Tourist Attractions Beyond the City
Wrocław is a wonderful city full of interesting places, welcoming visitors of all ages—whether they're the youngest explorers, adults, or seniors. It offers a plethora of experiences not only for history and architecture enthusiasts but also for those craving modern entertainment and cultural events. All this makes it easy to plan a stay filled with exciting attractions.
However, when planning a trip to Wrocław, it's worth thinking on a broader scale. The surrounding area also boasts other places worth visiting outside the city itself, which can be included in your itinerary. Most of them can be visited in a day, including travel to and from the capital of Lower Silesia.
Why should you plan such trips around Wrocław? It's an excellent way to take a short break from the city's hustle and bustle while seeing very interesting places in the process.
The surroundings of Wrocław are vibrant, and exploring them can greatly enrich your visit to this beautiful historic city. Therefore, we encourage you to check out our suggestions for day trips in Lower Silesia.
Top 10 Attractions Around Wrocław
The area around the capital of Lower Silesia has many places worth seeing. However, we are well aware that most tourists visiting the city won't have time to check them all out. For this reason, we have prepared a subjective list of the top 10 attractions around Wrocław to help you decide which ones to visit. Enjoy!
- Ślęża Mountain
The Ślęża Massif is located just a few dozen kilometers from Wrocław and is easily accessible by car or public transport. It constantly attracts many tourists who can feel as if they are in the mountains.
The hiking trails leading to Ślęża vary in difficulty, with some being gentle, making them accessible year-round. You can even reach the summit with a stroller. The picturesque views from the top are breathtaking.
Although the mountain is famous for its magical legends and was once a place of pagan worship, today it hosts the Catholic Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the foot of the massif lies the charming town of Sobótka, where you can relax before or after the climb. The town features sacred sculptures dating back to the Lusatian culture.
- Książ Castle
The surroundings of Wrocław are rich in old fortifications and palaces, a real treat for any history or beautiful architecture enthusiast. Located in nearby Wałbrzych, Książ Castle is one of the largest such structures in Poland, and it is excellently preserved.
The castle complex was built in the late 13th century. Over the centuries, it has undergone many expansions, reconstructions, and renovations, which is reflected in its architectural styles. Książ features elements of eclecticism, Gothic, Baroque, and Neo-Renaissance.
The castle offers numerous attractions for tourists, including historical reconstructions and workshops. There is also the option of night tours of the complex, which is undoubtedly a fascinating experience and adds a touch of excitement.
- Wojsławice Arboretum
The Wojsławice Arboretum is located in the immediate vicinity of Wrocław and is certainly worth seeing. Since the late 1980s, it has been a branch of the Botanical Garden of the University of Wrocław. It houses over 8,000 species and varieties of trees and shrubs, including national collections of rhododendrons, daylilies, and boxwoods.
The plants in the Wojsławice Arboretum create an incredible atmosphere, making visitors feel as if they are in a fairyland. It features many unique flowers, shrubs, and trees not found elsewhere in Poland.
The arboretum also hosts fairs, shows, and themed events, making it a paradise for nature lovers.
- Brzeg Castle
Another castle on our list that is worth including in your plans for a trip around Wrocław. Located about 40 kilometers from the capital of Lower Silesia, getting there is not a problem. Why is this place worth seeing?
Just mentioning that this beautiful building is often referred to as the Silesian Wawel. It is widely regarded as one of the most interesting Renaissance structures not only in Silesia but also in all of Poland.
The castle grounds also house the Museum of the Silesian Piasts, which features extensive collections of medieval art and weapons from the 16th to the 20th century.
- Osówka Underground City
To visit this attraction, plan a day trip to the Owl Mountains, located about 80 kilometers from Wrocław. What is the Osówka Underground City? It is an unfinished project that was part of the German Reise project. Some believe it was intended to become Adolf Hitler's secret headquarters.
Today, the underground complex is very popular among tourists. In addition to its undeniable historical value, it offers a unique, mysterious atmosphere. The tour program includes many multimedia elements illustrating the site's history during the war and the forced labor of prisoners.
- Colorful Lakes
These bodies of water are part of the Rudawy Landscape Park and rank high on the list of Polish wonders. You can visit the Yellow, Purple, Blue, and Black lakes here for free. They owe their names to the unique water coloration, which results from the chemical composition of the flooded pits.
It’s a place where you can feel like you are in a fairy tale. The Colorful Lakes provide a view that will stay in your memory for a long time. It is definitely worth visiting, especially since you can take a relaxing walk in the picturesque surroundings.
- Wojnowice Water Castle
Being in Lower Silesia, you don't have to travel far to plan truly enjoyable tourist experiences. In the immediate vicinity of Wrocław, just about 20 kilometers from the center, is the picturesque water castle.
This historic defensive building was constructed in the Gothic-Renaissance style. It is one of the few water castles that have been preserved in Poland, and for this reason alone, it is definitely worth seeing.
Regular concerts, workshops, and historical reconstructions are organized here. Nature lovers should also take the opportunity to stroll through the beautiful castle park.
- Barycz Valley Landscape Park
The park's area includes numerous ponds, wetlands, meadows, and forests that are a haven for countless species of water birds. It is an ideal place for all those who love to commune with nature. You can escape the city noise and relax during long, calming walks.
One of the more interesting points of the Barycz Valley Landscape Park is the Milicz Ponds. Established in the 13th century by the Cistercians, you can walk along an educational path that introduces the region's history.
In the Barycz Valley, you can also take advantage of numerous cycling and horseback riding routes, as well as rent kayaks.
- Polish Gold Mine in Złoty Stok
For those who enjoy longer trips, we recommend visiting Złoty Stok. This small town near the Czech border is less than a two-hour drive from Wrocław. It features a historic gold mine that can be toured with a guide.
The site offers many additional attractions, including seeing a magnificent underground waterfall and taking a boat ride underground. All this makes for a place that will leave you with many unique memories.
- Silver Mountain Fortress
This is one of the most interesting attractions in Lower Silesia. Built in the late 18th century, it was one of the most modern defensive fortifications in Europe at the time. It was entirely self-sufficient and could accommodate nearly 4,000 soldiers. During World War II, a penal prisoner-of-war camp was established here, where Polish officers were held.
Today, the restored Silver Mountain Fortress is a must-see tourist spot for history lovers, tourists, and mountain hikers.
Trips Around Wrocław – Where to Stay?
HP Park Plaza Hotel is an excellent base for day trips outside the city. With its convenient location in the center of Wrocław, we provide easy access to public transportation serving the Lower Silesia region. This is an ideal solution for those who prefer traveling by train or bus.
We also cater to motorists. We have a spacious and guarded parking lot as well as an underground garage where you can park your car or motorcycle.
Our hotel offers 177 rooms that ensure a high level of comfort. We offer options with or without breakfast. Additionally, our guests can use the Wellness, Spa, and sauna facilities located in the hotel. Relaxing and beautifying treatments are perfect for starting or ending a day filled with experiences.
These are just some of the services offered by the Wrocław HP Park Plaza Hotel. We encourage you to contact our staff and book your stay. We are happy to answer any questions and provide additional information about nearby attractions and upcoming noteworthy events.