Wroclaw Market Square is one of the most colorful city squares in Poland and one of the largest in Europe. The square is surrounded by all kinds of shops, monuments, and some of the most accidentally-Wes-Anderson-colored houses in Europe. The square was built during the founding of the city in the 13th Century and despite it being bombed during WW2, the layout of the square still remains pretty much what it was when it was built.

Most of the houses you see right now around Wroclaw Market Square were built in the 14th Century and even though the square was damaged during the war, these houses were pretty much intact and carefully restored to their former glory and what you see today. Some of them are so old that the traditional name of the building is still visible on the facade. You will frequently encounter titles like Under the Griffins and Under the Blue Sun here. The names of these historic structures are typically connected to the coat of arms or to the history of certain homes.

One of the awesome things about Wroclaw is its quirky little charm that you won't find anywhere else but here, like the little gnome sculptures you can spot across Market Square and the entire city. How did these gnomes get here? Well, it all began with the protestors dressing as fairytale characters including gnomes to protest against the communist regime back in the 1980s.

After the Revolution of the Dwarves, the city chose to erect a bronze statue of a sizable dwarf on widnicka street, the site of the protests, to honor the struggle against communism. Since then, dwarves and gnomes sculptures have popped up all over the town square thanks to the work of one local artist, Tomasz Moczek, who made the gnomes sculptures to represent locals' daily lives. Nowadays, there are over 400 gnomes and dwarves across the entire city and it has become part of the city's identity and something you should look out for when exploring Wroclaw.

One of the most unique structures in the Old Market Square of Wroclaw that you shouldn't miss is the Old Town Hall, a Gothic-style town hall with a beautiful ornate facade, an astronomical clock, and a unique roof design that stood out from the rest of the Market Square. Constructed in the 13th Century, it is one of the most important landmarks in the city and it houses a museum and the oldest restaurant in Europe in its basement that remained there since the town hall was constructed.

Unfortunately, there are renovations taking place, but maybe they will make the place better than before when it reopens. Be sure to stop at the Old Town Hall if you are touring Wroclaw's Market Square. If you want to understand more about the history of the area, you may also sign up for a walking tour.

Cathedral Island is the oldest part of the city of Wrocław in southwestern Poland. It was formerly an island between branches of the Oder River. It is a quiet and more relaxed area of Wroclaw that almost feels like a different city and it is a great place to stroll around and explore all the old and stunning architecture here.

For a nice stunning panoramic view of Cathedral Island, be sure to stop by the riverside promenade before crossing the bridge to Cathedral Island. From the promenade, you should be able to see the island and all its magnificent architecture all in one go. If you are looking to escape the bustling city of Wroclaw and stroll around a medieval town where street lamps are still lit by a lamplighter, Cathedral Island is the place to be. To see the lamplighter, be sure to get there before dusk.

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Wrocław is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Wrocław and a landmark of the city of Wrocław in Poland. The cathedral, located in the Ostrów Tumski district, is a Gothic church with Neo-Gothic additions. The current standing cathedral is the fourth church to have been built on the site.

One of the most well-known sights in the city is the church, and you may climb one of its spires to get a birds-eye perspective of Wroclaw and Cathedral Island. It is handier than other viewing towers in Poland because there is an elevator to take you there and a few stairs to ascend to the top. The tower of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is open from 10 AM to 5:30 PM on Monday through Saturday and from 2 PM to 5:30 PM on Sunday during the summer months between June and September. Each participant must pay 5 PLN to enter.

Wroclaw Market Hall is a local market and food hall that is housed inside this unique-looking, red brick structure built in the early 20th century when the city was part of the German Empire. Despite its classic exterior that fits well with the rest of Wroclaw's cityscape, the interior of the market is a different story. Once inside, you will find yourself in a large concrete hall with high ceilings that is way ahead of its time, almost resembling the brutalism architectural style the Soviets had honed in the mid-20th century.

Checking out the interior of the Market Hall is interesting in and of itself but you can also come here to buy some fresh fruits as well as enjoy a cup of coffee while people-watching. If you are looking for a place to walk around and have a cup of coffee, be sure to check out Wroclaw Market Hall.

If you are curious about the history of Wroclaw and are looking for a museum with creative storytelling to engage in, you should visit the Museum of Panorama of the Battle of Raclawice located right before the Cathedral Island crossing bridge. In contrast to other museums, this one depicts history through a sizable panoramic painting that was created in the 19th century by an artist from Lwow (the modern-day Ukrainian city of Lviv) in conjunction with numerous other painters from the area. The purpose of the painting is to commemorate and recount the epic tale of the Battle of Raclawice, in which the Polish insurgent army battled the Russian army, and how significant it was for the Polish country with visual aids and a detailed English audio tour.

If you are a history buff and are interested in learning more about the history of this part of Poland, be sure to drop by the check out the Panorama of the Battle of Raclawice. The place opens every day from 8:30 AM to 6 PM and the entrance ticket is around 50 PLN per person.

The pristine area of Ostrów Tumski in Wroclaw is the ideal getaway from the bustle of the ancient town. Your stroll will begin at the charming Tumski Bridge, which is well-known for its lovebird locks, and continue up the cobblestone roadway to St. John the Baptist's Cathedral. By cutting through the gate by the Lwia Brama restaurant, you can take a delightful detour and arrive at a stylish garden with breathtaking views of the Odra and all the people relaxing along Dunikowskiego Boulevard in Wroclaw.

A custom that dates back to 1846 involves individually lighting all 103 of the neighborhood's gas lamps each evening. You should be on Katedralna street when the sun sets to witness this amazing moment. Additionally, Polish Lody, possibly the best ice cream shop in the city, offers delicious ice cream to enjoy as you explore this most charming of neighborhoods. However, summer weekends can be very busy in the line.

If you fancy a swim, Wrocław Aquapark should be your 1st port of call - provided you go there during office hours. The Aquapark is Wrocław's biggest and best leisure center by far, which has made it insanely popular in recent times. Indeed, almost two million people now visit the place every year.

The leisure complex, which incorporates a recreational pool, sports pool, outdoor pool, sauna zone, and gym, is located just a few trams stops away from the city center. In summer 2020 the Aquapark will be home to two additional outdoor pools, with a new indoor family pool complex coming the following year. A day pass for the Aquapark costs 49PLN for adults and 2PLN for concessions. On Tuesdays, the sauna area is open to women only, which can offer peace of mind to those worried about being eyed up and down.