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

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated June 2026 | Wroclaw in Poland is a city filled with beautiful and colorful houses. Here you can stroll through historical environments, enjoy well-cooked Polish food, paddle in the Oder River and perhaps go in search of all the city's small statues of dwarfs. Here are our best tips for Wroclaw in Poland.

Wroclaw in Poland

We parked our camper at the city's campsite and then cycled into town, where we both walked around and experienced a canoe trip. Oh what a city, fantastically beautiful!

Wroclaw is located in western Poland, approximately 27 miles north-west of Krakow.

14 things to do in Wrocław

Wroclaw is a fantastic, charming city that we really enjoyed. Here are 14 things we can recommend.

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

The Rynek Market Square in the Old Town is arguably the heart of Wroclaw. The beautiful buildings are clustered together here, and there are also plenty of restaurants, pubs and cafes. When we were here in September, the temperature was almost 28 degrees and the atmosphere was at its best.

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.

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. 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 can you stay in Wroclaw or park your camper?

Best areas to live in and explore

• Old Town (Stare Miasto) – Perfect for those who want to be within walking distance of the city's main attractions, restaurants and cafés.
• Rynek area – The heart of the city with life and movement from morning to night.
• Ostrow Tumski – A quieter area with a historic environment and proximity to the city's most important churches.
• Nadodrze – A creative and growing area with art, cafes and a more local feel.

Pitches and campsites

We traveled by campervan and therefore have the best knowledge of the range of campsites. We first tried to park relatively centrally (at a parking lot listed in the CamperContact app), but it was full so we headed to campsite 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.

• Things to do in Gdansk
• Things to do in Toruń

FAQ – frequently asked questions about Wroclaw

How to get to Wrocław?

Wrocław has an international airport with connections to many European cities. From the airport, you can easily get to the city center by bus, taxi or shuttle.

When is the best time to visit Wrocław?

Spring, summer and early autumn are the most popular periods. The weather is pleasant then and the city's outdoor cafes and parks come into their own.

What is Wroclaw most famous for?

Wrocław is known for its beautiful Rynek Square, its many bridges and the hundreds of small dwarf statues scattered throughout the city.

Is 2 days in Wroclaw enough?

Yes, two days is enough to experience the city's main attractions. If you have more time, you can explore more neighborhoods, museums, and take excursions in the region.