Zakopane — the Tatras on the doorstep and Krupówki at the end of the day.
Poland's winter capital and the only town at the foot of the Tatras — the highest range in the Polish mountains. From here the trails set off for Kasprowy Wierch, Giewont, Morskie Oko and the Valley of Five Lakes. Plus the Krupówki promenade, Witkiewicz's wooden architecture and more than 100 km of trails within the Tatra National Park.
What to know before you go
Zakopane is the highest-lying town in Poland (about 800–1,000 m a.s.l.) and the only gateway to the Tatras — the highest range in the Polish mountains and the only one of alpine character. About 27,000 people live here, but in season that number multiplies many times over. The town gained its status as "the winter capital of Poland" as early as the interwar years — the FIS World Championships were held here in 1929 and 1939, and Polish winter sport grew up here.
The heart of the region is the Tatra National Park — created in 1954, it covers about 211 km² on the Polish side of the range. It protects a high mountain landscape unique in Poland: peaks above the treeline (from about 1,500 m), glacial lakes (Morskie Oko, Czarny Staw, Wielki Staw Polski), glacial cirques and U-shaped valleys. In the park stands Rysy (2,499 m) — the highest peak in Poland — though the climb is demanding and leads through Slovakia.
The second identity of Zakopane is its highland culture. Wooden cottages, folk bands, oscypek cheese, regional dress and dialect. At the end of the 19th century Stanisław Witkiewicz created the so-called Zakopane style — a national architectural style inspired by the building tradition of the Podhale. The best examples are the Koliba villa (1893, today a museum) and Atma (once the home of Karol Szymanowski). Wood, steep roofs, ornamented porches and finials — new guesthouses still reach for that vocabulary.
Zakopane is also skiing. The main centres are Kasprowy Wierch (the highest, the hardest, for the advanced), Polana Szymoszkowa (family-friendly, close to the centre), Harenda (long runs) and Nosal (legendary, sometimes open). The winter season runs from December to March or April. On Kasprowy the snow can lie into May.
Getting there: from Kraków about 2 hours by car (the "zakopianka" — DK7/S7), from Warsaw about 5–6 hours (450 km). By PKP IC train about 3 hours from Kraków, about 7 hours from Warsaw (with a change in Kraków). At the height of the season (New Year, school holidays and long weekends) the zakopianka can be at a standstill for hours — travel early in the morning or late in the evening. The nearest airport is Kraków-Balice (about 110 km, about 2.5 hours by coach).
Places you should not miss
The most important sights of the region, each with its own guide — how to get there, when to go, practical info.
Morskie Oko
The largest and most famous lake in the Tatras. 35 ha, 1395 m a.s.l., ringed by the highest peaks of the Polish Tatras. A classic Polish walk.
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Kasprowy Wierch
A summit of 1987 m, with a cable car from Kuźnice since 1936. A viewpoint over the whole Tatras and, in winter, the highest ski area in Poland.
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Krupówki
The main promenade of Zakopane, about 1,100 m long. Restaurants, oscypek cheese, souvenir shops and wooden architecture. The heart of the town at every season.
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Gubałówka
A hill of 1126 m above Zakopane. A funicular of 1938 reaches the top in 3 minutes. The most famous panorama of the Tatras, with a highland market along the ridge.
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The Kościeliska Valley
One of the loveliest valleys in the Tatras — a wide track through clearings, limestone crags and caves, easy with children too.
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Giewont
The "Sleeping Knight" above Zakopane with an iron cross on the summit — a cult view and a demanding climb with chains.
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The Wielka Krokiew ski jump
Poland's most famous ski jump at the foot of the Tatras — the arena of World Cup competitions, with a terrace and a lift up the judges' tower.
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The Old Cemetery at Pęksowy Brzyzek
A historic burial ground of those who served Zakopane and the Tatras, beside a wooden church — an intimate, atmospheric place of remembrance.
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Tatra National Park
Poland's only alpine range, protected: ridges above 2000 m, glacial cirques, more than thirty lakes and Rysy, the highest point in the country.
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List or submit a property →Zakopane in every season
March and April are still the ski season on Kasprowy (snow into May). May — the first snow-free trails and crocuses in the Chochołowska Valley (late March or early April). Few visitors and lower prices.
The height of the walking season, July and August. Crowds at Morskie Oko (the car park is full by 6:00). It is best to get up at 4 or 5 and be on the trail before 7. Afternoon storms are common — set off early.
September — the loveliest month for walkers. Golden larches, fewer people and settled weather. October can already bring snow in the higher parts.
The height of the ski season, December to March. New Year in Zakopane is a legend — Krupówki packed and prices doubled. After Christmas and the Mazovian and Silesian school holidays it is quieter.
How to get there and what to know
- From Kraków
- About 2 hours by car (110 km, the zakopianka S7/DK7)
- From Warsaw
- About 5–6 hours by car, about 7 hours by train via Kraków
- By train
- PKP IC Kraków → Zakopane about 3 hours
- Nearest airport
- Kraków-Balice (110 km, about 2.5 hours by coach)
- National park ticket
- 9 zł a day (Morskie Oko, the Kościeliska Valley and so on)
- Season
- All year — skiing (Dec–Apr) and walking (May–Oct)
How far to the sights
Approximate straight-line distances from the centre of Zakopane — calculated from real coordinates. By road it is often further.
- Krupówki
- ~327 m from the centre Zakopane (as the crow flies)
- The Old Cemetery at Pęksowy Brzyzek
- ~441 m from the centre Zakopane (as the crow flies)
- Gubałówka
- ~538 m from the centre Zakopane (as the crow flies)
- The Wielka Krokiew ski jump
- ~2,7 km from the centre Zakopane (as the crow flies)
- Giewont
- ~5,5 km from the centre Zakopane (as the crow flies)
- Tatra National Park
- ~5,6 km from the centre Zakopane (as the crow flies)
- The Kościeliska Valley
- ~6,9 km from the centre Zakopane (as the crow flies)
- Kasprowy Wierch
- ~7,9 km from the centre Zakopane (as the crow flies)
- Morskie Oko
- ~14 km from the centre Zakopane (as the crow flies)
Where Zakopane is
Frequently asked questions — Zakopane
What is worth seeing in Zakopane?
Where can you find a place to stay in Zakopane?
How much does a place to stay in Zakopane cost?
Do you run a property in Zakopane?
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