a number of great bars and breweries in Wroclaw.
Spiz is one of the most popular bars in Market Square, known for their unpasteurized dark and bronze beers produced on-site; Zloty Pies is a microbrewery and restaurant offering 5 types of beer and beer-infused cocktails, and Zakład Usług Piwnych boasts one of the largest local and international beer selections.
Feast on Pierogi.
Pierogi is arguably the most well-known Polish food, and one of the most delicious!
Pierogarnia Stary Młyn is located in Market Square, and has an extensive menu of various types of savoury and sweet pierogi. You can try them boiled, baked, or fried, and choose from dozens of traditional or inventive fillings like potato, cottage cheese & onion, beef & cranberry, or milk chocolate.
Pierożek is another great restaurant to sample pierogi, located away from the hustle and bustle of Wroclaw’s Old Town.
Wrocław Planner & Tips: How to Make the Most Of Your Visit to this Underrated Polish City
You’ve got the highlights—Market Square, Cathedral Island, gnome-spotting, hearty plates and frosty pints. Let’s explore how to make the most of your visit with some practical tips.
At-a-Glance Day Plan (Classic First Day)
| Time | Focus | Where | Tiny Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | Colour fix | Market Square (Rynek) | Coffee to go from a side-street café, then do a full clockwise loop for facades. |
| 10:00 | Gothic grandeur | Old Town Hall + Museum of Bourgeois Art | Pop into Piwnica Świdnicka for a peek even if you don’t eat—oldest beer cellar vibes. |
| 11:00 | Dwarf trail warm-up | Rynek → Świdnicka → Uni Sq. | Grab a dwarf map/apps at the info point; let kids “captain” the hunt. |
| 12:30 | Lunch | Pod Fredra or a market-square grill stall | Try żurek (sour rye soup) in a bread bowl + a side of pierogi to share. |
| 14:00 | Island time | Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island) | Walk Tumski Bridge; climb the cathedral tower for city + river views. |
| 16:00 | Culture hour | Panorama Racławicka or Hydropolis | Panorama is time-slotted—swing by earlier for tickets; Hydropolis is great for kids. |
| 18:00 | Golden hour | Odra riverfront | Stroll the embankments; watch rowers glide under the bridges. |
| 19:30 | Dinner & pint | Spiż (Rynek) or Złoty Pies | Order a tasting flight; ask for the seasonal brew. |
| 21:00 | Night stroll | Neon Side Gallery + back alleys | The retro neon signs are a photogenic, quick detour before bed. |
At-a-Glance Day Plan (Second Day: Parks, halls, and fountains)
| Time | Focus | Where | Tiny Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | Leafy start | Szczytnicki Park | Quiet, sprawling; bring a pastry for a bench breakfast. |
| 10:00 | Zen pause | Japanese Garden | Opens mid-morning—go right at opening for hushed paths. |
| 11:00 | UNESCO fix | Centennial Hall (Hala Stulecia) | Stand under the dome; it’s an engineering flex. |
| 12:00 | Fountain show | Pergola & Multimedia Fountain | Spring–fall mini-shows by day; evening shows on weekends—check the board for times. |
| 13:30 | Lunch | Bar mleczny (milk bar) nearby | Belly-friendly prices, classic plates—point, smile, enjoy. |
| 15:00 | University flourish | Aula Leopoldina (Uni of Wrocław) | Baroque stunner; climb the Mathematical Tower for another angle on the city. |
| 17:00 | Neighbourhood peel | Nadodrze craft cafés & murals | Creative quarter, calmer than Rynek—great coffee break. |
| 19:00 | Pierogi party | Pierożek or Stary Młyn | Order one baked, one boiled, then swap. |
| 21:00 | Vodka sampler | Guided tasting or small bars cluster | Pair vodka with herring, pickles, or smalec (spread) like a local. |
Neighbourhood Guide (Sleep + Snack + Vibe)
| Base | Why stay here | Eat nearby | Night vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rynek / Old Town | Walkable to almost everything; storybook facades | Pod Fredra, Spiż, Złoty Pies | Lively till late in high season. |
| Ostrów Tumski edge | Cobblestones, lamplighter romance at dusk | Tiny cafés on Katedralna | Serene; church bells for alarm clocks. |
| Nadodrze | Street art, makers’ studios, indie coffee | Neighbourhood bistros, craft bakeries | Local, low-key. |
| Szczytnicki Park / Hala area | Near UNESCO hall, gardens, fountain | Pergola eateries, milk bars | Quiet nights; quick tram to center. |
Theming your visit (pick a thread, build the day)
Architecture hits
- Gothic–Renaissance mashup at Old Town Hall
- University’s Aula Leopoldina + Mathematical Tower
- Centennial Hall + Pergola curve + Japanese Garden bridges
Quirky Wrocław
- Dwarfs (set a target: 25 in a day!)
- Neon Side Gallery (glow-nostalgia)
- Hydropolis (water museum) for unexpected wow
Water + bridges
- Loop Grunwaldzki Bridge → Sand Bridge → Tumski Bridge
- Sunset on the Odra embankments; hire a small electric boat in season
Rain plan
- Panorama Racławicka, Hydropolis, Museum of Bourgeois Art, University interiors, café-hop Nadodrze
Food Crawl (Snack your way through the Day)
| Stop | Order this | Why it’s perfect for a crawl |
|---|---|---|
| Market-square grill stall | Kiełbasa + mustard | Walkable protein kick; share one. |
| Milk bar (Bar Mleczny) | Kotlet schabowy (pork cutlet) + mizeria (cucumber salad) | Iconic, cheap, quick; cafeteria-style fun. |
| Bakery window | Pączek (jam doughnut) or sernik (cheesecake) | Portable sugar; pairs with tram rides. |
| Pierogi house | Ruskie (potato & cheese) + a sweet (blueberry/choc) | Split boiled vs. baked for contrast. |
| Evening bar | Tatar (beef tartare) or śledź w oleju (herring) with vodka | Traditional pairing; ask for rye bread. |
Getting Around The City With Ease: Transportation Guide
| Need | Easiest move | Tiny tip |
|---|---|---|
| From WRO airport | Bus 106 to Dworcowa / Main Station or taxi/app ride | Contactless works on buses; validate if using a paper ticket. |
| Cross-town hops | Tram (dense network) | Stand right, face left; watch doors—some close briskly. |
| Tickets | Contactless validators on board or kiosks | Tap once per rider; keep card tapped on that vehicle only. |
| Bike & e-scooter | Seasonal; hire via apps | Stick to lanes; cobblestones + tram tracks = slow down. |
| Day-trip rail | Wrocław Główny (main station) | Arrive early; the hall itself is a stunner. |
Pocket Checklist Cheat Sheet
| Item | Why it helps | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Small coins (PLN) | Toilets & tiny bakeries may be cash-only | Market squares, parks |
| Contactless card | Trams, buses, most cafés accept tap | All day, every day |
| Light scarf | Cathedral shoulders, breezy bridges | Ostrów Tumski, evening river walks |
| Comfy soles | Cobblestones + bridges add up | Full Rynek → island loop |
| Offline map | Tram lines spiderweb fast | Underground passages at the station |
| Reusable bottle | Plenty of benches for sips & breaks | Long island walks |
Seasonal Sense-Check (what’s likely, when)
| Season | Expect | Plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Mar–Apr | Cool starts, blooming parks | Layered jacket; indoor museums on cold snaps |
| May–Jun | Long golden hours, fountain shows start | Picnic gear for pergola lawns |
| Jul–Aug | Warm, busy squares | Early cathedral visit; late dinners alfresco |
| Sep–Oct | Crisp air, vivid leaves in Szczytnicki | Best photography light; book Panorama slots |
| Nov–Dec | Christmas Market magic on Rynek | Weeknight visits for thinner crowds |
| Jan–Feb | Quiet, frosty mornings | Café-heavy days; hearty soups (barszcz, żurek) |
Never been in Poland but I wish I could visit 🙂 seems like magical place
Jillian
It’s such a lovely city – I’d highly recommend it 🙂
Thanks for the guide! Love it 😀
http://www.vonnydu.com
You’re welcome, Vonny! 🙂
Looks beautiful and sounds like an exciting city. I’ve never been to Poland but it’s definitely on my to-visit list.
I might be being overly critical here but this is a very mediocre example of what to see, eat and do in Wroclaw.
I’ve never even been to the city myself but I could still tell someone to have some dumplings and vodka and take a walking tour, these are things that are almost impossible to miss: the little guide that your hotel or the airport gives you when you arrive will have as much, or more, useful info. It seems like someone went to a city for a couple of days, did the generic tourist things and had to come up with a post about it. Individuality people!
To be fair, not every traveller has the luxury of time in a new destination, so if you’re only there on a weekend break, I think these suggestions would help you scratch the surface.
That is so true, most people probably wont spend longer than a weekend in Wroclaw anyway, many could argue that’s all the time it needs, but then that renders this post even more redundant. If this traveler was able to turn up and randomly do these things, then any other traveler would likely do the same, they’re the most accessible activities that a quick google search or Wroclaw Wikitravel page will tell you.
I so promise I’m not deliberately trying to be an arse, but I generally think to produce a guide you should spend some time somewhere and have a bit of variation, if you yourself can only spend a couple of days, then I think a ‘Here’s What I Did’ post is more fun, it can be more personal then.
I’ll stop now, I didn’t even think I had any opinions on this! Lol
And I do love your blog, no hate!
Wrocław is beautiful indeed, Audrey! My brother lives there, so I have the chance to go and visit once in a while. The architecture is stunning and it’s filled with various artsy and quirky bits… It’s just the perfect city to visit!
Happy travels!
Ioanna (A Woman Afoot)
Wroclaw has some interesting viewpoints. I especially recommend the Witches’ Bridge. Beautiful panorama and interesting history.
As someone who has had the opportunity to visit Wroclaw several times, I must say it truly exceeded my expectations. Wroclaw’s rich history, stunning architecture, and friendly atmosphere make me revisit every year.
I’d add to this list the Japanese Garden and Wroclaw’s ZOO (Afrykarium is truly impressive!). The ZOO management does a lot to protect wild species which I appreciate a lot.