What Krupówki is
Krupówki is the historic main street of Zakopane, running from north to south along a former stream (today partly culverted). The first wooden houses appeared here in the 19th century, as Zakopane began to turn from a mountain village into a summer resort and then a spa. By the end of the 19th century it had become the town's formal promenade — and that is what it remains.
Most of the street is a pedestrian zone (with restricted car traffic). The premises run without a break along both sides — regional restaurants ("u Wnuka", "Karczma Po Zbóju", "Stek Chałupa"), pizzerias, souvenir shops, amber and jewellery shops, sportswear shops and ice cream parlours. Prices are noticeably higher than in Kraków or Warsaw (about 25–40% more, and more still in season).
What to see along Krupówki
- The Tatra Museum (Krupówki 10) — founded in 1888, the oldest regional museum in Poland. The ethnography of the Podhale, wildlife and geology
- The church of the Holy Family (the "old church" by Krupówki) — wooden, neo-Gothic, of 1879
- The cemetery of the distinguished at Pęksowy Brzyzek — Witkiewicz, Chałubiński, Kasprowicz and Karłowicz are buried here
- The Koliba villa (off Krupówki, at Kościeliska 18) — the first villa in the Zakopane style, today the Museum of the Zakopane Style
- The bridge at Foluszowy — a wooden footbridge leading to Małe Krupówki
- Ulica Kościeliska — a side turning with the oldest regional wooden buildings
What to eat — honestly
Krupówki means visitor prices. The best-known places ("u Wnuka" on Kościeliska, "Bąkowo Zohylina" in the side streets) keep their quality but are expensive. Cheaper and often just as good are the places on the side streets — Tytusa Chałubińskiego, Witkiewicza and Nowotarska.
Podhale classics worth trying: oscypek with cranberry (the genuine article has PGI certification, about 15 zł), kwaśnica (sauerkraut soup), potato pancakes with highland goulash and moskole (potato flatbreads from the oven). Buying oscypek from a stall on Krupówki is a risk (often smoked curd cheese "from the supermarket") — buy from certified shepherds (they have seals).
In winter and at Christmas
In winter Krupówki is livelier than in summer — skiers, celebrities and New Year beneath the Tatras. New Year's Eve in Zakopane is a legendary event (televised, with open-air concerts). Room prices in December and the school holidays can be 2–3 times higher than in November.
Christmas — wooden buildings lit up, midnight masses in highland churches and carol-singing bands. New Year's Eve — stages on Równia Krupowa (below Krupówki) and celebrations until morning. Not for anyone seeking quiet — for them we suggest the period after Epiphany.
How to get there and practical info
- Length
- About 1.1 km, mostly a pedestrian promenade
- From the rail and bus stations
- 5–10 min on foot
- Prices
- Higher than in other towns (about 25–40%)
- Best time
- The evening (the lighting), and low season (fewer crowds)
- Parking
- Charged, about 6 zł an hour; hard to find in season
- Toilets
- Charged, on Równia Krupowa (about 3 zł)
When to go
Quiet, with lower prices and everything open. An ideal time for an unhurried atmosphere.
Crowds, fairs and bands in the street. In the evenings the atmosphere of a festival.
Golden larches in the background and fewer people. The best period for anyone who values the atmosphere without the crush.
The full season — skiers, New Year, Christmas trees and lights. Peak prices.
Other sights in Zakopane
Straight-line distances from „Krupówki" — calculated from real coordinates. By road it is often further.
Where to stay nearby
Places from our list that have Krupówki within walking distance or a short drive.
