Krupówki
First-timersThe main street and the centre.
Zakopane town guide
Things To Do In Zakopane
Poland's mountain town at the foot of the Tatras: hiking to glacial lakes in summer, skiing in winter, and wooden highlander architecture in between.
5
Hostels in the city
9.3
Average, from 3,941 reviews
~2,000 m
Kasprowy Wierch
11 zł
Tatra National Park day entry
2 hours
By bus from Kraków
The winter capital
Zakopane sits at the foot of the Tatras, the highest mountains in Poland, on the border with Slovakia. It was a poor highland village until the late nineteenth century, when artists and writers from Kraków discovered it and turned it into a resort. They also created the Zakopane style, an architecture of carved wooden houses based on the local highlanders' building traditions.
It is now Poland's most popular mountain resort, busy all year: hiking in summer, skiing in winter. The main street, Krupówki, is crowded and commercial. The mountains, in Tatra National Park, are the reason to come.
Three days is right: one for the town and the cable car, and two for hiking.
Where to stay
The town is compact around Krupówki. Stay near the centre for transport, or on the edges for views.
Gubałówka
ViewsThe hill across the town, with the funicular.
Kuźnice
HikingThe trailhead and cable car base, south of town.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 5 top-rated hostels. Map © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Zakopane
Hike to Morskie Oko, the largest lake in the Tatras, beneath granite peaks. The walk from the Palenica Białczańska trailhead is about eight or nine kilometres each way on a paved road, and takes two to two and a half hours. Horse-drawn carts also run on the road, and their welfare is controversial. Tatra National Park charges a small daily entry fee, 11 złoty in 2026.
Take the cable car up Kasprowy Wierch, almost two thousand metres, for views into Slovakia and a ridge walk; book tickets ahead in season. The Gubałówka funicular climbs the hill on the other side of town for a view of the whole Tatra range.
Walk the Kościeliska valley, an easy walk into limestone gorges and caves. Giewont, the peak with a cross above the town, is a popular but exposed climb; avoid it in storms.
In town, see the wooden Old Church and cemetery, and the Villa Koliba, the first house in the Zakopane style, now a museum. Finish in the thermal baths.
Free things
Free things to do in Zakopane
The hiking is free beyond the park's small entry fee.
Krupówki, the Old Church and its cemetery, and the wooden villas are free to see.
The views from the valleys are free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Zakopane
Highland food is hearty. Oscypek, smoked sheep's cheese, is sold everywhere, grilled with cranberry sauce. Kwaśnica, a sour cabbage soup, and roast meats are the mountain meals.
The karczmas, highland taverns with wooden interiors, serve large portions.
A meal is €8 to €15.
Nightlife
Going out in Zakopane
Zakopane's nightlife is along Krupówki, with bars and highland taverns with live music. It is busiest in the ski season and at New Year.
A beer is €3 to €4.
Getting around
Getting around Zakopane
The town is walkable. Minibuses run to the trailheads, including Palenica Białczańska for Morskie Oko, and leave when full.
Buses from Kraków take about two hours and are usually faster than the train.
Parking at Palenica Białczańska must be booked in advance in season.
In winter, roads can be slow with snow and traffic.
Costs
What Zakopane costs
Zakopane is cheap by European standards but pricier than other Polish towns in peak season and at New Year. Dorms start around €12. A careful day is €35 to €50.
The costs that add up are the cable car, ski passes and thermal baths.
The park fee, some huts and minibuses may be cash only. The currency is the złoty, not the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; use a bank ATM and decline the machine's currency conversion.
Safety
Staying safe in Zakopane
The Tatras are high mountains, and people die in them every year. The weather changes fast, and summer thunderstorms are dangerous on exposed ridges and peaks like Giewont. Start early, check the forecast, and turn back if storms build.
In winter, there is avalanche risk above the tree line. The Tatra mountain rescue service, TOPR, can be called on 985 or through 112.
The park has bears. Keep food packed away.
Day trips from Zakopane
The Tatras, and Slovakia.
Morskie Oko
The largest lake in the Tatras.
Kasprowy Wierch
Views into Slovakia.
Dunajec Gorge rafting
Rafting on wooden rafts through the Pieniny gorge.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The highland folklore festival in August is one of the oldest in the world.
August
International Festival of Highland Folklore
Zakopane
Folk groups from around the world.
December to March
Ski season
Kasprowy Wierch and slopes
Skiing on Poland's highest slopes.
31 December
New Year
Krupówki
The town's busiest night.
Hostels
Where to stay in Zakopane
The top-rated places to stay in Zakopane right now, live from Hostelworld.
When to go
June to September for hiking; December to March for skiing.
Jan
Ski season
Feb
Ski season
Mar
Snow
Apr
Thawing
May
Spring
Jun
Hiking begins
Jul
Peak hiking
Aug
Folklore festival
Sep
Excellent
Oct
Autumn colours
Nov
Quiet
Dec
New Year and skiing
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. The mountains are much colder than the town.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in złoty locally; these are euro equivalents. Excludes ski passes and the cable car.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Zakopane travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
How do I get to Zakopane?
By bus from Kraków, about two hours.
How long is the hike to Morskie Oko?
About eight or nine kilometres each way on a paved road, two to two and a half hours.
Do I need to pay to enter the Tatras?
Yes, a small daily fee, 11 złoty in 2026.
Is it safe to hike in the Tatras?
With preparation. Check the weather, start early, avoid ridges in storms, and know the mountain rescue number, 985.
Can I ski in Zakopane?
Yes, from December to March.
How many days do you need?
Three.
When is the best time to visit?
June to September for hiking, winter for skiing.
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