Wroclaw is a budget traveller’s dream and a hugely underrated European city destination. Often overlooked in favour of Krakow and Warsaw, it has an idyllic location on the Odra river and is a treasure trove of attractions, culture, food and fun.
So if you’re planning a visit to this dynamic Polish city, here are 10 things to do in Wroclaw that you simply can’t miss.
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Embrace the craft beer scene with a guided tour
Wroclaw is an absolute haven for craft beer, with a number of microbreweries dotted around the city. The best way to experience it is on the Delicious Poland craft beer tour, where you’ll be guided around Wroclaw for 3 hours to sample the tastiest craft beer it has to offer.
You’ll get much more than just the drinks, with an informative guide who’ll tell you all about the local culture as well as plenty of information about different brewing techniques, breweries, and traditions. The tour includes 10 different tastings across three different locations along with some light snacks to soak up the booze. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about craft beer while also scoping out some brilliant bars and pubs that you might otherwise have missed.
Have a stroll down Stare Jatki
A walk down Stare Jatki, or ‘Old Shambles’, is almost like stepping back in time. Once a hub for the city’s meat industry, today this cobbled street is lined with art shops and galleries selling one-of-a-kind work from local artisans. It’s the perfect place to pick up a unique gift or holiday memento, or to simply admire the paintings, sculptures and ceramics.
Even if you’re not an art-lover, Stare Jatki is well worth a visit for its unmistakeable medieval character and its eye-catching collection of bronze farmyard animals. Cute they may be, but their origins are somewhat more sombre – they were created as a memorial to the slaughtered animals from Stare Jatki’s history.
Browse the selection at the Polish Poster Gallery
If you’re a music or movie buff, you won’t want to miss a visit to this trendy poster gallery. A kaleidoscope of colours and styles, this shop showcases the very best of contemporary Polish artists and illustrators. The works are available in a range of formats from full-size posters to handy postcards, providing an alternative souvenir to bring back from your trip.
Fill your face with Pierogis
If you’re yet to experience the comforting taste of pierogis, you are in for a real treat. Pierogis, in their simplest form, are traditional Polish dumplings, traditionally filled with potatoes and cheese or meat. But there is one restaurant in Wroclaw that takes these humble little treats to a whole new level.
Right in the midst of Wroclaw’s Old Town you’ll find Pierogarnia Stary Młyn, With a rustic interior that perfectly matches its location, Stary Młyn offers a huge selection of pierogis, from savoury to sweet and boiled to baked. Go bold with black pudding and sauerkraut, or indulge with white chocolate, raspberries and mint. A word of warning though, these dumplings may look little but it won’t take much to fill you up.
Immerse yourself in the Neon Side Gallery
Tucked away in a secluded courtyard, it’s easy to miss this immersive art experience. Inside, the otherwise unobtrusive buildings are plastered with a collection of old neon signs taken from buildings in the Communist era. Collected from various institutions including companies, shops, cinemas and bars, the neon signs create a striking light display after the sun sets in Wroclaw.
The gallery was started by Tomasz Kosmalski, a lawyer and one of Poland’s first neon collectors. Kosmalski began to salvage neon lights after they were scrapped following the country’s political transformation, discarded as unfashionable reminders of the past. After restoring them to their former glory, Kosmalski took his collection back to where they started in this alternative artistic attraction.
Enjoy a donut from Nasza Paczkarnia
You’ll find tourists and locals alike queuing up at this unassuming donut shop, and once you’ve tried one you’ll understand why. A large window allows you to see the bakers at work, producing fresh pastries with a seemingly endless variety of flavours. From traditional donuts with fruity to fillings to chocolate treats piled high with rainbow sprinkles, there really is something for everyone at this tantalising hole-in-the-wall.
Admire the animals at Wroclaw Zoo and Africarium
Wroclaw Zoo is the oldest and most visited zoo in Poland and is a great way to spend a day if you’ve got the time to spare. It houses a huge range of animals in large, well-looked after enclosures, with most of its residents on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Wroclaw Zoo also boasts the Africarium, the only themed oceanarium devoted solely to the animals of Africa. Inside, you’ll find almost 5,000 animals including seven species of sharks, manatees, Nile hippos, and dozens of free-flying birds.
Scour the city for Wroclaw’s Dwarves
You can’t miss these little metal dwarves as you make your way around Wroclaw. With more than 300 dotted around, each of the statues has its own distinct character. From the Croupiers having a quick game of cards to the graceful Ballerina at the entrance to the opera house, these twee little dwarves bring a real sense of fun to the city.
But cute as they are, their roots lie in anti-Soviet resistance, serving as symbols for the Orange Alternative. Paintings of dwarves were originally used in the early 80s as a way to deface communist propaganda, culminating in ‘The Revolution of Dwarves’. Years later, the first dwarf sculpture was made to commemorate Wroclaw’s history, eventually growing to the large numbers that you’ll find there today.
Soak up the scenery at the Japanese Garden
Granted, it’s not the first place you’d expect a Japanese garden, but this botanical beauty is a real gem of Wroclaw. Originally created back in 1913 and reconstructed in the 90s, it’s a small but stunningly-kept garden and one of the most popular walking spots in the city. The garden is home to a Japanese Tea Pavillion, over 78 species of Japanese trees and plants, and a large lake complete with carp.
The Japanese Garden is located just outside the city centre so you’ll probably want to head there by tram. But, surrounded by the delights of Szczytnicki Park, you’re sure to find something else to entertain you while you’re there.
Enjoy live music and cocktails at Pod Papugami
There’s no shortage of places to enjoy a drink in Wroclaw, but for something a little different give Pod Papugami a try. Decked out with vintage film memorabilia, this speakeasy-style bar has an extensive drinks menu with some innovative cocktails on offer. The Pickled Gimlet fuses sencha tea and pickled limes, while Charlotte is topped with a cookie mousse. Sip your drink while enjoying some live music, playing almost every night of the week.
Where To Stay In Wroclaw
I’ve stayed in two different places in Wroclaw, and while they were very different from one another, both were fantastic. There’s definitely no shortage of budget options in Wroclaw, but these are ones that I’d highly recommend.
St Dorothy’s Hostel Apartments
For my first stay I booked one of these highly rated apartments just 300 metres away from the old town. St Dorothy’s Hostel Apartments have been really stylishly renovated, and if you would like to cook your own food there is a shared kitchenette for guests to use. They’re a really great option for backpackers or budget travellers who want hostel prices but private accommodation.
The apartments are off on a little side street just around the corner from Nasza Paczkarnia, in a quiet location that’s still close to all the action. The only thing I would say is don’t be put off by the entrance to the apartments. It’s a little rough around the edges, but the apartments inside are all of excellent quality.
Hotel Monopol
Don’t let the 5-star label put you off, Hotel Monopol is still incredibly affordable and equivalent to a 3-star hotel in many other European countries. I don’t normally ever stay in fancy hotels like this, but as the price tag was so reasonable I decided to treat myself for a birthday visit. The building itself is amazing, and the oldest hotel building in the city. The inside has been completely modernised and has a cool, contemporary look with incredible attention to detail.
As you would expect in a 5-star hotel, the staff really do go above and beyond. There are 2 restaurants on site, and while I didn’t try them I did have a lovely G&T at the bar. You do get a taste of the high life here, with jacuzzi baths that even light up(!) and top quality complimentary toiletries. My personal highlight had to be the pool and spa, which you reach via a lift that opens up right by the water. I honestly couldn’t fault Hotel Monopol, and the next time I visit Wroclaw I’ll probably book it again. Even budget travellers deserve a little luxury sometimes!
Other Accommodation In Wroclaw
To compare or book accommodation in Wroclaw, take a look at the map below. As you can see, there are plenty of affordable options right in the city centre!
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