Summer holidays in Poland? Sure! And it doesn't necessarily have to be a trip to the tourist-packed Władysławowo or Szklarska Poręba. In terms of excitement Poland has really much more to offer. There are very few countries with such a diverse landscape and such a rich ecosystem. Mighty forests, beautiful lakes, high mountains, dunes and shifting sands, vast, almost wild marshes, naturally preserved rivers: there really is a lot to choose from.

Where is it worth going and what you should see to really feel and appreciate the extraordinary beauty of Polish nature? Below we recommend five places that will delight everyone: from the biggest nature connoisseurs to people preferring to spend time in wind blocker labyrinths at the beach or stall-ridden walks at the foot of the Tatra Mountains.

In the West Pomeranian Voivodeship near Gryfino there is a magical forest called Krzywy Las (The Crooked Forest). No one knows exactly how it came to be and this mystery continues to torment researchers to this day. The Crooked Forest has the status of a natural monument and has about 50 unusually shaped, crooked pine trees (hence the name). The tree trunks are all bent by almost 90 degrees all in the same direction.

Depending on the light - it can look magical, scary or disturbing. It's one of nature's rarities that is worth seeing with your own eyes, even though it has been photographed countless times. Maybe now is the best time?

This tourist trail is located in Lower Silesia between Jawor and Wleń. The Kaczawa Basin is the only place in Poland where you can find so many cone-shaped rocks which are the remnants of numerous volcanoes.

A walk among these formations can be a dream come true for an aspiring geologist who is able to see with their own eyes the traces of lava crystallisation and volcanic chimneys protruding above the horizon.

The Great Masurian Lakes (pol. Kraina Wielkich Jezior Mazurskich) are both the most beautiful and the most impressive, but they are not the only ones worthy of your attention in Poland. The Turquoise Lake located in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship is also definitely worth seeing even though it is neither the largest nor the deepest.

It simply boasts an unusual colour and captivates everyone who sees it. The surface of the lake is a juicy blue-green colour, which is the effect it owes to light reflecting from the chalky white substrate deposited on its bottom. The reservoir was created as a result of flooding of the calcium carbonate mine that had once operated in this place.

The Błędowska Desert was "accidentally created" by man on the border between the Lesser Poland and Silesian Voivodeships. The land became barren due to massive tree felling. The clearing of forests destroyed the soil and exposed a layer of loose sands that accumulated in the area 2-3 million years ago.

A specific microclimate developed in the region: not only dunes were formed but also sandstorms can be observed there. Despite this, the sandy area is not technically a desert at all as there is too much humidity for true desert conditions to prevail there.

Sharp bends, a rushing river and protruding mountain ridges on both sides: this is what the Dunajec Gorge in the Pieniny Mountains looks like. Rafting along the picturesque gorge is a must if you want to really experience the power of nature.

While travelling down the river views change rapidly: from wooded slopes to bare rocks. Fortunately you are accompanied by some local guides so the river’s twists and turns aren’t as dangerous as you might expect. It’s the beauty of the mountainous region that really matters.