All the very best things to do in Zakopane

Zakopane is one of the premier tourist destinations in Poland. There are many things to do in Zakopane in both summer and winter. Zakopane in the Tatra National Park is best known for its white powder ski runs, tall trees and amazing wooden architecture.

While Zakopane is at its busiest in winter, summer is also a great time to visit. In summer in Zakopane, there are various things to do, including hiking in the Tatra Mountains, exploring the charming town’s traditional architecture, and enjoying outdoor activities such as cycling and horseback riding.

The sun will be out, the skies will be blue, and the weather will be warm. This allows you to explore the town of Zakopane far and wide.

Where is Zakopane Poland?

Zakopane Poland was first mentioned in the records in 1676. Zakopane is located in Southern Poland in the Tatra Mountains, close to the border with Slovakia.

The nearest major city in Poland to Zakopane is Krakow, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Zakopane is a 2-hour drive from Krakow through rolling hills and green countryside.

It’s a very scenic trip as you get closer to the mountains, and Zakopane looms large. Zakopane has a healthy population of 27,000 people.

This population fluctuates depending on the time of year. This amazing mountain getaway is a beautiful place to visit, from the traditional houses to the picturesque mountains to the friendly Polish people.

Facts about Zakopane:

• Zakopane has an elevation of between 800 and 1000 meters
• Zakopane Poland points of interest are visited by over 2.5 Million tourists a year
• Zakopane bid unsuccessfully for the 2006 Winter Olympics.
• Zakopane elevation is up to 1000 feet above sea level

Things to do in Zakopane, Poland

The resort town of Zakopane, Poland, was once considered only a winter destination in Poland. It is now emerging as a year-round destination. Also, once only a place where local Polish tourism flourished, it has gained widespread recognition on the international travel scene. Plenty of international tourists are making their way to Zakopane.

With so many activities in Zakopane, Poland, you will love this tranquil Polish town and return to see what to do in Zakopane in any season.

Skiing in Zakopane in Winter

Let us get this straight out of the way. Winter sports, including skiing in Zakopane, are what this town is famous for. It’s the winter capital of Poland. In the winter peak season, people flock to Zakopane from nearby cities such as Krakow and beyond. They come to stay at ski resorts, buy their ski passes and hit the mountain peak in Zakopane in winter.

In the winter, you can enjoy Polish mulled wine, ice skating, thermal spas and winter activities. There are some great ski runs and places in Zakopane to ski for all levels of skiers. Let’s look at some of the best places to get on a cable car and ski in Zakopane.

Zakopane ski locations

• Nosal Ski Station – Great for beginners and first-time skiers. This location has three green/blue ( the easiest rated ) ski slopes. Onsite, you will find a ski school, ski and clothing rentals, a ski kindergarten, two restaurants and a sled riding hill. The Nosal ski station is the perfect Zakopane ski resort for honing your skills on the mountain.
• Szymoszkowa Ski Station – Ski slope for beginners with green/blue runs of 400m. Ski slope for intermediates with a red run of 1.500m. There is also a ski school with kindergarten, ski rentals (one with clothing rental), and a restaurant
• Kasprowy Wierch – is the highest ski resort in Poland. The Gasienicowa and Goryczkowa ski runs are the only alpine-style slopes in Poland. This Zakopane ski resort and ski runs are for advanced skiers only. It is not for beginners.

When packing for a winter trip to Zakopane and all regions in southern Poland, include warm clothes that let you dress in layers and waterproof boots as you will be walking around in the snow.

Pack plenty of jumpers, pullovers, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and maybe even some long thermal underwear for an extra layer of warmth. A waterproof snow jacket is essential in this winter wonderland. The wind can be chilling to the bone.

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Things to do in Zakopane – Krupówki Street

Krupowki Street is the main pedestrian thoroughfare in the town centre of Zakopane, Poland. The street is over a kilometre long and begins at the base of the Gubalowka cable car station. Krupowki is lined with restaurants, bars, shops, and hotels.

When the sun comes out, you will find thousands strolling the street, window shopping and people-watching. Zakopane restaurants and bars are packed with people enjoying good food and drinks. Grilled meats seem to be the specialty of Krupowki.

The atmosphere is alive on Zakopane’s main street, especially in the height of the summer and winter seasons. You will find horse-drawn carriages and street performers all along the street. Walking Krupowki is one of the most popular things to do in Zakopane, Poland.

An afternoon spent strolling, eating at amazing restaurants, drinking and enjoying life on Krupowki Street is a must. Visiting Zakopane in summer, you will find a market selling traditional Tatra crafts and products from the region, such as handcrafted wooden souvenirs and local produce.

Family travel to Zakopane tip:

You will find people dressed as characters, such as Paddington Bear, who approach the kids. These guys are going to want money. All along Krupowki, you find amusement centres with games like air hockey and pinball machines. Zakopane with kids is a great option.

What to see in Zakopane – Traditional cheese-making

We tasted the Zakopane cheese, a creamy and smooth cheese with a rubbery texture. This Zakopane cheese is sometimes eaten with jam, which is a little strange for foreigners. It is one of the top things to see in Zakopane.

Oscypek, Oszczypek is a smoked cheese made of salted sheep milk found exclusively in the Tatra Mountains region of Poland. No other cheese can be called Oscypek.

This regional speciality is a protected trade name under the EU‘s Protected Designation of Origin geographical indication.

Just outside Zakopane, on the open fields at the base of the surrounding Tatra mountains, you will find wooden mountain shelters dotted all over. You can go to these huts, watch the traditional making of cheese, and buy it freshly made.

The Zakopane cheese is pressed into wooden moulds and comes in all shapes and sizes. Cheese production in the Tatra was first mentioned in the 15th century.

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Aqua Park – Zakopane tourist attractions

Is there anything better to do on hot Zakopane summer days than go to the water park? AQUAPARK Zakopane is a world of fun for the whole family. It is hard to call this Zakopane attraction just a water park. At Zakopane Aquapark, you will find the following:

• 2 water slides
• A wild river
• Thermal baths
• Water fitness classes
• A Gym for working out
• Sauna
• Salt Cave – for natural healing elements

The Aqua Park Zakopane is one of the region’s largest and most modern facilities. It truly is a great way to spend a day in Zakopane. Mix fun with health and healing for your body. There is a restaurant on-site to grab drinks and food.

Address: Jagiellońska street 3134-500 Adamierz Zaskopane Email: www.aquapark.zakopane.pl

Mountain biking Tatra National Park Zakopane

Mountain biking in Zakopane is only allowed on established tracks in the surrounding mountains. Some of the best tracks to follow are:

• Pod Reglami road runs from the ski jump to the Siwa Polana meadow in Chocholowska Valley. It’s best done in the morning to avoid walkers who use the trail also.
• Chocholowska Valley Road is where the previous ride ends. Siwa Polana meadow to Polana Chcocholowska refuge. You can rent a mountain bike in the Chcocholowska Valley.

Zakopane in summer – Wielka krokiew ski jump

Heading up the Zakopane ski lift can be an exciting family travel adventure. Wielka Krokiew ski jump is the official Polish name of the Zakopane ski jump. It is a regular venue for the FIS World Ski Jumping Championships.

The stadium has a capacity of 40,000 people, and the ski jump is open even in the offseason. It is available for tourists and summer practice sessions for the local ski jumpers.

The ride to the top of the mountain is not for the faint-hearted. The Wielka Krokiew ski jump lift takes you vertically to the top of the ramp, where you get a real indication of the height and slope of this venue.

The views from the top of Wielka Krokiew ski jump are fantastic and well worth the journey. The views provide an amazing panoramic over the town and the mountains behind. Just don’t look down when you are going up. The Ski lift may not be a likely thing to do in Zakopane in summer, but it’s still a thrill.

Family travel in Zakopane tip:

At the bottom of the ski jump, a small photo booth sells pictures captured of you on the way up to the top of the ski jump. Makes for a great souvenir when you are visiting Zakopane Poland.

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Thermal Pools in the Zakopane Area

Thermal pools are perfect when the weather is rainy and horrible. The waters are warm and welcoming, coming at you from over 300 meters below the ground. Many thermal spas have waters that are rich in minerals.

The Sulphur smell will have everyone giggling. Many of these places have indoor and outdoor pools and thermal spas for use in this Zakopane winter wonderland. You will find thermal pools at the following locations.

• Terma Bania, Białka Tatrzańska, 181 Środkowa Street, open every day 9:00 am-10:00 pm
• Terma Bukovina, Bukowina Tatrzańska, 22 Sportowa Street, open every day 9:00 am-10:00 pm
• Chochołowskie Termy, Chochołów 400, open everyday 9:00 am-10:00 pm
• Termy Szaflary, Szaflary, 20 Nowe Area, open every day 8:00 am-10:00 pm
• Gorący Potok, Szaflary, 45 Nowe Area, open every day 11:00 am-10:00 pm

We hope this gives you some ideas for winter and summer bad weather days in Zakopane. The thing about holidays in the mountains is the weather can change quickly. These Zakopane places to visit will keep everyone entertained. Book a Thermal Springs experience in Zakopane.

Tatra Mountains Zakopane Poland – Gubalowka

Gubalowka sits at 1123 meters, looking down on Zakopane directly above the town in the Tatra National Park. The trip to Gubalowka begins with a Zakopane cable car ride up the hill, one of Zakopane’s best things to do.

The Zakopane cable car takes 4 minutes and costs over a euro. The ride up the hill is amazing as you ascend upwards through pine trees, and the town slowly disappears beneath you.

You will find restaurants, bars and spectacular views at the top of Gubalowka Hill in the Polish Tatra Mountains. The sun deck terrace is one of Europe’s most magnificent spots for a drink, food or ice cream.

A soft-serve ice cream is called Lodi. You will encounter machines everywhere selling Lodi in summer in Zakopane. The view from the top is amazing as it sweeps over the Tatra mountains.

Snow covers the tops of the highest peaks, even in summer. There is a smaller market for the top-selling Polish handicrafts and souvenirs. The market seems to stretch forever on either side of the road at the top of the hill.

You will be bombarded with the smell of grilled meats, hamburgers, and hot dogs while trying to avoid market stall holders trying to sell you anything and everything. Hiking trails lead off from the top of Gubalowka, providing incredible views and access to surrounding villages. In winter, ski runs lead down the hill.

Family travel tip:

At the top of the mountain is a toboggan run for kids and adults, a rope course, horse rides and numerous other activities to amuse the kids in Zakopane.

Zakopane things to do – Unique Architecture and Design

Many houses and buildings in Zakopane are built out of wood according to the traditional style of the area. The design of the buildings is inspired by the regional art of Poland’s highland region known as Podhale.

This unique architectural style of the building is now known as the Zakopane style. All new buildings up to 1914 had to be built in this way.

It is still very popular today, and a walk around town will tell you that many new buildings are still being built in this traditional style. Finding them in the streets is one of the best free things to do in Zakopane.

Everywhere you look, there are amazing wooden buildings, both single and double-story. The house is truly unique. You won’t find this sort of design anywhere else in the world.

I found myself wandering different streets, admiring how people had stuck to the traditional building designs but had added small touches of their own.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima

This church was built in honour of Pope John Paul II. It was built as an offering to God for saving the Pope after an assassination attempt in 1981. The church is only one of 4 churches in Poland that the Pope himself consecrated. The church is visited by over 300,000 pilgrims a year and is one of the most interesting things to do in Zakopane.

Festival of Highland Folklore

Every summer since 1965, the Festival of Highland Folklore has been held in Zakopane, Poland. Like all great cultural events, this one was born from a small beginning with strong ties to the area’s regional history.

What began with four local folk singing groups has since expanded to encompass performers and traditions from other countries, making the Festival of Highland Folklore an international event in Zakopane. Zakopane comes alive during the festival with music, dance and singing.

This festival makes learning about other cultures and traditions possible while still having amazing entertainment for the whole family.

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What to do in Zakopane with kids

Kids can be difficult to keep occupied when it’s raining. We often find ourselves asking what can we do. Below are some great ideas for visiting places in Zakopane with kids when it is raining.

Ten pin bowling

It is a great activity for kids when it is raining. It’s good for kids to keep active in Zakopane. There are several bowling alleys in Zakopane for families to visit. You can find bowling alleys at the following locations.

• Aqua Park Zakopane, 31 Jagiellońska Street
• Tatra Hotel, Zakopane, 34 Cyrhla Street
• Hotel Belvedere, Zakopane 3 Droga do Białego
• Zadyma Inn, Szaflary, 1e Zakopiańska Street
• Borowy Dwór, Szaflary, 1a Cieplice Street
• Burkaty Pension, Białka Tatrzańska, 252a Środkowa Street

Cinemas in Zakopane

There are two cinemas in Zakopane, some showing the latest movies in English and Polish. The Cinema is a great thing to do in Zakopane with kids. You can find Zakopane Cinemas below.

• Kino Giewont
• Sokol

Kids Park Janosika

Over 700 square meters of indoor space for kids in Zakopane. You will find amazing fun with indoor sports such as football and basketball. You can do puzzles and games, indoor sleighs, and play in the ball pits. There is a cafe and food available onsite for all.

KIDS Park Janosika – Sala Zabaw is located at Zakopane, ul. Krupówki 14a – II piętro

Escape Rooms in Zakopane

An escape room, also known as an escape game, is a physical adventure game in which players solve puzzles and riddles using clues, hints, and strategies to complete the objectives.

Currently, Zakopane has only one escape room business. The escape rooms are great for days when the weather may not be so good, or you are just looking for something different. You will find the Zakopane escape room at

Escape Room Zakopane – ESC House, Tadeusza Kościuszki 3, 34-500 Zakopane, Poland

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Zakopane attractions – nearby villages to visit

There are so many wonderful things to do in Zakopane, but you may want to venture out of the town to see more of what Zakopane, Poland, offers.

Below are some of the villages that surround Zakopane and are worth a visit on your trip to Poland.

• Zab – From this small mountain village, tourists can take in the breathtaking panorama of the Tatra Mountains, the Babia Gora Range and the Gorce Mountains. Make sure you have a meal at one of the amazing traditional restaurants.
• Bialka Tatrzanska – This village offers some great mountain walking and biking paths. In the winter, you can use over 20 ski lifts and numerous traditional beads and breakfasts to stay in. This village is only 20 kilometres from Zakopane
• Male Ciche – Is known as the prettiest village in the vicinity of Zakopane, Poland. Amazing food, challenging skiing and a picture-perfect location surrounded by the forest of the Tatra mountains. 14 km from Zakopane
• Niedzica – This village is situated on the banks of the River Dunajec. This town has some amazing historic buildings and a 14th-century church and castle.

It’s worth a day trip from Zakopane to see some of these other amazing locations. The area around Zakopane, Poland, is stunning.

Day trip from Zakopane – Wieża widokowa Krynica Zdrój

At Wieża Widokowa Krynica Zdrój you will find the first wooden observation tower in Poland. This amazing wooden Tower stands at a height of 49.5 meters and is located at the top of the Słotwiny Arena ski station (896 m above sea level). The tower is nestled amongst the forests of the Jaworzyna Krynicka Mountain range.

The treetop walk allows you to take in all the sights as you move along the 1.3km length of the structure. There is some added fun for kids with a 60-meter slide taking them back to the bottom. Do you fancy walking through the treetops at the height of a 17-story building? This amazing attraction is a little over 100 kilometres away from Zakopane.

How to get to Zakopane

The nearest International airports to Zakopane are Krakow and Katowice.

There is one direct train weekly from Warsaw to Zakopane and 2-3 per day from Krakow.

The Krakow Zakopane bus runs daily. It takes a little over 2 hours. The bus to Zakopane leaves Krakow every hour during the day. Polski Bus prices and timetables are HERE.

Driving to Zakopane is a great option. Be aware that the Polish roads are not the best and lots of people like to visit Zakopane, which can cause traffic jams on the way.

Where to stay in Zakopane

Zakopane has a huge range of accommodation options. Zakopane accommodation comes in the form of hostels, ski resorts, chalets, hotels and apartments. Accommodation in Zakopane is generally cheaper in the summer months.

A visit to Zakopane is a great option. Zakopane with kids or family, Zakopane as a single or couple. There are plenty of Zakopane attractions for you to do.

FAQs about visiting Poland

Poland is an emerging holiday destination in Europe, and there are so many questions to ask for first-time visitors. Even for some people who regularly visit, you can always learn something new about Poland.

Traditional foods to try when visiting Zakopane, Poland

The cuisine of the Tatra region is very tasty but also uses much fat and has more calories than is usually needed. This is traditional because, in the older days, the people working in the cold and mountains needed more energy to get through the work day.

• Zurek Soup –  traditional Polish food. A distinctive feature of this exclusive food is its sour taste.  Compulsory additions to zurek soup are hard-boiled eggs and a peculiar Polish sausage.
• Kwaśnica Soup – Is made of pickled cabbage and meat (one or two kinds): mutton or pork, often with a smoked rib. Original kwaśnica is eaten with potatoes (that should be boiled separately, not in the soup!) or with bread
• Hałuski – is noodles made of grated potatoes, salt and flour
• Moskole is a traditional cake baked on a griddle. They’re made of boiled potatoes, flour, water and salt. When cooked, they should be a little bit of crispy crust and a soft centre
• kluski śląskie – Kluski slaskie are kind of potato dumplings. Kluski slaskie are eaten with meat sauces such as Goulash.

Weather in Zakopane Poland

July is the hottest month in Zakopane with an average temperature of 15°C (58°F), and the coldest is January at-4°C (26°F), with the most daily sunshine hours at 7 in July. The wettest month is June, with an average of 120mm of rain. This type of weather means Zakopane is great in winter and amazing in summer.

Money in Poland

What currency do I need for my trip to Zakopane Poland? The official currency you need to use in Poland is the Polish Zloty. We recommend that you get a Revolut travel money card that can be loaded with multiple currencies and has nearly non-existent withdrawal fees to save money on your family trip to Poland.

Banknotes	10 zł, 20 zł, 50 zł, 100 zł, 200 zł, 500 zł

Coins	1 gr, 2 gr, 5 gr, 10 gr, 20 gr, 50 gr, 1 zł, 2 zł, 5 zł

Overall In the summer, visitors to Zakopane can enjoy various outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and swimming in the majestic Tatra Mountains. They can also explore the vibrant local culture by attending folk music concerts and traditional dance performances.

For those seeking relaxation, there are numerous spas and thermal baths to unwind in. There is no shortage of things to do in Zakopane during summer.

In Zakopane, winter brings heavy snowfall, transforming the town into a popular ski destination.

Zakopane is one of the most popular Polish tourist attractions. We at Poland Travel Expert think it is worth a visit and should be on everyone’s bucket list to visit southern Poland.

We hope this post has encouraged you to visit Zakopane Poland in any season and enjoy all the area offers. There are so many wonderful things to do in Zakopane Poland.

Poland Travel Expert is your ultimate guide to all things Poland. Your next trip to Poland will not be complete without our detailed Poland guides, Poland itineraries and Poland travel tips.

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