TOP 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN WROCLAW
Discover narrow streets around the Market Square
Medieval streets are full of hidden gems, passages, and courtyards. Explore Jatki Street, where butchers usted to sell meat in the Middle Ages, visit Malarska Street with fairytale houses, the Old Prison located only two blocks from the Market Square.
Find the courtyards and hidden passages on Kielbasnicza Street. Discover the buildings in the University District, Church of St. Elisabeth and the Ossolinski National Library. Don’t forget to take your camera with you!
Visit the Cathedral Island by night
The Cathedral Island is the oldest part of Wroclaw. The city’s first church and castle were built here. It was the heart of the town in 10th, 11th, and 12th century.
Despite the fact that it is not an island anymore, it’s worth visiting at night. The majority of the buildings on the Cathedral Island belong to the Catholic Church. That’s why this place is almost empty at night. It’s a perfect spot for a romantic walk especially because of the gas lamps.
Every single evening there is a gentleman with an old-fashioned clothes who lights up all the lamps. He is a friendly man, you can take a picture with him!
Walk along the Odra river
The Odra river was very important for the city from the very beginning. It was significant for trade and transportation. In 1997 the biggest flood in the last 200 years took place. Many districts at that time were under the water.
After the flood, the city spent over 500 million euros for the new antiflood system. A part of this project was to renovate the Odra river banks and create new boulevards. Dunikowski and Wlostowic Blvds are the most recommended places to visit at night. You can combine this walk with a visit to the Cathedral Island.
If you would like to relax during the day, visit the boulevard of the Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (Wybrzeze Stanislawa Wyspianskiego 23). It’s on the way to the Centennial Hall. You can play volleyball with students, hang out on the beach, and find the dwarf rowing team.
Visit the Old Jewish Cemetery
Twelve thousand tombstones, various architectural styles, as well as numerous climbing plants which cover the matzevahs create an enchanting atmosphere. You can track the history of the Jewish community during its Golden Age at the Jewish Cemetery.
The following people were buried there: Ferdinand Lasalle (founder of the first workers’ party in Germany), the parents of Fritz Haber (Nobel Prize winner), Auguste Stein (mother of Edith Stein, patron saint of Europe), the Schottländer family (the richest family in the city) .
This is a must-see in Wroclaw. The Cemetery can be reached from the city center by tram (lines 9 or 15; get off at the Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny stop). Admission: about 4€. It’s also possible to enter the cemetery without paying (see the part Wroclaw for free).
Celebrate with students on the Slodowa Island (Malt Island)
There are over 100,000 students in Wroclaw. They contribute greately to the city’s atmosphere. There are also pubs which are open 24/7, even on working days when you can party till the morning.
The most popular place among students during spring and summer is the Slodowa Island (Malt Island). You can meet hundreds of students celebrating, playing instruments, and having a barbecue in the evening.
Please notice that according to Polish law, consumption of alcohol in public places is not allowed. Apparently upon decision of the city council since September 2018 this Island is the only place where drinking alcohol publicly is fully legal.
Visit UNESCO-listed Centennial Hall and its surroundings
Centennial Hall is the first structure with the dome bigger than the one in Pantheon in Rome. It’s an amazing building made out of reinforced concrete. It’s a gem of modern architecture.
The area surrounding the Centennial Hall is also worth visiting. The Four- Dome-Pavilion hosts an exhibition of Polish modern art from 20th century (free on Tuesdays). Japanese Garden is a good example of garden art from the Far East.
Szczytnicki Park would be a perfect choice to go for a walk or picnic. Don’t forget to see the water show next to the Centennial Hall featuring lasers, music, lights, and a huge water screen with animations (Fontanna Multimedialna).
To learn more about Centennial Hall and its surroundings visit this post!
Spend the evening in the former Jewish District
The history of the Jewish community is almost as long as the history of Wroclaw. In 1917 a Jewish tombstone from 1203 was found in the Cathedral in Wroclaw. Ever since, it is the oldest evidence of the Jewish presence in the city and in Poland generally.
At the end of the Middle Ages the Jews had to leave the city due to persecutions. They decided to settle outside of the city walls. That is how the Jewish District was established.
Meanwhile, this district changed from the suburbs to the most vibrant part of Wroclaw. At the moment, there are over 80 restaurants, pubs, and clubs in this district.
The former Jewish quarter is nowadays famous as the Four Denominations District, where four religions have their praying rooms.
Buy some fruit in the Market Hall
At the beginning of the 20th century, the city council decided to move trade from the street to market halls. The city wanted to build five market halls, but only two were built. The second one was destroyed after WWII and brought down in the 1960s.
This is the first, and at the same time the last, market hall in Wroclaw. It was built in 1908 and you can still marvel at the parabolic reinforced concrete beams. It’s one of the first constructions of its type in the world.
Some people, when they enter the Market Hall, see similarities with Gothic churches and say it’s a temple of trade. One can buy fruits, vegetables, meat in the Market Hall. It offers the best quality in Wroclaw. Many of the restaurants buy ingredients here to prepare their dishes.
Enter the 19th century alternative district Nadodrze
Nadodrze district is close to the city center, but the people there live in a different rhythm. This diverse mixture and contrast are the mark of Nadodrze. The City Council has been trying to improve this neighborhood for the past several years.
The process of gentrification is in progress and the transformation of this district is now very visible.
The Nadodrze district is full of places where many directors, including Steven Spielberg, have made war movies, and street artists from all over the world have created their works.
Today, Nadodrze is also well-known for small galleries run by young, local artists, crafts companies, and social entrepreneurship economic projects.
Experience African flora and fauna at the Zoo
The Zoo in Wroclaw is one of the oldest in Europe. It was opened in 1865. You can still see remains of this architecture. Over the last few years, there were huge construction works to create a new massive pavilion (10,000 m2) called ‘Africarium’, designed for flora and fauna from Africa.
Your journey will start at the beaches of the Red Sea, will continue through East Africa and onto the Great Lakes of Tanganyika and Malawi. Later on you will descend deep into the Mozambique Channel, visit the Skeleton Coast in Namibia and at the end of the path you can enter The Congo Rainforest.
It takes at least 1.5-2 hours. If you have more energy, you can spend the rest of the day tracking animals at the Zoo.
