Top 6 Wrocław Tourist Attractions For Panoramic Cityscapes
March 24, 2022 by Amit Chandra
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They say the best views come after the hardest climbs! Well, not actually if you decide to catch the crazy panoramic views of the capital city of Lower Silesia. Wrocław’s top tourist attraction is the gorgeous assimilation of nature and architecture that combine to top-off Wrocław as a stunning tourist destination in Poland.
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While on one side, Wrocław is dotted with a thick canopy of green characterised by the lush riverfront, forest regions and parks; the other essential element of Wrocław tourist attraction is a gorgeous labyrinth of crafty colourful historical buildings and establishments in the centre and Wrocław metropolitan region. These centuries-old buildings comprising forts, castles, cathedrals and churches are known for their prominent lookout tower allowing tourists uninterrupted 360-degree city views.
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Curious to know the most popular lookout towers and viewing decks in Wrocław. Here are some of the city’s most renowned ones that you must consider visiting. Rest assured, the views are absolutely impressive!
Top 6 Wrocław tourist attractions for panoramic city views
1. Skytower
Let’s begin with the tallest structure in Wrocław standing 212 meters above the ground. Skytower in Wrocław is a unique piece of architecture in the city and a must-visit tourist attraction in Wrocław. The viewing deck located at 200 meters allows you uninterrupted city views and the immaculate skyline. If you want to go all splendid and fancy, there are plenty of rooms in the sky tower to rent where people stay to celebrate special occasions, or just spend some momentous times during their trip to Wrocław.
Usually, you can buy a ticket to the viewing deck, and within minutes, the high-speed elevators carry you to the top-most accessible spot in the building. Also, the ticket counter for the viewing deck on the ground floor of the building is where you might encounter long exhausting queues. Therefore, it's a good idea to book online in advance.
Location: Powstańców Śląskich 95, 53-332 Wrocław
Hours: 9 am - 9 pm (Monday-Saturday), 10 am - 8 pm (Sunday) (subject to seasonal change)
Entrance fee: 18 pln (normal), 12 pln (discounted)
2. Cathedral of St. John Baptist, Ostrow Tumski
Ostrow Tumski in Wrocław is the oldest region in the city and is a perfect place to take a lazy stroll in the evening while savouring the best baroque works in the city centre. The Cathedral of St. John Baptist is one of the prestigious churches in the region and totally worth a visit when you're on a trip to Wrocław. The cathedral's extraordinary location makes it even more special. Ostrow Tumski is enveloped by the river Oder on one side and the historical borough on the other.
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But the real fun, apart from relishing the astonishing architecture and history, is to savour the terrific city views from the top of Cathedral Towers. You can brace yourself to catch some stunning city skylines as you take a life to the top of the 97-metre tower viewing deck.
Let's find out more about the church complex. So, the gothic cathedral was rebuilt after the damages it suffered during World War II.
Archdiocese Museum has the reputation of being the oldest and most continuous historical museum in Wrocław. For over 100 years, the museum has amassed sacral art, previously excluded from cult use. Turns out, it has great historical and artistic value. Moreover, scripts and books dating back to the 13th-14th century containing the first written sentence in Polish can also be found in the museum.
Location: plac Katedralny 18, 50-329 Wrocław
Hours: Check the timings here cause it changes seasonally
Entrance fee: 10 pln (regular), 8 pln (reduced)
3. Tower of the Garrison Church
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St. Elisabeth Minor Basilica is another fine creation in the Wrocław city centre region. An exemplary gothic-style building, the church from the 12th century, is a renowned historical site worth a visit in Wrocław. The church is connected to a picturesque look-out tower extending from the main building. The viewpoint at the top offers immaculate views of the Market Square (Rynek).
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If you want to catch some stunning bird-eye view of the city, climb atop the 90-metre tower. The viewing deck at the top of the tower is the highlight of the church. A steep twisting stairwell, 300 of them, leads to the top. Climbing through the dark stairway alley is exciting yet tiresome.
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Some chronicles describe damages and invasions the entire structure suffered over the years. But the tower was revamped every time. The current Gothic structure dates back to the 14th-15th century. Inside the basilica, you'll encounter unique altars and around 100 tombs of once-prominent citizens, all from Gothic and Renaissance eras.
Location: Świętej Elżbiety 1/2, 50-001 Wrocław
Hours: 8 am - 6 pm (April - October end, subject to weather situations)
Entrance fee: 10 pln
4. Mathematical Tower, University of Wrocław
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Wrocław city is a baroque feast for all its admirers! Wrocław University Museums comprise Leopoldine Hall, Oratorium Maranum, and Mathematical Tower. The tower has a viewing deck/terrace at the top with some gothic artwork sitting on the building corners.
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Once you get to the top of the Mathematical Tower, walking through the exhibitions, you will experience panoramic views of the Wrocław city and Odra River nearby.
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Inside the museum, you will find Galileo’s sector from 1665, an astrolabe from the 14th century, a reconstruction of the head of an Egyptian princess and her authentic mummy, and many more incredible artefacts.
Some interesting scriptures and illustrations from centuries ago are also a part of the museum worth watching.
Location: Main Building of the University of, plac Uniwersytecki 1, 50-137 Wrocław
Hours: 10 am - 4 pm (Thursday-Tuesday), Wednesday closed, (hours subject to seasonal change)
Entrance fee: 12 pln (normal), 8 pln discounted
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5. The Penitent Bridge
Wrocław city centre has the essential hidden corners to offer tourists some extraordinary city views. This Wrocław viewpoint is called the Penitent Bridge. The Penitent is a suspension bridge between the steeples of the church.
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Its perfect location between the buildings allows tourists to catch uninterrupted 360-degree city views. Reaching this classic viewpoint comes after hustling through hundreds of steps, which is demanding at times, but views are worth every step climbed.
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The legend has it that the bridge is still haunted by the spirit of a woman who was punished to wash the wooden bridge until she died.
Location: Szewska 10, 50-122 Wrocław
Hours: 10 am - 6 pm (timings are subject to seasonal change)
Entrance fee: 10 pln (full), 7 pln (discounted)
6. Dom Kredka & Ołówek, University of Wrocław
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Among some of the most prominent buildings in Wrocław, the dormitory buildings Kredka & Ołówek are worth a mention. These towering structures located in the eastern part of the city located quite close to the centre are the official international dormitories for international students at the University of Wrocław. The buildings, Kredka and Olowek, have 21 and 15 floors respectively.
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All you need is a friend in one of the dormitories and an ID card to validate yourself at the reception. To stay overnight, you need to book a room in advance at the dormitory office on the Olowek ground floor.
Location: plac Grunwaldzki 30, 50-363 Wrocław
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Evening skies and fervent charm of the capital city of Lower Silesia look totally different from these vantage points. Make sure to catch some nice summer sunsets from these spots.
Should you have any queries related to the Tourism & Hospitality studies at the University of Wrocław or you need general information about the city, please write to us on social media - Facebook, Instagram, or contact us via email.
Further read: Top 10 Tourist Attractions Near Wrocław You Mustn’t Miss
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!
