Exploring Wroclaw – A Guide To One Of Europe’s Most Amazing Cities
Wroclaw, located in the Dolny Slask region of south western Poland is a city with a rich and varied culture, full of historical buildings and sites, culinary delights, grand architecture, and plenty of cultural events. With its medieval center, galleries, and UNESCO world heritage sites, it’s easy to see why this city is popular among tourists and locals alike. The city is also home to the University of Wroclaw, one of the oldest universities in Central Europe.In this guide, you won’t just find answers to what to expect when visiting Wroclaw – We’ll also tell you the best things to do and see, where to stay and eat, as well as put together an itinerary that you can follow over a weekend getaway in this amazing city!
A General Overview of Wroclaw
LocationWroclaw is the capital of the Dolny Slask (Lower Silesian) Province in south western Poland. It’s also located near the borders of neighbouring Germany and Czech Republic, making it a great destination if you’re planning a multi-country visit.HistoryThe history of Wroclaw can be traced back to its founding by Bohemian duke Boleslaw I in the 10th century. Since then, it went through many changes in its long history, including being part of Prussia and Germany for centuries before being turned over to Poland following World War II. This turbulent history has resulted in a mixture of different ethnic groups, religions and languages which make Wroclaw’s modern cultural landscape what it is today.Population and SizeWroclaw currently has a population of just over 620,000 people. Its total area is just over 305 km2 (118.3 square miles), including smaller towns located in its metropolitan area.
Main Attractions and What to See in Wroclaw
Some of the main attractions and must-see places when visiting Wroclaw are:
- Rynek: The expansive main square in Wroclaw is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest in Europe. The square and surrounding buildings date back to the 13th century, and are made up of colorful baroque buildings and gothic architecture.
- The Aula Leopoldina: The historic hall is the main building of the University of Wroclaw. Built in the 17th century by German architect Jan Lukas von Hildebrandt, it’s impressive both from outside as well as inside.
- Ostrów Tumski: Located on an island on the river Oder, this area around Wroclaw’s cathedral is one of the oldest parts of the city, with buildings that date all the way back to the 10th century.
- Centennial Hall: This historical building was constructed between 1911 – 1913 by Max Berg as part of an international exhibition and it’s currently a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
- Panorama Raclawicka: This is a unique painting depicting the historic Battle of Raclawice in 1794. It’s 120 meters long and 15 meters high (393 feet long by 49 feet high), making it one of the biggest Panorama paintings in existence.
- Peace Church: Known as “the pearl of baroque,” this catholic church was built in 1739 and it stands out thanks to its spectacular stucco decorations all over its walls.
- Japanese Garden: Located in one of the parks in the city, this garden was established in 1913 thanks to a donation from the Japanese emperor at the time and it’s a popular destination among visitors.
- Pergola: Another popular attraction in the city is this large construction built as part of a cultural festival held in 1913. It features fountains and plenty of green spaces from which had great city views.
Events in Wroclaw
Wroclaw provides plenty of cultural events for locals and visitors alike throughout year. Just some examples include:
- Wratislavia Cantans, a large international music festival featuring classical music, operas, choral works and much more.
- Jazz nad Odrą, an annual international jazz festival held over 10 days.
- Fringe off Festival, an event focusing on experimental theater, dance performances, video installations and visual art installations.
- Etnosfera Festival, a unique event mixing traditional sounds with modern music from around the world.
Many other local events take place throughout the year. Check visitwrocław.eu for more information about what’s happening when you visit.
Where to Eat in Wroclaw?
Foodies will not be disappointed when visiting Wroclaw, since it’s full of great restaurants offering traditional Polish dishes as well as other international cuisine. Here are some honorable mentions:
| Kejzer | This Michelin star restaurant is located near Rynek and specializes in creative dishes which combine traditional Polish cuisine with modern techniques. |
| Massolit Books & Café | This beautiful cafe located near Rynek serves delicious sandwiches, salads and coffee along with excellent selection books. |
| Old Town Market Restaurant | Offering great traditional dishes along with views of Rynek market makes this restaurant popular among locals and tourists alike. |
| Scandal & Hitchkins | This hipster restaurant serves up some amazing traditional dishes with its own twist such as homemade pierogi or pulled pork burger. |
| Lezka-Catering | This great restaurant serves contemporary polish dishes using locally sourced products. They also have an excellent pastry selection. |
Additionally there are plenty cafés worth visiting while in Wroclaw such as Imperial Café or Salvin Café, both located near Rynek, offering delicious cakes and excellent coffee drinks.
Where To Stay In Wroclaw?
Visitors have many options when it comes to staying overnight in the city. For those looking for budget options there are plenty of hostels available such as Stare Miasto Hostel or Centrum Hostel located near Rynek. For those looking for something a bit more luxurious there are hotels such as Hotel Monopol or Hotel ibis Styles – both located close to Rynek as well. Additionally there are AirBnB options if you’d rather stay in an apartment rather than a hotel room or hostel bed – just bear in mind that while AirBnB listings are much more common around Polish cities nowadays you should still be especially careful when selecting one due to popularity brought on by the tourism industry.
Weekend Getaway Itinerary for Wroclaw
Wroclaw is perfect for a weekend getaway and with its compact size it’s easy enough to get around without needing any sort of transport other than your feet! Here’s our ideal itinerary for you to explore all that Wroclaw has to offer over the course of two days:
