Warmia-Masuria is the iconic lakes region in North-Eastern Poland. The geography of Masuria creates the perfect landscape for nature enthusiasts and sailors looking to venture across the vast lakes and weaving canals. The history of Masuria is rich and volatile, bringing intrigue and fascination to visitors and lovers of history. Today, we'll take a look at what to see, where to stay, and how to plan your trip to Warmia-Masuria
Nature
In Masuria, you'll have access to vast, beautiful forests. With plenty of trails to trek, they are the perfect place for a bike ride or walk.
In the Summer, you'll spot people stopping to enjoy berries picked right off the side of the trail. In the late Summer and early Fall, people flock to the woods to collect mushrooms for delicious home-made pierogi and soups.
Small towns and villages look out on the water and host beautiful restaurants quaint docks. In between the forests and towns are the many lakes of the region. They are dotted with small sandy beaches and warm lagoons.
Sailing
It is impossible to talk about Masuria without mentioning sailing. Since the lakes are connected to each other by canals, boaters are able to travel great distances across the region. I fondly remember sailing from a small village outside of Giżycko up north into the lake Mamry in the Summer of '21.
With the company of an experienced captain, our group was able to cover an impressive distance during our nautical day trip. As many tourists do, we stopped for a swim in a warm cove and stopped at a boaters' restaurant on the lakefront.
Earlier this year I returned to Masuria with my family. We opted for a shorter sail as we did not have a captain friend at our side, and not all members of our group were as eager to hit the "seas" of Masuria as I was. As such, we embarked on a three-hour sailing cruise out of Mikołajki onto the lake Śniardwy. Six of us climbed aboard and enjoyed the sunny Masurian afternoon. For about 400 PLN, we were able to learn more about sail boating and experience the iconic Masurian pastime.
History
Although Warmia-Masuria is now part of Poland, this was not always the case. For centuries, these lands switched from Polish rule to Teutonic, Prussian and German administration. This Voivodship (province) of Poland comprises of what was prior to 1945 the German region of East Prussia. Since the partition of Germany following the Second World War, Northern East Prussia was taken by the Soviet Union, and later remained as a Russian enclave through the present day. The southern portion of East Prussia was returned to Poland after being fully in Prussian/German hands for nearly two centuries. Even today, Germanic influences can often be spotted in the distinct architectural style of many buildings in Masuria.
The most infamous historical attraction in Masuria is the "Wolf Lair"(Wilczy Szaniec). This was Adolf Hitler's easternmost headquarters. Comprising of massive concrete bunkers and buildings, the fortress was destroyed in a series of detonations by the retreating Germans as the Red Army approached late in the war. This was also the site of a failed assassination attempt on Hitler.
Located in the Masurian forests of Kętrzyn, the ruins of this enormous facility are open for exploration. Guides are available and I highly recommend registering for a tour. There are also a couple of museum buildings on the premises that add additional context to the significance of the Wolf's Lair.
There is also a lovely restaurant available with a unique historical feel. This is a more lighthearted way to relax after visiting a place with a significant and heavy past.
This can be found at the "Hotel w Wilczym Szańcu", located right at the entrance to the museum.
How to Get to and Around Masuria
Depending on what aspects of travel and Masuria interest you the most, you may want to be closer to cities or further into the countryside. There are easy rail connections from Warsaw, Gdańsk, and across Poland to Iława, Olsztyn, and Ełk (connection from Gdańsk). To get to Kętrzyn or Giżycko, you can take the train to Olsztyn with a connection to your final destination. I highly recommend using the official PKP Intercity website: rozklad-pkp.pl/en
If you are travelling to a destination outside of the city, it may be wise to consider renting a car. Alternatively, you can hire a driver from a city closer to your final destination. Rideshare apps such as Uber and Bolt are available in many locations across Poland.
Don't forget about other public transport options such as buses. For more transport options, consider Book, search & compare trains, buses & flights - Omio, which I use for travel across Europe. However, when it comes to train tickets in Poland, I always opt for the official PKP Intercity website.
Where to Stay
On my first trip to Masuria, I stayed at Łabędzi Ostrów, an outdoor resort with cabins, houses, and rooms located just outside of Giżycko. This year we travelled to Wiartel and stayed as a family in a higher end small resort, Złota Łania Wiartel. Both destinations provide wonderful outdoor experiences and are suitable for couples or families. There are many options for places to stay in Masuria with something for everyone.
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