Poland on a houseboat: a land of pristine lakes steeped in history

Explore the waterways of Poland — discover a stunning network of lakes, serene natural beauty and fascinating wildlife or cruise around magnificent towns rich in history and architectural gems.

More than 2,000 interconnected lakes, surrounded by dense forests and enchanting nature. Doesn't it sound like a dream? Experience it by heading to the beautiful Masurian Lakes in central Poland. And if you're more into exploring historical cities, Poland won't disappoint either — simply cruise further north to Gdańsk.

What are the Masurian Lakes?

The Masurian Lake District is perfect for houseboat and boating enthusiasts as it is filled with countless lakes, ranging from large to small ponds. The so-called Great Masurian Lakes are a system of 452 lakes covering an area of over 39,000 hectares. The largest of them is Sniardwy, with an area of 114 km² with the second largest being Mamry at 105 km². Other popular lakes in the region include Niegocin, Dobskie, Tałty, Kisajno, Lake Mikołajskie and Lake Łuknajno. All of the large Masurian lakes are connected together by twelve canals and eight rivers, offering a variety of routes to explore.

Family holidays in Masuria

Within this Lakeland, you'll also discover numerous quiet bays where you can swim, go fishing (such as salmon and catfish), do a spot of birdwatching (storks, eagles, mallards and cranes), or simply take a walk around the area. Another great thing about the Masurian lakes is that they are mostly lined with sandy beaches, sloping gradually into the waters, making it perfect for kids (in general, Poland is well suited for children and offers a number of attractions). In addition, you'll find small guesthouses with restaurants, natural campsites and marinas with all the facilities at the lakes. On the connecting canals between the lakes, you'll find locks with their own attendants.

father and son fishing from a boat at sunset

What to see in the Masurian Lakeland

If you're interested in visiting local villages and towns, the ports of Mikołajki and Sztynort are popular with boaters. From the charming town of Mikołajki, nicknamed the Venice of Masuria, you can explore Lake Śniardwy, while the Jeglinski Canal takes you to the towns of Pisz and Wierzba. If you want to continue across other lakes, head to the popular resort of Ruciane Nida. At the centre of the Masurian Lakes is the resort of GiżyckoLocated in the middle of seven lakes. Gizycko is so popular with Poles and foreign tourists alike that it is nicknamed "the summer capital of Poland". Popular local attractions include the accessible water reservoir or the Wiewiora rope park.

YACHTING.COM TIP: The season on the Masurian Lakes lasts from May to September. In addition to houseboating, you can also enjoy sailing (but you'll need a skipper's license for that), kayaking or windsurfing.

Read about other popular houseboat destinations:

Hitler's headquarters: Wolf's Lair near Kętrzyn

The town of Ryn, located between the lakes Ryn and Olow, is also a famous destination, home to the Teutonic Knights' Ordensburg Fortress and a Dutch windmill. Close to Kętrzyn, in the Gerloz forest, lurks Hitler's infamous Wolf's Lair which will definitely appeal to lovers of military history (as will the series of concrete bunkers around Lake Mamerki and the Masurian Canal, an unfinished waterway that was supposed to connect Lake Mamry and the Baltic Sea).

A large wall with the entrance to the Wolf's Lair. The Wolf's Lair was Adolf Hitler's first military headquarters on the Eastern Front during World War II.

The Wolf's Lair was Adolf Hitler's first military headquarters on the Eastern Front during World War II

Tarpans or Polish Horses

The Masurian Lakelands are particularly appealing due to their natural beauty — there are also a number of nature reserves, although we recommend checking where you can access them because certain islands are off-limits. A true rarity is the "koniki polskie" or supposed descendants of European wild horses (tarpans), who became extinct in the 19th century but were re-bred after the war. They can be found in the reserve near Popielno on Lake Śniardwy.

Wild horses (Polish horse) in the Popielno reserve on Lake Bełdany, foal

YACHTING.COM TIP: Exploring a region on a houseboat always makes it tempting to bring your bike along. Although it isn't necessarily a bad idea, the Masurian Lakes are much better enjoyed from a boat: the surrounding trails are quite overgrown, so don't offer many views, and they're not so well marked, making it easy to get lost. But if you do take your bike, one thing is for sure — remember to bring repellent. 

Gdańsk and Pomerania

Another Polish gem is the Pomeranian Voivodeship on the Baltic Sea near Gdańsk, the capital of northern Poland that lies on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Together with Sopot and Gdynia, it forms the so-called Tri-city, which is popular with tourists.

Gdańsk, with its captivating architecture and unique atmosphere, has been moulded by the history of the numerous nationalities that have lived and worked here over the centuries — apart from Poles and Germans, this includes the Dutch, Scots, Italians, French and Scandinavians. Historically, the Royal Route was the lifeblood of the city and offers stunning views of the lavish townhouses. Leading to Gdańsk's main square, the Długi Targ (or Long Market) is where processions once passed when the monarch visited Gdańsk.

The old town of Gdansk in Poland with the oldest medieval harbour crane (Zuraw) in Europe, St. John's Church, the Motlawa River, old granaries, ships and a boat

The old town of Gdańsk in Poland with the oldest medieval harbour crane (Zuraw) in Europe (dark building in the middle of the photo)

Where World War II began

In addition to taking a walk along the Royal Route, you can also see the huge historic harbour crane Żuraw in Gdańsk, which is still in operation today. Other interesting buildings include the conversion of a former power station into a philharmonic hall, or the Academy of Arts, originally a Renaissance armoury. And don't forget to visit St. Mary's Church (formally the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) where you can climb the 400 steps of its tower to take in a magnificent view of the city. This Gothic gem is the tallest religious building made of brick in the world and houses a magnificent 15th-century astronomical clock.

Finish your stroll around the city on Marianska Street (Mariacka), one of the most picturesque in the city. Here you can admire the beautifully decorated facades of historic houses, but perhaps most importantly, you can find unique amber jewellery. Both amber and amber jewellery are an integral part of Gdańsk's history and tradition, so if you want a souvenir worth having, don't miss Marianska Street.

History buffs will also appreciate the fact that the small peninsula of Westerplatte, where World War II began on 1 September 1939, is located here, as well as the fact that the Solidarity movement was founded in the local shipyards in 1980 by trade unions led by Lech Wałęsa.

Westerplatte monument in Gdansk, Poland

The Westerplatte Memorial was opened in 1966

Bird spotting in Słowiński National Park

Cruising through Pomerania you will encounter a number of historic locks and drawbridges. The sand dunes around the town of Leba are also an interesting feature — in 1967 the Słowiński National Park Narod was designated here with UNESCO later including the area in its list of biosphere reserves. The freshwater of the lakes here mixes with the water of the Baltic Sea, creating a unique environment of wetlands, peat bogs and forests. Ornithologists will appreciate that more than 260 species of birds live here, such as waders, snipe, collared doves, herons and cranes. It is worth a trip to the nearby Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, a magnificent brick defensive fortress in Gothic style.

Beautiful scenery of sand dunes in Slowinski National Park at sunset, Leba. Poland

Sand dunes in Slowinski National Park

Since you'll be moving around Pomerania a lot between towns, we also recommend checking out the local restaurants. After all, Polish cuisine is incredibly varied. Some dishes will look familiar, others have Tatar origins. Be sure to try the fish, bigos and pierogi.

I'll be happy to advise you on choosing a houseboat. Get in touch.

FAQ: The Masurian Lakes