Collection
Best Lakes in Poland
Poland's finest waters range from the alpine to the urban. Morskie Oko is the largest lake in the Polish Tatras, a glacial pool ringed by high peaks at the end of a popular valley walk. The Masurian Lakes form a vast glacial maze of connected lakes in the northeast, the country's prime sailing region, while Zakrzowek near Krakow is a flooded limestone quarry with startling turquoise water. Lake Malta in Poznan and Zemborzycki Lake in Lublin add easy city beaches and watersports.
Best Lakes in Poland
-
Zakopane
Morskie Oko
The largest lake in the Tatras, a glacial pool ringed by high peaks and the most popular mountain destination in Poland.
-
Olsztyn
Masurian Lakes
A glacial maze of interconnected lakes and forest in the northeast, Poland's prime region for sailing, kayaking and slow summers on the water.
-
Kraków
Zakrzowek
A flooded former limestone quarry with startling turquoise water and white cliffs, now a swimming park.
-
Poznań
Lake Malta
A long artificial lake close to the centre, lined with trails, a ski slope and a summer resort.
-
Lublin
Zemborzycki Lake
A big reservoir on the city's southern edge for beaches, walks and watersports in summer.
Poland's best lakes range from a glacial pool under the highest Tatra peaks to a maze of connected lakes in the northeast and a flooded quarry on the edge of a city. We chose these for the scenery and for how easily you can reach and enjoy each one, whether you want a hike, a sail or a swim.
The standouts
Morskie Oko is the famous glacial lake above Zakopane, ringed by peaks and reached on foot. The Masurian Lake District is the land of a thousand lakes and the heart of Polish sailing and kayaking. Closer to the cities, flooded limestone quarries such as Zakrzowek in Krakow turn a striking turquoise in summer.
When to go
Summer is the season for swimming, sailing and the warmest water, and it is when Masuria comes alive. For the mountain lakes, late spring to early autumn keeps the trails clear of snow. See the best hiking for the walks that reach them, and nature in Poland for the wider picture.