I’ve been visiting Klodzko, Poland, since I was a little kid. Not only is this town, one of the oldest in Poland, packed with attractions and historical sites, but it is also a perfect base to explore the beautiful area around. Each time I visit Klodzko, I find some new attractions in the town and nearby, and it’s simply impossible to be bored in this region.

A few years ago, I used Klodzko as a base to explore more of the surrounding area, and even with the week I had there, it was not enough to see all that I had planned. If you are short on time, you can visit Klodzko as one of the day trips from Wroclaw; direct train connections make it so easy to do it.

Recently, in September 2024, Klodzko and the surrounding area suffered a bad flood that damaged a big part of the town. However, once the renovations are done, I’m sure Klodzko will be as beautiful as earlier. But even before the town is restored to its previous glory, I think it’s worth planning a trip to Klodzko and its surroundings and this way to support the local people and this beautiful part of Poland and see all the greatness that it has to offer.

Where is Klodzko, Poland

Klodzko, a town of around twenty-five thousand inhabitants, is located in southwest Poland, near the border with the Czech Republic. Wroclaw, the capital of the Lower Silesia region, is just under 100 km away, and Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is 450 km away from Klodzko. Another nearby capital is Prague, only 200 km away.

Why visit Klodzko

Klodzko is one of the oldest towns in Poland. It was founded in the 10th century and granted city rights in 1233. Due to its location on the crossroads, it has always been influenced by different cultures, mainly Polish, Czech, and German. Over the centuries, Klodzko belonged to different countries until eventually returning to Poland after World War 2.

With such a long and turbulent history, you can find many different attractions and things to do in Klodzko. The town is sometimes even called “Little Prague” for its monuments and their historical and cultural value. You can easily spend one day in Klodzko and not be bored; there is so much to see!

Klodzko also has a very picturesque location, right in the heart of Klodzko Valley, surrounded by mountains. The town can be a perfect base to explore the area, which is packed with attractions! Near Klodzko, you will find charming spa towns, amazing nature, old palaces, historical military objects, and more!

Recently, Klodzko suffered major damage from the floods in September 2024 (not the first time this natural disaster has affected the town). Tourism is one of the most crucial things to boost the local economy after such a terrible event, so now is the time to plan a trip to Klodzko and see this beautiful town and its surroundings.

How to get to Klodzko

You can easily reach Klodzko by train. There are a few direct trains from Wroclaw per day with a travel time under 2 hours. If you travel from nearby Walbrzych, you are in for a treat, as this railway line is considered the most beautiful in Poland. You can also get here from the Czech Republic as there are direct trains from Lichkov (just across the border).

There are a few train stations in Klodzko, but “Klodzko Miasto” is the nearest one to the Old Town, so aim for that one.

How much time for visiting Klodzko

You can spend one day in Klodzko and see all its attractions, but I recommend staying a bit longer and exploring the surrounding region, too. There is so much to see and do there!

What to see in Klodzko

The biggest attraction of Klodzko is the majestic fortress towering above the town. The hill it is on has a very strategic location; hence, the first, rather poor, fortifications were placed here already in the late 10th century. When the town below developed in medieval times, the fortifications were turned into a fortified castle in the early 14th century. It was the seat of the Silesian Piasts – the dynasty that ruled the region back then.

During the Thirty Years’ War that swept through Central Europe between 1618 and 1648, Klodzko was captured by the Austrians, and the castle was badly damaged. The new rulers decided to change it into a fortress with five bastions. Not long after, in 1742, during the War of the Austrian Succession, the fortress was conquered by Prussians who extended the military structure, making it one of the most important Prussian strongholds in the Silesia region. Klodzko fortress played a crucial role in Napoleon’s campaign in 1807 and became a prison known for its tough conditions. It played this role until the end of World War 2 when Klodzko became a Polish town again.

The fortress was opened to tourists in 1960, and still today, this is a great place to visit. You need around 3 hours to explore it properly, including the underground passages. It is possible to see the fortress with a guide or independently. If you decide to go underground, bring warm clothes with you as the temperature is around 6C! Another reason to visit Klodzko fortress is the spectacular view over the town and the picturesque surrounding area you can admire from there.

To enter the fortress grounds, you need to buy a ticket at the entrance. You can also go for a walk along the path on the outside of the fortress’ walls—it’s free of charge, and the views from here are really good, too. It will also help you realize what a massive structure the Klodzko fortress is!

Once you finish visiting the fortress, it’s time to explore the Old Town. Its center is the market square, with the impressive town hall in the middle. This is the oldest part of Klodzko, dating back to the 10th century. However, the town hall is much newer. Over the years, a few town halls were destroyed in fires. The one you can see today was built in the late 19th century in the Neorenaissance style (however, the tower is originally from the Middle Ages, with Renaissance and Baroque additions).

The market square is surrounded by some beautiful townhouses (as well as modern structures that spoil the place a bit); you will also find a fountain and a pillory there. A walk around the Old Town is a great way to discover some of the architecture and cultural gems of the city. You will stumble across many beautiful houses, the majestic Church of the Assumption from the 15th century (it’s worth visiting it inside, too, for the stunning decor), as well as the regional museum where you can learn more about Klodzko, its history, and the region.

It’s worth visiting the undergrounds, too (a different one than those in the fortress). The route goes under the Old Town, the total length is around 600 meters, and along the way, in different basements, you can see numerous exhibitions about the history and everyday life in medieval Klodzko (there are sounds from that time, too!).

From the market square, follow Stwosza Street (in the corner) to reach the Gothic bridge, another highlight of Klodzko. It might look a bit familiar – that’s because it is known as a smaller version of the Charles Bridge in Prague, with sculptures on both sides of the structure. It was erected most likely in the second half of the 13th century, however a wooden passage was located here before.

The bridge is such a beautiful creation, made of stones, with arches and six religious sculptures (including John of Nepomuk, probably the most popular saint in the region). The Gothic bridge, together with surrounding townhouses, is one of the most picturesque views you can find in Klodzko. It’s worth not only crossing the bridge but also walking on the lower parts along the Mlynowka canal to see the structure and its surroundings from different perspectives.

While there, you can also visit the Franciscan monastery, a yellow building just across the bridge. Originally from the first half of the 17th century, the building was badly destroyed during floods (including the recent one). If it is open, step inside to see beautiful frescoes.

Next to the monastery, take a closer look at the house at Grottgera 5 – you will see a small sculpture of a wolf. The local prophet said in 1975: “When three sevens meet, a cataclysm will come. Then the wolf will also drink the water in Klodzko.” On July 7th, 1997, during a devastating flood, this is exactly what happened. The water from Nysa Klodzka and Mlynowka canal was so high that it reached the wolf – it looked like the animal was drinking. Fortunately, during the recent flood in 2024, the water wasn’t that high, but this part of the town was badly destroyed anyway.

Even if most of Klodzko attractions are located in the Old Town, you can also venture a bit further and see more of the town. Still, in the center, there are some lovely townhouses, some of them with really fine architectural details. A bit further, on the outskirts of Klodzko, you can also visit the miniature park “Minieuroland,” which has over 40 models of well-known buildings not only from the Lower Silesia region but from all over the world.

Where to go next

While there are so many great things to do in Klodzko, the whole region is worth exploring, too! You will find charming spa towns, beautiful mountains and nature, military objects, old palaces (some in ruins), a gold mine, and so much more here. Here are some of the places worth visiting, but this list can go on and on:

• spa towns: Ladek Zdroj, Kudowa Zdroj, Duszniki Zdroj, Polanica Zdroj
• military objects: Srebrna Gora fortress, the underground towns of “Project Riese”
• palaces in Kamieniec Zabkowicki, Sarny, Bozkow, Lesna Skala, Gorzanow, and many more
• numerous mountains, such as Stolowe Mountains, Owl Mountains, or Snieznik Mountains
• interesting historical towns and villages: Bardo, Bystrzyca Klodzka, Miedzygorze
• underground attractions: Gold Mine in Zloty Stok, Uranium Mine in Kletno, Kletno Bear Cave
• interesting museums, like the Museum of Papermaking in Duszniki-Zdroj, or Toys Museums in Kudowa Zdroj

Lower Silesia is one of the most fascinating regions in Poland, and Klodzko is right at the heart of its attractions!

Further reading

I published many articles about Poland that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 37 Amazing Things to Do in Krakow, Poland
• 20 Great Places to Visit As Day Trips from Warsaw, Poland
• Visiting Auschwitz – How to Plan the Auschwitz Tour
• 17 Amazing Things to Do in Lublin, Poland
• The Complete Guide to Visiting Slownski National Park, Poland
• Visit Grudziadz – One of the Hidden Gems of Poland
• 19 Amazing Things to Do in Gdansk, Poland
• Visit Sandomierz, Poland – One of the Prettiest Towns in the Country
• Visiting Malbork Castle, Poland – the Largest Castle in the World
• 25 Amazing Things to do in Wroclaw, Poland
• and many more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in Central Europe and ask your questions there.

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