Zakopane: attractions, restaurants, itineraries

Zakopane is a place where beauty and tranquility reign

Just a 2-hour drive from Krakow, you'll find the town of Zakopane, nestled at an altitude of up to 1100 meters above sea level. This high-altitude town is spread out in a basin between the alpine Tatra Mountains and the Gubałówka mountain range.

Zakopane has a unique location within a National Park, making it a popular destination not only in the winter but also during the warmer months. The resort attracts over 2 million tourists annually, who come to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy the tranquility of the area.

You can start exploring the town with a walk down Krupówki Street, lined with cozy coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants, as well as stalls selling souvenirs made by local artisans. This is also where you'll find street musicians, performers, and artists.

If you're looking to conquer another peak, be sure to hike up Gubałówka, which stands at 1123 meters. It takes 40 minutes to walk to the summit, or you can take the funicular for a more relaxed approach. At the top, there is a viewing platform offering breathtaking views of Zakopane and the surrounding mountains.

For a fun-filled time on Gubałówka, there are trampolines, a ropes course, and even a petting zoo with adorable alpacas. You can also rent an ATV or simply enjoy a delicious meal at a restaurant with a mountain view.

The gem of the resort is Morskie Oko lake, surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks and dense forests. You can reach it via regular bus services that make stops at the stunning Mickiewicz Waterfall along the way. Morskie Oko is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, and it takes no less than an hour and a half to walk around it completely. Nearby, there's a hostel named after the lake, where you can stay overnight.

If you get tired of admiring the lake, nearby rises the Rysy mountain. However, due to the very steep cliffs, you can only climb it with an instructor and reliable safety gear.

When to go?

You can relax in Zakopane all year round. The ski season starts in December and only ends in April. Moreover, it's in this month that the stunning crocuses bloom. The resort sees the highest number of tourists from late January to February, all due to the winter school holidays. The best period for skiing is from late February to March.

Spring in Zakopane is truly felt only in May. For those who dream of a quiet retreat in the mountains, June is ideal, characterized by frequent rains. The second peak of the tourist season is in July and August, when various thematic festivals and fairs are held.

Velvet autumn is the perfect time not only for hikes but also for relaxation in the Chochołowska Thermal Baths. These thermal pools get their water from the depths of the earth, which has a fairly high temperature, a distinctive sulfur smell, and therapeutic properties.

What to buy?

Just like in any other resort town, Zakopane has plenty of shops where you can buy souvenirs.

For a memorable vacation, you can purchase a sheepskin to decorate your home, or a warm vest made from natural sheepskin that will keep you warm on cold winter days.

You can also bring back smoked oscypek cheese made from salted sheep’s milk. This cheese is made only in the Tatra Mountains. Be sure to buy a jar of the delicious local mountain honey.

What to try?

In Zakopane, you can try dishes from the Goral cuisine, which we recommend starting with a potato pancake with spicy Zbójnicki-style goulash.

At the local tavern, they serve baked chicken fillet with local sheep cheese Oscypek and cranberry jam, grilled river trout, as well as sausages, pork knuckles, and kebabs prepared over an open fire. For a snack, fried Oscypek cheese with bacon or jam is a great choice.

On especially cold days, they serve hot dark beer with honey and spices, topped with a thick head of foam. With the arrival of winter, you can find barrels of drinks such as hot mead and Grzaniec, which is akin to mulled wine, at every turn. Grzaniec is often made not with wine but with beer, and its recipes are passed down through generations.

By the way, in Zakopane, you can try various kinds of the most delicious beer, such as Żubr, Tyskie, Okocim, Lech (beer-troll), Żywiec, Heweliusz, and Tatra, recommended by the locals.

Miod pitny — a drink made from honey and water. After fermentation, various aromatic herbs, fruits, and even vegetables are added to the mead. It is sold in glass or clay bottles.

Another traditional drink in Zakopane is Slivovitz, made from Hungarian plums. This aromatic, almost transparent alcoholic beverage has an ABV of a whopping 70%!

Zakopane, Poland

Zakopane is a place where beauty and tranquility reign

When to go?

What to buy?

What to try?