6 Awesome Off the Beaten Path Day Trips from Wroclaw
Some of the least visited areas of Poland are found in the southwest corners of the Lower Silesia region. This authentic region in Poland boasts hidden-treasures and small authentic villages that make for some serious and “off the beaten path” day trips from Wroclaw. Before you venture too far, discover why Wroclaw should be on your Polish bucket-list in the first place.
The people from Poland pride themselves in originating from Slavic roots, and it can be seen through their deep connection with nature. Hence, why so many of these day trips from Wroclaw include the lovely countryside and rolling mountains.
These six day trips from Wroclaw include: a relaxing stroll through the Wojsławice Arboretum, and a chance to see Poland’s very own leaning tower in the tiny village of Ząbkowice Śląskie. Visit the famed Grodno Castle and other points of interest from the village of Zagórze Śląskie, a tiny village at the base of the Owl Mountains.
If nature is your thing, take a hike through the forests of the Stołowe Mountains National Park. Cross the border into the Czech Republic and explore the unique rock formations of Broumovsko Protected Landscape Area.
The totally adorable village of Poznań should be on any Poland bucket-list. Although Poznań can be reached via public transportation, a majority of these destinations are tricky or impossible to reach without a car. It’s best to rent a car to explore this area for a few days.
So, rent a car and discover some of the most incredible day trips from Wroclaw!
Table of Contents
- But First…. Wroclaw
- Wojsławice Arboretum | Arboretum Wojsławice
- Ząbkowice Śląskie
- Zagórze Śląskie
- Stołowe Mountains National Park
- Broumovsko Protected Landscape Area | CHKO Broumovsko
- Poznań
- Final Thoughts | 6 Day Trips from Wroclaw
But First…. Wroclaw
Alright, this article focuses on day trips from Wroclaw, but first, let’s acknowledge and explore how awesome the city of Wroclaw is! Wroclaw’s old town is a treat, and it’s easy to wander through its beautiful and colorful squares. Stop in and visit some unique museums, or go “dwarf hunting” while discovering all the gems of the city. Wroclaw can be enjoyed from the top of St. Elizabeth’s bell tower or by casually strolling along the lovely river promenade. Don’t forget to walk across the river and visit a gentrified neighborhood filled with bright and impressive street art.
Besides the visual charm of Wroclaw, there’s a yummy and bustling food scene. Try traditional food at authentic milky bars, or do as the locals do and chase down the day with a shot of vodka at a dimly lit “shots and snacks bar.” There’s even an “up and coming” modern food scene on the trendy Świętego Antoniego Street.
Travel Planning | Authentic 2 Day Itinerary for Wroclaw
So, make the effort to really spend some time in Wroclaw. The city is truly a delight. Once you’ve gotten a feel for the area, take these day trips from Wroclaw to experience the magic of the Lower Silesia region.
Wojsławice Arboretum | Arboretum Wojsławice
Day Trip Logistics | 35 miles | Drive Time from Wroclaw: 1 hour 15 minutes
Plant lovers and those who appreciate natural beauty will love a visit to the Wojsławice Arboretum, a fabulous botanical garden and one of the easier day trips from Wroclaw. The park sprawls over 153 acres and boasts Poland’s largest collection of Rhododendrons, (shrubs that bloom a variety of colorful flowers). There are a wide range of interesting plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs, but if you don’t know what they are that’s alright! The Arboretum has informative signs and information boards all throughout the grounds.
Tip | May is the best month to see the diversity of the blooming flowers.
At the Wojsławice Arboretum, find walking paths and benches along the river. Walk the rolling hills, and if you’re hungry, there are two eateries inside. There’s a large and open space to enjoy a picnic and there are spaces for BBQS. It’s possible to rent a fire-pit for those looking to enjoy the entire day at the botanical gardens since it’s one of the most tranquil day trips from Wroclaw.
Spend the day here relaxing, wandering in nature, and soaking in the sun.
Wojsławice Arboretum | Park free here | Open: Spring (April) – Fall, daily 9:00 – 18:00 | Cost: 15 PLN ($4 USD) | Official Website
Ząbkowice Śląskie
Day Trip Logistics | 43 miles | Drive Time from Wroclaw: 1 hour 30 minutes
The village of Ząbkowice Śląskie can be combined with the above botanical gardens for a full day trip from Wroclaw.
There are few worthwhile points of interest in Ząbkowice Śląskie, but the most popular site has to be the fascinating leaning building. Yes, the Lower Silesian region has its very own leaning tower! The views from the street are nice and show the slant of the bell tower, but to get the best views in town, scramble up the twisting and turning bell tower. From here, see the impressive Town Hall. This leaning tower stands at just over 110 feet. Beware, the bells still ring on the hour!
Leaning Tower | Find it here: Świętego Wojciecha 7 | Hours: daily 9:30 – 17:30, last admission 30 minutes before closing time | Cost: 9 PLN ($2.50) | Official Website
Besides the leaning tower, there are a few worthwhile points of interest to see in the small city. Ząbkowice Śląskie used to be named “Frankenstein,” so there’s a “hidden history” to the famed novel of the same name. There are crumbling, ancient castle ruins that are lovely to walk around and they are known as the Ducal Castle ruins. These almost haunting ruins have recently received money to be refurbished, so it will be exciting to see what they look like in a few years.
Zagórze Śląskie
Day Trip Logistics | 42 Miles | Drive Time from Wroclaw: 1 hour 15 minutes
The small village of Zagórze Śląskie lies at the foothills of the Owl Mountains. There’s a plethora of nearby hiking trails, but why this is one of most popular day trips from Wroclaw is the hilltop Grodno Castle (Zamek Grodno). It’s not necessary to purchase a ticket to visit the main areas that have been restored near the entrance; however, there are tickets available to reach the observation tower.
Grodno Castle Logistics | Admission Ticket: 24 PLN ($6.50) | Hours: 9:00 – 17:00, later on weekends and summers | Official Website
This small village also has a reservoir, Bystrzyckie Lake (Jezioro Bystrzyckie). Along the shores of this reservoir, find a few lodges with beaches where it’s possible to swim. There’s an interesting dam that provides great views of the lake and many nearby hiking trails that offer stellar views.
Besides the castle and lake, in the nearby Owl Mountains are small farms that produce fresh milk and cheese. There’s also the underground city of Osówka, a mysterious site with underground tunnels that were left behind by Hitler and the Nazis. With so much to see around these mountains, it may require more time to explore than simply a day.
Stołowe Mountains National Park
Day Trip Logistics | 71 Miles | Drive Time from Wroclaw: Under 2 hours | Lots of parking options past the village of Radków & near Karłów | Some public buses DO run to Karłow
The unique Stołowe Mountains are also known as the Table Mountains, and they are worth at least a day trip. These Mountains are found between both Poland and Czech Republic.
The National Park has lots of peculiar sandstone rock formations, many which have been named after animals and objects they look like. The Polish side has lots of interesting well-marked trails that wrap throughout the massive park. The trees in the forest are also impressive. Climb up Szczeliniec Wielki, the Table Mountain’s highest peak at 3,015 feet.
Stołowe Mountains Park Logistics | Admission Ticket: 10 PLN ($2.75 USD) | Official Park Website
It’s possible to combine a trip to Stołowe Mountains and cross over into the Broumovsko Protected Landscape Area on the Czech side. The small village of Pasterka which has access to some of the best spots in the Table Mountains.
Interested in exploring more in these mountains? Sleep at Pasterkrowa- D.W. Szczelinka which sits close to the border of Czech Republic and has two unique lodges. These unique accommodations have an inviting restaurant with lounge chairs, clean rooms, and an eclectic charm.
Broumovsko Protected Landscape Area | CHKO Broumovsko
Day Trip Logistics | 75 miles | Drive Time from Wroclaw: 2 hours 15
The Broumovsko Protected Landscape Area may not be in Poland, but it’s still one of the best, but longer day trips from Wroclaw. To see some of the best areas of the Broumovsko Protected Landscape Area, enter the park near Hlavňov and try to grab a parking spot here.
Broumovsko Protected Landscape Logistics | No entrance fee to the park | Official Website
This section of the park has one of the more popular sections of the park, including the viewpoint of Skalní Divadlo, which literally translates to rock theater. Along this section of the park are interesting trails with lots of unique rock shapes. There’s also some great viewpoints, like Supí Hnízdo, a small Chapel of Virgin Mary built on the rocks, and even a beer garden.
This area is quite unusual so it’s worth it to combine the Polish Stołowe Mountains National Park with the CHKO Broumovsko on the Czech side.
Psst… still have that car? You’re already in the incredible country of Czech Republic. From Broumovsko, Prague is only three hours away, and so is the authentic Olomouc region. How about some inspiration from this diverse week long road trip through the Czech Republic?
Poznań
Day Trip Logistics | 112 Miles | Drive Time from Wrocław: 2 hours
Poznań makes for a seriously charming and one of the best day trips from Wroclaw. Poznań is so charming that you may wish to extend your time here. Many day trippers enjoy wandering around the colorful and vibrant Old Market Square and watching the bell tower performance of the goats at noon. Sadly, that’s the extent of what those day trippers experience.
Travel Planning | 3 Days in Colorful Poznań
In reality, Poznań really has so much to offer. The colorful city has a budget friendly and unique food scene, thanks to a vibrant student population that gives the city a very youthful buzz. Poznań boasts an abundance of public green spaces, parks, bike trails, and some genuinely friendly people.
Although Poznań is one of the most charming day trips from Wroclaw, think about spending a little more time here.
How to Get to Poznań From Wrocław via Public Transportation
Poznań and Wroclaw are connected easily by train and bus. FlixBus runs multiple departures between the two cities. Direct daily departures from Wrocław DA. This is a new underground terminal with a modern shopping mall attached on top.
Bus Logistics | Daily Departures | Average fare one-way ticket: 27.50 PLN ($7.50 USD) | Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours | Book tickets & verify the timetable here
Polish Trains run directly and frequently between Wrocław Glowny and Poznań Glowny.
Train Logistics | Trains depart more or less every hour and a half | Average fare 2nd class, one-way ticket: 44 PLN ($12) | Duration: 2 hours & 45 min | Verify the timetable & purchase tickets here
Final Thoughts | 6 Day Trips from Wroclaw
In conclusion, there are 6 worthwhile day trips from Wroclaw. Many of these day trips from Wroclaw are lovely gems and found throughout the Lower Silesia region with one in the nearby Czech Republic.
Wroclaw is a beautiful city with lots of attractions that are best enjoyed by getting lost throughout the cobblestone streets. Slow down and head out into the stunning countryside and experience beautiful botanical gardens, small villages, castles, and some seriously unique mountains and national parks.
Did you visit Wroclaw on your Poland trip? Did you take any of these day trips from Wroclaw? What did you think? Are there any day trips from Wroclaw that you absolutely loved that aren’t on my list? Which of these day trips from Wroclaw were your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
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