![]() Looking for a place to fuel up before heading out on the water? The popular Przechowalnia Marzen Bistro serves a lovely breakfast before 12, as well as tea, coffee and delish cakes in the afternoon. ![]() ![]() Or make your way to Spiżarnia in Mikołajki for tasty homemade fare with a side of cosy. In Giżycko, Tawerna Marina Restauracja & Bar on the waterfront is a good choice for Polish and European flavours, while the popular Podkładka Restobar offers a wide range of international staples, including pizza, mac and cheese, steak and Vietnamese pho. Where to go? In the summer, the lively lakeside resorts of Giżycko and Mikołajki are packed with all sorts of eateries, from small fried-fish stalls to high-end restaurants with stunning water vistas. And trust us, after a day of splashing around, a plate of pierogi z łososiem, Polish dumplings stuffed generously with salmon, go down a treat. Try the traditional Masuvian fish soup or go for one of the more adventurous choices, such as a bowl of nettle soup or potato pancakes with eel. Regional culinary specialities rely heavily on freshwater fish, including pike, perch, smelt and eel. History buffs will also be interested in the Museum of the Grunwald Battlefield, commemorating the spot where the combined Polish and Lithuanian troops defeated the army of the Teutonic Knights in 1410.įreshwater fish, hearty soups and Polish dumplings Peep into the concrete bunkers and keep an eye out for the memorial plate marking the location of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg’s failed assassination attempt in 1944. Combine your visit with a detour to Wolf's Lair, Hitler's eastern command base from 1941 to 1944, hidden amid thick pine forests, just 8 kilometres east of Kętrzyn. If you would rather stay closer to the most popular lakes, Kętrzyn’s 14th-century castle, housing a museum of regional history, is also worth a look. Perhaps the most impressive among them are the Lidzbark Warmiński Castle, or the Castle of Warmian Bishops in the north, Reszel Castle on the bank of the Sajna river and Nidzica Castle, south of Olsztyn. The region’s Teutonic past lives on in the form of its fortified Gothic castles, built of red brick. The area was originally inhabited by the Old Prussians and served as a stronghold of the Teutonic Knights, before it became part of the Prussian Kingdom and subsequently, the German Empire. Or base yourself in Giżycko on Lake Niegocin, the tourism epicentre of the region. The 22-kilometre-long expanse of water, nicknamed the Masurian sea, is dotted with islands and is surrounded by the primeval Pisz Forest (or Puszcza Piska Forest). Where to start? The pretty town of Mikołajki, aka the Masurian Venice, is a good jumping-off point for discovering Lake Śniardwy, Poland’s largest lake. They’re interconnected by rivers and canals, forming a sprawling network of waterways, crying out to be explored by kayak or sailboat. There are at least 2,000 of them, let’s just leave it at that. In fact, the verdant Masurian landscape is peppered with patches of water so numerous, no one seems to know their exact number. About 15% of the vast, 52,000-square-kilometre area is covered by lakes. And if hiking is your thing, you wouldn’t want to miss out on the superb trails criss-crossing the region.Ĭreated by receding glaciers in the Pleistocene ice age, the Masurian Lake District is a magnificent sight to behold. The area is awash with history, and is home to Teutonic, Prussian, German and Polish architecture as well as Hitler’s infamous wartime hideout, the Wolf’s Lair, one of Europe’s most important World War II sites. Every summer, the sleepy lakeside towns of Giżycko and Mikołajki transform into bustling resorts, full of lively restaurants, bars and cafés. As you’d expect, there’s plenty of water fun to be had here, from swimming and fishing to canoeing and sailing. It’s an immensely popular summer hangout among the Poles, and it’s easy to see why. ![]() ![]() Stretching out northeast of the Olsztyn-Mazury airport, the area is a scene-stealing combo of green forests, wetlands and deep blue lakes of all shapes and sizes. Known as the “land of a thousand lakes”, the Masurian Lake District is one of Poland’s best-kept secrets. Jump on a flight to Olsztyn-Mazury, and you will be in for an absolute treat. ![]()
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