Zakopane City
Mountain resort town in Poland
At the foot of the Tatra, Zakopane mixes wooden villas and mountain gear shops, Krupówki’s tourist bustle, cable cars to Kasprowy and hiking or skiing on steep ridges — plus smoked oscypek sold from roadside stands.
75°F
Why Visit Zakopane?#
Highland culture, wooden architecture and immediate access to the Tatra peaks lure visitors to Zakopane. Krupówki street, the Gubałówka funicular and traditional wooden villas in the Zakopane style showcase local aesthetics, while Morskie Oko and nearby hiking routes reward outdoor activity. Try smoked oscypek cheese and hearty mountain stews at family-run karczmas. Winters fill with skiing and summers with alpine walking, giving the town year-round mountain appeal.
Best Things to Do in Zakopane#
Zakopane Bucket List#
Krupówki Street - Bustling pedestrian promenade lined with shops, restaurants, and mountain-themed stores.
Gubałówka Hill funicular - Short funicular ride providing panoramic views over Zakopane and the Tatra peaks.
Tatra National Park trails - Access point for trails leading into the High Tatras for day hikes and nature.
Chochołów wooden village - Traditional wooden architecture village nearby, preserved highlander houses and local crafts.
Bukovina Thermal Baths - Modern thermal baths with hot pools and saunas, perfect after mountain hikes.
Nosal viewpoint - Short forested hike to a viewpoint commonly used for sunrise and panorama shots.
Morskie Oko - Iconic glacial lake nestled among peaks, reachable by scenic walk or horse carriage.
Kasprowy Wierch cable car - Cable car ascent to high alpine ridges with hiking routes and ski slopes.
Best Time to Visit Zakopane#
Zakopane is a winter destination for snow sports and a summer base for alpine hiking. Shoulder seasons are changeable but less crowded and often cheaper.
December - February
-10°C - 0°C (14°F - 32°F)
Classic alpine winter with reliable snow, lively ski resorts, and cozy huts; expect busy slopes and freezing temperatures-dress warmly and embrace the mountain atmosphere.
June - August
10°C - 22°C (50°F - 72°F)
Short, flower-filled summers offer superb hiking, cooler mountain air, and long evenings-perfect for trails and cable-car panoramas, though weather changes quickly.
March - May & September - November
-5°C - 12°C (23°F - 54°F)
Shoulder seasons bring variable weather-muddy trails and occasional snow early or late in season; enjoy fewer crowds and lower prices if you’re flexible.
Zakopane's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 20°C. Abundant rainfall (1077 mm/year), wettest in July.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 0°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (159 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (166 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
How to Get to Zakopane#
Zakopane is Poland’s mountain resort at the Tatra foothills. Most visitors fly into Kraków (KRK) or Poprad (TAT) and continue by coach, shuttle or direct train to Zakopane.
John Paul II Kraków-Balice Airport (KRK): Kraków is the most common air gateway for Zakopane. From KRK the drive is about 100-110 km and takes roughly 2-2.5 hours by car or coach. Shuttle coaches and buses run from the airport or Kraków city centre to Zakopane; expect fares around PLN 30-60 and journey times of 2-2.5 hours.
Poprad‑Tatry Airport (TAT): Poprad in Slovakia is closer (about 60-80 km) and can be convenient in winter; road transfers take about 1-1.5 hours and small charter transfers or taxis are typical from TAT.
Train: PKP Intercity runs direct trains from Kraków Główny to Zakopane with journey times around 3 hours depending on service; fares typically range from ~PLN 20-70 depending on class and advance purchase.
Bus / Coach: Multiple coach companies (FlixBus, local PKS operators) run Kraków→Zakopane in about 2-2.5 hours; fares are commonly PLN 20-50. Buses can be quicker than standard trains and drop you close to Zakopane’s main street (Krupówki).
How to Get Around Zakopane#
The best way to reach Zakopane is by coach or train from Kraków, or by car. Coaches tend to be fastest; trains are comfortable. In town, buses, taxis and walking cover most needs-seasonal demand makes early bookings wise.
- Coach / shuttle (Kraków→Zakopane) (PLN 20-60) - Regular coaches and shuttle buses depart Kraków airport and city centre for Zakopane multiple times daily; they are usually the fastest, most direct and economical option. Book during peak winter/summer weekends when services fill quickly.
- PKP Intercity train (PLN 20-70) - Trains from Kraków Główny to Zakopane are comfortable and scenic though slightly slower than express coaches. Check PKP Intercity schedules and book early for better fares-onboard facilities differ by service and ticket class.
- Car rental / taxi (PLN 150-500 / day or transfer) - Driving gives flexibility to visit nearby valleys and trailheads; winter requires winter tyres and caution on mountain roads. Taxis from Kraków are available but can be expensive for the full transfer to Zakopane.
- Local buses / PKS (PLN 3-20) - Local PKS and bus services around the Podhale region connect Zakopane with nearby villages and trailheads. Fares are low and schedules frequent in season but may be sparse in off‑season.
- Walking - Zakopane town centre and the main promenade (Krupówki) are very walkable; many trailheads are a short walk or a quick bus/taxi ride from town. Good footwear is recommended for uneven pavements and mountain paths.
Where to Stay in Zakopane#
Near Krupówki / Town Centre - 50-120 PLN/night
Zakopane has many affordable guesthouses and hostels; budget travellers should book early in peak winter and summer seasons.
Small guesthouses and pensions (various) - Affordable family-run pensions near town
Hostels & budget hostels (listings) - Several hostels near Krupówki street
Town Centre / Gubałówka - 180-400 PLN/night
A strong selection of comfortable mid-range hotels and boutique spa properties close to the main street and lifts.
Hotel Aries & Spa - Central, boutique spa hotel
Hotel Belvedere - Comfortable rooms, spa facilities
Upper Town / Near Ski Lifts - 400-900 PLN/night
Zakopane has several well-appointed luxury hotels and resorts with spas, fine dining and easy access to slopes and trails.
Nosalowy Dwór Resort & Spa - Upscale resort with full spa
Hotel Belvedere (premium rooms) - Refined service and mountain views
Where to Eat in Zakopane#
Zakopane specializes in highlander (góral) dishes - stews, smoked oscypek cheese and filling mountain fare.
- Traditional karczmas (various) - Hearty mountain stews and smoked cheeses
- Regional restaurants serving oscypek - Smoked sheep’s cheese specialities
- Town-centre bistros and cafés - Polish classics and warming soups
After hiking, enjoy warming soups, hearty pub fare and local pastries at Zakopane’s cafés and karczmas.
- Après-walk pubs and grill houses - Beers, grilled meats and live music
- Local bakeries and sweet stalls - Kremówka and regional pastries
- Cafés for coffee before hikes - Quick sandwiches and hot drinks
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Zakopane’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Zakopane#
Zakopane is known for highlander (góralskie) crafts, wooden souvenirs, woollen garments and smoked oscypek cheese. Krupówki street is the main shopping artery, with galleries, outdoor shops and numerous stalls selling local specialties. Look for traditional carved woodwork, regional clothing and food products made in the Tatra tradition.
Nightlife in Zakopane#
Zakopane has an active mountain-town nightlife, with Krupówki filling up at night with pubs, dance venues and late-night cafés. Many guesthouses and hotels also run live-music evenings, especially during winter and holiday seasons. The scene mixes tourist-focused bars with local taverns serving traditional food and music.
.jpg?width=600)