11 BEST Things To Do In Zakopane, Poland (2024)

There are such a lot of issues to do in Zakopane it may be onerous to slender them down. Nestled within the Tatra Mountains is Zakopane, Poland, simply top-of-the-line locations to go to in Europe. The Polish mountain city serves as an awesome base to this stretch of the Carpathian Mountains.

Zakopane is an out of doors wonderland that gives guests entry to snow-capped peaks, waterfalls, alpine forests, mountain lakes, wildlife, quaint cities, and meadow-filled valleys. 

The Carpathian Mountains are the second-highest mountain vary in Europe behind the Alps. Zakopane affords guests a variety of sports activities comparable to mountain biking, mountain climbing, snowboarding, and even paragliding. Zakopane is about as far south as Poland will get, bordering Tatra Nationwide Park, there isn’t any scarcity of actions right here.

The place is Zakopane, Poland?

Zakopane is a Polish city within the excessive south of the nation subsequent to Slovakia. It’s within the Podhale area, nestled on the foot of the Tatra Mountains.

It’s about 110 km from the foremost metropolis of Krakow and can take you about two hours of drive time to get there by bus or automobile.

Finest Issues to do in Zakopane, Poland

Hike the Tatra Mountains

You possibly can’t go to Zakopane and never go mountain climbing not less than as soon as. Mountaineering is unquestionably top-of-the-line issues to do in Zakopane and the small city makes a wonderful base. So in the event you’re an adventurer, mountain climbing might be the very best factor to do in Zakopane for you!

The city is true subsequent to the Tatra Nationwide Park, and trails are ample. Most trails are day-long hikes, permitting for a full day hike as much as a peak, solely to later return to city and calm down in your well-equipped guesthouse. Or in the event you really feel your muscle groups might use somewhat R&R, you would head to an exquisite Zakopane Spa to calm down. A few of the finest Zakopane hikes are:

Hike to Lake Morskie Oko, the “Eye of the Sea,”

There’s no scarcity of mountain lakes round Zakopane. Just like the mountain peaks, there are some nice hikes out to see the areas pristine lakes. Essentially the most well-known being Lake Morskie Oko, “Eye of the Sea,” which requires a bus journey to the bottom of the path. It’s a couple of two-hour stroll from the drop-off level, every method.

The payoff? In all probability one of the stunning lakes on this planet. We recommend packing lunch in your favourite daypack and having lunch alongside the lake.

Hike within the Gasienicowa Valley

Gąsienicowa Valley in Tatra Nationwide Park is a protected space that’s residence to a few of the finest mountain climbing in all of Poland. There are some gorgeous hikes the place you’ll go distinctive wildlife alongside the best way. The Gąsienicowa Valley is residence to a number of glaciers and waterfalls. Mountaineering the Dolina Gasienicowa path is likely one of the finest issues to do in Zakopane.

Eat Oscypek Cheese!

I wager you didn’t suppose top-of-the-line issues to do in Zakopane was to eat cheese. Or “Oscypek” because it’s known as, is a scrumptious smoked sheep’s milk cheese. It’s a native staple, and you’ll find stands promoting the stuff all around the city of Zakopane and varied different mountain lodges all through the area.

The recipe is strictly adopted and dates again to the 14th century. You possibly can solely discover the stuff within the space because it’s made in small batches, and it’s onerous to export given laws in opposition to unpasteurized sheep’s milk, however rattling is it good. You can even discover dishes of the cheese pan-fried and served with cranberries; I extremely advocate this in the event you’re a fan of cheese or meals for that matter.

PS – When you miss Oscypek in Zakopane, you’ll be capable to discover it in lots of eating places in Krakow.

Get Cozy With Mulled Wine

Scorching Mulled wine or “grzaniec galicyjski” is prevalent all through the mountains. When the temperatures drop, it’s good for warming you on these chilly fall evenings or after a day on the slopes. It’s additionally low-cost, with costs starting from 3zl to 8zl ($1-$2). Though it isn’t restricted to the area, it reveals the nice and cozy Polish spirit yow will discover within the bars.

Many eating places on the town are open late; folks eat and drink late into the night after an extended day within the mountains. Perhaps just a few photographs of that polish Vodka in the event you dare? Attempt some “Zubrowka” vodka.

That’s the one with a buffalo on it. Don’t miss making an attempt it on this Polish city. It’s top-of-the-line issues to do in Zakopane. Certainly one of our favourite bars in Zakopane is Cafe Piano Zakopane.

Climb Rysy Mountain

The best peak in Poland sits on the border with Slovakia. The path up the mountain is troublesome and could be steep at factors, nevertheless it doesn’t require any technical climbing and could be completed by most out of doors lovers.

On a transparent day, the height affords the very best views encompassing the Tatras; it’s mentioned to supply views of over 100 peaks within the surrounding space. So cross your fingers and hope you’ll catch it on a transparent day, though any day is exhilarating on the mountain.

Search for Wildlife within the Tatras

Asides from the wildlife yow will discover all through the remainder of Poland, Zakopane, and the Tatras are residence to a number of uncommon species. Animals comparable to brown bears, lynx, mountain chamois, marmots, and eagles are all some wildlife you may even see whereas mountain climbing via the mountains.

We could have missed a bear ourselves, however crossed paths with a few locals on a path warning us of a bear up forward. We walked on tentatively. Right here you may expertise the wild and discover actually distant locations to calm down and reduce away from the crowded cities of Europe.

See What Podhale Tradition is All About

Zakopane has its very personal distinctive type of structure. The buildings in Zakopane really embrace the spirit of Podhale.

Stanislaw Witkiewicz is a well-known Polish author often known as the type creator. This type fully remodeled the city within the late 1800s. Wooden rounded home windows and detailed gildings are seen on the properties all through the town middle.

What makes it higher? The preferred type of lodging is guesthouses, with over 500 distinctive locations to remain, giving guests an opportunity to remain in one of many properties themselves.

30 Fascinating & Enjoyable Information About Poland You Ought to Know

Get pleasure from Some Reasonably priced Snowboarding

The snowboarding in Zakopane just isn’t fairly as often known as within the Swiss Alps. Nonetheless, it comes at a fraction of the value, with elevate tickets topping out at $35 in Zakopane. That is a few of the least expensive snowboarding in Europe yow will discover!

Winter right here could also be top-of-the-line occasions to go to Zakopane. The city fills up with many households coming to benefit from the winter actions. The slopes listed here are family-friendly, good for novices to study the ropes.

Nonetheless, for the extra superior, there may be Kasprowy Wierch, which affords world-class snowboarding and a 6km lengthy descent from the highest elevate. It should certainly give skiers loads of time to work their method down the mountain.

Head Up the Gubałówka Hill Funicular

When you’re feeling somewhat lazy, take the Gubałówka Hill Funicular up the Gubałówka mountain. On a transparent day, you should have gorgeous views of the Tatras and of the encompassing valleys.

Soak within the Thermal Spas

Soaking in a thermal spa is at all times gratifying, nevertheless it is likely one of the finest issues to do in Zakopane within the wintertime. The recent swimming pools at Terma Bukowina are one of the well-liked locations to go. You’ll in all probability even get in a chat with just a few locals.

The place to Keep in Zakopane?

Aries Resort & Spa: It is a fantastic 5-star resort for inexpensive pricing. The resort itself is constructed within the typical Zakopane type, with an awesome location simply off of Krupowski Road. When you’re in search of a correct mountain retreat, Aries is a superb alternative.

Tatra Chalet: This small chalet is a superb option to have a chalet expertise whereas getting the distinct Zakopane really feel.

How To Get To Zakopane

There are solely a handful of how to reach in Zakopane. The bus was the simplest alternative for us. Excellent news is the bus system in Poland is fairly dependable, low-cost, and typically the easiest way to journey.

Touring across the nation by prepare can be doable, however contemplating it’s solely a two-hour bus journey from Krakow to Zakopane, we predict it’s the easiest way to go. Majer Bus operates the bus route, and yow will discover the timetable right here.

Buses run frequently all through the day, and tickets are about 19 zlotych. In peak summer time, you will have to e-book a ticket forward of time, however different occasions of the 12 months the bus is unlikely to be bought out.

Aircraft: The closest airport to Zakopane is John Paul II Worldwide Airport Kraków-Balice, 90 kilometers away. From the airport, you may take a taxi or a bus to Zakopane.

Practice: Zakopane has its personal prepare station, which is served by trains from each Kraków and Warsaw.

Bus: There are common bus connections from Kraków and different cities in Poland to Zakopane the journey takes about 2-3 hours.

Automobile: As it’s situated on a essential highway within the Tatras, Zakopane is definitely accessible by automobile. If driving from Kraków, observe the E77 and E67 roads to get to Zakopane.

Test automobile rental charges in Poland!

Why Ought to You Go to Zakopane, Poland?

Zakopane, Poland, has turn out to be fonder in our recollections as time has handed. It was one of many earliest locations as bloggers, and we had a really improbable time regardless of the climate being lackluster throughout our go to. A handful of locations stick out in our reminiscence, and certainly one of them has to be Zakopane. Mountains encompass the quaint city that’s stuffed with appeal and tradition.

For us, Krakow was cool, however everybody went to Krakow. So, as a substitute, head out of Krakow to Zakopane for a singular expertise. Whereas it might be extremely popular for the Polish, it’s comparatively exceptional for the remainder of the world.