Wroclaw i Polen - 14 tips på saker att se och göra

Wroclaw in Poland is a city full of beautiful and colourful houses. Here you can stroll through historical settings, enjoy delicious Polish food, paddle in the river Oder and perhaps go on a hunt for the city's many small statues of dwarves. Here are our top tips for Wroclaw in Poland.

Wroclaw in Poland

Wroclaw is Poland's fourth largest city, and we realised this when we tried to get into the city centre by motorhome. It was not easy to find a car park. Setting up at the city's campsite and then cycling into town was a much better idea. And what a town it was, stunningly beautiful!

Wroclaw is located in western Poland, approximately 27 miles north-west of Krakow. Note that you can tap the plus and minus on the map!

1. Stroll around the Market Square in the Old Town.

The Market Square in the Old Town can be said to be the heart of Wroclaw. Here the beautiful buildings are close together, and there are also plenty of restaurants, pubs and cafés. When we were here in September, it was almost 28 degrees and the atmosphere was at its peak.

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2. Admire the City Hall in Wroclaw

The most impressive building in the Market Square is the town hall. Built in both Gothic and Renaissance styles, this magnificent building is full of details. The building also houses the 'Piwnica Swidnicka' restaurant, considered one of the oldest restaurants in Europe, dating back to the 13th century.

3. Eat Polish food at the Pod Fredra restaurant

Do you want to try real Polish food you can visit the restaurant Pod Fredra, which is located right next to the town hall. Here you sit with a lovely view of the square and the food is excellent. really good. We had herring, cold cut meat, bread and what we think was lard as a starter. Very good!

For the main course we tried several Polish specialities. Among other things, we ate pierogi, which was so good. It is a kind of dumpling served with various fillings, such as cabbage, meat, mushrooms and cheese. Other favourites in Polish cuisine are duck and all the good fermented vegetables, such as carrots, cabbage and raw cabbage. Yummy!

4. Coffee in a café with communist nostalgia

If you want a coffee with communist-era nostalgia, you can visit the PRL café, also located in Wroclaw's Market Square. We never went in here (a little too full from our visit to Pod Fredra!) but apparently there's a menu reminiscent of the leftist regime that once dominated Wroclaw.

5. Go in search of Wroclaw's dwarves

Nobody knows today how many dwarfs (or goblins) there are in Wroclaw, only that they are getting more and more numerous. It is safe to say that there are at least 300 of them, maybe more than 400.

The dwarfs are everywhere and originally commemorated the opposition to the communist regime. Those who were active in the resistance movement, the Orange Alternative, painted small images of goblins on walls and facades, and soon the figures were worn on opposition hats.

Today, the goblins are part of the soul of the city. You'll find everything from labourers to learned men and goblins with disabilities. One of all the dwarves we found was behind bars ...

6. be impressed by powerful churches

Wroclaw is a historic and church-dense city. One of the mighty churches located near the Market Square in the Old Town is St Elisabeth's Church. Next to it are the very special houses that our guide called "Hansel and Gretel". On one of the walls there is also a very special artwork with Jesus, a cross and a hammer. "Do it yourself", as our guide put it.

Another nice church we looked at, also in the centre of town, was St Matthew's Church. This Gothic church dates from the early 13th century.

7. Get to the "cathedral island" of Ostrów Tumski

Want to see even more churches? Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island) is the oldest part of Wroclaw. There is a whole range of architectural monuments here, such as the Cathedral of St John the Baptist and the Church of the Holy Cross.

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8. Being fascinated by the University of Wroclaw

It's worth spending a little time at the University of Wroclaw, located in the city's oldest baroque complex. The building is beautiful on the outside, but there are also fantastic ornate concert halls inside. The Leopold Aula is said to be the most fascinating.

Outside the University, there is a statue of a naked man with a sword who, according to legend, gambled away all his clothes and now stands as a warning to all the students of the University. There is also (of course!) a dwarf in the shape of a scholar.

9. Walk (or ride) a guided tour

If you don't want to seek out all the sights yourself, it might be worth taking a guided tour. Would you rather travel by bus or horse and carriage? That works too!

A guided tour often makes a city come alive in a different way, taking you to places you would never have found otherwise. For example, we found our way into the beautiful garden at the Ogród Ossolineum.

10. Shopping for handicrafts in medieval alleys

In medieval times, meat was sold in these alleys, now called Jatki, between Kielbásnicza and Odrzanska streets. You can imagine that it was smellier and noisier back then, but the buildings still have a medieval feel. Today, small shops selling arts and crafts are located here.

At one end of the alleys are small statues of pigs, goats, rabbits and ducks. The statues symbolise the animals that were once slaughtered and sold here for food.

11. Kayaking in Wroclaw

There are several places that rent canoes and other small boats in Wroclaw. We rented at one of the most centrally located places, and this place is right next to the National Museum in Wroclaw. A really nice way to experience the city and its surroundings, highly recommended!

READ MORE: Canoeing in Wroclaw - a great experience!

12. Hang out along the river Oder in the evening

People are attracted to water, and so is Wroclaw. If you're not a canoeist, you can go on a boat trip, or maybe just look at different types of boats.

When the weather is nice, there is also plenty of relaxed 'hanging out' along the waterfront. There are outdoor terraces with sun loungers on the grass and people playing various beach sports on the sand. A cable car (Polinka) can also be found in one place. Wonderfully nice atmosphere!

13. Visit the Centenary Hall

The Centennial Hall (Hala Stulecia in Polish) has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006. Inside the building, various fairs and events are organised, but it is also worth visiting the hall for its beautiful surroundings.

Right next to the Hundred Years Hall is a large pond, which is illuminated in the evenings while fountains play over the water. There is also a long beautiful colonnade and a park with statues. There is also a Japanese garden right next door.

14. Learn about water and history in museums

There are plenty of museums in Wroclaw. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to visit any of them, but there are several we are curious about for future visits. Here are some museums that might be worth visiting:

Hydropolis - water museum
Kolejkovo - a world in miniature
Wroclaw University Museum - historical artefacts and views from the Mathematical Tower

More to see and do in Wroclaw

Besides all our tips, there is of course much more to see and do in Wroclaw, Poland. Here are some additional tips:

The Royal Palace
Wroclaw Zoo and Afrykarium (Oceanarium dedicated to African wildlife)
Wroclaw University Botanical Garden
Panorama Racławicka - a 114 metre long painting
Park Szczytnicki
Wroclaw opera
Market halls Hala Targowa
National forum of Music

Things to do in Wroclaw - on film

Where to stay in Wroclaw?

There are plenty of hotels and other accommodation in Wroclaw, which you can find through various hotel websites. We travelled with a motorhome and therefore have the best knowledge of the range of campsites. We first tried to park relatively centrally (in a car park indicated in the CamperContact app), but it was crowded so we went to camping Olimpijski no. 117 instead.

This campsite was excellent. There was plenty of space, all the services we needed and the staff spoke good English. The campsite is really close to the Hundred Years Hall and the Japanese Garden, and it's cycling distance to the city centre.

More to do in Poland

There is of course more to see and do around Poland. For example, you can visit interesting cities such as Gdansk and Torun. Below you will find reports with even more tips.

READ MORE: Gdansk in Poland - tips for things to see and do
READ MORE: Torun, Poland - 12 things to see and do

More tips for things to do in Wroclaw?

Have you been to Wroclaw? Do you have any other tips on what to see and do?

Facts about Wroclaw in Poland

Country: Poland
Vojvodship: Lower Silesia Voivodeship
Name: German: Breslau, Czech: Vratislav and Latin: Vratislavia.
Location: Wroclaw is located in western Poland, 27 miles north-west of Krakow.
River: or
Population: About 630 000 inhabitants (2014)
Capital of Culture: The city was named European Capital of Culture in 2016, along with San Sebastián.

History of Wroclaw

Early history: The oldest traces of settlements are 30,000 years old.
1500 BC: There were trade routes for salt and amber trade.
0-1000 AD: There was migration and the area was dominated by Slavic and Germanic tribes.
Around the year 1000: A newly established episcopal seat is mentioned under the name of Wrotizlava. The oldest parts were located on the islands of Sand Island, Cathedral Island, Burgerwerder and other islands.

12th century to 16th century

1163: The city became the capital of the Duchy of Silesia, under the dukes of the House of Piast.
1241: The city was destroyed by a Mongolian army.
1327: The city became part of the Kingdom of Bohemia.
1526: Bohemia and Silesia became part of the Habsburg monarchy.

18th to 19th century

1702: The city's university was founded.
1740-1763: After the Silesian Wars, Maria Teresa of Austria ceded Silesia to Prussia.
18th century: The Prussian King Frederick II built a royal palace, as well as government buildings, a court church and a theatre.
1815: Breslau (the German name for Wroclaw) became the capital of the Prussian province of Silesia.
1871: Breslau became part of the German Empire.

20th century

The Second World War: The city was bombed, and in 1945 it was besieged by the Red Army. Most of the remaining Germans were expelled by the Soviet Union.
1945: After the Potsdam Conference, Wroclaw was annexed to Poland and renamed Wroclaw.
1950s to 1970s: Industry was reconstructed and bombed-out houses were rebuilt.
1989: Communism fell.

16 Comments

Add yours →

Evy Knoph says:

Hi! Yes nice city :-). Was there in September too. Bought a 48-hour card to get around on trams and buses for 20 zl (about 48 SEK). 67 years and older go free. Stayed at Scandic Hotel, great location, buses and trams in all directions right outside... Shopping malls near. And not so far from the centre.
Right behind Scandic there was a collection of restaurants and cafes under the railway. Ate a very good liver skewer at one of the places there (do not remember the name).
Stay on a Sunday and take the tram to the big Sunday market at the abandoned Swiebodzki station.

07 October 2020 - 6:48

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes I know you were in Poland, nice that you were also in Wroclaw! Interesting to hear your experiences and tips, thanks! 🙂
  
  07 October 2020 - 18:33
  
Happy Campers says:

We have never been to Poland but it is on our to do list. Good info you provide.

07 October 2020 - 8:15

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad it is appreciated, Poland is nice! 🙂
  
  07 October 2020 - 18:33
  
Elisabeth says:

WROCLAW is a beautiful old town with lots to see. The hunt for the dwarves was fun and at the same time looking at old houses. Some rusted and others not. (Of course they can be now.) The Hundrapr Hall with the park around it was also an experience.
High time for a new trip to Poland.

07 October 2020 - 9:33

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad that you also appreciated this city! The houses we saw were refurbished, so maybe a lot has happened, if it's been a few years since you were here. But we didn't go everywhere either 😉 .
  
  07 October 2020 - 18:40
  
Lena in Wales and Spain says:

A completely unknown place for me.
What a city, so wonderful!
Fantastic square.
Like the little figures.
This food makes me feel hungry.
Take care!

07 October 2020 - 12:01

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Really a nice city! We were very impressed, even though we were prepared for it to be nice 😉 And the food was great 🙂 .
  
  07 October 2020 - 18:41
  
bmlarstravellingblog says:

We have Poland high on our "to-do list" and Wroclaw with its dwarfs is a must. The fact that there were so many other things to see and do makes the city even more appealing.

07 October 2020 - 12:32

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Wroclaw is definitely worth a visit! 🙂
  
  07 October 2020 - 18:41
  
diana's dreams says:

So nice pictures from Poland hug Diana

07 October 2020 - 14:44

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thank you very much! So many nice cities in Poland! 🙂
  
  07 October 2020 - 18:41
  
Lena - good for the soul says:

Poland certainly seems a country worth visiting. Thanks for letting me "tag along"!

Hug Lena

08 October 2020 - 6:18

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Really! Amazingly many nice places! 🙂
  
  09 October 2020 - 6:38
  
TravelAnna says:

Looks like a wonderful city! Such good and detailed tips. I have previously become hungry via Evy Knoph's visit. 🙂

08 October 2020 - 20:53

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes fun that Evy Knoph also found here! 🙂 Fantastically nice city!
  
  09 October 2020 - 6:39

Wroclaw in Poland - 14 tips for things to see and do

Wroclaw in Poland

1. Stroll around the Market Square in the Old Town.

2. Admire the City Hall in Wroclaw

3. Eat Polish food at the Pod Fredra restaurant

4. Coffee in a café with communist nostalgia

5. Go in search of Wroclaw's dwarves

6. be impressed by powerful churches

7. Get to the "cathedral island" of Ostrów Tumski

8. Being fascinated by the University of Wroclaw

9. Walk (or ride) a guided tour

10. Shopping for handicrafts in medieval alleys

11. Kayaking in Wroclaw

12. Hang out along the river Oder in the evening

13. Visit the Centenary Hall

14. Learn about water and history in museums

More to see and do in Wroclaw

Things to do in Wroclaw - on film

Where to stay in Wroclaw?

More to do in Poland

More tips for things to do in Wroclaw?

Facts about Wroclaw in Poland

History of Wroclaw

12th century to 16th century

18th to 19th century

20th century

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16 Comments

Evy Knoph says:

Helena says:

Happy Campers says:

Helena says:

Elisabeth says:

Helena says:

Lena in Wales and Spain says:

Helena says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Helena says:

diana's dreams says:

Helena says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

Helena says:

TravelAnna says:

Helena says:

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