Żywki: Find hotels and discover the village

Żywki was founded in the mid-16th century and lies on a lake of the same name. Two circular cycling routes pass through the village: the 37.5-kilometre black route and the 44-kilometre green route.

The village’s founding in the mid-16th century provides an early historical reference point. A former watermill from the early 20th century is now used as a residential building. The railway station building dates from 1908; there is also an object made of dressed stone in the village centre. Żywki thus offers a range of historical reference points, from its founding and buildings with different functions to a feature in the centre of the village.

Near Lake Żywki is a Protestant cemetery dating from the second half of the 19th century. The palace by the lake is also part of the village’s history: during the Second World War, the headquarters of the German 4th Army under General Friedrich Hossbach were housed there briefly. In January 1945, the palace was burned down by the Red Army. The cemetery and palace thus represent different chapters in the village’s history, from the 19th century to the events of the war.

A holiday resort is located in Żywki Park.

The 37.5-kilometre black cycling route is a loop that passes through Żywki. Other stops include Lake Żywy, Lipowo, Zagroda Żubrów, Możdżany, Lake Gołdapiwo, and Kruklanki. The green cycling route is 44 kilometres long and is also a loop. It runs from Kruklanki through Żywki, past Lakes Sołtmany and Gawlik, to Zagroda Żubrów, and through Puszcza Borecka to Lake Gołdapiwo, before returning to Kruklanki.

The green loop is 6.5 kilometres longer. Both routes include Zagroda Żubrów and Lake Gołdapiwo; Kruklanki is listed as a stop on the black route and as the start and return point of the green route. The distances and places listed give you two concrete points of comparison. Check the current route and conditions before setting out.

If you are looking for a hotel in Żywki, you can use your travel plans as a guide. If local history is your main interest, the historical sites mentioned provide suitable themes for planning; for a cycling trip, you can first compare the two routes by length and course. If you want to combine both, take into account both the historical sites and the loops.

Discover more destinations: Jagodne Wielkie, Lipińskie, Marcinowa Wola, Prażmowo, Łękuk Mały, Sterławki Wielkie, Gawliki Wielkie, Kruklanki.

How long are the two cycling loops?

The black loop is 37.5 kilometres long and the green one is 44 kilometres long. The green route is therefore 6.5 kilometres longer.

What is near Lake Żywki?

Near the lake is a Protestant cemetery dating from the second half of the 19th century. The palace by the lake was also where the headquarters of the German 4th Army were housed briefly during the Second World War.

What is located in the centre of Żywki?

There is an object made of dressed stone in the centre of the village.

For the broader travel overview: Giżycko.