Local attractions

In this section you will find some tips on reaching places worth seeing in Wrocław directly from the hostel. These attractions have been split into zones so that you are able to visit the most in one area. They are ordered to make subsequent legs of one long trip.

Stare Miasto (The Old Town)

Let's start with the vicinity of the hostel - the Old Town. It is the the centre of culture and entertainment in Wrocław, also known as "the city of a hundred bridges". The Old Town is not just Rynek (The Market Square), but also all of its back alleys and lanes which are plenty of surprises.

The hostel is located in the District of Four Denominations, just a stone's throw away stand a protestant church - Świątynia Opatrzności Bożej and the White Stork Synagogue. A short while away you can see the orthodox church - sobór Narodzenia Przenajświętszej Panny Bogurodzicy located at ul. Św. Mikołaja as well as St. Anthony's Church at... ul. Św. Antoniego.

Just a few steps away from the hostel's door you can visit the King's Palace which is now part of Wrocław's City Museum.

When moving to the strict Market Square area, it's good to visit the most important tourist spots, such as Ratusz (the Town Hall) with Sukiennice, Pręgierz as well as pl. Solny. All of them are surrounded by plethora of restaurants, pubs and cafes which offer the best relaxing atmosphere after a long day of sightseeing.

We also recommend visiting two churches - kościół św. Marii Magdaleny and kościół garnizonowy św. Elżbiety, which, apart from their historical value, have well-located viewpoints that present Wrocław's full panorama.

An important place worth checking out is The University of Wrocław's main building with one of its finest interiors - Aula Leopoldina. The abundance of detail may be overwhelming, but the tour with an audio-guide will let you immerse in the past and listen a bit about all you see. Also in this building you will find another viewing deck - the Mathematical Tower.

Just off the University's main building you can walk to Ossolineum and it's beautiful garden which offers shelter from the noise of the city.

After a long day of sightseeing, you deserve some rest and fun - apart from businesses located in the central area of Rynek, we encourage you to visit Nowe Horyzonty cinema as well as to check bars and restaurants at ul. Św. Antoniego and in the Pokoyhof passage. This is the place that has seen the most changes for the last couple of years with the opening of new businesses serving unique meals and craft beers in this courtyard's magical atmosphere.

Panorama Racławicka

A must-see for every tourist visiting Wrocław. The massive picture showing the battle at Racławice as well as other pieces of art claimed back from the Soviet Union found their new home just off pl. Dominikański, where you can get directly from the hostel by taking tram service 4 or 10.

A few steps from the Panorama's round building, at the bank of Odra River, you will find another interesting object - Muzeum Narodowe (the National Museum). Apart from the permanent exhibitions, which present the history and art of the Lower Silesia, it is worth having a look at temporary exhibitions.

From here we set off over Most Pokoju (the Peace Bridge) which lies just next to the Museum. At its other end awaits Wrocław's very first historical district...

Ostrów Tumski

This is where Wrocław's first settlements were founded by the dynasty of Piast. At first as an island, then artificially connected with the river bank, Ostrów grew to the bastion of the Papal State. For many years it was an independent part of town, ruled under separate law and jurisdiction.

The main object of interest in Ostrów is obviously St. John the Baptists's Archcathedral. It is believed to be the first building in a Gothic style that was raised on the Polish land.

Naturally, this impressive construction has been subjected to many renovations, each of them leaving their unique mark. That is why nowadays the building shows the influences of the Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque.

The cathedral has its own viewing deck located at height of some 97 metres. Unlike in the case of all the other viewing points around Rynek, the tower of the Cathedral can reached by lift.

From Ostrów, you can walk to other city centre islands, which are great for walking and relaxing. In the summer, you can enjoy your drink aboard one of the small bar-barges which float by Wyspa Słodowa. Not far from Ostrów, at the old bed of Odra River, you will also find the Botanical Garden, which offers plenty of beautiful flora and a peaceful atmosphere.

The islands are also the starting stations for the trip ferries. A number of them set off from bulwar Włostowica and terminate at yet another point on the map which is worth visiting.

Wielka Wyspa (The Great Island)

Continuing your trip from Ostrów Tumski you can get directly to Wrocław's zoological garden. For those who would like to get there directly from the hostel, it only takes one trip by tram service 4 or 10.

The ZOO is a perfect place for families. It's choice of exhibitions as well as the recent addition of Afrykarium make it probably the longest leg of your trip in Wrocław. However, it is definitely worth exploring the whole area.

On the opposite side of the main street you will find Hala Stulecia (The Centennial Hall). This unique building which has been included on the UNESCO's World Heritage List is currently used as a multifunctional hall which hosts many entertainment and sports events. The neighbouring Pergola and with its fountain offers regular light and music shows. It is a perfect place for some rest after a long walk in the ZOO. Here, you can eat in a restaurant or grab a take-away from one of the food-trucks. In the summer season, the free evening light and music shows at the fountain will leave a long-lasting impression and will surely add a climactic ending to your day in Wrocław.

Other attractions

Alongside the tourist areas, we also encourage you to see some single spots on Wrocław's map, such as:

- Sky Tower - where you can get by taking tram service 7. Apart from its very large retail area, the building has a viewing platform on its 49th floor.

- City Stadium - built especially for Euro 2012 games, it currently hosts various cultural events. You can choose to see the interiors of the arena itself or have fun by either do go-kart racing or some bungee-jumping right off the stadium's roof! To get to the stadium, you need to take tram service 31 at pl. Orląt Lwowskich, the stop which is only 5 minutes away from the hostel on foot.

- Kolejkowo - a real treat for the youngest (although not only for them). It is a big mini-train model with the setting that combines not only the most characteristic spots in Wrocław but also some major landmarks of the Lower Silesia. Kolejkowo is located in the building of the former Świebodzki train station, just 5 minutes away from Royal Hostel.