Discover Lötzen: city, water and culture
Accommodation in Lötzen
Lötzen (Giżycko) lies in the heart of the Masurian Lake District. Here, historic buildings meet canals, lakeshores and opportunities for cycling and boat trips. When planning your trip, it is worth deciding in advance whether you want to focus on the fortress and the city’s history, active outings or experiences on the water.
Fortress and city history
Twierdza Boyen covers about 100 hectares. Its layout forms an irregular six-pointed star; the fortress is located on the so-called Wyspa Giżycka. In Giżycko, the fortress stands on the isthmus between Lakes Kisajno and Niegocin and is considered the city’s greatest attraction. The site therefore provides a distinctive historical landmark for your trip.
The water tower, also known as Wieża Wodna, offers another glimpse into the city’s history. Built in 1900, it supplied Giżycko with running water until 1997 and has now been restored. The tower also serves as a viewpoint; it includes a café and a small gallery with souvenirs related to the city’s history.
An evangelical church dating from 1827 stands on Plac Grunwaldzki. It is a venue for organ concerts in Giżycko. St. Bruno’s Church on Pionierska Street is considered Giżycko’s oldest Catholic church and lies on the Mazurska Pętla Rowerowa. This makes it possible to include different aspects of church and city history in your trip.
Waterways and excursions
An architecturally remarkable footbridge crosses the Łuczański Canal. It is illuminated in the evening and invites you to take a walk. The swing bridge over the canal is a different structure: it is considered a technical monument unique in Europe. Both bridges connect a visit to the city with the special role of its waterways.
Pasaż Portowy also provides access to the waterfront: a footbridge and a pier by the water lead to a viewing terrace overlooking Lake Niegocin and to the Giżycko pier. If you want to head out on the water, Żegluga Mazurska offers full-day and round trips lasting from one to three and a half hours. The operator maintains a landing stage in Giżycko; the main harbor is also located there, and excursions by passenger ship are recommended from here. Check the current timetable before making plans.
Eko Plaża Giżycko is located where Lake Niegocin meets the Niegociński Canal. This publicly accessible recreation and tourism complex offers SUP board, kayak and boat rentals. If you plan to rent equipment, it is advisable to check current availability in advance.
Cycling route, viewpoints and active experiences
Wzgórze św. Brunona has a rest area, barbecue shelters and an observation tower. The hill lies along the 300-kilometre Mazurska Pętla Rowerowa. The eastern section of the Mazurska Pętla Rowerowa runs from Pisz to Węgorzewo via Giżycko and is 103 kilometres long. These two figures refer to different scales: the route of the full cycling trail past the hill and the length of its eastern section.
For another active experience, the Wiewióra rope park is located in Giżycko. Its ziplines run above the forest lake Popówka Mała; there are also obstacle courses for younger and older visitors.
Discover more destinations: Prażmowo, Kruklanki, Jeziorowskie, Bogaczewo, Fuleda, Jagodne Małe, Wydminy, Lipińskie.
Return to the main travel overview: Lötzen.
