Sztynort is the informal home of Polish sailing — a historic marina, the Lehndorff Palace, good restaurants and the whole atmosphere of the Great Masurian Lakes. From Gajówka you reach it in about 15 minutes by car. So you stay close to harbour life, but you sleep in the quiet of the forest rather than in a crowded port.
How far is Sztynort from Gajówka?
About 15 minutes by car. Close enough to drop in for lunch, an evening at the sailing club or a day out on the water — and far enough that you can sleep in peace, away from the noise of the harbour. We are in the forest at Leśniewo 13, near Węgorzewo; for navigation use Surwile or Kamień, and we send the exact address once your booking is confirmed.
That short drive is the point of staying here. A lot of guests like the idea of Sztynort but not the idea of sleeping in a packed marina in July, with rigging clinking and music carrying across the water until late. From Gajówka you get the harbour by day and the forest by night. The road runs through woods and small Masurian villages, so the journey itself is part of the holiday rather than a chore. There is plenty of room to park your car and a trailer at the lodge, which helps if you are towing your own dinghy or bringing kayaks.
A rough sense of the surroundings, all measured from Leśniewo 13:
| Destination | Distance / time |
|---|---|
| Sztynort (marina, palace, sailing) | 15 min by car |
| Lake Mamry — nearest access | about 5 min by car |
| Mamerki bunkers (Mauerwald) | 2 km — a forest walk or about 10 min by car |
| Węgorzewo (town, shops) | about 12 km |
| Wolf's Lair (Wolfsschanze) | 30 km — about 35 min by car |
| Boyen Fortress, Giżycko | about 45 min by car |
Sztynort — what is worth knowing
Sztynort sits on a peninsula by Lake Mamry and has grown around its marina. A short list of what people come for:
- The marina — one of the larger and well-known sailing harbours in Masuria, and a launch point for the Great Masurian Lakes trail (Mamry, Kisajno, Dargin and on from there).
- Lehndorff Palace — the historic, atmospheric seat of the Lehndorff family, linked among other things to the resistance against Hitler. The building is being restored; check what is open to visitors before you set off.
- Where to eat — near the marina we recommend, from our own experience, Baba Pruska and Córka Rybaka (good fish soup). Prices are on the higher side, but the quality is worth it. Book a table in season.
- The sailing club — in season the evenings come alive here; a good option for a night out.
Sailing from Sztynort, in plain terms
Sztynort opens onto Lake Mamry, the second-largest lake in Poland, and from there the Great Masurian Lakes link up by channels into a long navigable route. You do not need to own a boat to enjoy it: charter yachts, motorboats and water scooters are available at the marina, and many crews simply take a few hours on the water before mooring up again for the evening. If you sail your own boat, Sztynort is a sensible overnight or a place to top up supplies. Whether you are an experienced skipper or trying it for the first time, treat the harbour as your daytime base and the lodge as the calm place you come back to.
On the weather: Masuria is changeable, and wind on the open lakes can pick up quickly, so check the forecast in the morning and keep an eye on it. The main season runs roughly from late spring through summer into early autumn, when the marina, the club and the restaurants are busiest. Outside that window things are quieter — pleasant for walking and history, with fewer boats on the water. Either way, the lodge works year-round, with the sauna and wood-fired hot tub coming into their own once the evenings turn cool.
Why stay at Gajówka?
We are a historic forester's lodge from around 1880 with three apartments, set in the forest. The nearest access to Lake Mamry is about 5 minutes by car, and we have our own small lake about 15 minutes' walk through the trees — a place to fish (free for guests) and picnic, not a sandy beach. You can choose:
| Unit | Guests | From |
|---|---|---|
| Gajówka (the whole lodge) | 12 | 1000 PLN / night (season 1400) |
| Wilcza Polana apartment | 6+2 | 450 PLN / night (season 1000) |
| Sen Gajowego apartment | 6+2 | 450 PLN / night (season 1000) |
| Leśne pogaduchy apartment | 6+2 | 450 PLN / night (season 1000) |
On site there is a wood-fired hot tub with open-air cinema (250 PLN/day), a barrel sauna (150 PLN per session, about 2 h), a seasonal pool (4.3 × 2.5 m), our own fishing lake (free for guests), a fire pit and forest all around. We are pet-friendly, so you can bring your dog. The lodge has scored 9.8/10 on Booking.
Prices are a guide — we confirm the exact rate after your enquiry.
Planning to sail or visit Sztynort?
Keep a quiet base 15 minutes away. → Check available dates or call Kamila: +48 574 753 831.
Around the lodge
The full list of attractions around Węgorzewo is on our home page. Boyen Fortress in Giżycko is about 45 minutes by car, and the town of Węgorzewo is roughly 12 km away.
Frequently asked questions
How far is it from Gajówka to Sztynort?
About 15 minutes by car from Leśniewo 13.
Is there a beach for swimming in Sztynort?
Not for swimming — the bottom is muddy, and Sztynort is mainly a marina and a launch point. For sandy beaches we point guests to nearby Leśniewo (a quiet zone, about 5 min by car), Solecka beach in Węgorzewo (shallow, good for children) and the coves around Radzieje.
Can you set off onto the Great Masurian Lakes from Sztynort?
Yes — it is a well-known launch point for the Great Masurian Lakes trail (Mamry, Kisajno, Dargin and beyond). Yacht and water-scooter rentals are available there.
Where is good to eat in Sztynort?
From our own experience we recommend Baba Pruska and Córka Rybaka (good fish soup) near the marina. It is worth booking a table in season.
How many people can stay with you?
Four units from 6 to 12 guests, up to 30 in total — a single apartment or the whole forester's lodge. We are pet-friendly.
Distances measured from Leśniewo 13, 11-600 Węgorzewo. Details about Sztynort (marina, dining, sailing club, palace) are current as of June 2026 — please check opening hours and any ticket prices on the official sources before you arrive. Accommodation prices are a guide and confirmed after your enquiry. By phone we speak Polish and English (Mr Janusz also Russian); for German please write by email or WhatsApp.