Wroclaw Silesia
5
Day Itinerary •
Poland
Five days in Wroclaw and Silesia takes you through Poland's most charming and underrated city and the extraordinary history-rich landscape of Lower Silesia. Wroclaw's extraordinary Rynek, the second most beautiful market square in Poland, the remarkable Cathedral Island and the outstanding collection of dwarfs scattered throughout the city make it the finest city in western Poland and one of the most enjoyable in Central Europe. This route covers the complete Wroclaw and Silesia experience. The extraordinary Panorama Raclawicka, the remarkable 360-degree painting of the 1794 Battle of Raclawice, the fine National Museum, the outstanding Ksiaz Castle, the remarkable Karkonosze Mountains, the extraordinary underground Project Riese Nazi tunnels and the fine Swidnica Peace Church UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Wroclaw Copernicus Airport (WRO)
Getting Around
Walking and tram in city, train or bus for day trips
Budget Per Day
Approx 200 to 400 PLN per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking on cobblestones
DAY 1
WROCLAW OLD TOWN
MORNING
WROCLAW RYNEK MARKET SQUARE
Wroclaw's extraordinary Rynek, the second most beautiful market square in Poland after Krakow, is a remarkable ensemble of Gothic and Renaissance buildings surrounding the outstanding Old Town Hall. The fine Town Hall, one of the finest Gothic civic buildings in Central Europe, the remarkable Jatki butchers' row and the extraordinary coloured merchant houses make the Rynek outstanding. The remarkable dwarf statues hidden throughout the square are the finest urban treasure hunt in Poland. Free. Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
CATHEDRAL ISLAND AND ST JOHN'S CATHEDRAL
Ostrow Tumski, the Cathedral Island, is the oldest and most atmospheric part of Wroclaw. The remarkable Cathedral of St John the Baptist, the finest Gothic cathedral in Silesia, the extraordinary Church of the Holy Cross and the outstanding Archbishop's Palace make this island the finest in the city. The remarkable gas lamps still lit by hand each evening and the extraordinary atmosphere of Ostrow Tumski at dusk are outstanding. Entry cathedral free. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
PANORAMA RACLAWICKA
The Panorama Raclawicka, a remarkable 360-degree cyclorama painting measuring 15 by 120 metres, depicts the extraordinary 1794 Battle of Raclawice in which Polish peasants under Kosciuszko defeated Russian forces. The outstanding scale of the painting, the remarkable three-dimensional foreground and the fine audio guide make it one of the most extraordinary museum experiences in Poland. Entry approx 40 PLN. Book ahead.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Wroclaw dwarfs, over 600 small bronze figures placed throughout the city since 2001 representing the Orange Alternative anti-communist protest movement, are the finest urban treasure hunt in Poland. The official map is available from tourist information. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Mleczarnia, Wlodkowica Street The finest bohemian cafe in Wroclaw's finest neighbourhood. | Lunch: Rynek bar or restaurant Traditional Silesian food on the finest market square in western Poland. | Dinner: Spi n , Rynek The finest restaurant and microbrewery in the Rynek cellars.
DAY 2
WROCLAW MUSEUMS AND ZOO
MORNING
WROCLAW NATIONAL MUSEUM
The Wroclaw National Museum has the finest art collection in Lower Silesia, its extraordinary collection of Silesian medieval sculpture, the remarkable Panorama Raclawicka related art and the outstanding Polish modern art collection being all remarkable. The fine collection of 14th-century Piast dynasty sarcophagi is the most extraordinary medieval sculpture in the region. Entry approx 20 PLN. Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
HALA TARGOWA AND JEWISH QUARTER
The Hala Stulecia, the extraordinary 1913 Centennial Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the finest reinforced concrete building of its era, and the remarkable Hala Targowa food market beside it are outstanding. The fine Wroclaw Jewish Quarter south of the Rynek, with the extraordinary White Stork Synagogue beautifully restored, and the remarkable New Market Square with its outstanding Baroque architecture are all fine. Entry hall free. Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
WROCLAW ZOO AND AFRIKARIUM
Wroclaw Zoo, the finest zoo in Poland, has the most extraordinary Afrikarium, a remarkable underwater Africa exhibit with the finest freshwater and marine displays of African species anywhere in Europe. The outstanding collection of rare primates, the remarkable nocturnal house and the fine African walk-through aviary make it the finest zoo in Central Europe. Entry approx 60 PLN.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Wroclaw Centennial Hall, the UNESCO World Heritage reinforced concrete dome built in 1913 for the centenary of the anti-Napoleon uprising, is the finest early 20th-century building in Poland. Free to view from outside, entry approx 12 PLN.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Artzat, Sw Antoniego Good Wroclaw breakfast near the National Museum. | Lunch: Hala Targowa food market The finest local food market lunch in Wroclaw. | Dinner: Zakladka, Trzeciego Maja Outstanding modern Polish cuisine in Wroclaw's finest new restaurant.
DAY 3
KSIAZ CASTLE AND SWIDNICA
MORNING
KSIAZ CASTLE
Ksiaz Castle, the third largest castle in Poland with 400 rooms in a remarkable Baroque and Renaissance ensemble on a dramatic forested hill near Walbrzych, is the finest castle in Silesia. The extraordinary state rooms, the remarkable Maximilian Hall and the outstanding Nazi tunnels dug beneath the castle from 1943 as part of the mysterious Project Riese make it outstanding. The fine views of the Owl Mountains from the castle terraces are remarkable. Entry approx 40 PLN. Travel: 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
PROJECT RIESE NAZI UNDERGROUND TUNNELS
Project Riese, the extraordinary top-secret Nazi construction project of 1943 to 1945 which created a massive network of underground tunnels beneath the Owl Mountains, is the most mysterious construction in Poland. The remarkable tour of the Ksiaz castle tunnels and the outstanding Walim tunnel complex nearby give the finest understanding of this extraordinary wartime enigma. The remarkable scale of the excavations and their still-unclear purpose are fascinating. Entry approx 30 PLN. Travel: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
SWIDNICA PEACE CHURCH UNESCO
The Church of Peace in Swidnica, one of two UNESCO World Heritage Church of Peace buildings in Silesia, is the largest timber-framed religious building in Europe. Built between 1656 and 1657 under extraordinary restrictions imposed by the Habsburgs on Protestant worshippers, it accommodates 7,500 people in three internal galleries. The remarkable interior decoration and the outstanding story of its construction under hostile conditions are extraordinary. Entry approx 12 PLN.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Karkonosze National Park on the Czech-Polish border, 80km from Wroclaw, has the finest mountain scenery in Silesia with the remarkable Sniezka summit at 1,603 metres, the highest point in the Sudeten. Entry park free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Wroclaw hotel Good breakfast before the Ksiaz drive. | Lunch: Ksiaz Castle cafe Simple lunch at the finest castle in Silesia. | Dinner: Return to Wroclaw Excellent dinner on return. Rynek cellars or Jadka.
DAY 4
KARKONOSZE MOUNTAINS
MORNING
KARKONOSZE NATIONAL PARK AND SZKLARSKA POREBA
The Karkonosze National Park on the Polish-Czech border is the most extraordinary mountain landscape in Lower Silesia. The remarkable Sniezka summit, the highest point in the Sudeten at 1,603 metres, the extraordinary Szklarka waterfall and the outstanding hiking trails through the remarkable highland meadows and strange rock formations are all outstanding. The extraordinary Karkonoski National Park Biosphere Reserve has the finest mountain walking near Wroclaw. Entry park approx 6 PLN. Travel: 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
JELENIA GORA AND THE SUDETEN VIEW
Jelenia Gora, the fine historic town in the Karkonosze foothills, has the most extraordinary arcaded market square in Lower Silesia, the remarkable 18th-century baroque buildings and the outstanding view of the Karkonosze peaks above the town making it the finest Sudeten foothill town. The extraordinary crystal glass tradition of Jelenia Gora and the fine glass museum are both outstanding. Free to walk. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO WROCLAW
Return to Wroclaw through the extraordinary Sudeten landscape, perhaps stopping at the remarkable Bolkow Castle, one of the finest medieval ruins in Silesia, on the way back. The outstanding view of Bolkow Castle from the town below and the remarkable Piastowski dynasty history of the fortress make it worth a brief stop. Return to Wroclaw for the evening. Entry Bolkow approx 15 PLN.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Bolkow Castle near Jelenia Gora, the finest ruined medieval castle in Silesia, is the most photogenic fortress between Wroclaw and the Karkonosze. Entry approx 15 PLN.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Wroclaw hotel Good breakfast before the mountain drive. | Lunch: Szklarska Poreba mountain cafe Simple Polish mountain lunch near the Karkonosze. | Dinner: Wroclaw return dinner Final Lower Silesia evening. Excellent Silesian food at Stara Kuchnia.
DAY 5
WROCLAW UNIVERSITY AND FAREWELL
MORNING
WROCLAW UNIVERSITY AND LEOPOLDINA HALL
Wroclaw University, founded in 1702 by Emperor Leopold I, has the most extraordinary Baroque university building in Central Europe. The remarkable Leopoldina Hall, the finest Baroque academic interior in Poland, is a remarkable 18th-century ceremonial hall with extraordinary ceiling paintings. The fine Mathematical Tower gives the most outstanding view of Wroclaw from any tower in the city. Entry hall approx 20 PLN. Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
NADODRZE AND THE CREATIVE QUARTER
Nadodrze, Wroclaw's extraordinary emerging creative neighbourhood north of the city centre, has the finest street art, the most remarkable independent cafes and the outstanding alternative culture scene of any neighbourhood in western Poland. The remarkable Dehnel Passage street art project and the extraordinary 19th-century architecture of the area make it the finest neighbourhood walk in Wroclaw. Free. Travel: 20 min tram
AFTERNOON
FINAL RYNEK WALK AND FAREWELL
A final afternoon on the extraordinary Wroclaw Rynek, perhaps hunting for more of the remarkable 600 dwarf statues hidden throughout the city, buying amber and Polish folk crafts and sitting at a cafe on the finest market square in western Poland. The remarkable experience of five days in Wroclaw, one of the most enjoyable and historically rich cities in Central Europe at a fraction of Western European prices, is outstanding. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Wroclaw Multimedia Fountain in Szczytnicki Park, the largest in Poland, puts on remarkable water and light shows every evening in summer. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Mleczarnia, Wlodkowica Final Wroclaw bohemian breakfast. | Lunch: Nadodrze neighbourhood cafe Excellent lunch in Wroclaw's finest emerging neighbourhood. | Dinner: Final Rynek dinner Farewell to Wroclaw. Spi n microbrewery in the Rynek cellars.
Where To Stay
Wroclaw Old Town or Nadodrze, all nights Excellent central hotels. Approx 150 to 350 PLN per night. Best area The streets around the Rynek are the finest location for all sights. Booking Book 3 to 4 weeks ahead in summer and during festival season.
Top Tips
1. The Panorama Raclawicka is unique in Europe. Book tickets online to avoid queues.
2. The Wroclaw dwarfs hidden throughout the city are the finest treasure hunt in Poland.
3. Wroclaw is excellent value. A great meal with beer costs about 60 to 100 PLN per person.
4. Ksiaz Castle and the Project Riese tunnels are the finest mysterious attraction in Poland.
5. The Wroclaw Centennial Hall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entry approx 12 PLN.
6. Cathedral Island gas lamps are lit by hand each evening. Outstanding atmosphere at dusk.
Total Budget
270 to 560 PLN/day