12 fun things to do in Zakopane, the gateway to the Polish Tatras

The city of Zakopane is the gateway to Poland’s Tatra Mountains. What are the best things to do in Zakopane? Check out these tips!

Table of contents hide

1 About Zakopane

2 Things to do in Zakopane

3 Where to stay in Zakopane

4 Book a trip to Lesser Poland

5 Read more about Poland

About Zakopane

Zakopane is a beautiful city in southern Poland, located at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. Located at an altitude of 800 meters, the city is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, rich culture, and extraordinary architecture.

Once a modest village, Zakopane has today become a popular tourist attraction, attracting millions of visitors annually from home and abroad.

Zakopane’s history is inextricably linked to mountain culture. People lived there as early as the 13th century, but it did not become a city until 1930. What you’ll immediately notice when you visit the city, is the unique architectural style, with wooden chalets and ornate roofs. This one is very typical of Zakopane’s streetscape.

But what really makes Zakopane a popular destination is its location at the foot of the majestic Tatra Mountains. And this is incredibly beautiful! The rugged mountain landscapes, with glistening lakes, waterfalls, and dense forests, provide an irresistible backdrop for adventure activities and unforgettable hikes.

I visited Zakopane prior to a short hiking trip in the Polish Tatras and the town pleasantly surprised me! In this blog post, I’ll show you some of the most beautiful sights and tell you what to do in Zakopane.

Things to do in Zakopane

Let’s get started! These are the best things to do and the most beautiful Zakopane sights not to miss during your visit.

Kasprowy Wierch

Kasprowy Wierch is a most beautiful mountain peak in the Polish Tatra Mountains and is as high as 1987 meters. What makes this mountain peak even more fun is that you can reach it very easily by cable car from Zakopane.

From the top, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Tatra Mountains and surrounding valleys. It is also a popular place for hiking and skiing, depending on the season.

I visited the mountaintop in September and took the cable car up and then hiked back down. A great experience!

Krupówki

Krupówki is the main shopping street in Zakopane and although it is always busy, walking through here is a must. What to expect. Lots of great stores, from unusual boutique stores to handy outdoor stores where you can buy a few more things for your adventure trip in the Tatra Mountains.

You will also find plenty of cozy restaurants and cafes, where you can fully enjoy traditional Polish dishes such as pierogi (stuffed dumplings) or oscypek (smoked sheep’s cheese). In addition, this is also a good place to buy souvenirs.

Gubałówka

On the north side of the city, you will find the hill Gubałówka. Although it is not extremely high (1126 meters), from here you do have a spectacular panoramic view of the Tatra Mountains.

You can easily reach the hill by cable car, but there are also plenty of beautiful hiking trails if you feel like a fun climb.

Tatra National Park

I mentioned the Tatra Mountains a few times already, and the famous Tatra National Park is therefore the reason many people visit Zakopane. Indeed, this is a paradise for nature lovers.

From Zakopane, you can take different entrances to enter the park and what I personally really liked is that each entrance has a different atmosphere. Sometimes you are standing in a dark forest and hear a river babbling around you, sometimes there is suddenly a beautiful waterfall, but you also have amazing views, impressive rock formations, and crystal clear mountain lakes.

Tatra National Park is incredibly impressive and therefore not surprising that it is often (very) crowded here. So visit the park outside the high season (I was there in September, which already makes a big difference), avoid weekends, and start your adventure on time.

Read more: Hiking in the Polish Tatras: practical tips & scenic routes

Wielka Krokiew

Wielka Krokiew is a famous ski jump in Zakopane. With a height of 1378 meters and a ramp record of 147 meters, it is one of the largest ski jumps in the world. The ramp, which opened in 1925, is an important location for skiing in Poland.

In addition to being a sporting venue, the Wielka Krokiew is also a popular tourist attraction. So you can take a cable car to the top of the ramp and enjoy spectacular views of Zakopane and the surrounding mountains.

Check the official website for more information, prices, and opening hours.

Jaszczurówka

One of the most beautiful buildings in Zakopane is Jaszczurówka, a wooden chapel dating from the early 20th century. The chapel was designed by Stanisław Witkiewicz, a famous Polish architect known for his unique “Zakopane style.”

In addition to its unique architecture, the chapel is known for its detailed carvings and traditional mountain decorations. The longer you look at it, the more you see. A very interesting place!

The chapel is very popular for weddings. I have been told that on a single day, as many as eight couples have said “I do” to each other in this beautiful place.

Morskie Oko hike

Lake Morskie Oko is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Poland. It is located in Tatra National Park and should definitely not be missed in this list of Zakopane sights. Morskie Oko is Polish for “Eye of the Sea,” and so the lake has a brilliant deep blue color.

Although the weather was not great during my visit to Morskie Oko, I was still able to properly admire the beauty of the lake. The low-hanging clouds gave it a very special mystical atmosphere.

To get there travel by car or bus to Palenica Białczańska, which is the easternmost entrance to Tatra National Park. you have to take a beautiful hike through mountains and forests, but you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the crystal-clear lake surrounded by high peaks.

Read more: Morskie Oko hike: a great hiking itinerary to the most beautiful lake in Poland

Muzeum Tatrzańskie

The Muzeum Tatrzańskie (Museum of the Tatras) is a place you should definitely visit if you want to learn more about the history and culture of Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains. Founded in 1889, the museum is the oldest and largest museum in the region.

The museum consists of several buildings and you can see tens of thousands of different objects. Consider historical objects, such as paintings and photographs, so you can see how things used to look. Also, ethnographic objects (including clothing, tools, and furniture of local people) and natural history objects (including fossils, plants, and animals from the Tatras).

One of the most beautiful buildings in the museum is Willa Koliba. This beautiful wooden villa symbolizes the unique “Zakopane style” and, like Jaszczurówka, was designed by Stanisław Witkiewicz

Check the official website for opening hours and admission prices. These vary by building.

Willa Koliba - part of Muzeum Tatrzańskie - via Depositphotos

Pęksowy Brzyzek (cemetery)

The first place I visited in Zakopane was Pęksowy Brzyzek, a very special cemetery. It is hidden among the tall pines and the grave monuments look like nothing you normally see in Dutch cemeteries.

It is the final resting place of many famous Polish artists, writers and poets, and there is a unique atmosphere. Many mountaineers are also buried there, and this is evident by a special emblem or small pieces of art in the grave monument. A very special place that you should definitely visit during your stay in Zakopane.

Chochołowska valley

The Chochołowska Valley lies just outside Zakopane and this is a wonderful landscape to explore. This beautiful place is also part of Tatra National Park in Poland and one of the longest and most popular valleys in the area.

The valley stretches for five kilometers and is surrounded by towering mountain peaks. Chochołowska is dotted with dense forests, rolling hills, crystal clear mountain streams, and idyllic meadows. Here and there is one of those beautiful little wooden houses.

The Chochołowska Valley is a paradise for hikers and cyclists. There are several hiking trails leading through the valley, ranging from easy routes to more challenging trails. It is a great place to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature while surrounded by green meadows and impressive mountains.

Giewont

Walking through Zakopane, you may notice that one of the mountain peaks resembles the face of a reclining man. This is Giewont and this mountain has three peaks. The highest peak measures 1894 meters.

According to a Polish legend, the Giewont is a petrified knight. The knight, named Giewont, was a heroic warrior who gave his life to defend his country. After his death, he was rewarded by the gods with an eternal rest in the mountains. The gods turned him into a mountain so that he could watch over his land forever.

The Giewont is a popular mountain for hikers. Climbing the mountain is challenging, with a section at the end with chains you have to hold on to in order to reach the top. Your reward is spectacular views of the Tatra Mountains and Zakopane.

Good to know: this is one of the most popular hikes in the park and the summit is not very big. As a result, it can get quite crowded here. Even on a Tuesday afternoon in September, I stood in line to use the chains. So my advice is to go as early as possible to avoid the crowds.

As you can see, Zakopane is a destination that has it all: natural beauty, adventure activities, rich culture, and history. It is therefore highly recommended to visit this special place during a tour of Poland. For example, you can combine it well with the pleasant city of Kracow.

Where to stay in Zakopane

To fully enjoy Zakopane and its beautiful surroundings, it is wise to stay a few nights in the city. These are some of the best hotels in Zakopane:

Hotel Bambi Boutique – Cozy hotel in a green location just outside the center of Zakopane.
EnHotel – Very nice hotel on the edge of the park, next to the cable car to Kasprowy Wierch. You walk from here straight into the Tatra Mountains.
Nosalowy Park Hotel & Spa (5⭐) – This is the place where I myself stayed during my visit to Zakopane and it really comes highly recommended! It is nice and luxurious and is in a central location in the center of Zakopane. The accompanying restaurant is very good, as is the very extensive breakfast. It also has a spa where you can relax after a day in the mountains.

Check out Booking.com for more options, availability, and prices.

Book a trip to Lesser Poland

Do you like planning a Zakopane vacation and want to see more of the beautiful Lesser Poland (Małopolska) region? Then book your trip now!

✈️ Plane tickets – The closest international airport to the Polish Tatras is the one in Krakow. From there you can make your way to Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains. Check WayAway to find the best deals and get cashback on plane tickets.

🚘 Rental Car – A rental car is very useful if you’d like to see more in Poland. Check out Rental Cars to find the best deals. The drive from Krakow to Zakopane takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.

🚍 Bus tickets – From Krakow you can also travel to Zakopane by bus. Many bus companies are driving this route, like Flixbus. If you book on time, you can get a ticket for €7. Check Busbud for all options and prices.

🚐 Tours – Want to visit Zakopane and check out the Tatra Mountains as a day trip from Krakow? That’s also possible! This way, you’ll travel with a guide who can tell you everything about the landscape. Some tours also include time to go for a hike. Check out the different tours to Zakopane on Get Your Guide.