Located in the heart of Masuria, Mikołajki is a popular resort town with a history dating back to the 15th century. It was originally named “Nickelsdorf” (after Saint Nicholas) and formed part of the State of the Teutonic Order before becoming a fiefdom of Poland at the end of the Thirteen Years’ War. Today, it lies within the Masurian Lake District and is famed as a winter destination for ice sailing.
Things to do in Mikołajki
Don’t miss the Polish Museum of the Reformation, which houses an important collection of Polish literature and photographs detailing the history of Masuria. It lies adjacent to the Church of the Holy Trinity, a 19th-century Lutheran church topped by a square bell tower and spire. Step inside to admire its stained glass windows before strolling through the surrounding garden.
Travelling with kids? They'll love spending a day at Park Wodny Tropikana, a family-friendly leisure complex with both indoor and outdoor pools. In addition to its paddling pool and 20-metre wave pool, there is a lazy river and a water slide. Parents can take advantage of the saunas and jacuzzis, as well as the salt and ice caves.
A short drive east of Mikołajki is a lookout point offering sweeping panoramas across Poland’s largest lake, Sniardwy. It was created by a retreating ice sheet and is dotted with eight islands that can be explored by boat. Sniardwy is connected to several other lakes and scenic inlets that are collectively known as the Masurian Lake District.
Getting around Mikołajki
Mikołajki is just over an hour’s drive from Olsztyn-Mazury Airport, which has limited flights to destinations across Europe. The much larger Warsaw Chopin Airport is 3.5 hours away. Regular buses connect to Mikołajki and the town centre is small enough to explore on foot.