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Things to Do in Wroclaw
Ostrow Tumski - (Cathedral Island)

Ostrow Tumski - (Cathedral Island), Wroclaw

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Ostrow Tumski - (Cathedral Island)

See all things to do
See all things to do
Ostrow Tumski - (Cathedral Island)
4.5
1,418
#7 of 164 things to do in Wroclaw
Historic Walking Areas • Religious Sites
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
950 within 3 miles
Lwia Brama²
180
489 ft$$ - $$$ • Polish • Contemporary • Vegetarian Friendly
Polish Lody
326
407 ft$ • Dessert
Targowa - Craft Beer and Food
456
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Polish • Bar • European
Piec Na Szewskiej
972
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Neapolitan
Ragu Pracownia Makaronu
386
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European
ratatouille francuska bistronomia
90
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Mediterranean • European
Giselle French Cafe Bistro
413
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • French • Cafe
Restaurant Wroclawska
314
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Polish • Contemporary • Eastern European
Vinyl Cafe
322
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • European • Vegetarian Friendly
Restauracja Przystan
487
0.4 mi$$$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • European
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Attractions
144 within 6 miles
Tumski Bridge
472
17 ftBridges
Odra River
261
502 ftBodies of Water
Church of the Holy Cross
15
420 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals
Church of Our Lady on the Sand
17
320 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals
Museum of Illusions Wroclaw
18
0.1 miSpeciality Museums • Science Museums
St. John of Nepomuk Monument
34
0.1 miMonuments & Statues
Archikatedra pw. Sw. Jana Chrzciciela we Wrocławiu
653
0.2 miReligious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
Market Hall (Hala Targowa)
259
0.2 miShopping Malls
Botanical Garden of the University of Wrocław
460
0.3 miGardens
Info Centrum na Ostrowie Tumskim
4
0.2 miVisitor Centers
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,418 reviews
Excellent
1,056
Very good
313
Average
44
Poor
4
Terrible
0
Duquesadiner
Glasgow, UK1,403 contributions
Simply stunning
Jan 2020 • Couples
This is a must see if you are in Wroclaw. Be aware that if you walk here from a few different directions, main roads with little or no crossing facilities and a closed bridge might delay you, even put you off if you are on a tight schedule. That said, it is really worth the effort. There is so much to see on this little island. On the day that we went the sun was low and there was a lovely reflection from the river, very atmospheric. The churches / cathedrals are magnificent and different. I am not quite sure if all of them are open, even functioning but the main one certainly was. For a small fee you can climb the stairs to the top and get fantastic views over the city. Around dusk a lamplighter arrives on the bridge to manually light the gas lamps that are located there, well worth seeing if you get a chance.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Brian T
631 contributions
Pretty during the day and at night
Nov 2021 • Couples
We went just before dusk to see the lamplighter light the gas lanterns but never found him. However, the views of the oldest part of Wroclaw, at night, did not disappoint. We returned the next day, with a tour, to learn about the island. Can you find the mortar shell on the exterior of John the Baptist Church? We’ve never seen a building that contained not one but two different churches.
Written January 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
CodyDC
Washington DC, DC5,428 contributions
A must visit for first timer in Wroclaw - Lot's of history if you like Churches
Dec 2019
Visited Wroclaw for a day trip, tour guide took us to Cathedral Island and provide the historical perspective of the island and churches. The view of the island from the other side of the ride is pretty nice with the water reflections of the churches. If visiting the old town of Wroclaw would recommend a tour guide to give you insight of the history.
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tim R
Kingston, NY86 contributions
Beautiful historical area
Mar 2022
This is a beautiful, historic and popular spot to wander around for an hour or two. You can visit the many churches (listed separately) or just enjoy the buildings, cobbled streets, river views, restaurants and cafes. I spent some time on a sunny, cool Sunday in March exploring this area and the nearby islands - and it was very popular.
Written March 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Baross
Spikkestad, Norway1,691 contributions
The best of Wroclaw?
Sep 2021
This island is called the oldest part of Wroclaw. With the river Odra around in all direction is a beauty. I was there three times for seeing things I had missed the other times. One time I was there for visiting John The Baptist church. Took a little pray there for myself and bought tickets for walk up some stairs and use elevator so I could have a lovely view over the town and Ostrow Tumski how is the polish name of the island. Some calling it the cathedral island.

Another celebrated attraction on Ostrow Tumski is the Church of the Holy Cross.

Well-maintained, classical-styled houses belonging to the Archdiocese of Wroclaw litter the main street, ul. Katedralna.

Its a lot of beautiful buildings on the island.

Some saying its the best part of the town.

If You want more details then order a walking trip with a really expert on that it many guide who have a program there.
Written September 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
EvaF2Eva
Weissenburg in Bayern, Germany4,840 contributions
Breath taking at night
Dec 2019
We were told by friends that the best time for visitng Cathedral Island is in the evening when it is illuminated and we followed their recommendation. I can't confirm if it is better as we didn't find time to come back in the day light but I can say it was breath taking. We felt like in fairy tail. We were lucky to be able to enter some of the churches here evern after 5 p.m. but if you want to see all exhibitions it is of course better to come during the day as some of them were closing earlier.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sergey Trifonov
Wroclaw, Poland31 contributions
It’s good to see at any time of a day.
Aug 2021 • Family
Amazing atmosphere inside and outside the building. Also you can see a lamplighter lighting gas lanterns. A walk around the Island will give you an unforgettable experience. I advise you to visit the island both in the afternoon and in the evening.
Written August 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
M R
Wroclaw, Poland16 contributions
Still-breathing soul of Wroclaw
Jul 2018 • Couples
The Rynek may be the functional heart of Wroclaw but here, on Ostrow Tumski, you can find its soul. For a thousand years this has been the seat of the Archdiocese of Wroclaw. As such, most of the buildings are maintained and used by the Catholic Church, leaving room for only two or three coffee shops and restaurants. While this helps maintain the charm and calm beauty of the island, it can mean a long walk to rest your feet. Check out all the churches and statuary, and peek at the gardens along the river, then continue your stroll to the Rynek, or head up to the Botanical Gardens for a restful nature walk.

ProTip: If you arrive a few minutes before dusk, you can catch the lamplighter in action. This gent in black cap and tophat walks the streets with a long wand, hand lighting the gas lamps along the streets. He's not there for the tourists, so he moves pretty quickly and probably won't stop for a photo with the kids, so be quick if you want to get a picture. And when you see him, be sure to touch a button for good luck!
Written July 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jules D
Amsterdam, The Netherlands28 contributions
Just when you think you've seen the whole city this amazing island pops up!
Oct 2016 • Couples
The Old Town of Wroclaw is beautiful already, but just when you think you've seen the whole city you suddenly realize there is this bit north of town you haven't checked out yet... And all of a sudden this amazing island pops up! Especially during sunset the views of the island from the bridge on the north side of the town centre are stupendous.
Written August 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jmg1232016
Gloucestershire, UK87 contributions
Beautiful. Well worth a visit.
Sep 2019
This is a lovely part of the city, just across from the Old Town and is in my opinion a must-see when in Wroclaw. The history of the island is interesting and is well poertrayed in the Royal Palace Museum (which itself is not on the island). They were unfortunately doing quite a lot of work on one of the bridges and the cathedral itself whilst we were there which slightly shattered the peace. All the same the area had a quiet and unhurried feel to it, helped by the general absence of shops and cafes (there is only one cafe and one restaurant on the main street), The cathedral is lovely, in particular the rich coloured stained glass windows, and it is possible to take a lift up to the top of one of the towers where the views were fantastic. Don’t miss the Botanical Gardens, also on Ostrow Tumski. They are very beautiful indeed and it is possible to spend a couple of hours just wandering round them.
Written September 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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