Day Trips from Wrocław, Poland - The Top 15 Destinations

Wrocław remains one of the most underrated tourist destinations in Central Europe, despite the arrival of the budget airlines such as Ryanair. An old town square that rivals Kraków's and a series of strollable islands dotted with churches and parks in the middle of the river Odra make the city a relaxing place to unwind for a couple of days. The fact that the city's name is pronounced "vrots-wav" (difficult for foreign visitors to comprehend given its spelling) is part of the challenge Wrocław has in building its international tourist brand. Many tourists call the city "Row-claw", as it would be pronounced in English, but asking for a train ticket to "Row-claw" will be met with uncomprehending stares across the country. The city of Łódż (pronounced "Woodge", not "Lodz") in central Poland has a similar name recognition problem with foreign visitors. South of Wrocław lies a cluster of ideal day trip destinations, particularly the wooden UNESCO Churches of Peace in Swidnica and Jawor, and the impressive sight of colourful Książ castle perched above a wooded valley. The pictures used in this article show, from top to bottom, Wrocław, Swidnica, Książ castle, Częstochowa, Kłodzko, Opole, Paczków, Brzeg and Nysa.



***** Swidnica wooden church (UNESCO) - (55 minutes to 1 hour) By bus from Wrocław main bus station to the town of Swidnica

**** Książ Castle - (1 hour 40 minutes) By train from Wrocław main station to Swiebodzice, then walk 2km south on the trail through the forest or take a local bus heading in the direction of Wałbrzych

**** Jawor wooden church (UNESCO) - (1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours) By train from Wrocław main station to Legnica, then change to a second train to reach the town of Jawor



**** Częstochowa - (2 hours 50 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes) By train from Wroclaw main station

*** Kłodzko - (1 hour 35 minutes) By train from Wroclaw main station

*** Karpacz - (3 hours 15 minutes) By bus from Wrocław main bus station


*** Kudowa-Zdrój - (2 hours 45 minutes) By bus from Wrocław main bus station


*** Project Riese World War II underground complex (the section called Osówka) - (2 hours 25 minutes to 3 hours) By train from Wrocław main station to Wałbrzych, then change to a second train to the town of Głuszyca. From there the entrance to the complex is a 3km walk through the forest


** Opole - (1 hour) By train from Wrocław main station

** Jelenia Góra - (2 hours 40 minutes) By train from Wrocław main station, or by bus from Wrocław main bus station


** Paczków - (3 hours) By bus from Wrocław main bus station to Strzelin, then change to a second bus to reach Paczków

** Wojnowice Castle - (1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes) By bus from Wrocław main station to Krępice, then change to a bus to Łąkoszyce, then change to a third bus to reach the village of Wojnowice


** Brzeg - (35 minutes to 40 minutes) By train from Wrocław main station

** Bolesławiec - (1 hour 25 minutes to 2 hours) By train from Wrocław main station


* Nysa - (1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes) By bus from Wrocław main bus station