Beautifully arranged alongside the Odra River, tributaries and canals, Wrocław boasts 12 islands, 130 bridges, riverside parks and glorious Gothic architecture. Wrocław Old Town and its Cathedral Island may be dominated by monumental buildings and the cityscape by church spires, but look closely and you’ll discover more subtle charms, such as tiny gnome sculptures dotted through the Old Town, and a pair of skinny buildings affectionately called Jaś i Małgosia, the fairy tale heroes Hansel and Gretel. How about more city breaks in one? Tucked into the southwest corner of Poland, it’s just a short trip from Wrocław to Dresden, Prague or Kraków.
Fly to Wrocław, Poland for
A city break out of storybooks
Wrocław is known for everything Gothic and red brick – the Old Town Hall, the Cathedral, and a special church-filled island crisscrossed by cobblestone streets and lit by real gas lamplights at night. Speaking of crosses, make sure to cross some of the 130 bridges as you tour the city, seeking out tranquil beer gardens and garden gnomes, moreish pierogi and handmade pottery.
Grand monuments and mini masterpieces
Wrocław’s main sights are centred on Rynek, or Market Square, and Ostrów Tumski, Cathedral Island. Rynek is lined with elegant townhouses in styles ranging from Gothic to Art Nouveau and is full of places to eat with outdoor tables. The Gothic Old Town Hall, whose construction took more than 200 years, dominates the enormous square. Just around the corner, stand in awe of the Cathedral of St Mary Magdalene, a Gothic red brick edifice with a Romanesque portal. Explore the nearby streets for tiny bronze gnomes – find the firefighters, the lion rider, and one in a wheelchair, to name a few, all a tribute to the anti-communist movement Orange Alternative. Citizens of Wrocław love their gnomes, but are particularly proud of the Panorama of Racławice, a 15 x 114-metre painting of the battle for Polish independence in 1794. The enormous canvas covers the internal walls of a rotunda built just for this purpose in 1985, giving the illusion of being on the battlefield. On Ostrów Tumski, take your pick of masterpieces, from the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, to the Church of the Holy Cross and St Bartholomew (two churches in one!) or the tiny Church of St Martin. Even if you’re not a churchgoer, do stroll around the island’s cobblestone streets at dusk for glimpse of a real lamplighter, who still lights all 103 gas lamps in the district each night, decked out in a cape and top hat. And he puts them out every morning. By day, don’t miss the botanical gardens. And please overlook the fact that Cathedral Island is no longer an island – the Odra tributary was filled in on one end in 1810. Stroll across the bridges anyway.
Beer rules
Wrocław is serious about beer, and has been for centuries. In fact, the church and the city fought the Breslau Beer War in the 14th century as they battled to control the profits from beer sales. Sitting in the sun after a sightseeing stroll, beer in hand, is the quintessential Wrocławian way to relax. Beer gardens abound, notably the medieval prison courtyard of Motyla Noga, or Mleczarnia, offering a peaceful patio alongside the White Stork Synagogue. Spiź and the simply named Bierhalle vie for top microbrewery. For a classic Polish dining experience, have a hearty, meaty meal at the quaint-but-not-kitschy Pod Fredrą, decorated like a Polish village and located inside the Old Town Hall. Also on Rynek, Karczma Lwowska takes a nostalgic look at when Lviv was part of Poland, serving up simple country specialities. Pierogi fans (who isn’t?) should head to Pierogarnia Stary Mlyn to choose from the vast menu of dumplings, meaty or veggie, savoury or sweet. For more Polish dishes such as the tangy źurek soup, golonka or galareta (ham hocks or pork aspic), but in an atmosphere harking back to the 80s, try Setka.
Handmade crafts and beers on a barge
A visit to the market is a must in every European city to see how the locals live. In Wrocław, head to Hala Targowa for a full array of local vegetables, meats, baked goods and flowers. Sip coffee at a small café and watch the world go by. For a different kind of market, drop into the old mill Mlyn Sulkowice on Sunday morning for a flea market that hasn’t yet been hipsterised, and find your own treasure. For handmade souvenirs, check out Art Gallery Piecownia, or peruse artisanal items at the lovely Galeria Versus. And if you haven’t fallen in love with Polish pottery yet, you may now, if you see the beautifully patterned tableware at the Bolesławiec factory outlet. Beer naturally plays a central role in Wrocław nightlife, so you need only select by style, such as microbrewery AleBrowar, 16 taps at 4Hops, the Czech scene at Lamus Pub, retro Soviet decor at Klub PRL, or the exposed brick cellar bar Stara Piwnica. For later in the night, there’s Barbarka, a bar barge docked at an island near the old town, which blasts techno and house music deep into the night. Nietota is deliberately unconventional, with every space covered in often-grotesque original artwork and serving up every alcoholic concoction you can imagine. Bohema draws the student crowd, or for a change of vibe, head to the Cuban Casa de la Musica. Looking to connect? Głuchy Telefon features telephones (that’s right, the kind with wires and buttons or dials) installed at each table, enabling guests to call random strangers across the room.
Cities, fairy-tale castles and even Narnia
Kraków, Dresden and Prague are all equidistant from Wrocław, about three hours by car, if you’d like to take in another classic central European city while you’re here. The grandeur of former Polish capital Kraków, perfectly reconstructed Dresden, and the castle, Charles Bridge and beer halls of Prague are all well worth a trip, after all. For a more sombre journey into some of Europe’s darkest moments, take the time to tour Auschwitz-Birkenau and hope for a more humane and peaceful future. Poland’s answer to Neuschwanstein in Germany (the inspiration for Disney’s castle) might just be Ksiaz Castle, rising in eclectic architectural styles dating back to 1292 on a hill southwest of Wrocław. Combine this with a visit to the Church of Peace in Swidnica, a UNESCO World Heritage-designated, half-timbered Baroque church, dedicated to peace, reconciliation, and religious freedom. Polish pottery fans can go right to the source at Bolesławiec, less than two hours away. If you want to see the lion, the witch and maybe even the wardrobe, make your way to Adršpach-Teplice Rocks in Czechia, where the Narnia movies were filmed, also under two hours from Wrocław.
Wrocław airport
Wrocław airport, about 10 kilometres away from the city centre, has small souvenir and book shops, four restaurants, a café and a bar. A shuttle bus service runs between the airport, the centre at Plac Dominikański, and the bus and train station Dworzec Wrocław. Tickets for the 30-minute trip can be bought directly from the driver by cash or card. Taxi and rental car services are also available.
Wrocław weather
Wrocław has a pleasant, temperate climate, averaging 25°C in summer and around the freezing point in winter. July can be rather rainy, so bring an umbrella, or perhaps choose spring or fall for your visit.
FAQs for booking flights to Wrocław
How to get cheap flights to to Wrocław?
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When is the best time to visit Wrocław?
The best time to visit Wrocław is from mid-May to mid-September. The weather during this period is warm and when a lot of cultural events take place in the city. Wroclaw’s summers are mild and comfortable with temperatures around 25°C. Both spring and summer bring milder weather. These seasons are the perfect atmosphere for outdoor cafes, festivals, beach bars, and activities on Słodowa Island. Cultural events such as the Wrocław Non-stop Festival and Jazz Festival are taking place during this period.
Early autumn is also a great time to visit Wrocław because there are fewer tourists and the temperatures are moderate. This period is perfect for sightseeing historical spots and engaging in outdoor activities. Wroclaw’s winters are snowy and cold, near freezing. The city’s vibrant craft beer scene and indoor activities like cinemas and escape rooms make it an appealing winter destination. Wrocław has a balance of good weather and cultural experiences at any time of year which makes it an attractive year-round destination.
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