Zakopane is a large, year-round mountain resort in Małopolskie Province in southern Poland. It's set in the Tatra mountains which form the natural frontier between Poland and Slovakia. It's been a spa and fashionable society spot, and is characterised by wooden chalets in a distinctive local style.

Understand

The largest tourist center in the Polish mountains.

Zakopane has a population of 27,000 (2017), but receives over 2 million visitors per year. it is a popular base for hiking and mountaineering in summer and for skiing in winter. Hikers must stick to the trails which can be (over)crowded in summer.

History

Zakopane was founded as a village in 16th century. Relatively small and forgotten place in the world for over three centuries it was discovered in second half of 19th century by Tytus Chałubiński, Polish physician. Its carrer as resort started in 1886 when it officialy became spa town and in 1889 entire Zakopane estate was bought by Władysław Zamoyski to preserve its forests from overexploitation which cemented its status. He also invested a lot of money into expansion of village building elementary infrastructure including school, waterworks, and post office.

As soon as it was discovered, Zakopane was regarded as ''Polish soul'' and it become popular refuge for many great Polish personalities. It was especially popular among Polish elites in interwar period. Politicians, artists, scientists and sportsmen alike visited this place looking for leisure. Later during 20th century Tatra National Park was founded and Zakopane itself greatly expanded to cater to ever increasing numbers of tourists.

Climate

Zakopane is deeply affected by its high elevation which results in much lower temperatures and much higher rainfall than usual in Poland. In winter Zakopane is one of few snow-sure Polish winter destinations with average temperature around -5°C and pretty much guaranteed snowfall, though amount of snow may disappoint. In summer it is not too warm around 15°C on average and quite wet with over 100 mm of rain per month from May to August. Weather in general is very unpredictable and it is best to prepare for everything, especially rainfall and cold snaps. Sudden thunderstorms may be dangerous in summer.

Visitor information

• Zakopane tourist information
• Tourist Information Center, Chramcówki 35 street (next railway station), ☏ +48 18 20 12 211. M-Sa 9:00-17:00. (updated Sep 2024)

Get in

By train

Trains run every couple of hours or so from Kraków, taking 3 hr 30 min. Three of these come direct from Warsaw (6-9 hours), with Sleeper trains most nights. Other destinations usually involve changing in Kraków but there is one direct train daily from Bydgoszcz via Poznan and Wroclaw.

The 1 railway station is 500 m (1,600 ft) east of town centre.

By bus

Several bus companies run from Kraków via Nowy Targ to Zakopane, taking two hours, so there's price competition and buses at least hourly. The main carriers are Majer Bus and Szwagropol. Flixbus run direct from Warsaw, 7 hr.

By car

From Kraków take Highway 7 to Rabka and then 47 to Zakopane, 90 min but longer on fine weekends and holidays when everyone heads into the mountains.

On foot

You can use the long-distance hiking trails which cross the border with Slovakia.

Get around

• PKS buses according to schedule.
• Mini bus — There are a lot of privately owned vans (called mini bus). Most have fixed routes and rates, no schedule. Often there is the possibility of negotiation (route, price, time). Note a driver's telephone number if you think you may need transport later.
• Taxi

See

One of the tombstones at Pęksowy Brzyzek

• Tatra Mountains. 
• Morskie Oko lake
• The Gubałówka Hill Funicular. 
• Kasprowy Wierch Cableway. 
• Cemetery of the Distinguished at Pęksowy Brzyzek, ul. Kościeliska, by the old church. The oldest cemetery, dating from the 1920s. A burial place of distinguished people connected to Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains. Most of the tombstones are real works of art made of wood, stone and metal. Free. (updated May 2016)

Museums

• 1 The Tatra Museum, The Main Building ul. Krupówki 10, ☏ +48 18 201 52 05. Closed on M. Has several buildings throughout the town. 7 zł, reduced 5,50 zł.  
  • 2 Gallery of 20th Century Art at Oksza villa, ul. Zamoyskiego 25, ☏ +48 692 029 817. W-Sa 10:00—18:00, Su 11:00-16:00, M Tu closed. 7 zł, concessions 5,50 zł. 
  • 3 Museum of the Zakopane Style - Inspirations, Droga do Rojów 6, ☏ +48 18 201 22 94. Displays the regional Highlander architecture which inspired Stanisław Witkiewicz to develop the Zakopane Style. An ethnographic collection of Maria and Bronisław Dembowski can also be seen in this branch of the Tatra Museum. 6 zł, concessions 4.50 zł.  
  • The Władysław Hasior Gallery ul. Jagiellońska 18b
  • The Gallery of Art in Koziniec ul. Koziniec 8
  • The Kornel Makuszyński Museum ul. Tetmajera 15
  • Museum of the 1846 Chochołów Uprising Chochołów 75
• Karol Szymanowski Museum (Villa Atma), ul. Kasprusie 19. 
• Jan Kasprowicz Museum, Harenda 12a. 
• 4 Villa Atma. The Villa Atma (Polish Willa Atma) is a historic chalet housing the Karol Szymanowski Museum, department of the National Museum in Kraków. (updated Oct 2021)

Do

Zakopane is probably Poland's best known winter sports town

• Teatr im. St. I. Witkiewicza, ul. Chramcówki 15, ☏ +48 18 20 00 660. 
• Ski
  • Kasprowy Wierch
  • Gubałówka
  • Nosal
  • Białka Tatrzańska
  • Bukowina Tatrzańska
  • Butorowy Wierch
  • Polana Szymoszkowa

    

    Night skiing at nearby ski station of Kotelnica Białczańska (Białka Tatrzańska)

• Hike
• Climb. 
• Paraglide. A 15-minute flight as a passenger costs 250 zł. There are a couple of day courses in paragliding as well. 

Many of these activities are outside of Zakopane. However, minibuses, leaving when full, depart from different points in Zakopane all day. Most minibuses leave from the front of the train station. The same system works to return hikers/skiers to Zakopane. Expect to pay about 3.50 zł each for the minibus (around €1).

Additional things to explore:

• Murowaniec hostel in Gąsienicowa valley
• Morskie Oko valley
• Kasprowy Wierch (mountain), 1985 metres. Tatra view point. Restaurant. Skiing area. Cable railway runs from

Hike

It's worth buying a map of the area if you're going hiking. Most likely you will be hiking in Tatra National Park. Be aware that as it is a National Park special rules apply—don't be loud, leave any garbage or disturb animals. Maps are sold by the tourist office (17 Kosciuszki St., telephone: 01820 12211), down the hill, on your left, just before getting to the bus stop and cross roads (Krupowki St. and Kosciuszki St.) in the centre of town. They'll also give suggested routes, based on the latest weather forecasts and your fitness and equipment. Entrance fee of 4 zł (2 zł for students and school kids).

The maps are very tourist-friendly, with the "difficulty levels" for different paths marked: possibly slightly patronising for seasoned hikers. The pram symbol for the 'easy' paths is taken too literally - people have been seen trying to get prams up steep paths from Zakopane into the mountains. All the paths marked on the map are well maintained by the government.

Whichever route you plan to take, it is advised you dress warmly and bring spare waterproof clothes and water. Put the clothes in a plastic bag in your backpack to keep them dry in case of rain. Even midsummer it can hail for a whole day in the mountains! Remember you are already at 1000m, although it doesn't feel like it.

See also: Hiking from Zakopane to Giewont

Nearby hikes

Mount Rysy 2499-metre, 4-hour hike from Morskie Oko valley

Learn

• Mountain Academy "Murowaniec" — avalanche courses.

Buy

• Many shops at Krupówki promenade.

Eat

These are true oscypek cheeses, note the pyramidal shape.

A local speciality is Oscypek, smoked sheep's milk cheese.

There are many good eateries within Zakopane. Look for authentic-looking wood huts. Avoid ones with colourful lights and multi-coloured lamps. Good "Bacówkas" include "Bąkowo Zohylina Wyźnio and Nizino" right off of Krupowki. Chata Zbójnicka on Jagiellońska is also good for authentic food (and experience). You can also try the fried fish eateries anywhere in town for a quick, cheap meal. Trout is the speciality in this town.

There is a cheese market every day. It's probably best to come early in the morning while the produce is still fresh, but it's fine to eat whenever it's purchased.

Budget

All of these are in the city centre:

• 1 Meta Seta Galareta, Mariusza Zaruskiego 2. (updated May 2022)
• 2 Chatka Puchatka - Obiady Domowe, Krupówki 35. (updated May 2022)
• 3 Bar Górski, Weteranów Wojny 2. (updated May 2022)
• 4 Bar Mleczny Nowotarska 4A, Nowotarska 4A. (updated May 2022)

Mid-range

• Regional Restaurant Nosalowy Dwór, Balzera 21d. The choice of meals from both regional and international cuisine. (updated May 2022)
• Restauracja 'U Wnuka', ul. Kościeliska 8, ☏ +48 18 2064167. First restaurant in Zakopane, opened around year 1850. Obviously they have the traditional highlander cuisine. (updated May 2022)

Drink

• 1 Cafe Piano, ul. Krupówki 63, ☏ +48 18 201 21 08. Daily 15:00—24:00. Full of surprises, strange sculptures, lamps made of (fake) amber. And the best thing is that there are swings in place of bar stools! 

Sleep

Budget

• 1 Camping 'Pod Krokwią', ul. Żeromskiego, ☏ +48 18 201 22 56. Place for tents and campervans as well as small wooden houses and rooms. 
• 2 Good Bye Lenin Hostel, ul. Chłabówka 44 (ca 2 km from the centre), ☏ +48 18 200 13 30. Wooden house, reputed to be 100 years old. Clean, but noisy and mostly occupied by foreign tour groups, Thefts and fights have been reported. Dorms from 35/40 zł, double 120/130. 
• 3 Target Hostel, ul. Sienkiewicza 3B, ☏ +48 18 207 45 96. In the centre. 

Mid-range

• Plenty of private rooms. Tourists coming by train or bus will often find private landlords waiting for them at the stations. Negotiate the price. Board often available. Ask to be shown the location on a map. Many locations are outside Zakopane city (which may be an advantage).

Splurge

• 4 Villa Vita, ul. Krupówki 2, ☏ +48 18 200 06 00. 5-min walk from a cable-lift to Gubałówka. From the windows you can admire a beautiful view over Krupowki and Tatra Mountains. 
• 5 Nosalowy Dwor Resort and Spa, Balzera 21d, ☏ +48 18 20 22 400. Two hotels of the Nosalowy Dwór Resort & Spa complex are situated at the foot of Mount Nosal in Zakopane. There is 3* regional style hotel Nosalowy Dwor and 4* Hotel Grand Nosalowy Dwor. 
• 6 Aries Hotel and Spa, Mariusza Zaruskiego 5, ☏ +48 18 544 44 44, recepcja@hotelaries.pl. Rather new upscale hotel in the former building of Dom Turysty, the former main budget accommodation provider of Zakopane. Now it is a rather luxurious hotel with spa. starting at 440 zł. 

Stay safe

Due to its popularity, scams in Zakopane are more common than in other places. The local highlanders have a reputation in Poland of being notoriously greedy scammers. As with many stereotypes, it is partially true and partially false. A moderate level of caution should suffice.

Fake lodging listings are a common problem and you should watch out for them before arriving, especially during the most popular parts of the year (Christmas, New Year's Eve). Book well in advance, check twice and take your time. Whenever in doubt don't book.

Another scam sometimes takes place on Krupówki street. You may be harrased by a man in a white bear costume who will aggressively demand money (usually about 50 zł) for taking a photo with him in the background. Remember that you are not obliged to pay and can call the police, especially since he doesn't have a license. However, you can also find much less rude licensed individuals, as taking a photo with a man dressed as a white bear is a long-standing tradition.

Watch out for fake oscypek. Common fooling names include łoscypek, uoscypek or scypek. Real oscypek starting with letter o looks more like double pyramid and is made of sheep milk, fake variants are usually more cylindrical in shape and usually made from cow milk. Real oscypek is also produced only from May to September and sold up to October. Fake cheeses may cause food poisoning and diarrhea. Whenever in doubt, don't buy/eat.

Keep your eyes open in restaurants/bars. Some owners overcharge unaware tourists and include various little fees in fine print that may swell your bill by about 20%. Typical examples include but are not limited to: live music (or even prerecorded music, usually a flat fee), service (up to 10%), toilet (5 zł per visit) and parking lot. Locals can be very creative and can make you pay 3 zł even for a little cherry on top of your ice cream. Stay away from such places as there are many good and honest restaurants in Zakopane.

Go next

• Kuźnice: get in on foot, or by local bus.
• Chochołów
• Nowy Targ