The Venice of Poland

Wroclaw may be a relatively small blip on the European radar, especially when compared to the likes of Paris, Rome or Barcelona, but as holidaymakers are becoming more and more adventurous the many of charms of this small but sassy city are deservedly being discovered.

Even ardent locals won't try and tell you that 'the Venice of Poland' can match Italy's original version for sheer romance and beauty, but you don't need to be a Wroclawian to be swayed by the character of this little town... Wroclaw's Old Town alone boasts the second largest medieval market square in Europe (the first prize goes to Krakow), dozens of spectacular gothic churches, scores of bridges over scenic waterways, and plenty of lush parkland besides.

Above: Climb up St. Elizabeth's Church for a stunning panorama

Below: Or get bitten by a radioactive spider and climb up any building you like!

Now cross the river onto Wroclaw's picturesque islands and, apart from plenty of strolling opportunities, you will find some of city's most precious jewels. The Ostrow Tumski in particular is a real treasure chest and tourists are drawn to it like bees to honey to admire the stunning spires that pierce Wroclaw's skyline north of the river.

Meanwhile, if you're in Wroclaw for more than a couple of days, it's well worth venturing out East in search of hidden bounty. The Plac Grunwaldzki, again just across the Odra, isn't an obvious tourist attraction but hides a history of more prosperous times, whilst go that bit further and you will discover odd ball treasures such as the Centennial Hall (now UNESCO listed as one of the World's most important cultural sites!), Wroclaw's very own zoo and the charming Japanese Gardens. Or why not head right to the city limits and to the Olympic Stadium, built by Hitler for the 1936 Berlin Olympics?

Thanks to its colourful history Wroclaw can count both treasures left over from its time as the German city of Breslau, as well as important cultural legacies transported from the old Polish city of Lwow (now Lviv in modern day Ukraine). Most of Wroclaw's splendid architecture falls into the former category, but amongst the latter is the unique Panorama of Raclawice, considered by many Poles as the symbol of the city.

Of course you could be one of those hedonistic bunch who couldn't care less about the city's rich culture and troubled history... In which case step this way for top tips on hotels, eating out, drinking and nightlife!

Wroclaw guide

I've lived in Wroclaw for many years. In my life I've visited a lot of famous and big cities all over the world and I can say that all I want is to live here for ever. You can never get bored living or staying in this charming and exciting place. It's worth seeing.

reviewed by mira from Poland on Jan.25.2012

Twitter not tweeter ;) But still, ALL IN WROCLAW WELCOME! aga

reviewed by aga from Australia on Oct.11.2011

for tweeter users! I have just created this page for people who want to meet up in Wroclaw! Check @Meetup_Wroclaw. Pass it on!

reviewed by Meetup Wroclaw from Poland on Oct.10.2011

hi guys. we're going to live and study in wroclaw for a year!!!! Is it possible for international students to work there?

reviewed by Indira from Kazakhstan on Jul.06.2011

Liebe Polaken, es wäre nett, wenn ihr euch aus unserem Land verpisst... Denn Danzig, Breslau und Stettin sind deutsche Städte wie Berlin.... Aber - wie Bismarck bereits sagte - Dei Polen machen sich selbst kaputt, wenn man sie sich selbst regieren lässt...

reviewed by Miria Allwissend from Germany on Jul.02.2011

Hello, where I can found places of interest (nature, architecture etc)around Wroclaw?

reviewed by Jan from Czech Republic on May.16.2011

Wroclaw is one the european pearls that you can never see in Americas or Asia, people are very friendly here, people that are not friendly and find out that youre a foreigner are scared cause they cant talk to you. People that know foreign languages are usually bit more open minded. German influence is visible everywhere, but Warsaw wasnt built by Germans and its similar, it was totally destroyed during WW2 and its a spectacular city to live in...

reviewed by Fil_China from China on May.10.2011

Poland is good because it isnt full of multi cultural Mingers it is prodominantly white if you want multiculture and a mixed up popuation go to london stay away from poland

reviewed by John from United States on May.04.2011

A post to Greuppner, who complained of Poles living in "their" house.

The Poles were in Wroclaw long before the Germans. The Germans just happened to move in for a few decades.

Germany has wreaked incredible hardship and pain upon Poles through the centuries.

reviewed by Muchacho Cordez from United States on Apr.01.2011

Visiting Wroclaw in April 2011 to trace my Hauptfleisch family who left in 1718. Where will I get info on them Is there archives in Wroclaw ?

reviewed by Louise Steytler from South Africa on Mar.04.2011

My mother was German born and bred in Wroclaw (then Breslau). My father was Polish. I am very sad therefore to read the posting about 'Poles living in our house'. Wroclaw is again quite rightly part of Poland and therefore 'poles' would be living in the house. Keep your racist comments to yourself.

reviewed by Heidi Docherty from United Kingdom on Dec.29.2010

I love this City, because I was born there, but WW2 displaced our family.My Dad built a house in 1932. I visited there 5 years ago. Sad to see Poles living in our house. The city now seems dirty compared to 1944 time.
Much, much History there, goes back 1000 plus years. Thanks to the war, it no longer is my home.

reviewed by G. A. Greupner from United States on Dec.13.2010

i really like the polish people and their culture so i really love to learn more about their language what a great opportunity

reviewed by NJANG ASUMBO SOLOMON from Cameroon on Nov.15.2010

i've been four weeks in wroclaw and i want more. Maybe for the rest of my life

reviewed by Cristi from Romania on Oct.11.2010

I am asian from Thailand and going to study Polish language at Wroclaw Uni! I love this city and sometime asian people are funny for people here but I don't care atleast I have many good friends here and they are so lovely for me and I love to sit and drink beer at the rynek. I love Wroclaw

reviewed by Ronan from Thailand on Sep.24.2010

What a great city hope to head back late november.Plenty to do and see.Sky train,music fountains (rock at night or classic movies)Beer with raspberry juice I try'd it but not a huge fan..The indoor old market is really worth a visit...

reviewed by jon b from United Kingdom on Sep.08.2010

Hey guys and girls going there on the 6th of october going for two weeks any ideas where to go what to see im 23 and speak a bit of the language

reviewed by Brian from Ireland on Sep.08.2010

Hi,

If you are looking for local tips from Wroclaw you can find it on my blog http://enjoywroclaw.wordpress.com

Best,
Micha³

reviewed by Micha³ from Poland on Aug.01.2010

It's very nice to read all this good opinions about the city. Yes - it is't very big, but vibrant... I work here as travelguide - and I allways say - this city has only 621 thsd citizens... it isn't much...

reviewed by Local from United States on Jul.08.2010

Please be advised that if you go to wroclaw to Dr Adam K. yes you get it cheeper but you get no aftercare at all. And if you have any serious problem with you plastic surgery you are totally on your own. His London rep and his email in poland do not reply to any emails so be warned !!!!!

reviewed by lesley ainsworth from United Kingdom on Jul.08.2010

My Husband and i visited Wroclaw in the summer of 2009 it was that good we are going back on Tuesday. It was clean safe friendly and cheap as chips due to the value of the Zloty. It is a lovely place with lots of bars and realy nice shopping.The boat rides are also cheap and the people friendly. With lots of choice in hotels to stay in from expencive to cheap
Cant wate to go back on tuesday.

reviewed by Yvonne from United Kingdom on Jun.18.2010

hoping to come next year is there enough to see in and nearby wroclaw for a fortnight"s holiday ?

reviewed by rolf from United Kingdom on May.02.2010

Hi E,
I am planning to visit Wroclaw this summer.
Any specific place that I should visit and any food that I must try?
Thank you.

reviewed by Kathy from United Kingdom on Apr.15.2010

Wroclaw is lovely. I have visited a number of times. The botanical garden is nice and I recommend seeing Michael the ArchAngel church. Sean from London is very stupid and no one cares about his opinion because he doesn't even know how to spell in his native language :)

reviewed by monica from NJ from United States on Feb.11.2010

I can understand why Wroclaw is presented as small city in this guide.This wonderful city is about 700 thousend people and is biger then Liverpool!

reviewed by jk from United Kingdom on Jan.05.2010

Hi,
E, im visiting wroclaw in 2 weeks time. will it be possible that we meet up and mayb u can bring us around?

sam

reviewed by samuel from on Nov.15.2009

i hate wroclw its dirtyd stinks and polish people are so ignorant

reviewed by sean from london from United Kingdom on Nov.12.2009

i hate wroclw its dirtyd stinks and polish people are so ignorant

reviewed by sean from london from United Kingdom on Nov.12.2009

Heyy..I live in this beautiful city for 10 yrs now, So if anyone need free guide to see the city, cheap hostels, good restaurants or clubs I'm here. I'm preparing to SAT's next year so I need conversations and you may need tour? If so, feel free to write comment and i'll contact with you.

reviewed by E. from Poland on Oct.18.2009

HI, I work by Volvo and im gonna be on Wroclav next month, I have seen that is a beutiful city, if anyone can give some tips o places to be visit could be great

reviewed by Martin S from Mexico on May.21.2009

Hey guys, was just wondering where the best places would be to visit for stag dos? And if anyone in wroclaw does anything special things for tourists like that

reviewed by Mikey from United Kingdom on Apr.22.2009

Hi Tommy - Polish currency is definitely needed for your stay, but you can exchange your currency here in Poland with no problems. Euros or US Dollars are accepted in larger restaurants, shops, or hotels, but the rates you will get will not be necessarily that great!

reviewed by Wroclaw Life Staff from Poland on Apr.01.2009

Do I need Polish currency for a 3 night trip to Wroclaw next month ?

reviewed by Tommy from United Kingdom on Mar.31.2009

Had a nice stay on camping Olympic. We are wondering, which diciplins were held here during the 1936 olympics?

reviewed by Bodil from Denmark on Aug.16.2008

I'm so glad i finally found a page that gives me information that are up to date. I been looking the whole day for a good page about Wroclaw.
GREAT

reviewed by Sabrina from Germany on Jul.28.2008

Frania, you can have your father's property, just pay us back for upkeeping it and keeping it up for all these years and then it is yours.

reviewed by Ewa from United States on Jun.18.2008

I would like to have back my fathers families properties .He came from your city. 4 generations were murdered and all their property taken .

reviewed by frania from United States on Apr.28.2008

chwlowo Stany....ale od zawsze zakochana we Wroclawiu...pierwsza prawdziwa miloscia ...ktora bedzie trwala przez cale moje zycie...juz niedlugo tam wroce..
Pozdrawiam

reviewed by NINA from United States on Mar.29.2008

I´m an erasmus studet, I was living in Wroclaw, and...I´m completely falling in love!!!!!!!!!!!is a charming and beautiful city, please, come in Wroclaw, feel and enjoy this city...

reviewed by Patricia from Spain on Jan.16.2008

Had a great time in Wroclaw during my summer visit. The city has so much energy and the cafe/pub culture is incredible. Living in Krakow now and may move to Wroclaw when I tire of the tourists and ex-pats. Though maybe Wroclaw is not so far behind...?

reviewed by Steve O from United States on Oct.22.2007

Nie mieszkam we Wroclawiu, ale jestem tam bardzo czesto. Bardzo mi sie to miasto podaba. Teraz czasowo przebywam za granice, ale zawsze jak wracam do Polski jade do Wroclawia. Po powrocie do Polski, mam zamiar tam sie osiedlic.

Michal - czasowo w

reviewed by Michal from United States on Sep.13.2007

Visited Wroclaw on two occasions. Found city very friendly, clean and surly with a lot of potential.
Will definitely return...perhaps next year. See you then Richard, Mirka and Piotrek. Toronto

reviewed by Mike from Canada on Sep.13.2007

We need a city guide in english for one day on Sept. 25th for 24 people who come with their own bus. Can you recommend a good guide? Thanks.

reviewed by Uri Beer from Israel on Aug.29.2007

we are loooking for a guided tour in german language in Breslau

reviewed by Rudolf from Germany on Aug.11.2007

I AM LOOKING FOR TEL. NO OF CEMENTARY LOCATED AT GRABISZYNSKA STREET.

reviewed by STANLEY BRACHOWSKI from United States on Aug.10.2007

Visited 4 major Europeon cities Wroclaw was the best. We were safe, had a blast, people were so friendly, city was clean, the onlt place I would return to.

reviewed by Tansy from Canada on May.21.2007

Mleczarnia
reviewed on Feb.03.2012
"I lived in Wroclaw- this place is the best any time of day! Breakfast- grea..."
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