There are 5 rivers which flow through Wroclaw: Odra (the largest one), Widawa, Bystrzyca, Olawa, and Sleza. A well-developed water infrastructure is full of ridges and overpasses, there are 303 of them! That is why Wroclaw is called “the Venice of North”, or “Polish Venice”.
 

Watery Wroclaw

Leisure activities in Wroclaw are not limited to walks in Rynek or Ostrow Tumski. It is always worth to take a look at the city from a different perspective. Water hides many secrets, and the views are breathtaking. And in addition to that, you get a doses of physical activity (if you don’t choose a motor boat), contact with nature, and leisure.
More and more places where you can rent a kayak, a pedalo, a motor or paddle boat appear every year. Odra comes alive, although a lot of water will flow through before we will be able to get on a water tram.
You don’t need any patents or licenses to rent the majority of available water equipment and boats. However, in most cases it is required that at least one person on a boat has to be over the age of majority. Pedalos and kayaks are rented to everyone, there are no age limits.
Kayak is the cheapest option. It can take 1-3 people. And the prices start from PLN 10 per hour of kayaking. The prices are usually charged for a boat, not per person.
Wroclaw’s Marinas

Zatoka Gondoli next to Ostrow Tumski and Przystań Zwierzyniecka are Wroclaw’s most popular marinas. Here are the addresses:

• Przystań Kardynalska; Bulwar Włostowica, Ostrów Tumski
• Przystań Zwierzyniecka; Wróblewskiego Street No 1 (behind Most Zwierzyniecki bridge)
• Przystań ZOO;  near Zwierzyniecka Overpass,
• Przystań Uniwersytecka Marina Topacz; Księcia Witolda Street No. 2, (Most Uniwersytecki bridge)
• Zatoka Gondoli,  Purkyniego Street
• Port Uraz; between Wrocław Rędzin and Brzeg Dolny canal locks
• Przystań przy Hali Targowej; at Xawarego Dunikowskiego Bulevard
• Przystań Rancho; Na Grobli Street No. 49
• Przystań Zatoka;  Długa Street No. 65a

It is good to know that some of the marinas offer discounts if the weather is not sunny, which of course entails a the decreased comfort of swimming.
When you plan to rent a boat, make sure to have an identification document, which you will be asked to leave in the marina.

Not interested in kayaking?

Pedalos require less strength and can be used by everyone. One pedalo can take 1-3 people. And when it is raining, or when we want to hide in the shade, pedalos have an additional advantage - a pull-out roofing.
Renting a boat is a bit more expensive. We can choose between motor and paddle boats. The rent prices start from PLN 60 per boat for 1 hour. The boats’ motors are of lesser power, so no patents or licenses are required to operate them.