Lakes in Poland: picturesque spots to check out
Poland is rich in lakes, most of which are located in the northern part of the country. The lakes are a beautiful part of the Polish landscape – picturesque postcards of the Polish countryside with a lake in the background. There is plenty to choose from – for a weekend getaway or a longer stay.
Śniardwy Lake (Jezioro Śniardwy) – Poland’s largest lake
Śniardwy Lake (the largest lake in Poland, called the Masurian sea, with an area of over 100 km²) – is located in Mazury (in the Land of the Great Masurian Lakes – Poland’s largest cluster of lakes connected by canals), in the Masurian Landscape Park, near Mikołajki (the summer capital of Masuria). The lake has 8 islands and numerous bays, some of which are like separate lakes.
Śniardwy Lake has a connection with many surrounding lakes, through which it connects with Lake Mamry (the second largest lake in Poland) creating together the Great Masurian Lakes (Wielkie Jeziora Mazurskie).
The surroundings of the Śniardwy Lake – like all Masuria – offer many tourist attractions and accommodation options.
Wigry Lake (Jezioro Wigry) – one of the cleanest lakes in Poland, also called a crystal-clear lake
Wigry Lake is the biggest lake within the Wigry National Park, located in north-eastern Poland (Augustów Forest), only 50 km from the border with Lithuania.
Wigry Lake is available for tourism, with beaches and bike trail around the lake. The lake is also perfect for sailing and kayaking. The waters are so-called “quiet zone”, which means that motorboats are not allowed on the water.
Drawsko Lake (Jezioro Drawsko) – lake of twelve islands
Drawsko Lake is the largest lake in the Drawskie Lakeland (Pojezierze Drawskie) and the second deepest in Poland. Several holiday resorts are located on its shores (the biggest one in Czaplinek). The lake has as many as 12 islands!
The unusual coastline, cliffs, numerous bays, islands create the extraordinary atmosphere of this place.
Czorsztyńskie Lake (Jezioro Czorsztyńskie) – two castles on the shores of the lake
Czorsztyńskie Lake – located in southern Poland between Pieniny Mountains and Gorce Mountains – is an artificial water reservoir on the Dunajec River, created by building a water dam in Niedzica town.
From its surface (lake cruises are available – with a boat or a gondola) you can enjoy beautiful views. There is also a free, guarded beach (Plaża Pieniny) and a bike trail around the lake.
The highlights of the area – on the shores of the lake there are two castles: Czorsztyn Castle (magnificent ruins of the castle from the fourteenth century) and Niedzica Castle (Zamek Dunajec). Both castles are open to tourists, and small cruise marinas have been built next to them.
Morskie Oko (Eye of the Sea in English) – the largest mountain lake in Poland
Morskie Oko is the largest lake in the Tatra Mountains, located at an altitude of 1,395 m above sea level. You can reach the Morskie Oko Lake by foot – the trail is about 8 km long (hiking time is 2 hours 25 minutes). Morskie Oko itself makes a very big impression, also on children – it’s a truly stunning lake. The route to Morskie Oko runs along an asphalt road which is usually walked by hundreds – if not thousands – of tourists (in July and August, Morskie Oko is visited by about half a million tourists). There is only one way to avoid the crowds and enjoy the exceptional nature of the Morskie Oko Lake – set out on the trail when the rest of the tourists is still at their hotels (enter the trail at about 7-8 am).
Subscribe to our monthly newsletters in English to explore Poland and to learn about Poland! Once a month you will receive a Newsletter: ‘Explore Poland with Kids‘. You will find there featured family-friendly destinations in Poland, handpicked events in selected Polish cities, dates to remember and things to do in Poland in a given month:
