Tiny Houses Vol. 2

Mała Ziemia earned a record number of admirers as soon as it appeared on our Facebook page (click here), and we’ll bet that Warsaw residents were largely to blame. Greetings from the Masovian region. Meet Monika and Michał – the creators of it all – who managed to fit everything you need for relaxation into 35 m² just outside the capital.

The sloped-roof cabin, styled like a modern barn, blends beautifully with the surroundings and with what’s inside: a minimalist layout, calming colors, and a wall stocked with little delights. There’s plenty to catch your eye: an album of Accidentally Wes Anderson photos here, a bird guide and binoculars there, a handful of games, even a kaleidoscope. The cabin stands on a wooded meadow, its large window facing south, so you get abundant light year-round. You can bask in the sun from dawn to dusk, then head to the sauna tucked among the trees. Yoga fans will love the spacious deck, mats for practice, incense, and that Monika knows her stuff and will gladly lead a private session.

“Contact with the hosts was wonderful; they answered every question quickly—thank you! Mała Ziemia itself is an absolutely amazing place, quiet, peaceful, relaxed, with almost no cell service. The cabin has literally everything you need, the books on the shelves are really interesting, and there’s even binoculars for observing the surroundings at leisure. Nearby you’ll find a local shop called Kaczorek, a bit further there’s a Dino or Biedronka supermarket. Highly recommend this place—you can really unwind here! Watch out for insects in the evening; there are plenty of them! :)”‍

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Slowhop’s take

People come here to unwind, so we recommend leaving any big work plans behind—your phone plays hide and seek and the internet is hit or miss. Mała Ziemia welcomes adult travelers (18+). Pets are welcome.

We don’t know about you, but we look back on vacations in a caravan with a tear in our eye… well, except for those midnight dashes to the loo, which killed our REM sleep better than a double espresso. That’s why we did a little happy dance when we saw this colorful camp by Lake Przywidzkie in Kashubia, northern Poland. Real tiny houses on wheels, each with a lake view, its own bathroom, and interiors that would make some trailers jealous. There are 11 cheerful cabins in total, measuring 13 to 18 m² and sleeping 4–6 guests each. Inside you can sleep, cook, and even take a proper shower without queuing. The lake? Visible right from the window. You can explore it on a SUP, pedal boat, kayak, or swim. And the best part—you won’t find any rowdy, boozy parties around a disposable fire pit with questionable music blasting—here, silence is respected, and everyone adapts to it equally.

“We spent Easter in the soul-soothing ‘Melisa’ cabin and are already planning to spend Christmas there too. The view of the lake is stunning BUT most importantly—there’s plenty of peaceful quiet that all the neighbors abide by, making it incredibly pleasant.”‍

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Slowhop’s take

For those who like activity, we recommend this exercise: hop on a bike and circle Lake Przywidzkie. It’s a challenging route, but you can just ride part of it. Then pump up your arms: hop into a kayak and paddle, but not so hard that you wear yourself out. You’re welcome.

You know what parents dream of on vacation? Silence. Actually, we bet it’s not just them. Ewa and Nour figured this out, built a glamping site near Poznań in west-central Poland, and decided—sorry, not sorry—that it’s adult only. And that’s with a caveat: no boozy bashes are allowed. Offline Glamping is all about peace, quiet, relaxation, and contemplation. Guests love it—since debuting on Slowhop, the place has been collecting rave reviews, and the resident dog, Koka, is always ready to fetch a ball for new friends. As for sleeping: there are two 35 m² cabins, an on-site spa area with a tub and sauna, plus a hammock zone for napping. If you enjoy sunbathing, you’ll appreciate the two decks next to each cabin where you can lounge like a cat.

“A fantastic place to relax and disconnect from the rush of everyday life. We spent two chilly days warming up in the sauna and the tub, which was a surprising experience for us. We reached peak relaxation […] The grounds are beautifully and atmospherically lit. The Woda cabin was spotless, high-standard, with a comfortable double bathtub you’ll wish was in your own home ;) We wholeheartedly recommend it!”‍

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Slowhop’s take

Ewa and Nour strongly encourage guests to unplug, but the choice is yours. You can get reception if you need it, but Dr. Slowhop prescribes airplane mode. Sauna is included in your stay!

This is the kind of place that melts the heart of any slow traveler, and one of those addresses you should note if you have kids. On 7 hectares of greenery, Daria and Tomek run a cheerful farm and an agrotourism homestead with two idyllic cabins. There’s a pasture, two orchards, a forest, a garden, even streams. The animal crew at Sękiewiczówka includes horses, a flock of chickens, three cats, and two dogs. A true countryside with a host of rural activities. If you’d like to spend some time with them, nothing stops you. You can collect eggs, feed and pet the animals (if they allow it), or try your hand at riding—hosts offer horse riding lessons and even horse camps for kids and teens. The small cabin is 25 m² and sits by an old orchard near the hosts’ house. It has four beds (two in a loft), a covered porch, and a wood stove. It’s fenced, but a curious pony might poke its nose in the window. Nobody minds. The hosts can deliver a basket of goodies, and if you get bored watching the clouds, you can head to Biecz, Gorlice, or paddle along Lake Kalimówka.

“Sękiewiczówka is a place full of magic. My wife and I always escaped to the Bieszczady before city life got too loud, not knowing we had this treasure under our noses, just a stone’s throw from Kraków. Daria and Tomek created a refuge that made us relax for the first time in ages—just by doing nothing, listening to birdsong, watching the animals and forests around us. In the afternoon, Tomek entertained us with fascinating horse stories (I wish history teachers did classes like this). Fresh bread, pickles, and eggs from happy hens filled our bellies every morning. For the first time in our travels, we felt like guests, not clients. Thank you so much. We’ll be back, that’s for sure. And to the dear reader, we recommend you spend your next free weekend there, far from civilization, in the Low Beskids, in a little paradise made with all the love by Daria and Tomek.”‍

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Slowhop’s take

Just go there. If we haven’t convinced you, look at that goat.

Two hours from Warsaw. That’s how long it takes to be surrounded by fields and meadows, sipping cider with a view of an orchard. This view could be a Windows wallpaper, but we swear—it’s in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains of south-central Poland. We’d send all the sporty types to Ania and Jędrek. The hosts run, swim, cycle, publish a magazine for mountain runners, and for years have organized the Swimrun Wióry race with an afterparty in the orchard. As you might guess, lacking other distractions, they opened up to guests. The cabin sits on the site of an old shed, next to the hosts’ home and a historic barn. It’s painted a beautiful pumpkin shade, has four beds, and windows overlooking the orchard. If the view of apples ever bores you, you can hike up Łysa Góra, or hop on an MTB to try the singletracks in the Jeleniowskie range—and afterwards, unwind in the sauna.

“I spent a wonderful weekend with Jędrek and Ania. I especially recommend it to nature and sport enthusiasts. In the morning, I was surprised by a lovely breakfast served in a charming glass barn with a view of the orchard supplying apples for their homemade cider 😍 Jędrek and Ania took me on a running tour in the mountains where we spent a few very pleasant hours. A place absolutely worth recommending for a short or longer stay.”‍

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Slowhop’s take

The hosts will share their secret spots: where to get bread, free-range eggs, and award-winning wine. Psst: Give the loft beds to the kids—the lower sleeping area has the best view :P

We know at least three reasons to visit Grandfather’s Cabin for a holiday. First: fish. Carp and trout. Fried, grilled, in sauces or soups. And from the pond too, because Grzesiek and Aneta have run a family fish farm and the Pstrągowo restaurant for 25 years. Second: turtles. Did you know the European pond turtle is the only turtle native to Poland? It lives in Polesie National Park, where there’s a Center for the Protection of the European Pond Turtle. You can visit the center to meet the turtles or spot them lounging on Grandfather’s Cabin’s pier on sunny days. Third: the Czahary and Spławy nature trails, with boardwalks over peat bogs and swamp forests, are perfect for photo walks. The plan: walk the trails, fill your belly, then relax in the tub. After that, you’ll sleep like hibernating turtles—only not in mud but in a modern cabin with a sauna and a terrace.‍

Slowhop’s take

The Finnish cabin stands near its older sibling—Grandfather’s Cabin. It has a divine terrace over the water and is perfect for lounging after a fish-filled meal.

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A square (or really a triangle) in a survivalist style, but with stars. Love adventure? Don’t worry—we won’t make you hunt roast pork or sleep on planks. In Zaborze, they have two treehouse shacks connected by a deck. These 16 m² bedrooms stand 2 meters above the ground, have triangular windows looking into the green, and share a deck tub with neighbors. True, you have to walk a few steps to a shared bathroom, but that’s part of the experience. The tiny huts hold only what’s essential: a bed with fresh-smelling linens. Everything else awaits in the communal barn (about 50 steps from your shack). That’s where you’ll take care of your first and second priorities—and more, as the barn is the hub of homestead life. Besides toilets with showers, it has a dining and coffee corner, games, a play net, and even a hay loft. For a big appetite, try the Zaborze breakfast baskets, heaped with local goodies. For a smaller craving, wander the yard and help yourself to raspberries right off the bush; no one will chase you with a pitchfork. Three hectares of organic garden mean there’s plenty for everyone. Finally, there’s a ropes course with a zip line—need we say more?

“Zaborze 47 charmed us with its peaceful, laid-back vibe. This is an off-the-beaten-path spot among fields, perfect for relaxing and doing absolutely nothing. The hosts are very friendly, and the place is equipped with swings, hammocks, trampolines—ideal for chilling in more or less active ways. Breakfasts are made with local, natural produce: delicious cheeses, homemade cold cuts, and more. We visited at the end of October but got summer weather—lots of sun, autumn colors in the fields, and natural wooden structures made the scenery magical and cozy. On-site sauna and tub with plenty of firewood to keep you warm all night. You’ll easily find your own way to unwind close to nature.”‍

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Slowhop’s take

Zaborze 47 is an agro-tourism homestead with several buildings. In the treehouse, you’ll get both privacy and adventure. You can choose a two-person shack or bring a kid and send them to sleep on the net loft—they won’t hold it against you.

They say elders deserve respect, and we wholeheartedly agree. When Asia and Darek asked if there was room for a 1939 granary on Slowhop, we didn’t even blink. Especially since it’s in the village of Ropki, a slow-travel gem akin to the less-crowded parts of the Sudetes or Bieszczady, where people foster community, honor past residents, and keep architectural harmony. The granary once stood in a neighboring village, but the hosts moved it beam by beam under an old linden tree and reassembled it like a puzzle. The 25 m² cabin has a loft sleeping four and a kitchenette right by the door to the deck. Cooking is worth it for that view inside and out on the deck, though we’d just stick to breakfast. For lunch or dinner, head to the neighbors—at Swystowy Sad, Grażyna serves vegetarian breakfasts and dinners.

“A very atmospheric place, created with great style and design. The size of the apartments, the dining area with a wood stove, so rare in these dimensions and so meticulously equipped. The surroundings are fairytale-like, as if from a secluded Swiss village. And the host is kind and helpful in every aspect. Definitely recommend this spot.”‍

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Slowhop’s take

Next door (but at a safe distance from the granary) is a larger K.Ropki cabin you can rent as a whole or by apartment.

We couldn’t resist offering you a yurt. An intimate, elegant tent is the perfect urban escape. Once you flop down in a yurt, you’re too relaxed to do much—so why not? Well, maybe stick your head out for some sun, watch clouds through the skylight, soak in the jacuzzi, swing in the hammock, and check that the tub is level. It’s 35 m², sleeps four, has a chill-out terrace, and all the creature comforts you need—no need to hunt for attractions when everything’s right here. We’re fans.

“A very pleasant place, thoughtfully designed and surrounded by nature. The first rays of sun in the yurt through the skylight—absolutely wonderful ;) Add to that a comfortable sauna, atmospheric jacuzzi, and beautiful fruit trees. Highly recommend!”‍

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Slowhop’s take

You can sleep in one of two yurts or a tiny house on wheels with a view. No need to bring your own bikes—they’re provided on-site.