Augustów – the capital of water sports and active tourism

Augustów – admired by sailors, kayakers, rowers, water skiers and motor boaters. A thriving holiday resort wrapped up by the Augustów Primaeval Forest and dozens of lakes – Sajno, Necko, Białe, Rospuda, Studzieniczne – to name only the largest. The Augustów Canal, a monument of technology, is Augustów’s another tourist attraction. Covering the distance of 101.2 km, it links the territories of Poland and Belarus with a system of 18 locks, 14 of which located on Polish side. The lockage is a particularly thrilling experience when on a kayak, ship or sailing boat. The town’s magical aura makes it a perfect place for romantic gondola and ship cruises on the Augustów Canal with candlelit diners aboard. The water skiing cable car on Lake Necko is yet another of Augustów’s many attractions. The 740m long cable car sends the water skiers skimming on the surface of the water at 58 km/h. Every July Augustów hosts the International Water Ski Jumping Competition – Euroregion Niemen Cup, the largest such sporting event in Poland, gathering top European water skiers year by year. Recently renovated town centre, with Zygmunta Augusta Square filled with pubs, restaurants and cafes, is where the nightlife concentrates after an action-packed day on the lakes. The Mostowa Street leading from the centre to the boulevards on the Netta River is a popular route for romantic evening walks or a peaceful and relaxing family stroll.