Attractions in Manowce and the surrounding area
We have noticed that our guests spend their holidays in three ways. The first is pure relaxation – sunbathing and sipping drinks by the lagoon. The second is relaxation combined with various activities at Manowce and in the nearby area, such as swimming in the lagoon, kayaking, or cycling. The third includes both of the two previous options plus trips to attractions in the surrounding region, such as a boat or sailing cruise on the lagoon or a visit to an amusement park in Szczecin.
On this page, we describe activities that allow you to spend your time on the first two of these three ways. Attractions in the region, especially in Szczecin, are described on a separate page.
We have various outdoor activities to offer. We encourage outdoor activities, including forest running, kayaking, and cycling. Kayaks and bicycles are available for our guests free of charge at Manowce.
Families visiting us often ask about activities for children. We try to provide as many as possible, including some unique experiences, such as playing with our house cats or feeding the fish in the fountain.
Relaxation
Our guests’ favourite pastime is… doing nothing, simply enjoying a holiday retreat. The lawn by the lagoon serves as a relaxation zone in the garden between the palace and the water. The best way to sunbathe is to use our beach beds, which guests can place wherever they prefer – either in the sun or in the shade of the trees. Beach towels from the rooms can be placed on the beds. Those who prefer can also use a beach lounger for sunbathing.
For small children, we provide a rocking chair that makes it easy to put a baby to sleep, as well as a small beach umbrella to protect them from the sun. Both the sunbeds and loungers are available free of charge to our guests.
Relaxing in the garden is not just about sunbathing. We have two outdoor cafés with garden furniture – one next to the vegetable garden and another by the fountain. A garden table can accommodate breakfast or lunch for two people or coffee and drinks for a group. The best place to unwind is on the palace terrace overlooking the water, offering the most beautiful view of the Szczecin Lagoon. It is also our guests' favourite spot for evening drinks.
The garden
When the sun hides behind the clouds and sunbathing is no longer an option, we invite you for a walk in the garden. The garden was designed as a beautiful summer retreat, perfect for strolls. It is also an ideal place for a walk with a child. If a pram is needed, let us know – we can lend one. The garden path surrounding the property is about 350 metres long. A few laps are enough for a morning jog.
The garden design on the southern side of the palace consists of two flower beds, with walking paths converging at a small square near the palace, where there is a fountain with ornamental fish swimming in it. Around the fountain, there are garden benches where guests can relax and enjoy the sound of water. Each bench has a pull-out table for coffee or a small snack.
Near the palace, we have a vegetable garden, which our chefs use to source fresh vegetables and herbs for their dishes. Visitors can explore the garden paths, admire the crops, and even pick a garden strawberry or a wild strawberry to taste. Next to the vegetable garden stands a long pergola covered with vines. Garden lights hang above the pergola, making it a perfect spot for an evening glass of wine or a cocktail.
Outdoor games
During summer, we set up volleyball poles and a net on the lawn between the palace and the lagoon, creating a volleyball court. In the late afternoon or evening, when the sunbathers have left, volleyball games bring guests from different rooms together. If enough players join, they can enjoy a friendly match.
Another popular game at Manowce is badminton. On calm days, it can be played on the volleyball court, but if the wind is blowing from the lagoon, guests prefer playing on the lawns near the fountain. We provide a complete badminton set.
A storage box in the garden contains other outdoor games, such as quoits and croquet. We also have an XXL version of Jenga, perfect for outdoor play.
Water sports
Swimming
Being by the water without taking a dip? We encourage our guests to swim in the lagoon. The water is shallow, so adults must walk about 100 metres to reach deeper water for swimming. For floating, guests can borrow our inflatable mattresses. We also provide a child’s wetsuit for those who can swim but need some support, a swim ring for those who are less confident, and armbands for the youngest swimmers.
SUP Board
We offer four sizes of Aqua Marina SUP boards for our guests – one for men, one for women, one for teenagers, and one for young children. Each board is designed for stand-up paddling by a single user. Although SUP boarding seems simple and safe, we ask our guests to be cautious.
Kayaks
Guests staying at Manowce Palace can use our five two-person kayaks free of charge. A kayak trolley helps transport them to the lagoon shore. We provide guests with life jackets, paddles, and tips on the best kayaking routes for one- or two-hour excursions.
Indoor games
Billiards
For both beginner and advanced players, we offer a professional nine-foot pool table, the size used in tournaments. The playing surface measures 127 cm x 254 cm. We ensure that all cue sticks and billiard balls are of a high quality. We kindly ask that children under 10 do not play to avoid damaging the felt or breaking the floor tiles with a cue ball.
Darts
While electronic dartboards are common in hotels, we have opted for a traditional version. Our professional Winmau dartboard is mounted on the wall in the billiard room, and players can choose from a variety of darts. We request that children under 10 do not play, and that teenagers play only under adult supervision due to the sharp tips of the darts.
Board and Card Games
We have put together a library of board and card games at Manowce for rainy days and evenings. These are not online games but classic boxed games. We have a variety of games suitable for different ages and group sizes. Our goal was to gather the most popular games in the world for both children and adults. For the youngest guests, we have games such as Operation, Guess Who?, Twister, and Memory. For older children and parents, we offer some of the world's most popular games, including Monopoly, Uno, Dobble, which helps develop reflexes and memory, Ubongo, a game where players race to complete puzzle patterns, and Cluedo, a classic detective game for the whole family. For teenagers, we have Catan, a board game in which players take on the roles of settlers developing the newly discovered island of Catan. Of course, we also provide timeless classics such as draughts, bridge, and chess.
Massage
We invite guests of Manowce Palace to take advantage of massage treatments and wellness rituals performed by Agnieszka Kazaniecka. Agnieszka is a certified massage therapist and nutritionist. She studied food technology and human nutrition and was a professional volleyball player in first-league clubs. We provide the highest quality massage table – heated, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing.
Massages
- Full-body relaxation massage with warm oils.
A signature Ayurvedic massage performed using relaxation techniques. It incorporates warm massage oils with Ayurvedic scents. The massage covers all areas of the body (excluding intimate areas). Relaxing background music enhances the experience. Price: 30 minutes – 160 PLN, 60 minutes – 280 PLN, 90 minutes – 340 PLN - Therapeutic massage of a selected body area (e.g., back, head, face, legs, feet).
A classic massage with therapeutic elements, including myofascial release and deep tissue massage. It is performed using natural warm oils and physiotherapy tools. This treatment reduces muscle tension and stress. When applied to the face, it can help alleviate bruxism. Price: 30 minutes – 160 PLN, 60 minutes – 280 PLN - Kobido Japanese face massage.
The Kobido massage improves facial skin firmness and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. It involves deep tissue massage, relaxation, and lifting techniques. The treatment also reduces facial puffiness, relieves tension headaches, migraines, and tinnitus, and helps combat bruxism. Additional tools such as Chinese facial cups, Gua Sha stones, and kinesiotaping for the face may be used during the massage. Price: 75 minutes – 380 PLN - Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage.
Originating from Hawaii, Lomi Lomi is based on the harmony of body and soul. This massage induces deep relaxation and is performed with the intent of the person receiving it. Relaxing music plays in the background, and Palo Santo enhances the atmosphere with its calming scent. The Lomi Lomi Nui massage is performed with warm, natural oils. Price: 60 minutes – 420 PLN - Full-body peeling and relaxation massage.
This treatment includes a full-body exfoliation, followed by a relaxing full-body massage with hot aromatic oil. Price: 90 minutes – 420 PLN - Hot stone massage.
A deeply relaxing volcanic stone massage – an oriental therapy designed to relieve muscle and nerve tension and improve energy flow. The warm massage oil used in the treatment provides additional relaxation benefits. Price: 60 minutes – 300 PLN
Rituals
- Royal ritual.
Peeling body 20 min., body massage 60 min., face and head massage 30 min. Price: 110 minutes – 500 PLN - Slimming ritual.
Peeling body 30 min + anti-cellulite massage (Chinese cupping massage) 60 min. Price: 90 minutes – 380 PLN - Happiness ritual.
Peeling body + nourishing body mask + lifting face massage. Price: 70 minutes – 320 PLN
Sauna
During holiday stays at Manowce Palace, guests can use the bio-sauna free of charge. There are two common types of saunas: the Finnish sauna (also known as a dry sauna) and the steam sauna. A bio-sauna is a modern alternative to the traditional Finnish sauna – it is not as hot or dry as dry saunas, nor as humid as steam saunas. It is designed for individuals who struggle with high temperatures. The bio-sauna is gentler on the circulatory system and allows for longer sessions. Instructions on how to use the sauna are available in every guest room.
The electric heater ensures the correct temperature and humidity levels. We also provide aromatic sauna oils, which should be used cautiously according to the instructions. Guests can find a sauna towel in their room and are responsible for bringing appropriate sauna attire. The bathrobe provided in the room can be used as a sauna wrap.
Sauna reduces stress and fatigue, improves immunity, firms and enhances skin tone, increases physical endurance, and alleviates joint pain. However, not everyone should use it. Contraindications include post-heart attack conditions and coronary artery disease, blood clotting disorders, infectious diseases, cancer, glaucoma, and pregnancy.
Pets
Manowce Palace is a private home where our beloved pets also live: a dog, cats, and fish in the fountain. They can be an attraction for our guests, especially the youngest ones, but we will provide some guidelines on how to interact with them. At Manowce, only the cats are considered suitable pets for children to play with.
Cats. Our feline trio are named Lulu, Lala, and Lolo. Lulu is our oldest cat. She wandered in from the forest years ago and has lived with us ever since. Lulu later gave birth to Lala in the palace. Lala was raised with "palace manners", even though neither she nor Lulu are pedigree cats. If you like British Shorthair cats, you will love Lolo – our purebred British cat, though he is not even two years old yet. The cats are let outside at 10:00 AM and brought back inside before 7:00 PM, when they stay in a dedicated cat room. They usually spend the day inside the palace but sometimes go outdoors. We have various cat toys available, so children can play with them. If your child has been diagnosed with a cat allergy, please bring the necessary medication.
Dog. At Manowce, the dog is responsible for guarding the property, so we wanted a large breed, preferably a German Shepherd. We have a German Shepherd, whose name we share with interested guests. A dog kennel is located in the corner of the garden. We kindly ask children not to approach the kennel. If guests wish, they can meet our dog. Upon arrival at Manowce, we provide guests with the necessary information about interacting with him.
Fish. In the garden, we have a fountain, and in the surrounding pool, colourful koi carp swim. A highlight for our younger guests is the morning fish feeding, during which the fish eagerly gather around the food. Some even allow themselves to be gently touched on the back.
Horses
Szczecin and its surroundings boast several equestrian centres that specialize in horseback riding. Since Szczecin is a bit far from Manowce, our preferred choice is Stajnia Brzózki, located in a neighbouring village just a few minutes' drive from us. Many stables in Szczecin cannot compare to this facility. Stajnia Brzózki offers horseback riding for advanced riders, riding lessons for adults and children, as well as introductory lunge rides for beginners.
If our guests wish to visit Stajnia Brzózki, we ask them to inform us before arriving at Manowce with plenty of notice, specifying when and what type of riding they are interested in. We also need to know how many people will be riding and whether they are beginners or experienced riders. We will do our best to make a reservation for you. Advanced riders should bring their own equestrian attire if they have it.
When Manowce Palace was built nearly 120 years ago, it included a horse stable, a carriage house, and even a separate riding hall. The owners were passionate about horses and dogs. That era gave rise to the legend of the Black Lady on a White Horse – a mysterious woman who rode through the surrounding forest, followed by a pack of dogs. Unfortunately, there are no longer any horses at Manowce. However, we compensate for this by having cats!
Forest
Manowce Palace is located within the Ueckermünde Heath, Poland’s fifth-largest forest. It stretches over 30 kilometres westward from the shore of the Szczecin Lagoon. It is an ideal place for cycling, hiking, and leisurely walks.
Forest walks. A half-hour stroll is enough to take in the fresh forest air and listen to the rustling trees. You don’t have to walk between the trees – you can simply follow the road leading to Manowce, which is especially convenient when walking with a child. However, if you prefer to explore deeper into the forest, we recommend applying tick repellent beforehand. We advise against venturing too far, especially in the evening, as the forest is vast and easy to get lost in. A highly recommended walk is along the wild beach next to Manowce, particularly enjoyable with children.
Wildlife. While walking or hiking, you may encounter wild animals or at least hear their sounds and spot their tracks. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a roe deer or even a herd of deer between the trees. Some of our guests have even found antlers in the forest. If you spot any wildlife, we encourage you to take pictures. You don’t even need to leave Manowce to observe protected species in Poland, as large birds such as the red kite and white-tailed eagle often fly above the palace, nesting nearby. Additionally, the waters of the lagoon are home to various waterfowl, particularly swans and wild ducks. A group of about twenty swans permanently resides in the cove near the palace.
Hiking trails. For those interested in longer and more strenuous hikes, we recommend two routes:
- 3-hour trail: Walk to the Trzebież promenade and return via the same route. The hike takes about 75 minutes and 6 km one way. In Trzebież, you’ll find a sandy beach, bars, and cafés. Trail in Google Maps
- 1.5-hour trail: Walk to the scenic viewpoint over the Szczecin Lagoon and return via the same route. The hike takes about 35 minutes and 3 km one way. Trail in Google Maps.
Bicycles
Manowce Palace is a unique location for cycling enthusiasts. The vast surrounding forests and proximity to the Szczecin Lagoon make it an excellent area for cycling trips. Below, we describe the best cycling routes in the area.
If you haven’t brought your own bike, you can borrow one from the palace free of charge. We have Kross touring bikes for women (model Trans 4.0, sizes 28L and 28M) and similar Kross touring bikes for men (model Trans 4.0, size 28L). For off-road adventures, we offer Kross mountain bikes for adults (model Hexagon 5.0, sizes 27S, 29L, and 29M) and a Kross mountain bike for teenagers (model Hexagon JR 1.0, size 24M). For younger riders, we provide Kross junior bikes (model Level Mini 2.0, 20-inch wheels). These are durable, high-quality bikes. Each year, they are serviced by a reputable bike repair shop in Szczecin.
For children, we have a kid’s bike with 16-inch wheels, as well as a tricycle and a balance bike for toddlers. We recommend that young children ride only on the palace grounds, preferably on the garden path. When a family embarks on a longer trip, the kid’s bike may not keep up with the rest. A child seat mounted on a parent's bike is a practical alternative. We have these seats available at Manowce.
Adult and children's bikes at Manowce are stored in a large tent. Simply select the most suitable bike for your trip. Since guests vary in height, we recommend adjusting the bike saddle before heading out. If you plan to stop for coffee or a meal along the way, bike locks are available in the tent for security.
You may also want to bring along some items or snacks. If the bike rack isn’t sufficient, front baskets that attach to the handlebars can be helpful. Although wearing a helmet is not mandatory in Poland, we recommend it – especially when riding on paved roads. We have several helmets in different sizes, which are disinfected after each use.
For all cycling enthusiasts, Szczecin and its surroundings offer excellent bike trails. Szczecin has over 70 kilometres of bike paths, and several routes extend into the countryside. For those interested in longer rides, the West Pomeranian region provides many options. The closest and most popular is the Szczecin Lagoon Cycle Route, which runs near Manowce and is 300 kilometres long.
A mobile cycling app is available for our region, featuring the “West Pomeranian Cycle Paths” map. Other cycling apps also feature user-created cycling routes. Our favourite is Komoot, which includes a wide selection of trails.
With guests in mind, for whom cycling is the main attraction of their stay at Manowce, we have prepared several route suggestions, assuming that each trip begins and ends at the palace.
- "Short but Challenging" – 1.5 hours. Ride to the Trzebież Promenade and back via the same route; requires bikes with wide tyres; 20-30 minutes and 6 km each way; in Trzebież, you’ll find a sandy beach, bars, and cafés.
Route in Google Maps. - "Relaxing Both Ways" – 2 hours. Destination: Nowe Warpno. The route follows a paved road both ways; recommended for narrow tyres; 40 minutes and 14 km each way; in Nowe Warpno, there’s a sandy beach and bars.
Route in Google Maps.
In Nowe Warpno, you can take a ferry to Germany, which crosses in 15 minutes one way. You can take a round trip for sightseeing. The ferry schedule is available on the operator's website. The ferry does not operate on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- "A Bit of a Bumpy Ride" – 2.5 hours. Ride to Nowe Warpno via a dirt road (partially uneven), and return via a paved road; 26 km round trip; recommended for narrow tyres; in Nowe Warpno, you’ll find a sandy beach and bars.
Route to Nowe Warpno in Google Maps.
Return route in Google Maps. - "A Bit of Germany" – 5 hours. Ride to Nowe Warpno, take the Nowe Warpno – Altwarp ferry, then return via Rieth and forest roads; suitable for both narrow and wide tyres; 50 km round trip; beaches and bars in Nowe Warpno, Altwarp, and Rieth.
Route to Nowe Warpno in Google Maps.
Return route in Google Maps.
Please download our Holiday Brochure for more details.
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