Zakopane is located on the south of Poland in the majestic mountain area of Tatra National Park. The city is my huge love, I travel there 2-3 times a year to hike but this fascinating destination has great attractions to offer. I have put together a list of 10 top attractions and things to do in Zakopane, packed with magnificent adventures and hiking trails, accompanied by stunning mountain scenery.
Zakopane is busy all year round with a high season in December – March and May – October. Laying in the heart of the Polish Tatra Mountains range it is a paradise for climbing and winter sport lovers, turning into an amazing snowy land in the winter season.
Top things to do in Zakopane.
One of the must-visit attractions in Zakopane is the Tatra National Park. Spanning across the Tatra Mountains, this national park is a haven for nature lovers and hikers. With a network of well-marked trails, you’ll be able to explore stunning alpine landscapes, crystal-clear lakes (like the Five Lakes Valley) and have a shot in one of the mountain shelters 😉
Where Zakopane is located?
Zakopane is located in Tatra Mountains and it is a magnificent winter capital. It will drag your attention immediately with its unique atmosphere and incredible mountain scenery. I recommend spending a few days and taking time to explore the region, local culture and traditions, and of course, meet one and only Gorale – the mountain community.
If you are looking for great hiking adventures, you are in the right place! Local transport will make your traveling easy, hassle-free and pretty cheap. Zakopane is a great family destination, cable rail will carry you and your family to the top of the most spectacular mountain peaks, where you can enjoy your time and lots of family facilities.
How to get to Zakopane?
There are a few ways to get to Zakopane from major Polish cities. The best platform to book train and bus tickets in Poland is Omio.com – with more than 1,000 transportation providers.
- By train it takes 2.15 hours from Warsaw by speed train but there are slow-trains options available as well.
- By Bus – it’s a 2h drive from Cracow, there’s plenty of companies to choose from. Buses and trains leave from Cracow Glowny/Main station.
- Car – I always use Rentalcars.com – the world’s largest online car rental service. A drive from Cracow can take 1.5-2 hours, depending on the season. Just bear in mind winter in Poland can be rough with heavy snowfalls 😉 A lot of people do not realize that and it is a completely different drive than in summer conditions.
- Organized tour from Zakopane – although I would recommend staying at least 3 days exploring top things to do in Zakopane.
You should never go on a mountain adventure without travel insurance, medical coverage is a must when approaching hiking trails. SafetyWing offers very good coverage.
Trek to Morskie Oko – Sea Eye – one of the most scenic natural wonders of Europe!
Morskie Oko is one of the top things to see in Zakopane. It’s a crystal clear lake surrounded by Tatra mountains. It’s a long but easy walk leading to Morskie Oko, it takes 6 km one way but there is an asphalt road suitable for families and plenty of magnificent views on the way. It can get really crowded during weekends. There is a popular shelter near the lake, where you’ll be able to enjoy a tasty mountain lunch.
How to get to Morkie Oko?
The way to Morskie Oko Lake.
Before heading to Morskie Oko I would advise you getting the Tatra Mountains Map – it’s FREE in any Tourist Information Office in Zakopane. You’ll get a map with all the hiking routes marked with different colors. It would be useful to have a map in case you wish to continue your walk from the lake.
At the entrance to the park (as well as in Zakopane town) you will see a lot of horse-drawn carriages offering rides to Morskie Oko. It should be a harmless attraction but unfortunately in Zakopane, it is not – please DO NOT use horse-drawn carriages there! For the last number of years, it has been a huge problem in the southern region of Poland. Communities and media have been fighting to ban the Carriage Horse Transport to Morskie Oko Lake in the Tatra National Park due to very cruel animal treatment! Every year horses are dying on the way to the lake, as they are forced to work above their capabilities.
How to get to Morskie Oko from Zakopane.
Your starting point to Morskie Oko is Palenica Bialczanska. To get there you need to take a minibus from Zakopane to Palenica Bialczanska (this is the last bus stop just after Lysa Polana) – there is a huge parking place and an entrance to TPN (Tatra National Park). Buses run every 20 minutes from Zakopane Bus Station stage 1, which is located next to PKP Station/Train station. The bus will run toward Morskie Oko – Sea Eye (there will be a sign on the window).
Tatra National Park.
Hiking Tatra Mountains is one of the top things to do in Zakopane, with unlimited number of trails from easy hikes to very challenging chain climbing. Hikes to peaks such as Rysy, the highest peak in Poland, are very demanding and you need a proper experience to go for it. But walking toward the majestic beauty Five Lakes Valley is something suitable for most visitors.
You need a ticket to enter Tatra National Park – it’s available for purchase in every ticket office located at the entrances to the Park. An easier way is to buy a ticket online. You can buy a 7-day pass to TPN which costs 35 PLN (9 euro).
Best hikes:
Try Oscypek – traditional smoked cheese with cranberry 🙂
Oscypek – an original mountain cheese, made by local farmers. There are plenty of small markets in Zakopane where you can get it, it’s available on every corner of the town, fresh, smoked or grilled. My favorite is grilled with cranberry! Try mountain honey, there are different types of honey available only in the mountain area, with different colors and tastes. You’ll be delighted!
Krupowki Street & try local food!
Krupowki is the center of Zakopane – the most famous street leading 1 km through the whole city, solely for pedestrians. Walking the street in the evening time will be among top attractions to do in Zakopane. Krupowki Street is a busy hub of local culture, food stalls, traditional restaurants, charming cafes and unique shops. You’ll have plenty of chances to witness local folklore and craftsmanship,
Zakopane architecture is mostly wooden, and so are the restaurants. You would most likely sit in a cosy wooded hut with a big fireplace in the middle, serving delicious local specialities. Mountain food is very filling and portions are usually huge. Try ‘Placek po zbojnicku’ – a fried potato cake with stew, one of the favourite dishes in the mountain area. Bear in mind that Krupowki Street can be crowded so it’s better to book a table in advance. Don’t be surprised to see long queues along Krupowki Street awaiting a table in the best local restaurants.
Cable Car to Kasprowy Wierch – 1987m.
If you are not a hiker Zakopane gives you plenty of options to get to the top of the most stunning mountain peaks. A cable car journey to Kasprowy Wierch summit is one of the top attractions in Zakopane. It is also the longest ski slope in this area but a lot of people take a ride just to relax at the top over lunch along with breathtaking views. A cable car to Kasprowy Wierch takes approximately 20 minutes, while hiking is pretty tough and takes at least 3 hours one-way for experienced hikers (depending on weather conditions!). Cable car to Kasprowy Wierch is a massive attraction, so make sure to buy tickets in advance. You can obtain them on the official website: https://www.pkl.pl/kasprowy-wierch/kasprowy-wierch-en.html
Make sure to check the weather forecast ahead of the trip. The cable car will be closed in heavy windy coonditions.
Zakopane winter activities - Go skiing or snowboarding!
Zakopane is a wonderful land for skiing and snowboarding. The nearby slopes of Kasprowy Wierch and Gubałówka offer excellent opportunities for skiing and snowboarding. But there are plenty of high-quality slopes near Zakopane: Bialka Tatrzanska, Bukowina Tatrzanska, Jurgow.
Be prepared for long queues to the ski lift/or cable rail in the high season (Christmas time & New Year are packed!!).
Take a Cable Railway to Gubałówka mountain.
Getting to Gubalowka Peak is one of the best things to do in Zakopane. It’s an easy and pleasant journey with rewarding views of Tatra Mountains and Zakopane panorama from the top – make sure the weather is good otherwise clouds will cover the landscape. There are plenty of bars and attractions for kids at the top. You can take a Day tour to Zakopane and Tatra Mountains from Cracow.
Local market in Zakopane.
Near the cable car bottom station of Gubalowka, there’s the most famous local market in Zakopane, with plenty of traditional products – strong mountains alcohol, regional specialties, craftwork and handmade clothing. It is worth visiting this place but first take a look around and compare prices before purchasing. My advice – try everything what market has to offer but be careful with the traditional Sliwowica – Plum vodka, it can contain 42-70% alcohol and you need to know how to drink it. Always inhale first before taking a shot!
Best hikes in Tatra Mountains!
Hiking is among the best Zakopane attractions all year round. However, Tatra Mountains can be highly challenging, even in spring trails may be covered with snow. Here you have to be well prepared and equipped before hiking any route in Tatra. The views are stunning and for those who love mountains, it will be a mystic adventure. I spent a few winters in Tatra Mountains hiking, climbing and doing my Advanced Mountaineering Courses. Everything you need to know is the below posts:
How to get to Zakopane from Cracow?
It is a very easy and short 2 hour trip from Cracow (Krakow).
- The train ride is 2.15 hours and it’s a very comfortable train, highly recommend.
- Bus would be the same 2h drive, there’s plenty of companies to choose from. Buses and trains leave from Cracow Glowny/Main bus station.
- Car – depends on a season – 1-2 hours – bare in mind there might be a heavy snawfall in winter time.
- Organized tour from Zakopane – there are number of organized one-day tours from Cracow to Zakopane, although I would highly recommend staying at least 3 days and exploring Tatra National Park!
Useful advise on transportation in Zakopane.
Local buses – there are local buses no. 14 and 11. They go through the city with the final stop at the main Train and Bus Station in Zakopane.
Mini buses will take you outside Zakopane – they run toward Morskie Oko lake and on a distance Kuznice – Kasprowy Wierch cable rail.
Taxis – be careful they are very expensive in Zakopane!
