Planning a route across regional borders requires good logistics, especially when we are interested in a varied one-day trip to the Masuria region. Although the Brodnice Lake District offers peace and quiet, the proximity of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship means that within a few dozen minutes by car, you can change the landscape even more.

For those who value mobility, a one-day trip to Warmia and Masuria is an opportunity to learn about local culture without the need for constant packing. Below we present proven destinations that combine SPA relaxation with discovering northeastern Poland.

Brodnice Lake District and Głęboczek SPA

Before setting off, it is worth taking a look at the base. Głęboczek Vine Resort & Spa is located by Lake Forbin. This location is conducive to relaxation but also activity.

The place’s distinguishing feature is the Vine SPA concept, based on vinotherapy and treatments using natural ingredients. The wellness area includes an indoor pool, year-round Jacuzzi (also outdoor), and a sauna world with a flower bath and Finnish sauna. An interesting element is the health zone with a vitality pool at around 12°C, allowing safe winter swimming regardless of the season.

The culinary aspect of the stay is provided by the Morellino restaurant. Chef Marian Frankowski creates an original seasonal menu based on products from local suppliers. In winter, the facility organizes activities for families and snow games, which combined with the proximity of ski slopes creates a coherent leisure offer. However, if you plan a longer stay, it is worth including at least one one-day trip to the Masuria region in your calendar. Here are 5 specific destinations.

Kurza Góra – a one-day trip to Warmia and Masuria

This is the geographically closest point that allows you to experience the Masurian atmosphere actively. Kurzętnik, about 15-20 minutes by car, offers attractions year-round. In winter, the Kurza Góra Ski Center operates here with snow-covered downhill slopes.

In spring and summer, the main attraction is the observation tower with a treetop path. The nearly 2-kilometer wooden structure gradually ascends, making it accessible also for families with baby strollers. From the top, there is a panoramic view of the Drwęca valley. This is a good option for a short trip – the visit usually takes 2-3 hours, after which you can return to the resort for dinner.

Iława and Jeziorak – the sailing character of the region

Iława lies on Jeziorak, the longest lake in Poland. It is a town alive with water and sailing. Walking along the new promenade by the shore, you pass a modern yacht marina where hundreds of boats are moored. For fans of youth literature, this place is special – it was here that Zbigniew Nienacki set the adventures of Pan Samochodzik.

This option is worth considering if you are interested in a one-day trip to Masuria. Excursion ships, including vessels of the Ostróda-Elbląg Shipping Company, depart from Iława. A cruise on Jeziorak, with a view of Wielka Żuława Island (the largest inland island in Poland), is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon. The city center preserves a neo-baroque town hall and a Gothic Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord made of characteristic red brick. The drive from the Brodnica area takes about 35-45 minutes.

Open-air Museum in Olsztynek – an outdoor history lesson

If your trip aims to learn about old architecture and folk culture, the Museum of Folk Architecture in Olsztynek is the right address. It is one of the oldest and largest open-air museums in Poland. The ethnographic park grounds gather dozens of buildings: cottages, windmills, granaries, and blacksmith’s workshops relocated from the Warmia, Masuria, Powiśle, and Little Lithuania regions.

The area is vast and conducive to long walks. Interiors of buildings are open to visitors and furnished with original equipment, allowing a look into rural life in the 19th and early 20th centuries. During the summer season, craft fairs and sheep shearing demonstrations are held here. It is worth trying local products in the tavern on the museum grounds or buying herbs in the tasting room. Such a trip provides a solid dose of knowledge presented in an accessible form. The drive takes about an hour.

Ostróda and the engineering unique feature

Ostróda is a key water junction in the region. The town connects to the Elbląg Canal system, a unique technical monument on a global scale. Here, you can see ships pulled over land on special carriages via a system of inclined planes, overcoming terrain level differences. While a full cruise to Elbląg takes several hours, shorter trips from Ostróda allow you to see this mechanism in action.

The town itself offers a well-maintained waterfront of Lake Drwęca with a pier, amphitheater, and numerous cafes. It is worth seeing the Teutonic castle where Napoleon Bonaparte briefly resided. Ostróda is well connected and lies about 45-50 minutes away by car, making a one-day trip in this direction manageable for the driver.

Olsztyn – the capital with 16 lakes

The farthest but most diverse option is Olsztyn. The capital of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship combines history with modern recreational infrastructure. A must-see point is the Old Town with the High Gate and the Warmian Chapter Castle, where Nicolaus Copernicus served as administrator. On one of the cloister walls, you can still see an original astronomical board made by the astronomer’s hand.

Olsztyn is also about nature – within the city limits, there are as many as 16 lakes. The largest, Ukiel, has a developed Recreation and Sports Center with a city beach, water equipment rentals, and bike paths. The journey one way takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, so it is worth setting off early to make the most of the day.

One-day trip to Masuria – summary

The border region between the Kuyavian-Pomeranian and Warmian-Masurian Voivodeships offers great exploration opportunities. Whether you choose skiing in Kurzętnik or a stroll around Olsztyn’s old town, the base at Głęboczek ensures a comfortable return and regeneration. After a day full of experiences, a visit to the sauna or a massage at Vine SPA will help you relax effectively before new challenges.

Warmia and Masuria – 5 ideas for a one-day trip from Głęboczek