Mikolajki is a centre of Mazury Lake District.

Dubbed, somewhat poetically, "the Pearl of Masuria", Mikolajki occupies a strip of land between two lakes, Mikolajskie and Talty. In high season, the small town (population 4,000) transforms into a lively tourist hub. Crowds of holidaymakers mix with weekend and one-day trippers, ande the marina is jammed with sailing boats. Throughout the summer months, Mikolajki plays host to plenty of events including the Shanties Festival as well as prestigious regattas (notably the Journalists' Sailing Championships of Poland). Tourism is clearly the number-one business in this increasingly popular, neat and comfy town with a pleasant architecture and three bridges.

The most picturesque spots await you on Lake Mikolajskie, with a "civilised" appearance lent to it by the over 10 km-long quay, a haven for countless yachts. This is certainly the busiest marina in Masuria. Along the waterfront, you'll find kiosks with all kinds of delicacies, and if you like, you can also book a cruise here around Lake Iniardwy or to Ruciane and Gilycko. A few steps away is the tremendously popular Sailing Village with its cluster of evocatively named tavernas patronised by boaters from all across Masuria who yarn about their adventures while downing beer after beer. To sail on the Great Masurian Lakes or visit Masuria without calling at Mikolajki would be an unforgivable oversight. Even if you value nature more than shanties and beer, you're bound to enjoy this short relapse into civilisation.

The 710-hectare Luknajno Reserve near Mikolajki is home to around a 1,000 couples of mute swans. This is the biggest colony of these birds in Poland and one of the biggest in Europe. In 1977 Lake Luknajno was inscribed on the UNESCO list of Biosphere Reserves and in the following year it was embraced by the international Ramsar Convention which protects wetlands of great natural value and important as waterfowl habitats.