Lower Silesia

Over the centuries, Lower Silesia has experienced constant contacts between the cultures of at least three nations – Polish, Czech and German – which together shaped the extremely turbulent and dramatic history of the region. Lower Silesia can rival its wealth with the most interesting regions in the world. Especially in the vast mountain areas of the Lower Silesian Sudetes, you can find real treasures of both cultural and natural heritage.

There are still many traces of history in Lower Silesia. You can learn more by embarking on a journey along the trail of numerous forts, castles and palaces (there are over 100 of them in Lower Silesia – highest density of castles Poland) or by traversing the corridors of former mines in Wałbrzych, Kletno and Złoty Stok, as well as mysterious and not fully explored military facilities in Walim or Głuszyca (the Underground City of Osówka). It is worth looking for peace and rest primarily in the south of the voivodeship – in popular health resorts or mountain resorts.

When visiting the sites from the European Route of Castles and Palaces (szlakzamkowipalacow.eu), you can learn not only the fascinating stories of their creation and often no less interesting stories about their owners, but also take advantage of the rich hotel and gastronomic offer. This is one of the most interesting thematic routes in Poland, which covers not only the south-west corner of Poland, but the entire Polish-Czech border area. Traveling along the designated route provides an extraordinary scenic experience also while moving between individual castles and palaces, among which there are, among others, the beautifully situated castles of Książ, Czocha, Grodno, Grodziec and Bolków as well as palaces and impressive residences in Łomnica, Staniszów, Pakoszów, Kamieniec Ząbkowicki and many others.

On the trail ofn the mysterious undergrounds

The above-ground attractions of Lower Silesia are not all that the region can captivate tourists visiting. Underground fortresses, castles and military complexes from World War II are increasingly appearing on popular and frequently visited routes. And rightly so, because we have a lot to be proud of! On the underground route (szlakpodziemi.pl), it is worth visiting numerous former mines – in Wałbrzych, Kletno, Krobica and Złoty Stok. Two Prussian fortresses – in Srebrna Góra and Kłodzko – also have special underground routes. In the latter, there is also a completely unique “underground city” created by a network of tunnels and former merchant cellars under the city’s old town.

Get a taste of Lower Silesia

We also recommend adding traditional Lower Silesian cuisine to the list of the most important attractions in the region. In this real cultural melting pot, which over the centuries has been Lower Silesia, a completely unique culinary tradition has developed, which combines Polish, Czech, German, Jewish and borderland influences. Everyone will find something for themselves here – from exquisite dishes in castle and palace restaurants in Książ, Łomnica, Staniszów, Pakoszów and Kamieniec, through the famous Kłodzko trout and fried cheeses from Trout Paradise, pastries from the Gotwaldówka farm, as well as beers from local breweries and wines from the extremely popular Lower Silesian vineyards. And we could exchange it like that for a much longer time, because there are over 60 points on the trail and the culinary map (smakidolnegoslaska.pl).

For lovers of high-alcoholic beverages, we offer the Lower Silesian Beer and Wine Trail, thanks to which you will not only try the fruits of work from the local vineyard, but also get to know the brewing and wine culture and meet the people who create these extremely interesting places.

Active recreation in Lower Silesia

Bicycles, skiing or horseback riding, kayaks, hiking – no matter how you like to spend your free time, if you are interested in active recreation, Lower Silesia has plenty of possibilities waiting for you. What can we recommend? Bicycle trips around the picturesque Barycz Valley and on the mountain routes of the Sudety and Singletrack Glacensis MTB systems (be sure to check the website: dolnyslaskrowerem.pl and the Lower Silesia Biking mobile application for Android and iOS devices). Ski runs in the Izera Mountains, in the Karkonosze Mountains and in the Śnieżnik Massif, especially in Świeradów-Zdrój, Szklarska Poręba and Jakuszyce, Karpacz, Zieleniec or Czarna Góra. Tourist routes throughout the Sudetes, where it is worth visiting, for example, the Stołowe(lit. Table) Mountains with unique rock labyrinths, the volcanic Kaczawskie Mountains known primarily for the colorful lakes of Rudawy Janowickie.

Lower Silesian health resorts

Locations such as Duszniki-Zdrój, Polanica-Zdrój, Lądek-Zdrój, Cieplice Śląskie-Zdrój, Świeradów-Zdrój, Jedlina-Zdrój or Długopole-Zdrój have a centuries-old tradition of using mineral waters for therapeutic purposes, which they find out every year crowds of patients visiting them. But not only the waters can encourage people to visit the Sudeten spas – the favorable microclimate, contact with nature and numerous attractions nearby are a universal recipe for a perfect holiday.

UNESCO sites in Lower Silesia

Poland can boast a total of 16 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, three of which are located in Lower Silesia. The Centennial Hall with its dome, designed by Max Berg, is not only a pearl of modernist architecture, but also one of the most characteristic and interesting buildings in the city. Two other monuments from the UNESCO list are the Evangelical churches in Świdnica and Jawor, built under the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. About the uniqueness of the so-called Churches of Peace were built only from non-durable materials (wood, clay, sand and straw) were used for their construction. Their richly decorated and well-preserved interiors are one of the best examples of baroque sacred architecture.

How to get to Lower Silesia

The extensive transport network, as well as the role of Wrocław as the capital of the voivodeship and a dynamically developing economic and cultural center, makes it one of the main travel destinations, which can be easily reached by any means of transport.

From abroad, we can easily reach Lower Silesia from Germany: from Leipzig and Dresden via the A4 motorway, from Berlin and Cottbus via motorway No. 15, and from the Czech Republic via motorway No. 10 from Prague to Turnov and then via Szklarska Poręba or Kamienna Góra. From Europe, international roads E67 from Finland through Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania to the Czech Republic and E65 from Sweden to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia and Greece lead to Lower Silesia. There is extensive internal transport network and it is facilitated by numerous expressways (S3, S5, S8) and national roads of transit importance.

Wrocław Airport

The airport is located in the voivodeship capital. Wrocław Airport regularly offers connections to several dozen cities throughout Europe, and seasonally, also beyond the borders of the old continent. In terms of the number of checked-in passengers, it is currently the 4th Polish airport, permanently served by 10 regular airlines, and in the summer there are also a number of charter connections. Several times a week, there are cruises from the largest European capitals such as London, Oslo, Paris, Rome, Brussels and cities of agglomeration and tourist importance, such as Zurich, Milan, Frankfurt, Bristol and Porto. Information about the current connection network can be found on the website airport.wroclaw.pl.

The airport, located approximately 10 km west of the center, can be reached by car, city bus or taxi. There are also offices of several car rental companies in the arrivals hall, including Europcar car rentals. City buses depart from the airport and the journey time to the center is approximately 30-50 minutes.

Travel by train or bus

The Lower Silesian Voivodeship has convenient, direct railway connections with all major cities in Poland and a well-connected network of connections to the Czech Republic and Germany. A wide range of local rail connections is provided by Koleje Dolnośląskie, which facilitates access to even the most remote corners of the region. The carrier’s offer is constantly expanding, reaching other important tourist destinations, such as Świeradów-Zdrój or Zagórze Śląskie. (kolejedolnoslaskie.pl). It is also worth adding that the modernized Main Railway Station in Wrocław is a convenient transfer hub thanks to the proximity of the bus station, which serves scheduled connections from all over Europe. You can get here from, among others, Vienna, Budapest, Basel or Cologne, and also start your journey to the picturesque area. Moreover, most district towns in Lower Silesia have national and regional bus connections, facilitating access to smaller towns.

Find out more at: dolnyslask.travel