The City of the Waterlily

Will you find many places in Poland where you can freely breathe fresh air, bathe in a lake, walk to the woods to pick wild flowers and fruits, and later drink spring clear water straight from the tap?
Ełk and the neighboring area meets the expectations of all those who wish to relax in a natural environment and hide in deep forests far away from the city tumult. Everyone will find something for themselves here: hotels, guest houses, and recreation centers, as well as agri-tourist farms, camping sites and wild beaches.
The hospitable Mazury Lakeland has a lot to offer: picturesque forests, lakes, hills, broad plains and valleys. The area is a true paradise for lovers of active recreation. The diversified tourist offer includes sailing, canoeing trips, survival, angling, wild mushroom picking, biking, hiking, windsurfing, cross-country skiing, horse-riding, equestrian therapy, forest and underwater hunting, trips down a historic narrow-gauge rail track, and numerous special events, parties and festivals that draw thousands of visitors to the region. A large part of the Ełk Lakeland includes protected areas, which will fascinate both amateur naturalists and professionals. The rich offer of farm tourism industry is an attractive alternative for family holidays.

Ełk is located in the Mazury region, the center of the "Green Lungs of Poland". The city is not only a major tourist center, but also a rapidly transforming place where business, services, industry and trade are developing in accordance with the requirements of the natural environment. This is why it can be called a city of sustainable development. The role the city plays in the region makes it an attractive place for both domestic and foreign investors. It offers numerous plots of land and structures to be developed. The most attractive ones are located along the lake shores and roads.
Since 1992, the "Ełk - an Ecological City" program has been carried out. The program is regarded as one of the best in Europe and has been awarded with the prestigious Ford Award. Since then, the city has been consistently implementing subsequent projects, which has helped it build a state-of-the-art sewage treatment and water purification plant, which are one of the best in Poland. What is more, it has reclaimed a lake, limited air pollution emissions, effectively promoted ecological sources of energy, and expanded a network of bike routes. Moreover, Ełk, is one of the few cities in Poland that has become a signatory of the European City Charter for Eco-development.