Around Gostynin lie about 60 lakes, which make up the geographical area of the Gostynin Lakeland. The town is located at the meeting point of the Kutno Plain, the Kuyavian Lakeland and the Płock Basin, in the Skrwa Lewa catchment area. Water and wooded landscapes thus set the scene for explorations between nature and Gostynin’s historic streets.

Lakes and protected nature

The protected areas reveal different aspects of the landscape. The Dolina Skrwy Nature Reserve focuses on the gorge of the Skrwa Lewa and its diverse forest communities, mainly oak-hornbeam forests. The Drzewce Nature Reserve also protects oak-hornbeam forests, here in the glacial valley of the Skrwa Lewa. In the Lubaty area, the protected landscape includes the natural surroundings of Lake Lubaty and the surrounding marshes and forests; part of the lake lies within its boundaries.

The Lucień Nature Reserve, on the north shore of Lake Lucieńskie, is different: it includes woodland and a 50-metre-wide belt of reeds. Some of Gostynin’s wooded areas are also protected within the Gostynin-Włocławek Landscape Park. Together, these areas highlight the contrasts between river landscape, lakeshore, marsh and forest, without reducing the surroundings to a single type of landscape.

Hiking trails and excursions

The routes described offer different starting and finishing points for walks and hikes. The green “Leśna pętla” is 15.5 kilometres long: it runs from Gostynin’s market square via Lake Bratoszewo, Brzozówka, Zalesie and Lake Gaśno to Gostynin railway station. The yellow “Szlak rynnowych jezior polodowcowych” starts at the station and passes Lakes Kocioł and Czarne, Ziejkowa and Lake Przytomne, heading towards Lake Skrzyneckie. Check trail conditions before setting out.

The southern section of the red “Bolesław Krzywousty” trail follows the route from Płock to Kutno through Gostynin. If you prefer to travel by bike, the central starting and finishing point of the local network of tourist cycling routes is here; its circular routes explore the area around the town. The routes offer different experiences: one hike follows a named sequence of lakes and places, while the cycling loops begin and end in Gostynin.

At the body of water at Bratoszewo on Dybanka Street, there is a supervised municipal open-air swimming pool every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the summer holidays; pedal boats are also available free of charge. This is a seasonal service. Before visiting, check whether these hours apply for the current season.

Discovering urban history through its buildings

Different periods of Gostynin’s architectural history sit side by side. The town hall was built between 1821 and 1824; its four-sided clock tower has an openwork crown. At Rynek 16, the former inn recalls the 1820s: it was built on Baroque foundations and cellars dating from the 18th century. A brick house at Floriańska 14 dates from 1828 and can be recognised by the two Tuscan columns on its façade.

Other buildings add to this picture. St James’s Chapel is a Neo-Gothic church built between 1883 and 1886. The Tadeusz Kościuszko Secondary School building at 3 Maja 15 was built between 1904 and 1907; it retains its original architecture, except for the historic parapets at the top. Kramów at Floriańska 23 was built around 1927 as modern municipal market halls or sales stalls. Gostynin’s railway complex dates from 1924, when the railway line reached the town.

The Miniszlak Wielokulturowego Gostynina also tells the story of the town. Established from July 2018 as a walkable urban route, it features eleven information boards at various locations around the town. The boards tell the stories of Germans, Poles, Russians and Jews who once lived in Gostynin. Every year, on the last Sunday in July, a traditional, lively indulgence fair in honour of the Apostle James takes place at St James’s Chapel.

Getting there and finding accommodation

The Kutno–Płock–Sierpc railway line, operated by Koleje Mazowieckie, runs through Gostynin; check the timetable before travelling. For road travel, Gostynin is at the junction of Voivodeship Road 573 from Nowy Duninów to Żychlin, its branch road 574 from Szczawin Borowy to Gąbin, and Roads 265 to Kowal and 581 to Krośniewice.

For your trip, you can weigh up the lakes, hiking trails, cycling routes and historic buildings in town.

Discover more destinations: Zwoleń, Kamieniec, Solec, Gostynin, Ostrów, Mława, Białobrzegi, Żuromiński.

Back to the regional travel overview: Masovia.