Zakopane has become one of our favorite places to visit over the years in Poland! This beautiful town in the Tatra Mountains is full of outdoor adventures, great restaurants, and unreal natural beauty. After several visits, we’ll share all the best things to do in Zakopane Poland for both the winter and summer seasons. From the bustling Krupowki Street to epic hikes and the largest thermal spa in the country, here’s all you need to know!
How to Get to Zakopane Poland
Zakopane is located on the border of Slovakia about two hours from the big city of Krakow. Most likely, you’ll be flying into the Krakow International Airport and driving or taking public transportation from there.
Renting a car is a great idea, as there are so many fun places to explore around Zakopane. You can check the prices with Discover Cars to compare companies and find the best deals.
Another easy option is to hop on a small shuttle bus from Krakow that makes regular 2.5 hour routes daily. However, we much prefer the comfortable train ride and the stunning views of the Tatra Mountains as you approach town.
One important tip for Zakopane is it book the train in advance. The seats do sell out! If you happen to still get a ticket last minute, don’t be surprised if it’s standing room only, which obviously isn’t great for the long ride.
Read our complete breakdown for how to get from Krakow to Zakopane Poland before your first visit.
Where to Stay in Zakopane
There are many options around town, from luxury hotels to boutique stays, and even hostels. To be close to all the restaurants, bars, and best things to do in Zakopane, you’ll want to stay within walking distance of Krupowki Street.
Here are some hotel options for every budget to give you an idea of where to stay.
Aries Hotel & SPA – This hotel is the perfect mix of mountain resort and high-end luxury. It’s a quick walk to the main street, but still feels secluded.
Hotel Aquarion – We’re going to talk about the largest water park in Poland, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook the Zakopane town thermal! This hotel is actually connected to it, so you won’t have to travel far in the winter for a warm soak.
Top Hostel Pokoje Gościnne – This is a great option for travelers on a budget. It’s right in the main area, and there are private rooms as well as dorms available.
Why We Keep Going Back to Zakopane!
This recent trip was actually our second visit to Zakopane. We first fell in love with it back in 2019, and haven’t stopped thinking about our time there since.
When we decided we were returning to Poland again, we had to fit it in our schedule! Our travels started in the magical city of Wroclaw for three nights. From there, we took a bus to Krakow, and then hopped on a shuttle bus ride to Zakopane.
Once we got our first view of the Tatra Mountains out the window, we knew we made the right choice. There’s just something so special about this mountain town that keeps us coming back. As you’ll see in this article, Zakopane is all about the outdoors, food, and nightlife.
If you get a chance, be sure to visit the spa town of Szczawnica located just one hour to the east. Zakopane is also just a few hours train ride away from the big city of Warsaw, too!
10 Best Things to do in Zakopane Poland
1. Explore Krupowki Street
As we mentioned already, Krupowki is the central street and heartbeat of Zakopane Poland. It’s a 1 km long street that runs from the top to bottom of the town.
This is where many of the best restaurants and bars in Zakopane are, and it’s always filled with life and music! After our daily outdoor adventures, we always returned to Krupowki Street for drinks and dinner.
2. Ride the Gubalowka Funicular Railway
Just after the bottom of Krupowki Street, you’ll find the entrance to one of the best things to do in Zakopane! The Gubalowka Funicular takes you up the tracks to the top of Gubalowka Hill.
For just 40 Zloty (9.50 Euro), you can ride high above town to this unreal viewpoint. We went early in the morning one day and couldn’t believe the views over town with the snow-capped Tatra Mountains in the background.
There are cafes, restaurants, and street food stands up there, so it makes for a great place to hang out in the afternoon. However, we would really like to go back and get this view at sunset next time!
There are also some scenic walks when you get to the top. A popular way to experience it is to ride the funicular one way and hike back to town after. Of course, you could skip the railway altogether and just hike both ways. Here is the the exact trail for more information.
3. Morskie Oko Hike
Did you know some of the most incredible hikes in Poland go from Zakopane? That’s right! The hiking trails are what initially drew us to this area to begin with.
One of the most renowned trails is Morskie Oko. The path is a mostly a wide, paved road, which makes it perfect for all ages.
You’ll have to either drive yourself or take the cheap, 30 minute bus ride from Zakopane station to get to the entrance. From there, it will be around 8 km (16km round trip) to the stunning glacial lake.
We couldn’t believe our eyes once we saw Morskie Oko! It’s truly one of the most beautiful lakes we’ve been to in Europe. There is no swimming or boats allowed, so that it’s kept in pristine condition.
After you’ve spent some time relaxing, you can circle the lake and even take the more challenging Czarny Staw pod Rysami trail up into the mountains.
Just know in the summer you’ll want to get a very early start to avoid the crowds. We left Zakopane at 7am, and by the time we were leaving in the early afternoon, it was completely packed with hikers!
→ Ultimate Guide to the Morskie Oko Hike From Zakopane Poland
4. Eat at a Traditional Milk Bar
While there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, one of the best things to do in Zakopane is to enjoy the local food. There’s no better place to do that than at a local milk bar.
These popular cafeteria-style eateries have everything from traditional goulash to potato pancakes, and all kinds of pierogi at very low prices.
We’ve been hooked ever since our tour of the Gdansk milk bars, and have since looked for them in every other town and city in Poland. Be sure to read our Krakow food guide and all about our favorite restaurants in Wroclaw.
They’re the perfect stop for a quick lunch before and after your hikes if you’re not in the mood for a long sit down meal. Some of the best milk bars we ate it in Zakopane were Regionalny Bar Mleczny, Tatrzański Bar Mleczny, and Bar Mleczny Nowotarska 4A.
→ 26 Must Try Polish Dishes: The Ultimate Poland Food Guide
5. Spend the Day at Chochołowskie Termy
We had so much fun on our recent trip to Zakopane, but the highlight was visiting Chochołowskie Termy. Poland’s largest thermal spa is just a 20 minute drive from town, and somewhere you’ll want to dedicate an entire day to.
The multi-level spa complex has endless jacuzzi pools, waterslides, and pool bars, all with views of the Tatra Mountains in the distance. And yes, there’s even a hearty cafeteria serving up Polish food for when you get hungry!
At nighttime on the weekends, it turns into a big party, with a DJ playing and everyone drinking beer in the main pool. With all that said, our favorite part of Chochołowskie Termy was the sauna area.
There is an entire floor with saunas, steam rooms, cold plunges, salt rooms, and much more. You can also time your visit in the afternoon with one of the traditional Aufguss ceremonies in the sauna. This area is adults-only, so keep in mind it’s nude (or towels only) and no bathing suits.
If you don’t have time to visit Chochołowskie, know that Aquapark Zakopane is right in the actual town. This is a much smaller thermal spa, but still worth a visit!
6. Snack on the Smoked Sheep Cheese
When walking through town, you will quickly see the small cheese stands one after another. This special sheep cheese is called Oscypek, and is also served hot at the local restaurants with cranberry jam.
The larger logs are great for snack plates, but it’s common to see kids snacking on it sliced up neatly like string cheese. At some stands and storefronts, you may even seen small grills set up!
7. Take on the Kasprowy Wierch Hike
Our other favorite hike after Morskie Oko is a bit more of a challenge! The Kasprowy Wierch trail will take you high up into the Tatra Mountains. Honestly, this still goes down as one of our favorite hikes we’ve ever done.
You can walk to the start from Zakopane center in just under an hour, but it’s much easier drive or hop on a short bus ride and save your energy. The first thing we should tell you is that there is a gondola that goes to the top from Kuźnice station.
If you’re up for the climb though, you can take the 16 km path both ways. We decided to hike up and take the cable car back down. Many parts of the trail are steep, yet you’ll be rewarded with insane views the entire way.
At the top of Kasprowy Wierch, you can even see over the border into Slovakia. Remember that the weather can change quickly at such a high elevation. Bring snacks and plenty of water on this Zakopane hike!
→ How to Hike the Kasprowy Wierch Trail in Zakopane Poland
8. Zakopane Winter Adventures
Speaking of the outdoors, Zakopane is probably most famous for its wintertime activities. That same cable car we just mentioned at Kasprowy Wierch is also part of the highest ski resort in Poland!
The steep hills make it a great destinatinon for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. However, for beginners (and young kids), you can also check out the smaller hills at Polana Szymoszkowa and Nosal.
Zakopane is also home to Poland’s biggest ski jump, which is one of the most famous in Europe. If possible, you can plan your trip around one of the major events like the Ski Jumping World Cup.
Other fun things to do in Zakopane in the winter include sleigh-rides, sledding, snowmobiling, and the thermal spas we mentioned earlier. The hearty Polish food and mulled wine go flawlessly together during this time of year.
Overall, this mountain town really comes alive in the winter, especially if you’re visiting around the holidays.
9. Goralski Browar Rooftop
One of our favorite spots for a drink is located right in the center of Krupowki Street in Zakopane. This lively brewpub is on the top floor of the Centrum Handlowe Krupówki 40 building, with a rooftop that has some of the best views in town.
Poland is known for its beer and vodka, but only in recent years has the craft beer scene exploded.
Goralski all kinds of IPA’s, wheat beers, and lagers, with honey and cherry flavors as well. This popular brewpub makes their beer on site, and has some delicious eats to go with it!
We loved grabbing a drink here to cap of the day and looking over the town and Tatra Mountains. You’ll also find burgers, pizza, and delicious Polish food and desserts on the menu.
The atmosphere is also second to none, with music playing outside at night. They even had traditional polka dancing going one of the days we were there. Browar Watra is another popular brewery in town if you get the chance to visit.
10. Shop at the Zakopane Local Market
The last place we need to tell you about is the local market of Zakopane. Targowisko pod Gubalowka is positioned right in between Krupowki Street and the Gubalowka Funicular, and somewhere we strolled through multiple times.
They have a large selection of sheep cheese, jams, and mulled wine to enjoy as you enter the open-air market. The other section is filled with clothing, massive sheep skins, and winter gloves and hats.
This is a fun spot to grab souvenirs to take home with you from your visit. We bought some lovely house slippers here ourselves, and a Christmas ornament to remember Zakopane with!
Have any questions about this article or want to share more of the best things to do in Zakopane Poland? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
