Attractions in the area of Olsztyn

A bird's-eye view of a lake in Masuria at sunset

Are you planning a short trip to the land of a thousand lakes? If you have already seen all the attractions of Olsztyn, you should now rent a car at the airport and visit other scenic corners of Warmia and Masuria. Go on a trip to the nearby towns and see what they have in store for you.

Neighbourhood of Olsztyn – a cruise on Masurian lakes and the city of Lidzbark Warmiński

If you want to feel the wind in you hair, go to the east of Olsztyn and discover the land of great Masurian lakes. You will have the shortest distance to such resort town as Mrągowo, Mikołajki and Ruciane-Nida. When in Masuria, go sailing, go fishing fish or just relax on the shore. Plan a short trip to a place where Nicolaus Copernicus and Ignacy Krasicki once lived. In Lidzbark Warmiński, visit the pearl of Gothic architecture – the Warmian Bishops' Castle, which resembles Kraków's Wawel. It is just 50 km from Olsztyn. 

Masuria - sailboat on the lake

Well known attractions near Olsztyn include a lavender field in the town of Nowe Kawkowo. You will get there in less than 30 minutes. The best time to admire blooming clusters of lavender and take some photos of the violet shrubs is between mid June and mid July. Other interesting sites outside Olsztyn include the Forest Arboretum of Warmia and Masuria in Kudypy where you will see many species of woody plants (like heather, box tree and ivy) and a collection of rocks and giant glacial erratics.

Attractions in the area of Olsztyn – graduation towers in Gołdap and ethnographic park in Olsztynek

Go to Gołdap, where you will have a rest, recuperate and enjoy the good effects of the local brine, which is extracted from the depth of 646 metres! The city's graduation towers are 220 metres long and 8 metres tall. The brine flows down the blackthorn and creates a microclimate with a high content of iodine, magnesium, bromine, sodium and potassium in the air. You just need to sit down on a bench near the impressive structure to feel as if you were at the baltic Sea. A few brief sessions is enough to boost your immunity, clear you airways and calm down the shattered nerves. We recommend it! Lovers of culture and folk traditions should visit the Museum of Folk Architecture in Olsztynek. Spanning over 39 ha, the site excellently shows old architecture as well as the natural beauty of the entire Warmia and Masuria region. Situated in the vicinity of the Jemiołówka River, the Ethnographic Park is surrounded by scenic meadows, ponds and pastures with grazing Polish primitive horses (konik polski), goats and sheep. If you have children, a whole day spent outdoors will surely make a great adventure for your whole family. 

Water attractions near Olsztyn – a cruise on the Elbląg Canal

Among attractions near Olsztyn is a cruise on Poland's longest shipping canal. Such cruises, organised by the Ostróda-Elbląg Ship Transport Company, are a thrilling experience for the young and the old. All boats on the Elbląg Canal, which connects the western Masurian lakes with the Vistula lagoon, cross locks and slipways, and in some places are transported on platforms which run on special rails. Locals call that attraction "a cruise on the grass". If you fancy such a trip, book your tickets online and go sightseeing from the deck of a boatOther attractions in the neighbourhood of Olsztyn include the Shrine of Virgin Mary in Gietrzwałd, which every year attracts nearly a million pilgrims who prey for healing. In 1877, the Virgin Mary appeared there. Another important religious site is the Marian Sanctuary in Święta Lipka, also known as Częstochowa of the North, with a unique Baroque basilica. The two sites of Marian worship are surrounded by green grounds, excellent for relaxation and meditation.

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