When we were planning our first trip together to Poland over Christmas at Lukáš’s mum’s place, we had no idea just how much Zakopane Poland would win us over. We headed there for the first time in January 2018, and it was an incredibly romantic experience filled with snow — but also plenty of unexpected situations that taught us the local mountains simply do whatever they please. This little town is essentially Poland’s mountain capital, sitting right at the foot of the majestic Tatra Mountains, blending stunning nature, traditional Goral culture, and the occasional dose of delightfully chaotic tourist buzz.
If you love mountains, great food, and don’t mind a touch of sentimentality, this town will charm you just as it charmed us. We spent unforgettable moments here, tried fantastic accommodation, but also completely botched our trip planning and got stuck in a snowstorm. Let’s take a look at everything Zakopane in Poland has to offer — and what you absolutely need to watch out for.
TL;DR
If you’re already packing your bags and just need the essential highlights, here are the things I wouldn’t go without next time:
- Best accommodation: We absolutely fell in love with Villa 11 Folk & Design, which had a meditation room, sauna, and round-the-clock refreshments.
- Getting there: From Krakow, you can easily get here by train or bus for just a few pounds (we paid around €4.50 per person), though the journey takes a little over two hours.
- Top attractions: Don’t miss the famous Krupówki street, take the funicular up Gubałówka, and try to book the Kasprowy Wierch cable car well in advance.
- Food: Don’t leave without trying grilled oscypek cheese with cranberries and a hearty bowl of kwaśnica soup.
- Nature trips: Morskie Oko is the ultimate classic, but be prepared for crowds and unpredictable mountain weather.
- Crossing to Slovakia: Incredibly complicated in winter — public transport over the mountains is virtually non-existent, and by car you can easily get stuck in the snow.
Zakopane Poland Weather: When to Visit the Polish Tatras
Planning a trip to Zakopane largely depends on what you’re hoping to get out of your holiday, as each season brings a completely different atmosphere. We went in mid-January, when the town was buried under enormous piles of snow and the air was filled with the scent of mulled wine and grilled cheese. Winter here is utterly magical, but also incredibly cold and occasionally unpredictable.
If you’re curious about the current Zakopane Poland weather, I always recommend checking a local webcam before any big outing, because the valley might be bathed in sunshine while a blizzard rages on the peaks above. We learned that lesson the hard way more than once. Summer months are ideal for long alpine hikes, but you’ll need to accept that you won’t have the trails to yourself. Zakopane is to Poles what the Lake District is to the British — so in July and August, especially during holidays, the town is absolutely packed. Autumn brings thinner crowds and often more stable weather with gorgeous views of the colourful forests.
How to Get to Zakopane and Why to Watch Out for Connections
We turned our winter trip into a rail adventure, starting from Lukáš’s mum’s place and making our way to Krakow before heading into the mountains. If you’re travelling from the UK, the easiest route is to fly into Krakow — airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air operate regular flights from London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and other major UK airports. From Krakow, you’ve got two main options to reach the Tatras: bus or train. We chose the train, and a ticket cost us a glorious 19.5 PLN per person (roughly €4.50), with the journey taking just over two and a half hours. The train ride is wonderfully scenic, especially in winter, when snow-covered trees fly past the windows as you slowly approach the towering mountains.
If you’re thinking of driving to Zakopane, be warned that the famous road from Krakow gets unbelievably congested during peak season — traffic jams are the norm rather than the exception. The trickiest part is cross-border transport if you want to combine the Polish Tatras with the Slovak side. Our Slovak friend Dagmar strongly warned us that crossing the border is problematic. Some bus services only run a few times a day through the mountains and don’t even stop in Zakopane. Definitely check all timetables in advance if you don’t want to end up stranded in a snowdrift somewhere on the border.
Where to Stay in Zakopane and How Much It Costs
The choice of accommodation in Zakopane is absolutely enormous — you’ll find everything from budget hostels for backpackers to luxurious five-star hotels with sprawling wellness centres. The typical local architecture features beautifully carved wooden houses with steep roofs in what’s known as the Zakopane style, and staying in one of these is an experience in itself. Prices outside peak holidays are quite reasonable, but over New Year’s Eve or mid-August, expect them to skyrocket.
During our first stay in January 2018, we chose the utterly charming Villa 11 Folk & Design, which cost us around €80 per night for both of us. It wasn’t the cheapest option available, but it was worth every penny. The guesthouse had a wonderful meditation room, a lovely little sauna to warm up after freezing walks, and — best of all — they had complimentary snacks, coffee, and tea available 24 hours a day in the common areas. Coming back from the cold into a fragrant wooden house and sipping hot tea from beautiful handmade mugs was absolute bliss. If you’re after something more focused on relaxation and don’t mind paying a bit extra, you could look into hotels offering comprehensive Zakopane thermal baths and wellness services — check out options on Booking.com.
15 Things to See and Do in Zakopane Poland
Although the town is fairly sprawling and full of tourists, its centre is very compact, and the best experiences await just beyond the town limits in the national park. Let’s dive into what you absolutely shouldn’t miss during your visit.
I’ve included both classic tourist highlights and a few personal tips and amusing anecdotes, to show that not everything always goes according to plan 😅. After all, the greatest adventures happen precisely when you have to improvise a bit.
1. Krupówki: The Heart of Zakopane
Krupówki street is probably the most famous promenade in all of Poland. It’s a long street lined with wooden restaurants, souvenir shops, stalls selling local cheeses, and upscale boutiques. During peak season it’s absolutely heaving — Goral music fills the air, horse-drawn carriages clatter past, and the atmosphere is incredibly vibrant. Even though it might be a bit of a tourist trap, walking through here at least once is an absolute must — ideally with a steaming cup of mulled wine in hand.
Lukáš and I came back here after every trip because the lure of freshly grilled cheese was simply impossible to resist. The shops stay open late into the night and you can find everything from tacky fridge magnets to genuinely beautiful woollen jumpers. If you’d like to enjoy the street with a bit more peace, try getting up early and heading there before the rest of the tourists roll out of bed.
2. Funicular Ride up Gubałówka
Right at the end of Krupówki street, you’ll find the station for the funicular railway that takes you up to Gubałówka hill. At the top, you’re treated to the most stunning panoramic view of all of Zakopane with the Tatra ridges as a backdrop. Up there you’ll find more stalls, restaurants, and in summer you can even ride a toboggan track. The funicular runs very frequently, but I’d recommend buying tickets online in advance to skip the queues.
We underestimated the advance booking and ended up spending a good thirty minutes stamping our feet in the cold. The ride itself takes barely a few minutes, but that moment when the snow-capped Tatra peaks emerge through the clouds is truly priceless. On the way back down, you can take a pleasant walk on foot, which I especially recommend in autumn when the forests are ablaze with colour.
3. Upside Down House
This was a fun little stop just off the main street. The Upside Down House is exactly what the name promises — everything inside is flipped, you walk on the ceiling, furniture hangs above your head, and the whole building is tilted, so after two minutes inside you completely lose your sense of direction.
It’s a brilliant quick bit of fun, especially if you’re looking for some light entertainment on a rainy afternoon. Entry costs just a few zloty and the visit won’t take more than fifteen minutes. Fair warning though — if you’re the type who gets queasy on fairground rides, your stomach might not be thrilled with the subtle floor tilt. Lukáš was rather relieved when we stepped back onto solid ground.
4. Morskie Oko and Our Café Fiasco
Morskie Oko is the largest and most famous mountain lake in the Polish Tatras. A roughly nine-kilometre asphalt road leads to the lake, thronged with hikers in summer, while in winter you can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride. We’d planned a grand romantic hike for our January visit — bought snacks, got incredibly excited — but the weather was absolutely dreadful. The wind picked up so fiercely and the snow fell so heavily that you couldn’t see a thing.
In the end, we decided we weren’t mad, abandoned our big expedition right at the start, and ended up in a cosy little café in Zakopane stuffing ourselves with hot chocolate and cake. Sometimes it’s simply better to respect nature and not play the hero. If you do go and are lucky with the weather, make sure you dress warmly — the wind chill up by the lake can be far more brutal than down in the valley.
5. Zakopane Poland Cable Car to Kasprowy Wierch
This is a breathtaking experience that requires a bit of planning. Kasprowy Wierch sits at nearly two thousand metres right on the border with Slovakia. You can hike up — a fairly demanding full-day trek — or take the gondola cable car from Kuźnice.
The cable car is hugely popular, and if you don’t buy time-slot tickets several days in advance through the official website, you’ll face insane multi-hour queues at the ticket office, even in winter. We recommend buying a ticket that includes a return reservation so you’re guaranteed a ride back down and don’t end up freezing somewhere at the top. The views are absolutely worth the initial logistical hassle.
6. Wielka Krokiew Ski Jump
Zakopane is the home of Polish ski jumping, and the Wielka Krokiew complex is a real point of local pride. The jump is enormous — when you look down from the top, you simply can’t fathom how anyone voluntarily launches themselves off it. Lukáš leaned against the railing, peered down, and immediately stepped back. 😅 When competitions aren’t on, you can take the chairlift up, sit in the café with a view, and let your imagination run wild.
Admission and the chairlift ticket can be bought on-site, and the whole experience makes for a brilliant morning outing. Standing in the exact spot where the world’s best athletes hurl themselves into the abyss gives you an entirely new perspective on just how extreme this sport really is.
7. Zakopane Poland Thermal Baths and Ultimate Relaxation
We didn’t manage to visit the thermal baths ourselves (snowstorm, you know how it is), but locals showered us with recommendations, and Chochołowskie Termy just outside town apparently is well worth a visit. Dozens of pools, a sauna world, and healing sulphur water — it sounds like an absolute dream. Especially after a tough hike, or when it’s minus ten outside, sinking into steaming hot water under the open sky must be pure bliss.
Parking can be tricky due to high demand, so we’d recommend arriving right at opening or in the evening when the rush dies down. Lukáš and I already have the thermal baths at the top of our list for our next visit — after being frozen to the bone from mountain walks, we were practically dreaming about them.
8. Walk Through Dolina Kościeliska Valley
If you don’t fancy scrambling up huge peaks and prefer a longer, leisurely walk instead, this valley is the perfect choice. Dolina Kościeliska is one of the most beautiful Tatra valleys — the path follows a mountain stream and is flanked by limestone cliffs and several publicly accessible caves.
It’s an ideal trip for families with children or for days when you simply can’t be bothered with extreme physical exertion. The entire route is approximately nine kilometres and can be comfortably done in about three hours at a relaxed pace. Just make sure to bring enough water and a packed snack — you’re still out in nature and refreshment options are limited.
9. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima at Krzeptówki
Honestly, the church at Krzeptówki took us by surprise. We were expecting something grandiose, but inside you’re met with absolute silence and the scent of wood — the entire interior is hand-carved from fir wood, created as a thanksgiving for the survival of Pope John Paul II’s assassination attempt. Even if you’re not religious, it’s well worth a stop.
The altar, the pews, the stained glass — it’s all a stunning testament to just how talented the local craftspeople are. Around the church there’s a nicely maintained park where you can sit for a moment after your visit and soak in the uniquely peaceful atmosphere, regardless of how many people happen to be walking past.
10. Harenda Ski Resort
For skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, Harenda is one of the ski areas right in town where you can hit the slopes without having to trek miles to get there. It offers runs for beginners and more advanced riders alike, plus lovely views of the Tatras.
You’ll also find a historic wooden church and the Jan Kasprowicz Museum here, making it a great combination of sport and a dash of culture. Ski pass prices tend to be friendlier than at the big resorts, so for a relaxed family skiing day it’s absolutely ideal — and afterwards you can head straight down to town for an excellent coffee.
11. Museum of the Zakopane Style (Villa Koliba)
If you’ve been wondering the entire time how that gorgeous wooden architecture with the pointed roofs came about, head to Villa Koliba. This is where Polish artist and architect Stanisław Witkiewicz created the so-called Zakopane style at the end of the nineteenth century — a style that still inspires all new buildings in the area today.
Honestly, we mostly went so that Lukáš would understand why I want to live in one of these houses — and after the tour, he agreed. 😁 Inside, you can see period furniture, crockery, and learn how people lived in these wooden homes over a hundred years ago, making it a wonderful trip into the region’s history as well.
12. Evening at a Traditional Karczma with Live Music
In the evening, you simply must head to one of the many traditional restaurants known locally as a karczma. They tend to be enormous, entirely built from wood, with a great fire blazing in the centre where meat sizzles on the grill, and a live Goral band playing in traditional costumes in the corner.
They play loud, people drink beer mixed with syrup, and the whole atmosphere is wonderfully infectious and joyful. Half the time you can’t even hear yourself think, but that’s precisely the point — just let yourself be swept away by the incredible folklore. And when you’re crunching on warm sheep’s cheese while you’re at it, life doesn’t get much better.
13. Snowlandia Snow Labyrinth in Winter
If you visit during the winter months, head to the area beneath the Wielka Krokiew ski jump where you’ll find an enormous complex built entirely from snow and ice. The main attraction is a giant snow labyrinth where you can genuinely get lost, plus a snow castle right beside it.
It’s brilliant fun — and not just for kids. Lukáš and I chased each other around like children until we were completely frozen solid. Entry costs around thirty zloty (about €7), and I’d definitely recommend wearing proper warm boots and gloves, because running around between ice walls for an hour takes its toll even on the hardiest souls.
14. Dolina Chochołowska and Spring Crocuses
The second great valley is Dolina Chochołowska. If you happen to visit at the turn of March and April, just as the snow begins to melt, you’ll witness something incredible — the vast meadows in the valley turn purple with millions of blooming crocuses.
The experience is fantastic, but bear in mind that people come from all over Poland for this spectacle. It gets truly packed, and national park rangers keep a close eye to make sure nobody tramples the flowers. If you want photos without crowds of people in the background, you’ll need to get there as early in the morning as possible.
15. Check the Webcams Before Every Hike
This isn’t exactly a physical destination, but it’s an absolutely crucial tip that saved us more than once. Tatra weather is treacherous. Before you get up in the morning and head to the cable car, always search for a Zakopane webcam and check what conditions are like up top.
You’ll save yourself a lot of disappointment, wasted ticket money, and frozen fingers if there’s a cloud sitting on the summit. We initially relied on standard weather forecasts and got properly caught out. A webcam never lies — you can instantly see whether the trek is actually worth it weather-wise.
What to Eat in the Polish Mountains (And What You Absolutely Can’t Skip)
Before I say anything else, a warning: Lukáš and I left Zakopane a kilo heavier. Goral cuisine is incredibly hearty and diets simply don’t stand a chance here. The cornerstone of Goral cooking is the famous oscypek — a smoked cheese made from sheep’s milk, shaped into distinctive little barrel-like forms with carved patterns. It’s sold everywhere on the streets, often freshly grilled and drizzled with hot cranberries — a combination we ate practically every single day.
You also absolutely must try kwaśnica — a traditional sour cabbage soup loaded with potatoes, heaps of smoked meat, and often whole smoked ribs. In winter, this soup will warm you up even after an hour-long walk in freezing temperatures, and it’s noticeably more sour than a typical cabbage soup you might find elsewhere. If you want a specific restaurant recommendation, we grew very fond of Karczma Po Zbóju and the cosy Bąkowo Zohylina, where they both nail these specialities. For mains, you’ll find plenty of baranina (lamb), often roasted over an open fire with mountains of potatoes and fried onions. And in the evening, don’t forget to warm up with a grzaniec — Polish mulled wine, which they love to serve with a slice of orange, cloves, and sometimes a splash of honey.
The Snowstorm: Our Attempted Trip to Slovakia
When our several-day stay in Zakopane was coming to an end, we’d planned to continue across the border into Slovakia for a few more days. As I mentioned, our Slovak friend Dagmar had warned us about problematic crossings, but we figured we’d just give it a go via the village of Bukowina Tatrzańska. Well, that turned out to be quite a significant mistake.
We set off on a local minibus, but a massive snowstorm swept through the mountains unlike anything we’d ever seen before. Within minutes, the roads became completely impassable and all traffic ground to a halt. We were stuck in the middle of nowhere — the bus couldn’t go forwards or backwards — and after several hours of uncertainty, we had to hastily arrange accommodation with locals and spend an unplanned extra night on the Polish side. It was an enormous lesson in the fact that winter in the Polish mountains simply can’t be planned down to the minute. Although we were quite stressed at the time, today we look back on it with a huge smile and are grateful for yet another travel story that didn’t quite go according to plan 🙂.
Read Next (More Articles from Poland)
If you’re planning a wider exploration of Poland, we’ve got plenty more inspiration and tried-and-tested tips from our travels on the blog:
- Looking for more winter inspiration? Check out our article about skiing in Poland.
- If you’d like to stop in a city with an incredible atmosphere, read our tips on what to see in beautiful Krakow.
- Near Krakow lies a world-class gem — discover the mysterious Wieliczka Salt Mine with us.
- Fancy more exploring? We’ve put together a complete 7-day Poland road trip itinerary.
- And don’t miss the city of a hundred gnomes — we’ve prepared a guide to the wonderful Wrocław.
Practical Tips to Wrap Up
Now that you know everything you want to see in the mountains, it’s time to sort out the logistics. Lukáš and I are firm believers that well-planned logistics save a lot of stress, especially when the mountains throw unpredictable weather your way. After all, it’s not exactly next door, and every bit of saved time and money counts.
To help you avoid unnecessary stress, I’ve put together a few of our tried-and-tested services and apps that have saved us on the road more times than we can count. From transport to insurance — here’s our personal survival kit for every proper adventure.
Where to Find Flights
If you’re flying to Poland from the UK, the closest airports to Zakopane are Krakow and Katowice. Search for cheap flights on Kiwi — it’s our favourite booking platform where we regularly find the best deals and connections.
Car Hire
For getting between cities and making mountain excursions, we regularly use the comparison site RentalCars. Lukáš and I use RentalCars on practically every trip and it’s never let us down — it compares offers from dozens of car hire companies all at once.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
After our snowstorm odyssey on the Polish-Slovak border, we started taking insurance far more seriously. 😅 For mountain trips, we’ve got trusted SafetyWing insurance, which works like a subscription so you don’t have to sort out a new policy every time.
Staying Connected
If you want reliable data in the mountains — although EU roaming works in Poland, signal near the Slovak border can be patchy or jump between networks — have a look at our Holafly eSIM review. Alternatively, you can also check out Holafly directly for an easy setup.
Quality Gear
You simply can’t do mountains without proper boots, whether you’re strolling through a valley or planning to scramble up peaks. We’ve put together a guide on how to choose the right hiking boots.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
I know you’ve got loads more questions about the Polish Tatras — you often write to me asking about the details. To keep everything neatly in one place, I’ve compiled the most common ones that should come in handy when you’re planning your trip.
If you can’t find the answer to your question in this list, drop me a comment and I’ll happily add it.
Co dělat v Zakopane?
Upřímně, začněte Krupówkami s oscypkem v ruce, pak lanovkou na Gubałówku pro ten výhled, co vám vyrazí dech, a večer si sedněte do karczmy s živou hudbou. Termály a Morskie Oko jsou klasiky, které vynechat nejde, ale na ty si vyhraďte celý den.
Kam na výlet v okolí Zakopane?
Určitě nesmíte vynechat slavné jezero Morskie Oko, snadnou procházku krásným údolím Dolina Kościeliska, výjezd lanovkou na Kasprowy Wierch nebo relax v obřích termálech Chochołowskie Termy nedaleko města.
Jak vysoko je Zakopane?
Město se nachází v nadmořské výšce zhruba mezi 750 až 1000 metry nad mořem, což z něj dělá vůbec nejvýše položené město v celém Polsku. Díky tomu tu bývají docela tuhé zimy s dostatkem sněhu.
Co navštívit v polských Tatrách?
Kromě klasických turistických cílů, jako jsou plesa a údolí, doporučuji návštěvu horských chat (takzvaných schronisk), kde dělají skvělou domácí šarlotku (jablečný koláč). Skvělý je také hřebenový přechod Červených vrchů (Czerwone Wierchy).
Je Zakopane vhodné i pro nelyžaře?
Absolutně. Město žije z turismu po celý rok a i v zimě nabízí plno atrakcí, jako jsou termální koupaliště, sněhové labyrinty, projížďky na saních tažených koňmi (kulig) nebo jen vysedávání ve stylových dřevěných restauracích u ohně.
Kde hledat aktuální stav počasí a sjezdovek?
Nejlepší možností je vždy hledat na internetu konkrétní zakopane webcamera a podívat se živě na vybrané místo. Podmínky se na horách mění každou hodinu, takže se vyplatí spoléhat spíše na obraz než na textovou předpověď.
Kolik času si na návštěvu Zakopaného vyhradit?
Na rychlou prohlídku města a jeden kratší výlet stačí prodloužený víkend. Pokud si ale chcete v klidu užít hory, zalyžovat si, vyzkoušet termály a nehonit se, doporučuji strávit tu ideálně čtyři až pět dní.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
