10 Must-Visit Wrocław Attractions For Every Tourism & Hospitality Student
June 13, 2021 by Amit Chandra
Photo courtesy: Whistling Hound
For everyone who chose to move to Wrocław for higher education, the first and most essential thing is to get a solid grasp of the city. Once you get acquainted with all the top places of interest, grocery points, marketplaces, and some essential life hacks, you are in a great position to explore the city like anyone on a trip to Poland looking to explore the best Wrocław tourist attractions.
Must read: Best Of 48 Hours In Wroclaw – Venice Of The Eastern Europe
There are plenty of places in Wrocław that are even more crucial from the perspective of a tourism student. It is, therefore, recommended to explore and capture the true charm of these places in different seasons because many of these places don't look the same in autumn and winter as they did during spring and summer.
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Therefore, it’s time you learnt about places you're likely to stumble upon while on your way to the university lecture hall or when you have a free day and decide to take a long ride in the city tram heading to the west or the north, strolling through the lush city parks.
Oh! Did I tell you that Wrocław is the greenest city in Poland and has some of the most impressive and aesthetically pleasing city parks? At these places, you can catch stunning sunsets, unbelievable nature hues, and the essence of the city.
Below are some of the top recommendations for popular places of interest in Wrocław
1. Japanese Garden (Ogród Japoński)
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Located in Szczytnicki Park, the Japanese Garden is a quaint nature retreat in the heart of Wrocław. The Park was founded at the beginning of the 20th century (1909–1913) as an exotic garden for the Centennial Exhibition. It is located in the Śródmieście district of Wrocław, in the boundaries of Szczytnicki Park, near the Centennial Hall.
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Address: Adama Mickiewicza 1, 51-618 Wrocław
Hours: 9 am - 7 pm, all days
2. Centennial Hall (Hala Stulecia)
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The Centennial Hall (Hala Stulecia) is a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most interesting places to see in Wrocław. A popular tourist attraction in Wrocław, the Centennial Hall was built in 1911–1913 by the architect Max Berg. Back then, Wrocław was a part of erstwhile Germany. Max Berg designed the Centennial Hall to be a multipurpose exhibition space hosting exhibitions, concerts, theatrical and opera performances, and sporting events.
Today, the Hala Stulecia in Wrocław is used for sporting events, business summits, and concerts. During the summer months, they also organise a musical fountain dazzling with multicoloured lights. Youngster’s and students in Wrocław like to grab a beer and chill by.
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The Centennial Hall became one of Poland's official national Historic Monuments (Pomnik historii) in 2005 along with the other prominent attractions like the Four Domes Pavilion, the Pergola, and the Iglica. In 2006, the Centennial Hall was incorporated into the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
Address: Wystawowa 1, 51-618 Wrocław
3. ZOO Wrocław & Africarium
Photo courtesy: Zoo Wrocław
Not too far away from the city centre region, the Wrocław Zoo (Ogród Zoologiczny we Wrocławiu) is a perfect place to watch some of the most exquisite and majestic wildlife species that exist on planet Earth today. The zoo is not merely a popular tourist attraction in Wrocław but also a major place to visit in Poland. The Wrocław Zoo was inaugurated in 1865 as the Breslau Zoological Garden and is also popular as the oldest zoo in Poland.
At the time of its inception, Wrocław was a part of Prussia. In terms of capacity and species of resident animals, Wrocław Zoo is the largest zoo in Poland. Today, Wrocław Zoo is home to almost 10,500 animals representing nearly 1,132 species. The zoo is a perfect place to explore in Wrocław with family and friends.
Photo courtesy: Zoo Wrocław
If you are a biking enthusiast, look for the lush trail that runs along the periphery of the zoo by the riverside. It is a lush corner of the city highly recommended for every Erasmus and full-time student in Wrocław.
Fun fact: The Wrocław Zoo is the world's third-largest zoological garden in terms of the number of animal species. The Wrocław Zoo is Poland's most visited zoo and Europe's sixth most visited zoo.
Check for the prices & more info on their website
Address: Wróblewskiego 1-5, 51-618 Wrocław
Hours: 9 am - 5 pm, all days
4. Wrocław National Museum (Muzeum Narodowe we Wrocławiu)
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Dating back to July 1948, the Wrocław National Museum (Muzeum Narodowe we Wrocławiu) is one of the main branches of the National Museum system in Poland. It holds one of the largest collections of contemporary art in the country.
The Wrocław Museum ensembles are closely connected with Central European history post World War II and the border shifts that followed the war.
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Following the Soviet Union's takeover of the Eastern half of the Second Polish Republic, most of Poland's art collections were transported from places incorporated into the USSR, like Lviv. Several things that were a part of the Lviv National Museum were eventually not returned.
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Besides all the rich art collection inside the museum, it's the extraordinary colour shades on its exteriors that make for a treat to the eyes. A mesh of colourful creepers shrouds the exteriors of the National Museum. The best part is, these creepers transform into dramatic colours between mid-summer and autumn-end. It's a pure treat to the eyes of any onlooker.
Protip: With the entrance ticket of the National Museum, it is also possible to enter the Panorama of the Battle of Racławice Museum. The entrance to the museum is free on Saturdays for students.
Check for the prices & more info on their website
Address: Pawilon Czterech Kopuł, Wystawowa 1, Wrocław
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday - 12 pm - 4 pm, Friday - 12 pm - 5 pm, Saturday - 12 pm - 6 pm, Sunday - 10 am - 6 pm
5. Panorama of the Battle of Racławice (Muzeum Panorama Racławicka)
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Racławice Panorama Museum in Wrocław is a unique painting depicting the great battle of Racławice on a life-size canvas. The battle of Racławice was fought between the Russians and Polish peasants towards the end of the 18th century. The oil on canvas painting stands 114 meter long & 15 meter wide, with a viewing deck right in the centre. The raised platform offers viewers a complete 360-degree view of the breath-taking artwork.
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On the eve of the battle’s 100th anniversary, the famous Polish painters Jan Styka and Wojciech Kossak – a veteran in battle painting, decided to turn the historic event into an unparalleled work of art and thus begun the panoramic painting. Altogether it took 9 Polish painters 9 months (1893-94) to complete the Panorama of the Battle of Racławice.
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An easy 15–20-minute walk from Rynek sufficient for anyone planning to visit the museum. Also, if you are around Pasaz Grunwaldzki, you can start walking in the direction of Most Grunwaldzki.
Check for the prices & more info on their website
Address: Jana Ewangelisty Purkyniego 11, 50-155 Wrocław
Read more: Racławice Panorama Museum In Wrocław Is An Epitome Of Art & A Must-Visit Attraction
6. Ostrow Tumski
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Ostrów Tumski is Wrocław's oldest and historic part established by the famous crossing of the Odra River. The island's settlement dates back to the 10th century, when a wooden stronghold was constructed over the Odra River. The first stone and brick structures appeared in Ostrów Tumski in the 11th and 12th centuries.
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Lit in the Victorian style of street lighting and still carrying the centuries-old indigenous tradition of Lamp lighting, the Cathedral Island is a picture-postcard location in the city. The island is quite popular among people of all age groups for evening walks.
For everyone around, Tumski Island is one of the first places to explore in Wrocław. If you want to catch the magical sight of lamp lighting on the island, you have to be extremely precise with the timings.
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7. Wyspa Słodowa & Tamka (Słodowa & Tamka Island)
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Of all the popular places to explore the best nightlife in Wrocław, Słodowa & Tamka Islands are unquestionably quite popular, especially among the youth and students in Wrocław. The lovely islands located in the heart of the city are popular getaways for youngsters who love to spend wonderful summer nights outdoors.
Słodowa & Tamka Islands are also reputed to organise techno-style parties and have plenty of nice bars in the vicinity.
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The islands are connected with the city centre region by scenic bridges, adding extra charm to this place. Summer nights, lovely weather, great company of new international friends from across the world, and a lit-up University building next to you, that's the ideal combination for every student of the University of Wrocław here for higher studies.
Address: Wyspa Słodowa 7, 50-120 Wrocław
8. Wrocław Main Railway Station (Wrocław Główny)
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One of the most fascinating pieces of architecture in Wrocław, the Wrocław Główny, is also the largest and a major train station in the city of Wrocław, in southwestern Poland.
Wrocław Główny is located at the intersection of the most important railway routes across Poland. As a matter of fact, the Wrocław main railway station is the largest train station in Lower Silesia.
Suggested read: A Glimpse Of The Classic Polish Winter Captured In Wrocław
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For architecture lovers, the main railway station cuts the picture of a fancy historic building with its tasteful interiors. Besides its strategic importance and the extensive railway networks that it caters to in the Lower Silesian region, Wrocław Główny is a sheer beauty to behold.
If you cross over the main railway station you reach the Main Bus Station (Dworzec Autobusowy) located in the basement of Wroclavia Mall. Students in Wrocław must not miss a visit to this place soon after their arrival in the city.
9. Sky Tower
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Sky Tower is the tallest structure in Wrocław, and the tallest in Poland until 2020. The skyscraper was constructed in December 2007 after the demolition of the 24-storey Poltegor Centre, the tallest structure in Wrocław back then.
The Sky Tower has a wonderful viewing deck on the 49th floor accessible by elevators. The platform offers a panoramic view of the entire Wrocław and beyond. A Wrocław tourist attraction that no full-time or Erasmus student should miss.
You can avail the special student's discount at the ticket counter of the Sky Tower located on the ground floor inside the mall.
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In mid-2020, Varso Tower in Warsaw overtook the status of Sky Tower as the tallest building in Poland. At 310 m in height, Varso Tower is also the tallest building in the European Union.
Check for the prices & more info on their website
Address: Powstańców Śląskich 95, 53-332 Wrocław
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9 am - 9 pm, Sundays closed
10. Wrocław beach bars
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Wrocław city is adorned with pretty riverside beaches that become a popular hotspot for all the city residents during the summer months. Soon after sundown, these beach bars by the Orda river welcome the people around with the well-stocked bar and relaxing sun loungers. Wrocław’s nature areas turn the city beach bars into a perfect setting with all the fancy sunset sky, lush greenery around, and the charming Odra quietly flowing by.
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Head to one of these beach bars after sunset, grab a glass of beer, chill, and savour the laidback life that this city has to offer.
The beach bars across Wrocław also organise live musical events and open mic gigs, to turn your evenings more exciting. Since you have uninterrupted access to the colossal skies, you can always stumble upon such crazy sunset views giving a perfect head-start to an eventful evening ahead.
These beach bars in Wrocław are well equipped with drinks, great music, some lovely fireplaces from time to time, and ToiToi - portable toilet facility.
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Some of the most popular beach bars in Wrocław:
- ZaZoo Beach Bar - Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 39E, 50-370
- Forma Płynna Beach Bar - Wybrzeże Stanisława Wyspiańskiego 20, 50-370
- Prosto Z Mostu Beach Bar - Pasterska 1, 50-304
- OpatoVice Beach Bar - Braci Gierymskich 151, 51-640
- Odra-Pany Beach Bar - Kładka Zwierzyniecka, 50-438
Interactive map of the most popular Wrocław tourist attractions:
That said, Wrocław’s top tourist attractions are a major pull of all the city residents, students, and tourists who are on a trip to Poland. Don’t miss them, for they essentially make Wrocław the top city in Poland to explore and live. Join us on Facebook & Instagram, & share your experiences in Wrocław with us.
Amit Chandra
Amit is a travel writer & founder of the blog Whistling Hound. A perpetual nature lover, Amit moved to Wrocław, Poland, three years ago. Ever since, he has been gallivanting around European countries, soaking up the best of places & sharing his experiences across digital media. From working as an Aurora Guide in Lapland to walking the streets of Naples & Rome like a local, Amit has done it all. Currently, he's treading through the best of southwestern Poland & is not stopping anytime soon!
