Zakopane guide 
Sights and attractions - What should you visit in Zakopane? Tatras, Morskie Oko, Rysy, Giewont and others.
Accommodation - Where to stay in Zakopane? In a luxury spa hotel or in the mountains? In the city center or on the slopes?
Typical food and drink - What you should try in Zakopane - oscypek sheep cheese, kwasnica soup or sweet cherry waffles.
Practical tips - Here you can learn more about local transport, how to get to Zakopane, how to equip yourself for a hike, etc.
Weather - What temperatures and rainfall should you prepare for in Zakopane?
Personalities - What famous personalities lived and worked in Zakopane?
AI Poem - What did artificial intelligence write about Zakopane and the beautiful surrounding nature?
Zakopane, a city in the south of Poland near the border with Slovakia, lies at the foot of the High Tatras in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. It became famous as the "winter capital of Poland". Many locals and tourists go here for winter sports and mountain hiking. Approximately 27,000 permanent residents live here.
The city lies at an altitude of around 900 meters, which makes it an ideal destination for mountain activities.
It offers a wide range of ski resorts, slopes and cross-country tracks. The Kasprowy Wierch ski resort is among the most famous.
In the summer, not only tourists but also climbers go to Zakopane. Many hiking trails lead to the peaks of the Tatras, such as Giewont, Rysy or Czerwone Wierchy.
Zakopane was already settled in the 16th century and it formally became a city in 1933.
The city began to develop significantly at the end of the 19th century, when it became a favorite place for artists, writers and intellectuals. A significant role was played by the Polish writer and painter Stanisław Witkiewicz, who promoted the so-called Zakopane architecture.
The city and its surroundings offer many wellness centers and thermal baths, ideal for relaxation after a day spent in the mountains.
Cultural and historical monuments include the main street of Krupówki, Willa Koliba, Kaplica na Jaszczurówka and others.
Zakopane is the center of Goral culture, known for its specific music, dance, costumes and folk art. Goral traditions form an important part of local life. Goral culture is often presented at various festivals and cultural events.
The city hosts a number of festivals, including the International Mountain Folklore Festival, which attracts performers and visitors from around the world.
The Tatra Mountains, one of the most beautiful and most visited mountain ranges in Central Europe, offer wonderful scenery, lakes, waterfalls and diverse fauna and flora - it is not for nothing that it belongs to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Kościeliska Valley and Chochołowska Valley are among the most beautiful mountain valleys in the vicinity of Zakopane, ideal for hiking and cycling.
Many tourists also head to Morskie Oko, the largest and most famous glacial lake in the Tatras.
You can easily get to Zakopane by train, bus or car. In winter, however, you have to expect heavy traffic on the roads.
Sights and attractions
Krupówki - The main street of Zakopane, a bustling city center full of shops, restaurants, cafes and souvenir stalls. You can soak up the local atmosphere during pleasant walks here.
Gubałówka - A popular observation mountain with a wonderful view of Zakopane and the Tatras. A cable car goes to the top from the city center. In winter, there is a popular ski resort here, and in summer, hikers head here.
Morskie Oko - The largest and most beautiful mountain lake in the Polish Tatras, located at an altitude of 1,395 m above sea level. A scenic trail leads to this popular tourist destination. The journey to the lake takes approximately two hours on foot from the parking lot at the end of the Palenica Białczańska valley.
Wielka Krokiew - The largest ski jumping bridge in Poland, where international ski jumping competitions, including World Cup competitions, are regularly held.
Kasprowy Wierch - One of the highest peaks in the Polish Tatras (1,987 m above sea level), to which the cable car from Kuźnice leads. Beware of the long queue for the cable car in the morning. There are also 3 hiking trails (blue, yellow and green).
Tatrzański Park Narodowy - Tatra National Park protects the unique nature of the Tatras. Lovers of hiking, mountaineering and winter sports head here. The park offers a number of marked hiking trails of varying difficulty.
Tatrzańskie Museum - Museum dedicated to the nature, history and culture of the Tatras region. The exhibits include collections related to local flora and fauna, mountain sports and ethnography of the Podhale region.
Wooden architecture of Zakopane - Zakopane is famous for its specific wooden architecture, which combines traditional mountain style with artistic influences. Many old wooden houses and churches in Zakopane date from the 19th and early 20th centuries and form the unique character of the city.
Nosal - A smaller peak (1,205 m above sea level) that offers a wonderful view of Zakopane and the surrounding mountains. This popular spot for hikers and skiers is easily accessible from the city center.
Accommodations
Although less than 30,000 permanent residents live in Zakopane, the city offers almost 2,800 different accommodation capacities! Most are apartments, followed by hotels, cottages, boarding houses, hostels.
You can enjoy luxury in the city center, for example, at the 5* Aries Hotel & SPA Zakopane. The hotel offers a fitness, wellness and spa center with an indoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, massages and a beauty salon. Guests have access to a terrace, a garden, an outdoor children's playground or a babysitting service.
In the beautiful countryside, less than 5 km from the city center, you will find the popular Slow Tatry Boutique Resort, where you can stay in a room or in a cottage. A garden, a terrace, a shared lounge and free private parking are available here. The price includes breakfast. You can go to the hotel restaurant for lunch or dinner, or have a drink in the bar.
A pleasant guesthouse near the center of Owce Dwie offers accommodation with breakfast in double or family rooms. You can use the garden, sauna or private paid parking. Aquapark Zakopane and the railway station are within walking distance.
The very popular guesthouse Villa Teddy Bear Zakopane is located at a higher altitude, about 4.5 km from the city center. You can enjoy breathtaking views of the mountains from the sun terrace and from the windows. You also have at your disposal a garden, a common room, a shared kitchen, a games room or a private free parking lot.
For lovers of skiing, we can recommend the Villa Nosal - Zakopane guesthouse, which offers direct access to the slopes. You can also use the terrace, garden, outdoor fireplace, common room and free private parking here.
For a complete offer of accommodation in Zakopane, we recommend using A-HOTEL.com or Booking.com.
Typical food and drink
Zakopane has a rich culinary tradition reflecting the mountain character and local ingredients. In addition to typical Polish dishes such as pierogi or gulabki, you should try:
Oscypek - Traditional smoked cheese made from sheep's milk. They shape the cheese into a specific shape and smoke it over wood, which gives it a unique taste. It is often served warm, sometimes with cranberry jam.
Kwaśnica - A thick soup made from sauerkraut and smoked meat, mostly pork. This hearty and nutritious soup is loved by the locals and is prepared especially in the colder months.
Moskole - Potato pancakes that are prepared in a pan or on the stove. They are served with butter, cream or garlic. It is eaten as a side dish or a separate meal.
Grilled specialties – They often prepare skewers, different types of sausages and similar food directly on the fire in restaurants.
Tea with prądom - Tea with added alcohol, usually vodka or fruit brandy. This drink is served especially in winter and pleasantly warms the whole body after a day of hiking or skiing.
Miód pitny - Traditional Polish honey drink, similar to mead. This alcoholic drink is made by fermenting honey and water, sometimes with the addition of spices or fruit. Hot mead is pleasantly warm in winter.
Grzaniec – And thirdly, to warm up, traditional mulled wine, which is often served during the winter months at markets and festivals. Warming with spices such as cinnamon, cloves and orange peel, the wine is the perfect drink for winter evenings.
Waffles – A sweet finishing touch. You can treat yourself to local waffles with sour cherries, chocolate and delicious whipped cream.
Practical advice for the trip
How to get to Zakopane? By car, bus or train. The nearest airport is in Krakow, from where you can get to Zakopane by bus or train (the journey takes approximately 2-3 hours). Buses run frequently.
Zakopane has a good network of buses and minibuses that will take you to the starting points of hiking trails or ski resorts. You can buy tickets directly from the driver.
If you go hiking, start early in the morning so you have enough time to return before dark.
Zakopane is located in the mountains, so the weather tends to be changeable. Even in summer, it is useful to have warm clothes, a waterproof jacket and sturdy shoes suitable for hiking. In winter, you need good quality winter clothes, gloves, a hat and shoes. Be sure to follow the current weather forecast and the condition of the trails. Avalanches can form in winter, so be careful and heed the warnings.
If you are going on longer routes, it is better to take hiking poles, maps and a compass with you.
If you want to go hiking, for example to Morskie Oko or Giewont, plan your route in advance. Some routes can be challenging, so choose the one that suits your physical condition.
Some tourist attractions, such as the Kasprowy Wierch cable car, may have a limited number of tickets. We recommend buying tickets online in advance, especially during high season.
In Zakopane, they organize cultural events, such as Goral festivals and folklore performances. Find out about current events and visit one of the events to experience the local atmosphere.
After a day of hiking or skiing, relax in one of the local wellness centers or in the nearby thermal spas. You can also find an aqua park right in Zakopane.
Zakopane is located on the edge of the Tatra National Park, so you must follow the rules of nature protection here, such as not leaving litter and moving only on marked trails.
Weather
The mountain type of climate in Zakopane is characterized by cooler temperatures and higher precipitation compared to lower-lying areas.
During long, cold and snowy winters, temperatures often drop below freezing. Average winter temperatures are around -5°C to -10°C. Snow can lie here from November to April, making Zakopane a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
In mild to cool summers, average temperatures are around 15°C to 20°C. Due to the higher altitude, nights tend to be cooler and temperatures can rise during the day. In summer, expect changeable weather and occasional rain.
Precipitation in Zakopane is distributed evenly throughout the year, but it rains the most in the summer months. Autumn and winter can bring snowfall, not only in the mountains, but also in the city itself.
Strong winds can occur in the Zakopane area, especially in the winter months. The so-called "gale wind" (warm blow dryer wind) can cause sudden changes in temperature.
This climate creates ideal conditions for winter sports in the winter and hiking in the summer, and visitors should be prepared for rapid weather changes.
Famous personalities
Zakopane is not only a natural and sports center, but also a cultural place where important Polish artists, writers and sports pioneers met and created.
Stanisław Witkiewicz (1851–1915) - Prominent Polish painter, writer and architect, pioneer of the so-called "Zakopane style" in architecture. This style, inspired by the folk architecture of Podhalí, has become iconic for Zakopane. Witkiewicz moved to Zakopane at the end of the 19th century and developed his artistic and architectural projects there, which still influence the appearance of the city today.
Karol Szymanowski (1882–1937) - One of the most important Polish composers of the 20th century, an outstanding pianist and music theorist. Szymanowski often stayed in Zakopane, where he was treated for tuberculosis and found inspiration for his music. In Villa Atma, where he stayed in Zakopane, today you can visit a museum dedicated to his life and work.
Jan Kasprowicz (1860–1926) - Polish poet, playwright and literary critic, one of the most important representatives of Polish modernism. Kasprowicz spent the last years of his life in Zakopane, where he also died. His house, known as Harenda, now hosts a museum that preserves his literary legacy.
Józef Oppenheim (1887–1946) - Pioneer of skiing and mountain tourism in the Tatras, one of the first leaders of the mountain rescue service (TOPR). Oppenheim played a key role in the development of ski mountaineering and downhill skiing and rescue services in the Tatras.
Mariusz Zaruski (1867–1941) - Prominent Polish general, mountain guide, sailor and promoter of mountain tourism and skiing in Poland. Zaruski was one of the pioneers of mountain tourism and skiing in Zakopane. He founded the Tatra Mountain Rescue Service (TOPR) and played a key role in the development of mountain sports in the area.
Władysław Hasior (1928–1999) - Polish sculptor and painter known for his unconventional and avant-garde works. Hasior lived and worked in Zakopane. His house and studio in Zakopane became a gallery exhibiting his works.
A poem about Zakopane invented by artificial intelligence
In the heart of the Tatras, in the mountain region,
the city of Zakopane is located,
under the shields where the wind blows
where the mountains rise to the sky determined.
Winter snow covers the landscape here,
white duvet forests silent,
in summer the meadows bloom,
the scent of flowers fills the tender soul.
Around the shields steep and rugged,
Giewont proudly raises his head,
above him the sky stretches
where in the evening the stars quietly sit down to lunch.
Beneath the mountains in the valley lies,
the city where the heart of the mountains beats
Zakopane, a jewel of nature,
where every hike hides hidden magic.
Rivers flow, forests rustle,
oscypek smells from the local market,
every day here in the heart of the Tatras,
nature offers the theater of the infinite.