The Warta is the third longest river in Poland but the second – after the Vistula – that flows entirely within Polish borders. It is also – apart from the Vistula – the only river mentioned in the national Polish anthem.
We start our adventure in Santok connecting the Noteć and the Warta, where the long wharf was aptly combined with recreation and entertainment facilities, the boardwalk, places to relax and barbeque, roofed stage and access to toilets and showers – especially for our water afficionados. Once you are in Santok, visit the local Santok Museum (PL: Muzeum Grodu Santok) and the medieval gord on the other side of the Warta, easily accessible thanks to the ferry crossing.
Sailing 15 km down the river, we will reach Gorzów Wielkopolski, one of the cities with its “face” turned in the right direction, i.e. towards the river, and with several marinas, harbours, and mooring spots. There are many places in Gorzów Wielkopolski that are worth visiting on their own, such as the Gorzów Cathedral or the Jan Dekert Lubuskie Museum. The local harbour in Gorzów houses the oldest – and still functioning! – icebreaker “Kuna”, which was built in 1884 and can be boarded for a cruise down the Warta. From the river, you can see the entire promenade of Gorzów, including the Dominanta observation tower, which in 2007 received the anti-award “Makabryła” given each year to the worst-looking buildings in Poland. Was it well-deserved? You decide.
On our way to Kostrzyn, we will be surrounded by the unique Ujście Warty National Park, and 2 km in front of Kostrzyn, we will pass the Lubusz ferry crossing. The Warta is wide here, although you need to watch out for spurs which are often invisible to the naked eye and can reach 20-25 metres into the riverbed.
The remains of the Kostrzyn fortress look impressive and you can rest at the „Delfin” marina on the Warta or on a mobile marina on the Oder, opened in 2017.
