Things to do in Zakopane

The main reason for which tourists have been visiting Zakopane and the surrounding towns for several centuries are the Tatra Mountains. Among 275 very well-marked trails of varying difficulty, everyone will find something for themselves. Most of the trails are available throughout the year but from March 1 to November 30 they are closed from dusk to dawn.

• more about hiking in the Tatras:
• hiking in the Tatra Mountains
• Tatra Mountains
• mountain shelters in the Tatras

The Kasprowy Wierch cable car is open all year round, including all Sundays and holidays. Only in autumn and spring is it closed for a few days due to maintenance work. The cable car station in Kuznice can be reached from the Zakopane center (4-5 km) on foot, by minibus or taxi. A trip by cable car from Kuznice to the summit of Kasprowy Wierch (1987masl) lasts several minutes. In the high season, tickets should be bought online at least a few days in advance.

• more about Kasprowy Wierch:
• Kasprowy Wierch cable car
• Kasprowy Wierch ski resort
• Kasprowy Wierch gallery

THERMAL BATHS in Zakopane and vicinity: AQUA PARK ZAKOPANE, CHOCHOLOWSKIE TERMY in Chocholow - 17km from Zakopane, TERMA BANIA in Bialka Tatrzanska - 22km from Zakopane, TERMY BUKOVINA in Bukowina Tatrzanska - 15km from Zakopane TERMY GORACY POTOK and TERMY SZAFLARY in Szaflary - 17km from Zakopane.

• more about thermal baths:
• THERMAL BATHS near Zakopane

Krupowki Street is one of the most famous streets in Poland. The street is 1100 m long and is closed to car traffic. Only in the morning delivery vans and people living near Krupówki can reach by car their homes, shops or restaurants. During the Christmas season, in the upper part of Krupówki, next to a small bridge (the so-called oczko wodne), stands a huge, beautifully decorated Christmas tree (on the picture).

• more about Krupowki Promenade:
• Zakopane Krupowki Promenade

The funicular ride from the center of Zakopane to the top of the Gubalowka Hill is one of the must-do during your stay in Zakopane. If only the weather is nice you will have a chance to admire the lovely views over the Tatra Mountains, Zakopane, and Koscielisko on the South and Gorce and Beskidy Mountains as well as the small villages on the North. There are also many attractions for the tourists - available both in summer and winter.

• more about Gubalowka:
• Gubalowka in summer and winter

The old cemetery at Pęksowy Brzyzek is one of the most important Polish cemeteries. Several dozen people extremely merited for our culture, science and art are buried here, as well as many people distinguished for Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains. The tombstones and crosses in a unique way combine folk traditions with styles present in the art of the 19th and 20th centuries. 400m from the cemetery there is a local market described below.

Targowica (Targowisko pod Gubalowka), a local open-air market, is located between the lower Krupówki Street and the lower station of the Gubalowka funicular. Here, you can buy everything from handmade sweaters, hats, and beautiful fur slippers to hideous Chinese souvenirs. There are clothes, fruits, vegetables, and several stalls selling regional cheeses. I personally recommend our local market. But I'll quote a review from the internet: a must visit, but go with little expectations...

• more about local market:
• Zakopane open air market

Zakopane is a relatively small town – its width and length as the crow flies are approximately 10 km. However, the difference in elevation between the center and the highest districts – Gubałówka, Kuźnice, and Cyrhla – is over 300 m. Therefore, almost all walks in Zakopane involve walking uphill and downhill :)

• more about Zakopane Walks:
• My favorite walking routes