Hop over to Masuria! 10 guest-loved guesthouses and farm stays

If Pedro Pascal ever wrote to us saying “Slowhop, send me somewhere I can experience something truly special, eat well and return to Hollywood fully recharged,” there’s a very good chance we'd send him right here. If you’ve heard the phrase “experience-based travel” and have been curious what it actually looks like in practice – this is your answer. What can you do here? Try goat yoga among the meadows of neighboring Warmia, then set up a picnic in the middle of a herd of curious goats. Taste ash-ripened cheese. Visit the animal nursery and attempt to pet all 140 of your new four-legged friends. Or roll up your sleeves and make your own cheese during a hands-on cheesemaking workshop. Your kids will throw their arms around you for the holiday of a lifetime, and your friends will beg for the address after seeing your amazing Instagram reels. No need to thank us. Just go and see it for yourself.

'We’ve known for a long time that being around goats is surprisingly joyful and wonderfully soothing for the soul. The hosts here know it too. Not far from Morąg, on the edge of Warmia in northern Poland, they’ve created a 92-hectare oasis built around pleasure and animals. There are 140 goats, mares, three dogs, a cat, geese and hens. Life on the farm is all about keeping the animals happy – and in return, they reward everyone with their Oberland farmer’s cheese, famous across the region. The hosts also have two cosy guest rooms for those craving nature, good food and the company of animals - obviously. Tried, tested, and absolutely loved. Now your turn!'.

Here’s how it works, folks: find a sitter for the kids and the pets (and your plants, if you have a lot of them) – trust us, it’ll be worth it. Set your GPS to Mikołajki. Once you get there, do yourself a favour and block all calls except from your family (yes, your phone lets you do that) and switch off the internet. What’s next? A sweet taste of true offline freedom, rediscovering the joys of analog life, and amazing food you will never forget. Karolina and Marek have created a fantastic space. Even though it's located right in the town, you can clear your head here better than on many Balinese mindfulness retreats. You can practice the sweet art of doing nothing, or go wild exploring local attractions (the marina, lakes, and bike trails). You can hunt for secondhand Scandinavian gems in Karolina and Marek’s shop, or just hang out with the other cool people here. We highly recommend all of the above.

'!!! Amazing place + amazing hosts !!! If you value peace and quiet, this is the spot for you. High standards, breakfast that’s absolutely UNBELIEVABLE, close to the town center… and the hosts – Karolina and Marek – are simply extraordinary people, full of positive energy. Przechowalnia Marzeń is a place we WILL definitely return to!! Thank you for the stay and the incredible hospitality!!! Cheers!'.

Meet the Frank Sinatra of Polish agrotourism. This legendary place is perfect for people who love amazing home-made food, the peace of the countryside, and a glass of cider made from old, traditional apples. The farm has five double rooms, two family rooms, and an apartment (your dog is welcome too!). There’s also Niwa, a seasonal orchard restaurant serving guests among the trees. While the kids run free and watch the ducks, cats, and dogs, the adults can finally enjoy some peace and quiet. If you want to show your kids what a real countryside holiday looks like – this is the place.

'A beautiful and well-kept place. Wonderful people, delicious breakfasts, and hearty dinners. Almost every day we were served something different – always local and seasonal. Mornings started with herbal infusions and healthy breakfasts that gave us energy for the whole day ☺️ And of course, the cider was excellent. The Niwa restaurant and the camp spa are just nearby, with plenty of lovely cycling trails and stunning lakes in the area. A perfect idea for a holiday in Poland.'.

If you dream of carefree holidays, just like the ones at your grandparents' house – this is the place for you. First: the house is simple, cozy, and relaxing. No distractions, just exactly what you need to feel at home. Second: we are sure you won’t stay inside for long! The area is perfect for exploring the best spots in Masuria. You can go to the nearby lakes, ride a bike through the fields, walk in the forest, jump on hay bales, or finally try horse riding. If you prefer to take it slow, there’s plenty to do too: watch the birds and animals, look at the clouds, observe a busy anthill, or walk the dogs to the village to get fresh eggs and milk.

'A fantastic spot, full of peace, birdsong, and the croaking of frogs :) Highly recommended for anyone who just wants to relax.'.

Join us at the table in our guesthouse in Hilly Masuria. The hosts will happily feed you from breakfast through dinner. You can see their love for Italy in the kitchen, but local flavors from the Warmia-Masuria region shine through too: risotto (Paweł’s speciality), pasta, bruschetta, but also cepelinai, Ukrainian dumplings, and all kinds of doughy delights like lazy pierogi, Silesian pierogi with sauce, pancakes, and crepes. They cook and bake vegetarian dishes, but if they can get good local fish, they’ll happily serve that too. What else do you need to know? This cozy place is right by the water. At the end of the garden, you’ll find a lake where you can relax in a hammock, take photos of the morning mist, or just enjoy the peace of nature – far away from noisy crowds, boomboxes, and cheap tourist snacks. Tempted?

'(...) it’s a wonderful place, not just because of the spacious house, relaxing surroundings, and charming lake. This is a home with a soul, created by the amazing hosts: Edyta and Paweł, and their dog Nela. They welcome guests with all their heart - preparing delicious breakfasts, serving aromatic coffee, showing you around the area, and even helping plan visits to local attractions. Places like this are the kind you return to - not just for the relaxation, but for the soul of the place itself.'.

A beautiful guesthouse in Hilly Masuria with four rooms and a lovely porch. There are three lakes nearby, and the food is legendary. The hosts don’t just cook – they also organize eco-friendly food markets and have a pantry full of treats. You can buy them on-site or have them shipped anywhere in the world. Guests love the amazing food, the stylish interiors, and the peaceful area. It’s a place where your worries melt away – just like the guests when they see the host cuddly cats.

'A fantastic place, full of peace and warmth. A wonderful hostess who always makes you feel welcome, helps with everything, and serves delicious meals. Breakfasts are huge and absolutely delicious, all made with fresh, local ingredients. The surroundings are calm and majestic. We wholeheartedly recommend this place and will definitely return when it gets warmer ;) PS. Cat lovers will be delighted - three adorable kitties that make you feel right at home.'.

The hosts of this pre-war school deserve an A+ for history, style, and hospitality. Where students once studied geometry, there is now a large communal table. This is where guests eat together and make new friends. One of our Slowhop host visited and wrote: "Wonderful is an understatement. This place is magical and deserves its great reputation. The heart of the house is the big kitchen table. That’s where the magic happens – on the plate and all around it.” We feel inspired. How about you?

'Everyone praises this place so much, it almost seems suspicious – so I went for a week with my dog, to see, taste, walk, and find out for myself… And I won’t be original – it was wonderful! Time definitely slowed down – the only sounds were crickets, the trails were totally empty, and the forests, lakes, meadows, and narrow roads formed green tunnels through trees that, fortunately, haven’t been cut down. The room was large and beautiful, with a bathroom and ceilings over three meters high. There are screens on the windows to keep the bugs out, though there weren't many mosquitoes anyway. Even the weather was perfect! How do they do it?! With kindness, care, and attention to guests’ needs, serving delicious meals for the body and interesting stories for the soul. I left totally charmed – now I’m one of their biggest fans!'.

This place has it all. The food is incredible, there’s a garden SPA, and a common room with board games for rainy days. Plus, the design is so beautiful you will fall in love with it immediately. It didn’t start like this, though it was once an old 1.5-hectare farm with a barn roof that was about to collapse. Now, it’s a dream. Guests gather for a communal breakfast, visit the beach right next door, or just relax with a good book. If you’re looking for a stylish last-minute getaway for your family or friends, we highly recommend Folwark. You won’t be disappointed!

'Every year, I have a special tradition: I visit one beautiful place from my list of favourites. On arrival, it turned out to fulfill everything I love most: history, beauty, design, nature, aesthetics, space, comfort, delicious food, jazz music, and warm, open-hearted people. It seems like there isn't much to do, but you still feel like you don't have enough time to enjoy it all.'.

Let’s be honest: this place got 16 bookings in just 7 days! So you’d better grab a spot fast – dates are disappearing quickly. The rates are reasonable, and there’s an excellent, budget-friendly breakfast waiting for you. Lake Purdy is just a short walk away, with a wooden pier and a nearby beach. To make things even better, there’s a forest spa with a jacuzzi, sauna, and salt cave (it costs a little extra, but it’s absolutely worth it!). The guesthouse sits on a pine-covered hill, with the forest right outside your window. Families will appreciate the spacious room, and if you need to burn off some extra energy, you can borrow one of four bicycles free of charge and pedal through the nearby hills, with the wind in your hair.

This is a place that the oldest Slowhop members have passed down in legends to the younger generations. You can come here for a farm stay if you’re traveling solo or as a small group, but if you plan to bring friends and their families, Danka, the host, will answer in true Polish style: “No problemo!” – and prepare the house exclusively for you. You can order breakfast, and of course, bring all your pets along. And activities? The options are endless: fishing (Danka says, “We know everything about the 80 lakes in the area. No one in Warmia and Masuria knows more about lakes and fish”), cycling – around Lake Pluszne and Lake Łańskie, along Gościniec Niborski. Paddleboards and kayaks – absolutely, they’re available. Plus, Danka is a hippotherapist, so you can try mindful training with a horse and gain a deeper understanding of these majestic animals. For the full list of possible activities, just ask the host – it’s a long one!

'We came just for the weekend, but thanks to the wonderful atmosphere of this place, we managed to fully recharge our batteries. The home is gorgeous, tastefully decorated, filled with old wooden furniture, and adorned with wildflowers. It’s the perfect spot for those who love being active - exploring, kayaking, visiting lakes, or walking in the forest - but also for anyone who prefers relaxing with a book on the porch or in a hammock. Breakfast is delicious and wonderfully varied, and you can really tell that Danka puts her heart into this place.'.