Stay Smarter

One of the reasons to stay in Kętrzyn is the access to Wolf’s Lair (Wilczy Szaniec), Hitler’s former wartime headquarters, located only 8 km east in the forests beyond the town. An amazing tip is to be based in the hotel and get there early in the morning before the big tour buses from Warsaw and Gdansk arrive because then you can explore the huge creepy complex of ruined bunkers in much more atmospheric and less crowded circumstances. The hotel staff will be able to make arrangements for a local taxi for this short trip.

To scratch more of the amazing history of the region, a day trip can integrate Wolf’s Lair with an exploration of the Mamerki Bunkers nearby, much better preserved and former headquarters of the German Army High Command. Along the way, one can stop at the outstanding Baroque pilgrimage church in Święta Lipka, outstandingly beautiful and of prime importance in history. This makes for a really interesting and diverse day of sightseeing.

For the best taste of local cuisine, have one dinner in the hotel restaurant. It is highly recommended and a great chance to try out Polish, as well as regional specialties. Take a ‘pierogarnia’ along the town to taste various delightful kinds of Polish dumplings (‘pierogi‘), the national culinary pride.

Third, be smart to go touring with an available bicycle for rent at the hotel because Masurian Lake District is a biker heaven- thousands of kilometers of marked paths mixed with quiet country streets cutting across forests and by exquisite lakes. Even a short ride around the close by Lake Moj is a great and tranquil way to experience the fantastic beauty of the area.