Lakes and Baltic
Baltic coast
The length of Polish Coast is about 700km. It starts in Swinoujscie (West) and ends in Krynica Morska (East). There are many places to be visited including wild beaches or big cities as Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot or Kolobrzeg, Szczecin.
Poland not only has miles upon miles of sandy coastline, but some of the biggest sand dunes in Europe (in Slowinski National Park on the Baltic coast, close to Leba). That topped with hot summers (well above average for Europe) makes Poland an ideal beach holiday destination. The beaches do tend to get breezy, but this can be a welcome relief from the hot sun and windbreakers are in abundance. There are plenty of water sports to choose from and Poland has some of the best windsurfing in Europe, both on the Baltic sea and on the many lakes (such as Lake Zarnowieckie near Debki).
The Baltic coast near Gdansk has beautiful white, wide beaches and is highly recommended for a holiday. Almost all beaches in Poland are accessed through a short walk through protected pine forests – not only does this smell beautiful but it also keeps building right on top of the beach, thus keeping the beach “wild” and unspoilt. Most beaches in seaside towns have sections guarded by lifeguards – so you can swim in safety.
The Masurian Lake District
The Masurian Lake District is a lake district in northeastern Poland within the geographical region of Masuria. It contains more than 2,000 lakes.
The lakes are well connected by rivers and canals, forming an extensive system of waterways. The 18th-century Masurian Canal links this system to the Baltic Sea. The whole area is a prime tourist destination, frequented by boating enthusiasts, canoeists, anglers, hikers, bikers and nature-lovers. It is one of the most famous lake districts in Central Europe and a popular vacation spot, with the highest number of visitors every year.
Masuria is famous for its lakes and forests, offering a wide range of outdoor activities from sailing to kayaking and swimming. The region includes the largest lake in Poland called Śniardwy. The resort towns include the most popular Giżycko and Mikołajki, Węgorzewo, Ryn, Pisz and Iława. Giżycko is located on the shore of Lake Niegocin. It has an ancient fortress, historic church, bridges, and passenger boats to the towns of Węgorzewo, Mikołajki and Ruciane-Nida. The town of Mikołajki is a popular tourism center.
In addition to lakes, the Masurian region also has many rivers used for fly fishing, and forest areas that offer many trails for trekking and biking. There is also a variety of wildlife, edible berries and mushrooms, and large protected areas, including the Masurian Landscape Park that includes 11 nature reserves such as the Łuknajno Lake that is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, or the Białowieża Forest with a breeding station for European Bisons.
There are four separate boating trails set up along connecting lakes: from Giżycko to Węgorzewo and Ruciane-Nida, and from Mikołajki to Pisz and Ryn. There are also two kayaking trails along rivers, the most popular being the Krutynia River Trail. On top of that, there are several colour marked walking trails with numerous points of interest for qualified tourism.
The Lubuskie Lakeland
The Lubuskie Lakeland or Lubuskie Lake District, is located in mid-western Poland.
Lubuskie Lakeland consists of several hundred lakes. These lakes offer excellent conditions for angling and are filled with freshwater fish including catfish, river trout, grayling, lake trout, powan, whitefish, barbel, vimba, and salmon. Lake Grzybno covers about 102 acres and is a prime location for sailing. Lake Lubinskie is located in the middle of a postglacial tunnel-valley towards the south, fed by shallow subsoil waters and springs on the southern shores of the lake. Nearly all of the rivers in the Lubuskie Lakeland, as well as Poland, drain northward into the Baltic Sea. The Oder and its main tributary, Warta, drain the western third of Poland. Canoeing and kayaking are extremely popular in the Lubuskie Lakeland. With canoe routes linking many of the lakes through rivers like the Warta, Obra, and Paklica, you can expect many miles of breathtaking views without having to leave the water. The rivers bend and curve like a snake through the deciduous forests, providing views of greenery and wildlife. Some areas offer tours and make stops to pick fresh mushrooms and berries, or sample genuine Polish cuisine at a Polish farm. During the winter months, when the lakes are covered with ice, you can expect to see ice boat sailors and ice skaters skating along the frozen waters.
