Lower Silesia is one of the most rewarding day-trip regions in Poland. The town of Świdnica, an hour south, has the UNESCO-listed Church of Peace — a vast wooden Lutheran church built under restrictive Habsburg conditions in 1657 with a capacity of over 7,000. Another hour beyond is Wałbrzych, home of Książ Castle, the third-largest castle in Poland.
The Karkonosze (Krkonoše) and Sowie Mountains south of Wrocław offer hiking and historic spa towns; Karpacz, Szczawno-Zdrój, and Kudowa-Zdrój are the main bases. The fortress town of Kłodzko, 90 minutes south-east, has a sprawling 18th-century citadel.
For the easiest single day out, head west to the cluster of UNESCO-listed Churches of Peace and the spectacular Cistercian abbey at Lubiąż.