Morskie Oko, Tatra Mountains

The largest and most beautiful lake in the Tatra Mountains, a deep green-blue glacial lake beneath granite peaks, including Rysy, the highest mountain in Poland. A 9 km paved road leads up from Palenica Białczańska, about 2 hours on foot each way, or you can take a horse-drawn cart part of the way.

Climb on to the Czarny Staw, a higher lake, for an even better view. Book parking online in summer. Zakopane, the main resort, has wooden architecture, and the cable car up Kasprowy Wierch gives great mountain views.