On a silver tray, we serve you a return to the past, a holiday with Podlasie ghosts and supper with a lavishly set table. A charming town awaits you in the Biebrza Valley, which is full of stories from the old days. In Tykocin, the fates of the Jews, the court and the knights intertwine. There is also a celebrity story here because film writers are fond of its long market square and wooden huts. As if that were not enough, the city is situated on the Narew River. Its backwaters are called the Podlasie Zoo. This is not the end of the adventures, because the Biebrza backwaters burst into nature a bit further, creating the Biebrza National Park. In such circumstances, the mainstay of the monarchs of the former Republic of Poland emerges, i.e. the Tykocin castle. It is more than brick walls, towers and cross vaults raised from the ashes. When crossing the gate of the fortress, one cannot help but feel that we have passed through a space-time portal. In every corner, you can feel the atmosphere of old times and the majesty of the power that accompanies this place. Throw in the court cuisine - Podlasie wonders on a plate, interesting Jewish delicacies and Tatar dishes, and you will get a truly royal effect.
We invite everyone who wants to move into the world of castles, chambers and tables full of delicacies, even for a moment. The company of still wild and unspoiled nature is free.
The castle is large, but there are only seven guest rooms. We sleep in the Tykocin chambers, with access to the dungeons, royal restaurant, ballroom, and courtyard. No ghosts, no cold walls, and no television, although electricity and all the modern conveniences are already in place. Comfortable king-size beds, elegant bathrooms, and even air conditioning. All rooms are located in the attic, accessed via the winding staircase of the castle tower. There's no elevator, so older guests and those with mobility impairments may have difficulty getting their suitcases up to their rooms. Sturdy young men and young women won't feel the effects of this walk, and after a sumptuous dinner, it's practically therapeutic.
The decor of all rooms is designed in warm and gentle tones, without museum-like pomp. You won't find dusty tapestries, armor creaking at night, a royal throne, or ornate coffers. It's simple, unpretentious, and comfortable.
Each room includes a work desk, a bathroom with a shower (the apartment has a bathtub), and free internet access. Daily housekeeping is also available. Each bathroom has a hairdryer. Windows overlook the Narew River valley, a stork's nest, and nearby forests and meadows.
We offer 23 rooms in the following configurations:
16 double rooms with double/single beds,
4 double apartments with a double bed (extra bed available),
2 double studio rooms (separate bedroom, extra bed available),
1 family room for 4 with single beds.
As befits a castle on a floodplain, in summer you may encounter mosquitoes and other winged creatures. For this reason, mosquito nets are installed in the room windows.
The room rate includes a courtly breakfast in the castle interior.
You can also take advantage of a paid tour of the castle with a guide who knows everything about the history, curiosities and legends related to the fate of Tykocin.
We will treat you to Podlasie, Jewish, and Tatar specialties in a truly royal setting: goose dumplings served with pickled ginger, cholent, Narew goose stomachs (pipki) in a buttery sauce, veal baked in puff pastry, Korycin cheese in crispy breadcrumbs, and Podlasie potato babka in the shape of a cupcake. We also offer excellent Masurian and Lithuanian beers and a wine list carefully curated in collaboration with our friendly sommelier.
Breakfasts are included in the room rate and are served from 8:00-10:00 AM. One of the secrets of the castle kitchen is its own herb and vegetable garden and trusted suppliers.
You can't miss out on the "Goose for St. Marcina," where tables are laden with exquisite, old-Polish goose and game dishes. There will also be dancing, revelry, and merrymaking. The castle also hosts Tastes of the Renaissance, period dinners. During these feasts, you'll discover what flavors reigned supreme at the German Renaissance court, what the Tatars ate, what the Italians enjoyed, and what was served on tables during the Renaissance.
Tykocin boasts delightful regional delicacies. Head to:
- the Villa Regent restaurant for cholent or kugel,
- the Tejsza restaurant for chicken in honey sauce with raisins, as well as Christmas tzimmes,
- the Tales of the Narew tavern for a delicious pike on spinach with Korycin cheese.
There are extraordinary sites to see, discover, and explore, including castle walls, rushing rivers, and ancient temples. Don't count the clouds in the sky or listen to the rustling wind. Instead, we suggest a guided tour of Tykocin Castle. We've just opened the castle cellars, the prison tower, and the Glass Room (originally called the Śklana Room), featuring a reconstructed tiled stove, the second tallest in the pre-partition Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, known as the Great Blue Stove (due to its blue and white tiles). The stove took 10 years to build and is currently the second largest stove of its kind in Poland.
The nearby Narew River is renowned throughout Europe for its microclimate, attracting birds and insects of all kinds. It's a paradise not only for photographers and ornithologists, but also for tourists who want to soak up the captivating beauty of nature. We recommend exploring the river by boat. The Tykocin FlisakPark organizes cruises for the whole family. The route runs along the historic part of the city, then along an ecologically rich, bird-rich section of the Narew River. During the cruise, a qualified guide discusses the monuments and sites you pass. Cruises departing at sunset are also popular, as this time offers a high chance of seeing beavers in the wild.
Farthest on the map, but no less interesting, is the Biebrza River and its picturesque floodplains. A short drive separates Tykocin from the Carska Droga (Tsar's Road), a historic route that runs through the heart of the Biebrza forests and marshes, where you can spot moose, admire untouched nature, and stop at a hiking trail: for example, Długa Luka (Long Luck), which cuts into the tufted meadows of the Biebrza River to the horizon with a narrow bridge.
Tykocin landmarks worth seeing:
- Church of St. The Holy Trinity Synagogue in Tykocin was built thanks to Jan Klemens Branicki between 1740 and 1750.
- The Great Synagogue was built on the site of an old wooden synagogue in 1642. It is currently a branch of the Podlasie Museum in Białystok.
- The Small Synagogue – Talmudic House – is located adjacent to the Great Synagogue. Originally, the building housed a religious school and served as a Talmudic house.
- The Tykocin Market Square is a unique urban landmark. It has existed since the founding of Tykocin, but retains its current appearance from the 18th century. The center of the square is adorned with a two-meter-high monument to Stefan Czarniecki. This commemorative monument dates from 1763. It is likely the second oldest secular monument in Poland after Sigismund's Column.
You can't miss the events organized at the castle:
- Podlaskie Auto Cafe, a meeting combining interesting automotive events, fine coffee, and a unique location.
- Storming the Castle in Tykocin, a historical reenactment held every winter.
- BroFest - Craft Brewery Festival
- Theater performances as part of the "Teatr Polska" project.
Children feel like heroes of fairy tales about a knight in shining armor or a dragon trainer. They are fascinated by tales of battles, wars, kings and brave knights. Our guides, like no other, can introduce children to the magical world of medieval brave warriors, princesses, queens and spectacular assaults. With undisguised fascination and wide-eyed eyes, they discover the towers, halls and cloisters where rulers walked, dark undergrounds, costumes and replicas of historical objects. They will feel a thrill in the prison tower. It is the highest vantage point in the area, which also allows you to observe the life of a stork's nest, where chicks appear every spring.
It is an unforgettable experience to take part in the assault of the castle, which takes place in February each year. It is the only winter historical staging in the country showing the events of the Deluge period. Cannons, horses, knights, warriors and the general battlefield make a big impression.
