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

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

Zakopane is an outside 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 corresponding to mountain biking, mountain climbing, snowboarding, and even paragliding. Zakopane is about as far south as Poland will get, bordering Tatra Nationwide Park, there is no such thing as a 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 main metropolis of Krakow and can take you about two hours of drive time to get there by bus or automobile.

Greatest Issues to do in Zakopane, Poland

Hike the Tatra Mountains

You may’t go to Zakopane and never go mountain climbing at the very least as soon as. Mountaineering is certainly the most effective issues to do in Zakopane and the small city makes a superb base. So should 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 plentiful. Most trails are day-long hikes, permitting for a full day hike as much as a peak, solely to later return to city and chill out in your well-equipped guesthouse. Or should you really feel your muscular tissues may use a bit R&R, you might head to a ravishing Zakopane Spa to chill out. A number of the finest Zakopane hikes are:

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

There may be 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 few two-hour stroll from the drop-off level, every approach.

The payoff? In all probability one of the vital stunning lakes on the earth. 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 dwelling to a number of the finest mountain climbing in all of Poland. There are some gorgeous hikes the place you’ll go distinctive wildlife alongside the way in which. The Gąsienicowa Valley is dwelling to a number of glaciers and waterfalls. Mountaineering the Dolina Gasienicowa path is among the finest issues to do in Zakopane.

Eat Oscypek Cheese!

I guess you didn’t assume the most effective issues to do in Zakopane was to eat cheese. Or “Oscypek” because it’s referred to as, is a scrumptious smoked sheep’s milk cheese. It’s a native staple, and you’ll find stands promoting the stuff everywhere in 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 may solely discover the stuff within the space because it’s made in small batches, and it’s laborious to export given laws in opposition to unpasteurized sheep’s milk, however rattling is it good. You too can discover dishes of the cheese pan-fried and served with cranberries; I extremely suggest this should you’re a fan of cheese or meals for that matter.

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

Get Cozy With Mulled Wine

Sizzling Mulled wine or “grzaniec galicyjski” is prevalent all through the mountains. When the temperatures drop, it’s excellent 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 displays the nice and cozy Polish spirit you could find within the bars.

Many eating places on the town are open late; individuals eat and drink late into the night after an extended day within the mountains. Perhaps a couple of pictures of that polish Vodka should you dare? Strive some “Zubrowka” vodka.

That’s the one with a buffalo on it. Don’t miss attempting it on this Polish city. It’s the most effective issues to do in Zakopane. Considered 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 performed by most outside 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 you could find all through the remainder of Poland, Zakopane, and the Tatras are dwelling to a number of uncommon species. Animals corresponding to brown bears, lynx, mountain chamois, marmots, and eagles are all some wildlife you may even see whereas mountain climbing by way of 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 possibly can expertise the wild and discover really distant locations to chill out and minimize away from the crowded cities of Europe.

See What Podhale Tradition is All About

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

Stanislaw Witkiewicz is a well-known Polish author generally known as the fashion creator. This fashion utterly reworked the city within the late 1800s. Wooden rounded home windows and detailed elaborations are seen on the houses 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 houses themselves.

30 Fascinating & Enjoyable Details About Poland You Ought to Know

Take pleasure in Some Reasonably priced Snowboarding

The snowboarding in Zakopane just isn’t fairly as generally known as within the Swiss Alps. Nevertheless, it comes at a fraction of the worth, with carry tickets topping out at $35 in Zakopane. That is a number of the most cost-effective snowboarding in Europe you could find!

Winter right here could also be the most effective occasions to go to Zakopane. The city fills up with many households coming to benefit from the winter actions. The slopes listed below are family-friendly, excellent for newcomers to study the ropes.

Nevertheless, for the extra superior, there’s Kasprowy Wierch, which affords world-class snowboarding and a 6km lengthy descent from the highest carry. It should absolutely give skiers loads of time to work their approach down the mountain.

Head Up the Gubałówka Hill Funicular

In the event you’re feeling a bit 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 pleasant, nevertheless it is among the finest issues to do in Zakopane within the wintertime. The recent swimming pools at Terma Bukowina are one of the vital well-liked locations to go. You’ll most likely even get in a chat with a couple of locals.

The place to Keep in Zakopane?

Aries Resort & Spa: It is a fantastic 5-star lodge for reasonably priced pricing. The lodge itself is constructed within the typical Zakopane fashion, with an incredible location simply off of Krupowski Avenue. In the event you’re searching for a correct mountain retreat, Aries is an excellent selection.

Tatra Chalet: This small chalet is an excellent 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 best selection for us. Excellent news is the bus system in Poland is fairly dependable, low-cost, and usually the easiest way to journey.

Touring across the nation by practice can be attainable, 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 you could find the timetable right here.

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

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

Practice: Zakopane has its personal practice 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.

Automotive: As it’s positioned on a principal highway within the Tatras, Zakopane is definitely accessible by automobile. If driving from Kraków, comply with 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 grow to be fonder in our reminiscences as time has handed. It was one of many earliest locations as bloggers, and we had a very incredible time regardless of the climate being lackluster throughout our go to. A handful of locations stick out in our reminiscence, and one among them has to be Zakopane. Mountains encompass the quaint city that’s crammed with allure and tradition.

For us, Krakow was cool, however everybody went to Krakow. So, as an alternative, head out of Krakow to Zakopane for a singular expertise. Whereas it could be highly regarded for the Polish, it’s comparatively unprecedented for the remainder of the world.