Renowned for its gothic architecture, bustling squares and magnificent cathedrals, Wroclaw is a true hidden gem in Europe.

I was fortunate enough to visit this beautiful city on a long weekend break in the springtime and wanted to share some of the top photo locations I came across. Here are some tips to help you with your visit.

As a disclaimer, this is not a complete list of all the photo locations in Wroclaw. This is just my experience from a weekend break and the places I deemed to be the best for photography.

1) Tumski Bridge

Also known as Lovers’ Bridge, this is a charming pedestrian bridge that spans the Oder River.

This was the first location I visited for a sunrise shoot, and it was a spectacular introduction to the city. I knew the sun would rise just to the left of the cathedral, so I hoped for clear weather to capture a sunstar.

The cobbled road leading to the bridge is very photogenic, and combined with the beautiful backdrop of Wroclaw Cathedral, it creates a stunning scene.

Despite the early start, it was worth it, and I even saw the Lamplighter extinguishing the butane-powered gas lamps!

2) Cathedral Island

Cathedral Island (Ostrów Tumski) is the oldest part of Wroclaw and arguably the most photogenic.

This is the area of the city that really inspired me to visit and it did not disappoint.

It’s cliche to say, but it really does feel like you’ve gone back in time when you walk around the streets here.

I really enjoyed capturing this area during the blue hour when I could get a lovely contrast between the warm-coloured lights on the buildings and the cool blue sky.

One thing to note, during my visit most of the exterior lights on the buildings here weren’t illuminated in the morning but they were after sunset. I suspect this is an effort to save energy and cost.

There are lots of other really interesting perspectives here though.

It can get quite busy during the day and evening time so probably best to visit in the morning if you want the place all to yourself.

3) Cathedral Island (Aerial Perspective)

Cathedral Island is simply beautiful when captured from the air with a drone.

This is how I captured some of my favourite shots from the trip and I was very fortunate to have some beautiful conditions.

Wroclaw Cathedral stands tall and the road provides a brilliant leading line.

I found sunrise was the best time to capture Cathedral Island with the drone, as during sunset it can get quite busy and I didn’t want to disturb people enjoying their visit.

Be sure to have the right documentation, comply with the local drone laws, and fly responsibly.

4) Cathedral Island Viewpoint

On the south side of the river, opposite Cathedral Island, there is a brilliant perspective.

This is an image I envisaged before the trip and I was really pleased to be able to capture this scene.

I was quite fortunate as there was little wind so I had a perfect reflection of the beautiful buildings.

One thing to note, is that during the day there are quite a few boats in the foreground so you may need to be patient.

This is also a good area to safely fly the drone from.

5) Market Square

Wrocław’s Market Square (Rynek) is one of Europe’s largest and most beautiful, surrounded by colourful townhouses, the Gothic Old Town Hall, and a vibrant atmosphere that makes it the heart of the city.

There are loads of great images to capture here as the buildings are truly spectacular.

On my visit, I tried something a bit different by capturing an aerial perspective with the drone. I just love the colour palette here as is certainly one of my favourite images from the trip.

Again, I flew the drone during sunrise when no one was around so I didn’t disturb anyone.

Wroclaw Travel Photography Vlog

On my weekend visit, I did a vlog to capture my experiences and show many of the locations listed in this article.