Wrocław is the largest city of Lower Silesia in Poland and lies only three hundred kilometres from Prague. It is among the loveliest Polish cities, with the vast Rynek square, a Gothic town hall and coloured merchant houses. The city lies on the Oder, which is crossed by more than a hundred bridges; in 2016 it was a European Capital of Culture. In the city are thousands of small bronze dwarfs, which you can hunt for at every step. The history of Bohemia and Silesia can be felt here: it belonged to the Bohemian crown and the Habsburgs. The old Centennial Hall of 1913 is on the UNESCO list. Wrocław is a lively, young university city, with excellent prices and beer pubs. From Prague a train runs in four and a half hours and by car it is three and a half hours on the motorway. You pay in the złoty and prices are lower than in the Czech Republic. The best time is May to September.
The places worth your time in Wrocław, and what to expect at each
centre
One of the largest medieval squares in Europe, ringed by coloured merchant houses, cafés and a Gothic town hall. It is the heart of the city and where markets, festivals and Christmas markets are held. In the evening it is lit.
Tip: Come early in the morning without crowds or in the evening when lit. Coffee on the square is pricier; go into the lanes.
Rynek
A Gothic town hall of the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries in the middle of the Rynek with richly decorated façades, a tower and an astronomical clock. Inside are the city museum and the Piwnica Świdnicka cellar, the oldest restaurant in Europe. It is the symbol of Wrocław.
Tip: Entry to the museum costs about three euros. The cellar is popular for beer and lunch; book in advance.
Cathedral Island
The oldest part of Wrocław on an island in the Oder, with the Gothic Cathedral of St John the Baptist and cobbled lanes. In the evening gas lamps are still lit here. It is the most romantic place in the city.
Tip: Come in the evening, when the lamplighter lights the lamps. From the cathedral tower there is a view; the lift costs about three euros.
Szczytnicki park
A reinforced-concrete building of 1913, one of the first large-span domes in the world, on the UNESCO list. Around it are the Japanese Garden, the Pergola and the Multimedia Fountain. It is a symbol of modern architecture.
Tip: In the evening light and music shows are held by the fountain. Entry to the Hall costs about three euros, the garden about four.
all over the city
Thousands of small bronze dwarf statues all over the city, which arose as a symbol of protest against communism. You find them on every corner and they are the symbol of Wrocław. Hunting for them is a fun game for children.
Tip: You get a dwarf map at the tourist information centre or in an app. You find them in gardens, on benches and by banks.
Szczytnicki park
A calm garden of 1913 with a pond, bridges and a tea house in Szczytnicki Park. It is one of the loveliest places in the city. The garden is loveliest in spring, when the cherry trees blossom.
Tip: Entry costs about three euros. Combine with the Centennial Hall and the fountain. Open from April to October.
centre
A baroque university building of the eighteenth century on the bank of the Oder with the richly decorated ceremonial hall Aula Leopoldina and an astronomical tower. It is the loveliest baroque interior in Wrocław. The university is one of the oldest in Poland.
Tip: Entry costs about three euros. From the astronomical tower there is a view of the city. The tour takes an hour.
Oder river
A boat cruise on the Oder between bridges and islands shows the city from a different perspective. Boats depart from by the university. In summer it is a favourite way to spend an evening with beer.
Tip: The cruise costs about five euros and takes an hour. In summer book in advance.
Wałbrzych
The largest castle in Lower Silesia, from the thirteenth century, with baroque and Art Nouveau interiors and underground tunnels from the Nazi era. It stands sixty kilometres from Wrocław. It is a favourite goal for trips.
Tip: A train runs to Wałbrzych and then a bus; by car an hour. Entry costs about eight euros. Allow half a day.
Photos: Rynek Square — Szczecinolog (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island) — Friedrich Bernhard Werner (Public domain) · The Centennial Hall — Jar.ciurus (CC BY-SA 3.0 pl) · The Wrocław Dwarfs — Lestat (Jan Mehlich) (CC BY-SA 3.0) · The Japanese Garden — Kriskros (CC BY-SA 3.0 pl) · The University and Aula Leopoldina — Wikimedia Commons (Public domain) · Cruises on the Oder — Hektor Absurdus (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Książ Castle — Jar.ciurus (CC BY-SA 3.0 pl)
Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking
Best for: monuments and restaurants
The area around the square with hotels, restaurants and pubs. Everything is at hand. Best for a first visit.
Best for: calm and romance
Cathedral Island with cobbled streets and lamps. It is calmer and prettier. A good choice for couples.
Best for: alternative and art
A revitalised district north of the Oder with galleries, bars and affordable hotels. It is lively in the evening. Suits the young.
Best for: greenery and parks
A district with the Centennial Hall, Japanese Garden and zoo. It has nature and calm. Suits families.
Wrocław Airport (WRO) is ten kilometres from the centre, but there are no flights from Prague; the best is a train (four and a half hours) or a car (three and a half hours by motorway). A train leaves the main station every two hours. Flixbus coaches take four hours. By car it is about three hundred kilometres via Náchod.
Wrocław Copernicus (WRO) · 10 km
The centre of Wrocław can be walked. Trams and buses run around the city. Bikes are rented. Taxis are cheap; use an app. For trips to the surroundings a car or train is handy.
Useful apps: Google Maps, Jakdojade, Bolt, Uber
Wrocław has a continental climate with a warm summer and a cold winter. In July it is around twenty-five degrees, in January around two. The best time is May to September. In December Christmas markets are held.
Best time
May to September
What to avoid
January and February (cold)
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 2° | 4° | 9° | 15° | 20° | 23° | 25° | 25° | 20° | 14° | 8° | 4° |
| Night | -3° | -2° | 1° | 5° | 10° | 13° | 15° | 15° | 10° | 6° | 2° | -1° |
| Rainy days | 25 | 25 | 30 | 30 | 60 | 70 | 90 | 70 | 40 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
Wrocław cooking is Silesian and Polish: pierogi, żurek and beer. A main dish costs eight to fifteen euros. People drink beer, vodka and Żubrówka.
Pierogi
Dumplings filled with meat, cabbage and mushrooms or curd cheese. The most popular Polish dish.
Żurek
A sour rye soup with sausage and egg, served in bread. A typical Polish soup.
Kopytka and Silesian dumplings
Potato gnocchi and round dumplings, served with sauce and meat. A Silesian speciality.
Bigos
Stewed sauerkraut with meat and mushrooms, a traditional dish. It tastes better the second day.
Fried cheese and svíčková
Favourite dishes with Czech influence; offered in many pubs. Portions are large.
Beer and Żubrówka
Beer from local breweries and bison-grass vodka. Drunk in pubs on the Rynek.
Sernik and makowiec
A cheesecake and a poppy-seed roll, Polish desserts. Served with coffee.
Coffee
PLN 10–15
Lunch in a restaurant
PLN 40–70
Pierogi
PLN 25–40
A beer
PLN 12–20
Town Hall (museum)
PLN 15
Japanese Garden
PLN 15
3★ hotel (night)
PLN 250–500
Tram
PLN 4
Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.
1 day
2 days
3 days
Książ Castle
60 km · 1 hr by car
The largest castle in Lower Silesia with baroque interiors and tunnels. It suits half a day.
Świdnica
55 km · 1 hr by train
A town with the Church of Peace on the UNESCO list, the largest wooden church building in Europe. It suits half a day.
Kraków
270 km · 3 hrs 30 min by train
An ancient city with Wawel and the square. A train runs from Wrocław; it suits a full-day trip.
Two days suffice for the centre, Cathedral Island and the Centennial Hall. For Książ or Świdnica add half a day. Wrocław is a good base for Lower Silesia.
By train in four and a half hours, by car three and a half hours on the motorway or by Flixbus in four hours. There are no flights.
May to September, when it is warm and festivals are held. In December there are Christmas markets. In winter it is cold.
It is cheap: lunch costs eight to fifteen euros, a hotel fifty to a hundred and twenty euros a night. Cheapest is a milk bar (bar mleczny).
Small bronze statues all over the city that arose as a symbol of protest against communism. There are over three hundred. Hunting for them is a fun game.
The Polish złoty (PLN). Euros are accepted by only some places. Cards are accepted almost everywhere and ATMs are common.
Yes, it is safe, with dwarfs, a zoo and parks. Children enjoy the fountain and boats. Prices are low.
Pierogi, żurek and beer from local breweries. With them sernik and makowiec. Piwnica Świdnicka is the oldest restaurant.
Check the latest visa requirements for entering this country. Some nationalities may need to apply for a visa or e-visa before travel.
Check visa requirementsLanguage
Polish
Currency
PLN
Timezone
Europe/Warsaw
Dial Code
+48
Population
37.7M
Area
312,696 km²
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Driving Side
Right
