Fernweh: Home
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAll highlightsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    • Overview
    • Places in the region
    • Videos
    • Round trips
    • Nearby
    Warmian-Masurian
    Kgbo / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Poland

    Warmian-Masurian

    Region

    The Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship (Warmińsko-Mazurskie) in northeastern Poland unites two historic landscapes.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Poland
    7. Warmian-Masurian
    The Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship (Warmińsko-Mazurskie) in northeastern Poland unites two historic landscapes. Ermland (Warmia) in the west was shaped for centuries by the Warmian Cathedral Chapter, whose castles and cathedrals in Allenstein (Olsztyn) and Frauenburg (Frombork) still stand today. Masuren (Mazury) in the east is known for the Masurian Lake District, featuring Lake Spirdingsee (Śniardwy), the largest lake in Poland. Until 1945, the region predominantly belonged to East Prussia. For travelers, Ermland-Masuren is primarily a destination for water sports and nature: sailing on the large lakes, excursion boats between lakeside towns, and canoe tours on rivers like the Krutynia. Additionally, there are testimonies to a turbulent history, from Copernicus and baroque pilgrimage churches to the ruins of the Wolf's Lair.
    Olsztyn (Allenstein), the capital of the voivodeship, is the gateway to the region. The city on the Łyna river boasts an Old Town featuring the High Gate, the Chapter's Castle, and a Co-cathedral, alongside over ten lakes within the city area. Nicolaus Copernicus lived here from 1516 as the administrator of the Chapter's estates. From Olsztyn, you can also reach Giżycko (Lötzen) by train and continue to Białystok.In the heart of the Masurian Lake District lie the two most important watersports resorts. Mikołajki (Nikolaiken) is situated on a narrows near Lake Śniardwy (Spirdingsee), features a Żegluga Mazurska harbour, and the Swan Reserve on Lake Łuknajno is right on its doorstep. Giżycko (Lötzen), located between Lake Niegocin (Löwentinsee) and Lake Kisajno, is famous for the 19th-century Boyen Fortress and the hand-operated swing bridge over the Giżycko Canal (Lötzener Kanal).Between these towns, side trips are worthwhile: The Baroque Basilica of Święta Lipka (Heiligelinde) is considered one of Poland's most famous Marian pilgrimage sites; near Kętrzyn are the ruins of the Wolf's Lair (Wolfsschanze); and on the Krutynia River, the most popular canoe route spans approximately 91 kilometers from Sorkwity to Ruciane-Nida. In the northwest, on the Vistula Lagoon (Frisches Haff), lies Frombork (Frauenburg), where Copernicus lived almost continuously from 1510 until his death in 1543.
    Nikolaiken (Mikołajki)
    Marek and Ewa Wojciechowscy / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

    Place 1 of 3

    Nikolaiken (Mikołajki)

    Nikolaiken (Mikołajki) is a small town with over 3,300 inhabitants in the heart of the Masurian Lake District.

    Discover
    Lötzen (Giżycko)

    Place 2 of 3

    Lötzen (Giżycko)

    Lötzen (Giżycko), with roughly 27,000 residents, is one of the larger towns in the Masurian Lake District. It's situated on an isthmus between Lake Löwentin (Niegocin) and the Lake Mamry system, including Lake Kisajno.

    Discover
    Allenstein (Olsztyn)
    Monika Towiańska / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Place 3 of 3

    Allenstein (Olsztyn)

    Allenstein (Olsztyn) is the capital of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship and, with over 165,000 inhabitants, the largest city in the region. It is situated on the Łyna River (Alle) in historical Warmia and was founded in 1353.

    Discover

    Sights in Warmian-Masurian

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Wolfsschanze (Wilczy Szaniec)
    Museum

    Wolfsschanze (Wilczy Szaniec)

    In the forest near Gierłoż, close to Kętrzyn (Rastenburg), from autumn 1940, the Nazi leadership had a Führer Headquarters, with bunkers and barracks spanning approximately 250 hectares, constructed by the Organisation Todt, traversed by the Kętrzyn–Węgorzewo railway line. Hitler resided here intermittently from June 1941 to November 1944. On July 20, 1944, the assassination attempt by Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg failed here, which has been commemorated by a memorial plaque since 1992. On the night of January 25, 1945, German pioneers blew up the facilities. The ruins have been accessible since 1959 and are visited today as a site of history and remembrance.
    Open in Google Maps
    Pilgrimage Church Heiligelinde (Święta Lipka)
    Church

    Pilgrimage Church Heiligelinde (Święta Lipka)

    The basilica lies between Lakes Wirowe and Dejnowa in the municipality of Reszel (Rößel) and is among Poland's most famous Marian pilgrimage sites. The Jesuits built the present Baroque church from 1688 to 1693, its facade completed around 1730. The organ by Johann Josua Mosengel from Königsberg (1719-1721) is known for its movable figures. It has been a Basilica minor since 1983.
    Open in Google Maps
    Krutynia Canoe Route

    Krutynia Canoe Route

    The Krutynia is 99 kilometers long. Its canoe trail is around 91 kilometers long; the most popular route leads from Sorkwity, via lakes and river sections, to Ruciane-Nida, through the Piska Heath (Puszcza Piska) and the Masurian Landscape Park.
    Open in Google Maps
    Minster Hill Frauenburg (Frombork)
    Historic Landmark

    Minster Hill Frauenburg (Frombork)

    On the fortified Cathedral Hill of Frauenburg (Frombork) on the Vistula Lagoon stands the Gothic Cathedral, seat of the Warmian Cathedral Chapter. Nicolaus Copernicus lived and worked here as a canon from 1510 almost continuously until his death in 1543, wrote his magnum opus De revolutionibus here, and is buried in the Cathedral. On the hill are the Copernicus Museum, a planetarium in the Radziejowski Tower, and a Foucault pendulum.
    Open in Google Maps

    Videos & Travel Reports

    Mit dem Hausboot durch Masuren

    Die SWR-Journalistin Julia Finkernagel steuert ein Hausboot von Danzig durch Ermland-Masuren bis zu den Masurischen Seen, fährt bergauf durch den Oberlandkanal und probiert die ermländische Küche.

    Judith Rakers reist für ARD Reisen durch die Masurische Seenplatte: per Kajak…

    Round trips through this region

    Baltic Coast and Masuria

    Baltic Coast and Masuria

    This route follows the Polish Baltic coast from Szczecin via the seaside resorts of Świnoujście and Kołobrzeg to the moving dunes near Łeba and on to Gdańsk. From there, it continues via Malbork Castle into Warmia to Olsztyn and into the Masurian Lake District to Mikołajki and Giżycko. This is a car route: The stages are mostly 60 to 140 kilometres long, as the train only serves some of the places in Masuria. Beaches, dunes, Hanseatic towns, and lakes alternate.

    11 Days
    9 stops
    Open jaw

    Nearby

    Nikolaiken (Mikołajki)

    Nikolaiken (Mikołajki)

    Nikolaiken (Mikołajki) is a small town with over 3,300 inhabitants in the heart of the Masurian Lake District. The town lies at the narrow passage between Lake Tałty and Lake Mikołajki, which merge here, and only a few kilometres from Lake Śniardwy, Poland's largest lake. Nikolaiken was first mentioned in 1444; it received town privileges in 1726. Today, Mikołajki is one of Masuria's most important sailing centres. Along the shore are a marina, excursion boat piers, and houseboat rentals. The centre is small: restaurants and guesthouses line the market square and church square, and a pedestrian bridge, completed in 2016, connects the waterfront promenades across the narrow lake passage. About five kilometres to the east lies Lake Łuknajno, a nature reserve and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with one of Europe's largest mute swan colonies. In the vicinity is also the Krutynia, a popular river for canoe trips.
    Lötzen (Giżycko)

    Lötzen (Giżycko)

    Lötzen (Giżycko), with roughly 27,000 residents, is one of the larger towns in the Masurian Lake District. It's situated on an isthmus between Lake Löwentin (Niegocin) and the Lake Mamry system, including Lake Kisajno. First mentioned in 1340, Lötzen gained town rights in 1612 and has been connected to the rail network since 1868. On Lake Löwentin's shore are harbours, including the municipal Ekomarina, plus the town beach and adjacent park. The Lötzener Canal (Kanał Łuczański) is spanned by an 1898 swing bridge, still hand-operated today. West of town lies the extensive Boyen Fortress grounds, plus a water tower with a viewing café and Bruno's Hill with the 1909 Bruno Cross. Lötzen thrives primarily on water sports. From here, sailing trips and excursion boats depart across the large Masurian lakes, and in summer, the town hosts events like the Sea Shanty Festival.
    Allenstein (Olsztyn)

    Allenstein (Olsztyn)

    Allenstein (Olsztyn) is the capital of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship and, with over 165,000 inhabitants, the largest city in the region. It is situated on the Łyna River (Alle) in historical Warmia and was founded in 1353. Above the Old Town stands the Castle of the Warmian Cathedral Chapter, where Nicolaus Copernicus lived from 1516 as the administrator of the chapter's estates. Since 1999, Allenstein has also been home to the University of Warmia and Masuria. Its core is the Old Town (Stare Miasto) with the High Gate, remnants of the medieval city wall, the late-Gothic Old Town Hall, and the Co-Cathedral of St. James. Surrounding it are the City Centre (Śródmieście) and districts such as Kortowo, Zatorze, and Jaroty; in total, the city is divided into 23 districts. Unusual for a large city is its proportion of water and forest: within the city limits lie more than ten lakes, the largest being Lake Ukiel with its city beach, plus a large municipal forest. Allenstein is therefore an excellent starting point for excursions into Warmia and the Masurian Lake District.
    Podlachia

    Podlachia

    Podlachia (Podlasie) is located in the far north-east of Poland, bordering Belarus. The regional capital is Białystok. For centuries, the region has been shaped by multiple cultures: Alongside the Polish majority, the Belarusian minority lives here, Orthodox churches stand beside Catholic ones, and until World War II, Jews constituted a large part of the population in many towns. For travellers, Podlachia is primarily a destination for nature experiences. In the south-east lies the Białowieża Forest with its European bison, north-west of Białystok is the vast marsh and river valley of the Biebrza, home to Poland's largest national park. In between are small towns like Tykocin on the Narew, whose history is closely tied to the region's Jewish heritage.
    Marienburg (Malbork)

    Marienburg (Malbork)

    Marienburg (Malbork), located on the Nogat, a distributary of the Vistula, is considered Europe's largest brick building: over 30 million bricks were used across approximately 21 hectares. The Teutonic Order constructed the complex between about 1270 and 1300; from 1309, it was the Grand Master's seat. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997, it attracts around 500,000 visitors each year. The castle has three sections: the Upper Castle (with St. Mary's Church), the Middle Castle (Grand Master's Palace, Great Refectory), and the Outer Bailey (housing service buildings). Plan half a day for the interiors; an excursion from Danzig is easily manageable by train or car.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Pexels. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • Video reportages: Mit dem Hausboot durch Masuren, Wunderschön! Masuren: Polens Seenparadies
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI