Top Wroclaw activities
Explore by category
Top Wroclaw landmarks
Top Wroclaw landmark tickets
Beyond Wroclaw
Tours in nearby places
Explore Poland tours
Tours in similar places
Wroclaw trip ideas
Wroclaw (pronounced “Vrot-swaaf”) is the vibrant capital of Lower Silesia in Western Poland. Sometimes nicknamed Poland’s Venice, this enchanting university city has more than 100 bridges and 12 islands. Travelers make a beeline for its majestic Old Town, home to cobbled streets, romantic market squares, and architectural gems such as the Gothic Old Town Hall. One of the most fun things to do in Wroclaw is to search for its adorable gnome statues—there are thought to be more than 600 of them scattered throughout the city.
If you want to escape the crowds but still enjoy mild weather, then avoid July-August, and come in late spring (May-June) or early fall (September) instead. A big annual draw is the Christmas market, which usually takes place from mid-November to mid-December. It's a true winter wonderland, with cabins selling snacks, gifts, and warm drinks, as well as live performances, nativity scenes, rides, and even animatronic fairytale characters.
With pedestrianized areas and a compact center, Wroclaw is the perfect city to explore on foot. However, if you want to travel further afield, the city also has a comprehensive tram network with contactless payment available. There’s also a cycle sharing scheme if you fancy exploring the city by bike. For taxi services, Wroclaw also has rideshare apps such as Uber and Bolt too.
For a peaceful retreat away from the buzzing center, take a stroll around the city’s Japanese Garden, which has a teahouse, pond, and endemic Japanese plants. If you’re looking for a cheatsheet to hunt down Wroclaw’s gnomes, the tourist office has created one. For delicious local food and incredible decor, go to Konspira, a 1980s Communist-era themed restaurant dedicated to Poland’s Solidarity Movement.
Local Currency Polish Zloty (PLN) | Time Zone CET (UTC +1) | Country Code +48 | Language(s) Polish | Attractions 2 | Tours 239 | Reviews 1,270 |
Yes, Wroclaw is definitely worth visiting—it’s a buzzing university city with something for all the family. There’s a picturesque Old Town, impressive Gothic architecture, Wroclaw Zoo, and beautiful green spaces too—the Japanese Garden being one of the best. It’s also known for tiny gnome statues scattered throughout the city.
...MoreHead straight to the medieval center. Here, you can find colorful tenement houses, as well as shops, restaurants, and the Old Town Hall. Spend time searching for gnomes, then walk over to Cathedral Island, where you can get an elevator to the top of St. John the Baptist Cathedral.
...MoreWroclaw is known for being a University city with more than 100 bridges and a beautiful Old Town. It’s also famous for its abundance of little gnome statues. These cute city mascots are believed to have originated when the anti-communist movement erected the first statue in the 1980s.
...MoreYes, just like Poland in general, Wroclaw is much more affordable than other European cities. You can find accommodation for PLN 200-400 (US$50-$100) per night, and cheap local eateries include milk bars (bar mleczny), which offer hearty main dishes at under PLN 25 (US$6).
...MoreNo, Wroclaw isn’t better than Krakow—both have their own charms, depending on what you’re looking for. Krakow attracts bigger crowds, but Wroclaw’s medieval market square sees fewer tourists. Similarly, Wroclaw offers a magical Christmas market, which some proclaim as the best in Poland.
...MoreThat depends on where you eat; Wroclaw has something for everyone—from traditional Polish cafes, to high-end restaurants, and a great variety of international offerings too. At a mid-range restaurant, you can expect to pay around PLN 35-40 (US$ 8-10) per dish, with beers available for around PLN 10-15 (US$2-4).
...More