Wroclaw
Last updated: 23 April 2026
written by Daria Trinkhaus, photography by Nico Trinkhaus
The most beautiful places in Wrocław – a guide by a local and a photographer
Wrocław is a popular city for weekend trips or longer stays. You can find dozens of articles online listing the “Top 20 places to visit”. Here, however, we would like to offer you a slightly different format – an atmospheric guide to the most beautiful places in Wrocław, seen through the eyes of me, a former resident of this city, and Nico, a photographer.
Table of Contents
Travel Writer
Daria Trinkhaus is a writer, who loves to discover the hidden stories behind each and every place she visits.
A walk through Wroclaw, a walk through the ages
Wrocław is unique in that during an hour-long walk, you will pass from modernist buildings surrounded by lush trees, through the market square with its colourful merchant houses, to the Gothic island ‘submerged’ in an atmosphere of grandeur. In my opinion, however, Wrocław is not only a city to visit, but also a wonderful place to live. Perhaps even more so than other large cities in Poland.
Nico really wanted a photo of the Hala Stulecia Fountain for his rotating display at home, which he use as a trigger for own memories.
The fountain stands in the Exhibition Grounds next to Hala Stulecia (Centennial Hall), one of Wroclaw’s most recognizable landmarks. The Hala Stulecia was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2006, thanks to its innovative structural design and its influence on public building engineering.
Why Wroclaw is a good place to live
Yes, I agree that every resident of Wrocław will complain about rising flat prices, rush hour traffic jams and late trams. But Wrocław is the only city I know where bee-friendly plants are planted along the kerbs. The centre of Wrocław is not a museum, but an authentic meeting place for residents, and the job market is convenient for people with all levels of education. All this means that many people who move here are likely to stay for longer.
It is also said that Wrocław is a student city. And that’s true. I once read statistics that every sixth inhabitant of this city is a student. If you take a closer look at the people on the street, waiters and salespeople, you will probably agree with these statistics. And in August, when the streets become strangely deserted, you will often hear older residents of Wrocław comment: ‘Finally, the students are on holiday.’
This has its advantages — Wrocław is a city buzzing with the energy of young, intelligent people. It also has practical consequences. Many foreign companies, such as Google, LG, Amazon, etc., attracted by young, educated human capital, are establishing their headquarters here.
Crossing Most Piaskowy at blue hour, with the Philological Faculty (the old St. Vincent Church monastery) glowing across the Oder.
Nico: “We have seen all the city’s most famous attractions, but I’ve always found myself drawn to the University of Wroclaw, particularly the old monastery complex of St. Vincent and St. James, which is now used by the philological faculty. I’ve visited the complex often, partly because I find it beautiful and partly because Daria used to study there.”
Wroclaw from a photographer's perspective
Since we visit Wrocław regularly and stay for longer periods of time, Nico had time to explore the city through the lens of his camera. Although most of the photos have not been published, they probably feature Wrocław’s dwarfs and bridges. But more on that later.
Nico often describes his style as ‘Timeless Photography’ – a style in which cities and landscapes are presented in such a way that it is difficult to determine the time the photos were taken. That is why his favourite places were the historic but renovated Wrocław Market Square, Ostrów Tumski and St. John the Baptist Cathedral. However, Wrocław also has places that can be photographed for their artistic and architectural details. Examples include the southern part of the city, various bridges, and the areas around the Pergola and Centennial Hall.
Panorama of Wroclaw from Sky Tower
This photo was taken just after sunrise from our room in Sky Tower. When Nico found it years later on his disk, I didn’t recognize which city it was. From a bird’s eye view, when Wroclaw is shrouded in fog, it is a completely different view than the one I’m used to while crossing the streets of this city every day.
Unlike Warsaw, for example, Wrocław has no skyscrapers from which you can see the city from a bird’s-eye view. Except for one building – Sky Tower.
Sky Tower in Wrocław is a 212-metre-high building with 51 floors. Construction was completed in 2012, and at that time, it was the tallest skyscraper in Poland. As it is the only skyscraper in Wrocław, it is impossible to miss. It can even be seen in the distance when approaching Wrocław by highway.
In addition to a shopping centre, Sky Tower also has a residential section. This means that you can easily rent one of the apartments with a view of Wrocław, e.g. on Airbnb or Booking.com. The photo above was taken from one of these apartments at sunrise. It may be a lazy tactic for a photographer, but it’s hard not to be tempted to take pictures of Wrocław from your own living room. Especially when the morning fog magically ‘wraps’ the historic part of the city.
Photos of Wroclaw in the fog
Fog in Wrocław is not as rare as, for example, in Dubai, but it is still worth ‘hunting’ for it to give your photos a more nostalgic, timeless dimension. Besides, if you happen to visit Wrocław when the city lacks colour on cloudy days, the fog will transform the grey urban landscape into an atmospheric composition.
In Wrocław, fog does not have a single fixed season, but it most often appears under specific weather conditions – mainly when humid air cools down at night and in the morning to the dew point (i.e. becomes saturated with water vapour), which leads to the condensation of moisture in the form of tiny droplets floating just above the ground.
Fog over Wrocław most often appears in the following times:
- Autumn (September-November) – remember how I mentioned that Wrocław is a very leafy place? This means that some places will be ablaze with autumn colours, and the fog will give them a more atmospheric character.
- Winter (December-February) – fog is common at temperatures close to 0 °C and high humidity; it often appears at night and lasts until morning. If you are in Wrocław at this time and the temperatures do not allow snow to remain, the fog can be an interesting element that adds character to the grey landscape at this time of year.
- Spring – fog can occur especially in March-April, when the nights are cool and the air is humid after rainfall or snowmelt.
The greatest chance of fog is in autumn and winter after a cool, windless night. It is worth checking the air humidity and the difference in temperature between day and night — the greater the difference, the greater the chance of a ‘milky’ atmosphere in the morning.
Top places to capture in Wrocław in the fog:
- Ostrów Tumski at dawn – a classic example of Gothic architecture in the fog. Bonus points for the historic lamps still being on.
- The bridges of Wrocław – Grunwaldzki Bridge, Tumski Bridge and the smaller bridges on the islands of the Oder take on a dramatic character when their structures ‘disappear’ in the fog.
- The view from the Sky Tower in Wrocław
The Old Market Square in Wroclaw
The Old Market Square in Wrocław is photogenic at any time of the day or night. This is due to its colourful merchant houses and the historic Wrocław Town Hall. During the day, however, you have to take into account the fact that countless residents and tourists pass through the market square. At this time, it is worth taking photos of details, e.g. at Plac Solny. And, of course, the Wrocław dwarfs, which appear here almost every step of the way.
Nico wanted to capture the intriguing atmosphere of this place, but also show as much as possible of this very beautiful market square painted in the crisp autumn light at night. So when I rented this apartment together with some friends, I just had to take advantage of the remarkable view of the city hall and take this panorama shot.
This panorama of the Wrocław Market Square was taken at night when the centre was less crowded. The advantage of the Wrocław Market Square is that there are always flats for rent here. And just like with the Sky Tower, you don’t even have to leave your flat to capture the spirit of Wrocław!
Ostrow Tumski in Wroclaw
This picture of the Tumski-Bridge in Wroclaw was taken during one of our many visits to the fourth largest city of Poland.
When you visit the Old City of Wroclaw you will discover many historical buildings and cultural treasures as well as a buzzing nightlife.
Let’s be honest. Ostrów Tumski is a wonderful place to walk at any time of the year. However, it is a very difficult place to photograph. Nico has been trying to capture the character of this place for almost a decade with various cameras: Canon, Nikon, and Sony. The streets of Ostrów Tumski are very narrow, and the squares are small, which makes it difficult to capture the historic buildings in a photo.
In addition, the light on this island is complicated. Ostrów Tumski is one of the few places in Europe where gas lanterns are still lit by hand. Every evening, around dusk, a man in a distinctive outfit walks through the streets with a long lighter and lights over 90 lanterns one by one. And while this is charming, other lights are not bright enough. Towers, such as those of the cathedral, are usually poorly lit and hide their beautiful features in sharp shadows. Some sculptures, on the other hand, appear overexposed in photos.
The Cathedral Island, surrounded by cobblestone pathways and medieval structures, mesmerized as a reminder of the city’s rich history. The practice of a lamplighter lighting the gas street lamps each evening added an aura of enchantment to the scene. It was the only place where we ever saw this happening and I was set out to capture the charm with Nico’s Canon camera back then.
It took Nico 13 years of adventure with photography and acquiring new skills to capture the spirit of Ostrów Tumski. This was thanks to the festive lighting of the Tumski Bridge. In the contrast between the cool LED lights and the surrounding warmth of the island, Nico discovered the balance he had always been looking for.
However, don’t be discouraged by this observation. Just come to Ostrów Tumski prepared. Think about the time of day you want to take photos in this part of Wrocław and consider what will be the main subject of your photos.
For Nico, the centre of interest revolved around the Tumski Bridge. For you, it could be, for example, the Gothic details of St. John the Baptist Cathedral. My Polish Philology Department, where I studied, was located near this Gothic cathedral. During one of our classes, our literature professor asked us why the sculptures on this building are so dramatic and beautiful, even though they are not at eye level. The answer was simple and complicated — at the time when the island was being built, the main concern was what God could see from heaven, and once construction began, it was for Him. With this in mind, don’t forget to look up when searching for interesting motifs on this island.
Bridges of Wroclaw
One December we visited Tumski Bridge just before Christmas, when the festive ornaments decorated the bridge creating a warm holiday ambiance. At night, the decorations glowed with a cool, silvery light, contrasting with the warm hues of Cathedral Island in the background. The next morning, under the rising sun, the ornaments appeared golden and radiant, offering a completely different but equally beautiful perspective.
The arch of the Tumski Bridge at Christmas framed Wroclaw Cathedral perfectly, and the lines of the structure seemed to guide the eyes straight to it.
It is said that Wrocław has more bridges than Venice. The city is located on 12 islands. Historically, this number has changed as some islands have been connected and others have disappeared due to water regulations. There are said to be over 120 bridges and footbridges over the River Oder and its tributaries. So, although Venice actually has more (about 400), bridges are indispensable for Wrocław.
And it is really difficult not to cross a few bridges during a short walk. The Oder and its tributaries are a very attractive feature of the city, and photographically, it is easy to take advantage of them. The river works perfectly as an element of a photo. And for the residents? The green riverbanks and moats are a fantastic place to relax after a day’s work or visit one of the atmospheric riverside restaurants.
As you may have already realised, Tumski Bridge is one of Nico’s little obsessions. And indeed, it is a very special place for the locals as well. For a long time, Tumski Bridge was a place of love. Lovers would hang padlocks on it ‘for luck and longevity of their partnership’. During that time, countless keys disappeared into the depths of the Oder River.
However, in 2019, the city removed these padlocks — their weight (several tonnes) began to pose a structural threat to the historic truss of the bridge. Of course, this did not discourage lovers, and from time to time, new padlocks appear on the Tumski Bridge. The city authorities officially discourage this practice and periodically remove new signs of love from residents. Hmm… I wonder who will give in first — the city or the lovers? What do you think?
Other bridges in Wrocław are more stark in character, although they make for intriguing photo subjects. Steel, stone, the rhythm of the spans – everything naturally draws the eye into the frame. The more industrial bridges are also worth seeing: the Grunwaldzki Bridge, the bridges in the area of the City Port with cranes, the red Bridges around University, near the centre of Wrocław and the beautiful Zwierzyniecki Bridge. There are also the more modernist Jagiellońskie Bridges and the Millennium Bridge.
Tip: if you are in Wrocław and the weather is not favourable, bridges will become an attractive subject. Their construction and ‘atmosphere’ are well-suited to photographic processing, and adverse weather conditions can even be an exciting accent to their industrial tone.
The bridges in Wrocław give the impression of dividing worlds. Each bridge separates and connects at the same time:
- The historic centre and modern housing estates,
- The sacred Ostrów Tumski and the student atmosphere of the University,
- The tourist Market Square and the more local Nadodrze.
The University of Wrocław is one of Poland’s leading academic institutions, attracting students from all over the world. Renowned for its strong research programs and high academic standards, the university offers modern facilities, internationally respected faculty, and a vibrant student community. Its long tradition includes Nobel Prize winners and major contributions to science and culture, creating a unique environment for studying and personal growth.
Founded more than 300 years ago by Emperor Leopold I Habsburg, the university began as a Jesuit school before evolving into one of the largest universities in Poland. After World War II, professors from Lvov played a key role in rebuilding and developing its faculties, some of which eventually became independent universities themselves.
Wroclaw Dwarfs
The Legend: According to local mythology, the bridge’s name, “Witches’ Bridge,” comes from the souls of young ladies who, during their mortal lives, favored dancing and chasing men above getting married and taking care of the house. Their ghosts were sentenced to spend all of eternity sweeping the small bridge as retribution.
The Dwarfs: Martynka and Tekla are permanently positioned on the railing of the bridge. They are perfectly shown gazing over the breathtaking, red-tiled panoramic vistas of the Market Square and the city skyline while one holding broom with a cat by her feet.
It is impossible to write about Wrocław without mentioning the Wrocław Dwarfs. And I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like them. These are dwarf figurines that reach our knees. Sometimes you have to be careful not to trip over them. It is said that there are over 1,000 of them, but I don’t know if anyone really knows how many there are. Is there a register of dwarfs? Has anyone ever seen them all?
These cute figurines have their own history. In the 1980s, Poland was in the grip of communism, which resulted in tightened censorship, a difficult economic situation and a time when even basic products were missing from shop shelves (supposedly it was worse than during the COVID-19 lockdowns). At that time, the anti-communist movement ‘Orange Alternative’ was formed in Wrocław on the initiative of Waldemar ‘Major’ Frydrych.
Under his leadership, activists painted over communist slogans and covered them with dwarves. Absurdity and humour were the true weapons of this resistance. Imagine the police chasing students dressed as dwarfs… I even heard a rumour that once, activists from the Orange Alternative wrapped tram no. 14 in toilet paper. This, of course, shocked the residents of Wrocław — toilet paper was the product that was missing from the shelves.
The first ‘Papa Krasnal’ appeared on Świdnicka Street in 2001. In 2005, other dwarfs sculpted by Tomasz Moczek began to show up: the Swordsman, the Odra Washerman, the Butcher and two Sisyphuses.
Today, the dwarfs are funded by various Wrocław institutions, universities, banks, etc. Each dwarf has its own name, profession and attribute. Nowadays, they are a huge tourist attraction in Wrocław. You can buy postcards with dwarfs, maps showing where to find them, and there is no denying that the city’s marketing benefits from their presence. However, it is worth remembering that these bronze figurines represent something more – an intelligent resistance movement against the authorities, broadening people’s horizons and exposing the absurdities of communism.
As subjects for photography, dwarfs are difficult. This is because they are too “dwarf-sized” to be in the foreground of Wrocław’s monuments. However, they are ideal models for portrait photography. So don’t forget about them when you’re photographing Wrocław!
Centennial Hall, Pergola and Japanese Garden
It is no coincidence that I mention Centennial Hall, Pergola (along with its multimedia fountain) and Japanese Garden in one sentence. These landmarks can be considered a complex, and although they are architecturally different, they all fit into the landscape of this section of the city.
It was here, in this part of Wrocław, that Nico took his first steps as a photographer with his first Canon camera. Please forgive me if there are no examples of these photos here — I doubt I will be able to persuade him to publish his first HDR photographs.
The Centennial Hall, Pergola and Japanese Garden — this is a completely different Wrocław than the Market Square or Ostrów Tumski. More open. Wider. With a breath of fresh air. This is where the residents of Wrocław go for their Sunday stroll. This is where they meet for a multimedia show of a modern fountain. And on certain days, the Centennial Hall hosts conferences and various events.
Centennial Hall
The Centennial Hall was built in 1913 and was then called ‘Jahrhunderthalle’. At that time, it was a groundbreaking structure. The reinforced concrete dome with a span of about 65 metres was one of the largest of its kind in the world. Today, the building is on the UNESCO list — not for its decorative value, but for its engineering.
Well, it’s a matter of taste. It is a somewhat austere, concrete structure. But its symmetry can seduce many photographers. Especially when the golden rays of the sun during the ‘golden hour’ illuminate its form.
Pergola
Right next to the Hall is the semicircular Pergola — a long, regular structure with columns that surrounds the area around the multimedia fountain. Here, you can play with the details of the columns and their symmetry in your photos. And remember what I said about the autumn colours of Wrocław? Imagine capturing them on the Pergola, or perhaps in the mist? Chef’s kiss!
Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden was originally created for the World Exhibition (as the Garden Art Exhibition) in 1913. Its contemporary shape is the result of renovation after the flood of the century in 1997.
Admittedly, there is an admission fee to enter the Japanese Garden, but it is definitely worth the small amount for the ticket.
The Japanese Garden is built around the Theodor Moritz Eichborn pond. Interestingly, the shoreline represents the Japanese word for ‘friendship’. The garden has beautiful stone paths, wooden bridges (but of course in Wrocław) and charming Japanese buildings. The red elements (such as the bridge) and colourful flowers are great photo motifs. You can also play with the reflections of the vegetation and architecture in the water in your photos.
The character of Wroclaw
If I had to describe Wrocław in one word, the first thing that would come to mind would be ‘modernist’. Which is and is not true. Let us remember that the city has passed from the hands of various countries, and today’s Wrocław residents largely arrived here after the war, and I would venture to say that they are quite open-minded.
Perhaps it is this mix of people, or perhaps it is the students, but the atmosphere in Wrocław is like a breath of spring air. Wrocław is vibrant with young life, openness and humour. And it is not only the modern buildings that testify to this (remember, there is only one skyscraper), but also the people. And how they combine centuries of history with the contemporary fabric of the city. Whether it’s the ‘love’ padlocks in the Gothic part of the city or the contemporary gnomes in honour of resistance to communism. Wrocław is definitely a city that is not just a museum, but a place where history lives on in modernity.
Nico: “As a photographer, I often find myself inside various courts dealing with copyright issues. Some of these buildings are bland and official, while a smaller number, because of their architecture, their history, or both, evoke certain feelings. Some buildings inspire reverence. Others disquiet you. Somehow, Wroclaw’s District Court complex manages to do both, and for years, I wanted to try to capture that unique tension in a photograph.”
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frequently asked questions about Wroclaw
The best things to see in Wrocław include the Market Square with its Gothic Town Hall, Ostrów Tumski with St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Tumski Bridge, Centennial Hall (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Pergola, the Japanese Garden, and the city panorama from Sky Tower. The city is also famous for its 120+ bridges and the iconic Wrocław dwarfs.
Wrocław has over 120 bridges and footbridges and is located on 12 islands. Although it is often said that Wrocław has more bridges than Venice, Venice has around 400. Still, bridges are one of the most distinctive features of Wrocław.
Yes. On Ostrów Tumski, gas lamps are still lit manually every evening. Around dusk, a lamplighter dressed in traditional attire walks through the streets and lights more than 90 lamps. It is one of the most unique and atmospheric experiences in Wrocław.
The best photography spots in Wrocław include Ostrów Tumski at sunrise, the Market Square at night, Tumski Bridge, and the panoramic view from Sky Tower. It’s also worth focusing on details such as the dwarfs, bridges, and design elements on the historical buildings.
Yes, Wrocław is perfect for a weekend city break. Most major attractions are located close to each other, making it easy to explore the city on foot and see the main highlights in two days.
Wrocław is called the city of dwarfs because there are over 1,000 small dwarf statues across the city. Their history dates back to the 1980s and the “Orange Alternative” movement, which used humour as a form of protest against communism.