Giżycko is a town in the very heart of the Land of Great Masurian Lakes, which means that by choosing to stay in Giżycko, you have many Masurian attractions nearby.
The city's hydrography is very rich. The town itself is surrounded by four lakes, which makes part of the town lie on Giżycko Island. Which lakes in the Masurian region around Giżycko are worth visiting?
The lakes in Masuria are a real vast topic! The town of Giżycko lies between the Kisajno and Niegocin lakes, which connect through the Tracz Bay in the Giżycko (Łuczański) Canal. Niegocin further connects via the Niegocin Canal to Lake Tajty. Nearby is also Lake Wojsak. In the immediate vicinity of Giżycko, in addition to the four aforementioned lakes, there are as many as thirteen other lakes. The lakes in Masuria mentioned here are: Wilkasy, Boczne, Grajewko, Rudzkie, Niałk, Kapskie, Dejguny, Dobskie, Rudzkie, Tryd, Skarż Wielki, Kruklin, and the Small and Large Upałckie Lakes. The Masurian lakes are the main attraction of this area.
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Due to the rich hydrography, Giżycko has as many as eleven sailing ports. It is a true paradise for sailors and anglers, but also for those who value time spent close to nature and enjoy visiting interesting monuments.
There are many sandy beaches on Lake Niegocin where you can relax to your heart's content. You don’t need to have a sailboat to enjoy your time by the lake. Classic swimming, splashing in the water, or building sandcastles are just a few activities you can engage in at Giżycko. Water activities on the Masurian lakes are endless: you can go kayaking, rent a boat, yacht, jet skis, quads, or use water skis. If a skill is unfamiliar to you, there is nothing stopping you from learning it.
Additionally, when staying in Giżycko, you can join cruises on the larger lakes or take part in balloon flights organized over the lakes. In the season (from May to September), many events, festivals, and concerts are organized. By deciding to stay in Giżycko, you will surely come across at least one cultural event.
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There are several worth-visiting monuments in Giżycko, but certainly, the Boyen Fortress stands out as the most remarkable. This 19th-century fortress is the most important monument of the entire Masuria, not just Giżycko. It is located on Giżycko Island. The fortress is shaped like a six-pointed star, where each point of the star forms one of the bastions of the fortress. Boyen Fortress has been almost entirely preserved from the time of its construction – when touring the monument, you see authentic 19th-century buildings. The structure is surrounded by an earthen rampart, a moat, and a wall, and access to the fortress is possible through one of the four gates (Giżycko, Water, Kętrzyn, or Gunpowder).
Boyen Fortress is not just a static monument. Many events are organized inside the fortress, including artistic events as part of the “Forge of Craft and Art” in the Armorer’s Workshop. Workshops, art exhibitions, and concerts are held there.
An important point in your trip plan should also be the swing bridge on the Łuczański Canal. You can stop by the bridge on the way to the Boyen Fortress. What is so interesting about this bridge? It is an old structure but very sophisticated and – for its time – exceptionally modern. The bridge was built at the same time as the Boyen Fortress – in the 19th century. Such bridges in Europe can be counted on one hand. Moreover, this bridge is not a typical monument, as it remains functional to this day.
The oldest monument in Giżycko, on the other hand, is the 14th-century Teutonic castle, which has been adapted into a luxury hotel with a restaurant offering many attractions. The castle was built in 1341 and over the centuries frequently changed its function. In the 19th century, when the Boyen Fortress was built, the former Teutonic castle served as the headquarters for its commanders. Today, the building houses the four-star Hotel St. Bruno. This luxury hotel is not only a place to sleep but the center of entertainment in Giżycko – here you will find a Wellness & SPA zone, entertainment area, and exquisite restaurant. The Teutonic castle building can be visited with a guide regardless of using hotel services.
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