Zakopane in Summer

ONE DAY TRIPS

Recommended Day Trips (departure from Zakopane or Krakow)

The most popular destinations for day trips from Zakopane include the Dunajec River Gorge (traditional raft rafting and a visit to the 16th-century church in Dębno, a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Krakow and the Wieliczka Salt Mine (UNESCO), and trips to Slovakia. There are also many day trips from Krakow to Zakopane. Most of them conclude with a relaxing visit to Termy Chocholowskie (50 outdoor and indoor pools and barrels filled with thermal water, saunas, SPA, restaurant, etc.)

One Day Trips - check out the offers

DUNAJEC GORGE RAFTING

traditional rafting down the Dunajec Gorge on the wooden rafts

Rafting through the Dunajec Gorge on the wooden rafting boat is perfectly safe and leisure activity for everyone, that takes place on traditional wooden rafts that have been in the operation in the area for centuries and were originally used for transportation of goods and people.

Traditional rafting - check out the offers

ZAKOPANE QUAD and BUGGY RIDES

.:Quad biking is a great fun for everyone who likes outdoor activities and doesn't mind the mud on the clothes and on ... the face :) Quad and buggy tours are a hit with both extreme sports enthusiasts and couples and families looking for new activities. It's important to consider the difficulty of the route when booking your trip.

Quads and Buggies rides - check out the offers

THERMAL BATHS

Thermal Baths in Chocholow, Bialy Dunajec, Bukowina and Bialka Tatrzanska.

Podhale, the region surrounding Zakopane, is rich in hot thermal waters. As a result, many nearby towns boast thermal baths, which are popular tourist attractions year-round. Most tours organized from Krakow include a relaxing visit to the thermal baths at the end of a stay in Zakopane.

Thermal Baths - check out the offers

HIKING in the TATRAS

Tatra Mountains Hiking - general information, recommended Tatra Guides and routs

Hiking enthusiasts have nearly 300 km of well-marked and carefully prepared trails at their disposal, as well as seven mountain huts offering accommodation and meals. You can plan both a multi-day trip with overnight stays in shelters, or a 2-hour loop with beautiful views. It is important to start mountain hikes in the Polish Tatras early in the morning to avoid crowds on the trails.

Tatra Mountains Hiking - check out my recommendations

KASPROWY WIERCH

How to get to the top of Kasprowy by cable car or on foot?

A cable car ride to Kasprowy Wierch is a year-round attraction for children and adults. In summer, experienced hikers can head from the summit of Kasprowy Wierch to the Tatra Mountains ridge. Active hikers and families with older children can plan a hike from Kasprowy to Kuźnice (approximately 2-3 hours), while those with less mobility can comfortably return by cable car..

Kasprowy Wierch cable car - check out my recommendations

ZAKOPANE CITY WALKS

My favorite walking routes.

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 :)

Zakopane City Walks - check out my recommendations

SUMMER CHAIRLIFTS

Chair lifts open during summer holidays.

A chairlift ride in summer, without skis or a snowboard, in shorts and a T-shirt, is a pleasant experience. Especially if you can admire the stunning views along the way.

Zakopane Summer Chairlifts - check out my recommendations

FOLKLORE FESTIVAL

International Festival of Highland Folklore in Zakopane.

Festival of Highland Folklore in Zakopane is the most important cultural event organized in Zakopane every summer, since 1965. The festival is a major attraction for both tourists and locals. We enjoy visiting the Festival Village and watching performances by groups from around the world.

Zakopane Folklore Festival - useful information

TATRA MOUNTAINS CLIMBING

Climbing in the Tatra National Park

Climbing in Tatra National Park is permitted in designated areas encompassing the walls from the foot to the ridge or summit of a peak or rock formation. No documentation confirming climbing skills is required.

Climbing in Polish Tatra Mountains - useful information

DUNAJEC GORGE RAFTING

rafting down the Dunajec Gorge on pontoons or kayaks

Rafting down the Dunajec Gorge on pontoons is a good choice for families with older children and people who are looking for more active forms of recreation. Kayaking through the Dunajec Gorge is the most challenging option, recommended for people with some experience in kayaking.

White Water rafting - check out the offers

CYCLING IN ZAKOPANE

Cycling in Zakopane and vicinity

Zakopane itself is not the best city for cyclists, but there are two beautiful cycling trails nearby - the Cycling Trail Around the Tatras and Velo Czorsztyn.

Zakopane Horse Riding - check out the offers

ZAKOPANE HORSE RIDING

Horse riding in Zakopane and vicinity

There are currently no riding schools in Zakopane itself, but there are several in the immediate vicinity. I especially recommend riding trips with an instructor and asking them to choose a route with beautiful views of the Tatra Mountains

Zakopane Horse Riding - check out the offers