Giżycko is the largest town in the Mazurian Lakes and the practical hub of the region: marinas, boat hire, provisions, equipment, and transport connections. It sits on the isthmus between two large lakes — Lake Niegocin to the south and Lake Kisajno to the north — connected by a rotating railway bridge, the only one of its kind in Poland, which swivels open to let sailboats through.
The town has a good yacht marina, a beach, and a pleasant lakeside promenade. The main historical attraction is Boyen Fortress, a large 19th-century Prussian fort at the edge of town that has been well-preserved and opened to the public. Most visitors use Giżycko as a base or a supply stop rather than a destination in itself, but the fortress and the lake views justify a day.