12 Unique Things to Do in Wroclaw, Poland

Wroclaw (pronounced vrotz-waf) is the third largest city in Poland, and despite it having so much to offer, it remains relatively unknown to outsiders, making it one of the best hidden gems in Europe.

I’ve spent over 12 months in Poland, doing everything from teaching English to volunteering in hostels, and I’ve visited Wroclaw on countless occasions.

I even dated a guy from Wroclaw, and although he turned out to be a walking red flag, he did introduce me to some of the best bars and restaurants in Wroclaw, as well as showing me all the best things to do in the city.

I’ve already written about all the reasons why I believe Wroclaw is worth visiting, but today I want to share my favourite things to do in Wroclaw, based on dozens of trips to this beautiful city.

Unlike some other articles you’ll find, this won’t be an endless list of history museums and old buildings.

You’ll certainly find some of those, but for the most part, I’ll be showing you the more local spots in Wroclaw, including my favourite neighbourhoods, restaurants, and where to find the best hot chocolate in the city (you know, the important stuff).

Are you ready?

Then let’s get into it.

12 Unique Things to Do in Wroclaw, Poland

Top Rated Tours in Wroclaw

In case you’re pushed for time, here are the top-rated tours from GetYourGuide that I recommend, based on the activity itself, value for money, and positive reviews.

• Wroclaw Sunset Boat Cruise – Explore the fascinating Old Town of Wroclaw on a relaxing boat cruise. You’ll be able to see the oldest part of Wroclaw, and the upper river shoreline. Bar onboard.
• Wroclaw Old Town & Cathedral Island Walking Tour – The highest-rated walking tour of Wroclaw, with over 200 reviews.
• Polish Food & Vodka Tour – Experience traditional Polish food and the local drinking culture on a guided walking tour around Wroclaw’s pubs and restaurants.
• Wroclaw 2-Hour Mysterious Walking Night Tour – Take an atmospheric walk through Wroclaw’s old town. You will hear of secrets and legends, and even encounter the local lantern lighter!
• Wroclaw Dwarf Tour – A guided walking tour with a twist: your guide will introduce you to some of the most famous dwarfs of Wroclaw.
• Polish Craft Beer Walking Tour with Tastings – Immerse yourself in Polish drinking culture on a guided walking tour of Wroclaw’s brasseries. Sample 8 different craft beers along with traditional appetisers and snacks at local pubs.

Things to Do in Wroclaw

1. Discover Wroclaw Old Town

Taking some time to stroll around Wroclaw Old Town (or exploring it on a guided walking tour) is easily one of the best things to do in Wroclaw.

The Old Market Square (Rynek we Wrocławiu), is one of the largest in Europe, and in my opinion, it’s the prettiest in all of Poland, with its pastel-coloured buildings and stunning architecture.

One of the most striking buildings in the Market Square is the Old Town Hall, a group of Gothic buildings all connected in one complex.

Be sure to check out the astronomical clock that dates back to 1580, before heading inside the building and having a look around the free museum, which details the history of Wroclaw.

You also shouldn’t miss St. Elisabeth’s Church (Bazylika Św. Elżbiety), another Gothic structure that dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries.

For a small fee, you can climb to the top of the tower to enjoy the views but prepare for a climb – there are 300 steps to the top!

In nearby Plac Solny, you’ll find a beautiful flower market that stays open late into the night.

2. Hunt for dwarfs

If you’re looking for truly unique things to do in Wroclaw, you can actually go dwarf-hunting!

No, I’m not talking about somebody who lives with dwarfism; I’m talking about tiny bronze statues dotted all around the cobbled streets of Wroclaw, taking the form of doctors, gardeners, dentists, and even drunks!

Nobody knows exactly how many Wroclaw dwarfs there are, but as of 2024, there were more than 800!

Wroclaw dwarfs are not just a quirky tourist attraction though. They actually have a very interesting history!

Wroclaw’s dwarfs are a nod to the ‘Orange Alternative,’ an anti-Soviet movement from Wroclaw that helped overcome the oppressive communist regime of  the 1980s. As you may have guessed, the Orange Alternative used dwarfs as their symbol.

Dwarf-related things to do in Wroclaw include attending a dwarf walking tour, seeing how many you can spot as you wander the city, or even going to the Wroclaw Dwarf Festival, which is held every September!

3. Visit Cathedral Island

Cathedral Island (Ostrow Tumski) is the oldest part of Wroclaw and is home to some of the most striking buildings in the city.

The most impressive thing to see here is the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. You can pay a small small fee to go up to the observation deck and enjoy gorgeous panoramic views of Wroclaw, which is definitely something I recommend doing (although it can get very windy up there!).

You’ll also find three more churches, two monasteries and a small palace here.

4. Experience Wroclaw Christmas Markets

The Wroclaw Christmas Markets are the best in Poland, and have even been named as one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe!

While the Christmas markets in Krakow and Warsaw are relatively small, the Wroclaw Christmas Market is huge and full of festive cheer.

Make sure to try some traditional Polish food (sweet pierogi with cream, anyone?), before finding a cosy cabin and ordering a Wroclaw mulled wine.

One of the most unique things to see at the Wroclaw Christmas Markets are large glass boxes with dolls inside acting out popular fairy tales, and it’s also super wholesome to see local schoolchildren onstage singing Christmas carols.

5. Racławicka Panorama

Racławice Panorama is a colossal 114m panoramic painting that depicts the Battle of Racławice during the Kościuszko uprising, and it’s one of the most famous things to see in Wroclaw.

Even if you’re not a history buff, the painting is very impressive, with an incredible attention to detail, and also a 3D effect that almost makes you feel as if you’re on the battle scene yourself!

It costs 50 PLN to view the painting (which certainly isn’t cheap), but this does include a 30 minute audio guide, as well as entrance to the permanent exhibitions of the National Museum in Wroclaw, the Ethnographic Museum, and the Four Domes Pavilion.

In my opinion, this makes it well worth the money.

6. Drink a hot chocolate at Czekoladziarnia

Czekoladziarnia is a chocolate shop that is hands down the best place to get hot chocolate in Wroclaw (although they also serve desserts, waffles, and mulled alcohol as well).

When I visited, I opted for a white hot chocolate with whipped cream and raspberry syrup, but I’m definitely keen to try some of their more ‘unorthodox’ offerings, which include hot chocolate with blue cheese, and hot chocolate with mealworm larvae.

7. Wander down the Old Shambles

These days, The Old Shambles (Stare Jatki) is a cutesy cobbled street full of artisan boutiques, but it used to be a row of butcheries, providing the residents of Wroclaw with meat from the 1240’s onwards.

To honour the animals who perished there, you’ll find the Monument to the Slaughtered Animals, a collection of bronze statues depicting two pigs, a goose, a rabbit, a rooster, a goat, and a calf.

I’d definitely recommend making a quick photo stop here, and the art and design shops that have replaced the butchers of old are also worth checking out.

8. Discover Wroclaw’s best pubs

Thanks to the huge population of students, the nightlife in Wroclaw is excellent, and you’re sure to find whatever kind of night you’re looking for here.

If you like rock music, be sure to check out Niebo-Café, a live music pub with dive bar vibes, rickety wooden tables, and flickering candles. You can even do karaoke here, provided that the song you choose is metal enough!

Some of my other favourite pubs in Wroclaw include:

• Paka Pub – Café by day and pub by night, Paka Pub is an affordable and quirky spot with a bohemian feel. Good selection of Czech beer on tap. Google Maps link.
• Prewar – Dark academia vibes in the heart of the Old Town. Serves affordable and traditional Polish food. Google Maps link.
• Kalambur – This art-nouveau bar will have you feeling as though you’ve followed Alice down the rabbit hole. With a huge alligator outside, the décor of this live music pub just gets even crazier inside. Google Maps link.

9. Experience a taste of communism at Konspira

One of my favourite restaurants in Wroclaw is Konspira.

Not only does it serve absolutely enormous portions of hearty Polish dishes (think classic Grandma’s cooking) at great prices, but it’s also one of the most unique restaurants I’ve been to.

Konspira is a communist-themed restaurant that seeks to highlight Wroclaw’s role in the Solidarity Movement (the anti-communist movement of the 1980s).

There’s so much to see here, from political cartoons and posters to Soviet newspapers.

There’s even a ‘secret room,’ decked out like a 1980s Polish apartment that you have to walk through a wardrobe to find! In here, you’ll find everyday household items, children’s toys, and even police batons and riot gear from the days of martial law.

The whole place is like a living museum, and the excellent food cements it as one of the best restaurants in Wroclaw.

10. Neon Side Gallery

Even if you’re not interested in Wroclaw’s nightlife, you can’t miss the Neon Side Gallery.

Tucked away in a hidden courtyard (Google Maps link) is a wonderful collection of almost 30 Soviet-era neon signs, arranged on the Soviet-esque grey buildings.

Not only is this a real sight to behold, but there’s also plenty of funky street art here, as well as some of the best pubs and clubs in Wroclaw.

11. Explore Nadodrze

During almost all of my visits to Wroclaw, I stayed in a hostel in the Nadodrze neighbourhood, just a 10 minute walk away from Wroclaw Old Town.

This up-and-coming neighbourhood is known for its hipster coffee shops, colourful street art, hidden courtyards, and independent boutiques and galleries.

There aren’t necessarily many ‘sights’ to see here, but it’s a fantastic place to soak up the café culture and do a spot of window shopping.

If you’re undecided about where to stay in Wroclaw, Nadodrze is a great place to start looking.

12. Eat!

Food is a huge part of travel for me, and Polish food is not something you want to miss out on.

Traditional Polish food is rich, heavy, and perfect for filling your belly and keeping you warm during the harsh Polish winters.

From pierogi filled with potatoes and crispy onions, to bigos (meat stew with sauerkraut), and slow-cooked pork knuckle, you’ll never be hungry in Poland.

Is Wroclaw worth visiting if you’re a foodie?

Absolutely.

How Many Days in Wroclaw?

I’m all about slow travel, and I could stay in Wroclaw for months and not get bored.

However, if you’re limited for time, I’d say that a long weekend in Wroclaw is enough to see all of the main attractions, indulge in some great food and drink, and get a general feel for the city.

I would recommend 2 days in Wroclaw (3 nights) if you want a more action-packed trip, and allowing yourself 3 days in Wroclaw if you don’t want to feel rushed.

Is Wroclaw Safe?

Wroclaw is a very safe city, including for female travellers, LGBT+ travellers, and People of Colour.

Of course, you should use your common sense (don’t leave your bag or drink unattended etc.), but overall, Poland is a very safe country, Wroclaw included.

The one exception to this is Poland’s strip clubs, which are notorious for drugging and robbing tourists.

Things to Do in Wroclaw | Final Thoughts

So, that brings us to the end!

I hope that this article has given you some great ideas of what to do in Wroclaw, and that it’s been useful in planning your trip.

As always, if you have any questions then please leave them in the comments section below, and I will get back to you.

Until next time,

XOXO

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