8 of the Best Things to Do in Zakopane Poland
Zakopane, Poland is a picturesque little village tucked snuggly away in the south of Poland. The picturesque hamlet has its own unique highland feel and boasts sweeping views of the jagged peaks of the Tatra Mountains. Some of the best things to do in Zakopane is to explore these mountains; however, the hamlet itself has some worthwhile experiences that can only be done in this region. Although Zakopane at first glance can seem very touristy, it doesn’t feel too “gimicky.”
There are a wide range of things to do in Zakopane for any type of traveler. There are more casual activities there, like strolling the main street of the village, or taking the cable car up to Kasprowy Peak. This mountain village boasts hearty food and its own unique and protected cheese.
If you love stomping around in nature, there are a variety of beautiful day hikes in the incredible Tatra National Park. Real thrill seekers can plan a multi-day trek and stay in the convenient mountain shelter system. Believe it or not, you can even cross the border to Slovakia via a mountain peak!
Maybe you just want to relax and escape the city? Well, spend the day at one of the thermal pools or enjoy some local folk music with a beverage in hand.
Here are some of the best things to do in Zakopane, Poland.
Table of Contents
- Zakopane Logistics
- Everyday Things to Do in Zakopane
- Adventurous Things to Do in Zakopane
- Relaxing Things to Do in Zakopane
- Where to Sleep in Zakopane
- 8 of the Best Things to Do in Zakopane, Poland
Zakopane Logistics
Zakopane is located in the south region of Poland, almost 2 hour to the south of Krakow. FlixBus runs multiple buses to this popular Polish mountain resort town. It’s super close to the Slovakia border, only 4 hours shy of the country’s capital city of Bratislava. Surprisingly, the underrated city of Olomouc, Czech Republic is only 3 hours and 45 minutes away.
- Currency: PLN, also known as zloty | currency symbol: zł
- Language: Polish
- There are multiple guest houses outside the village limits of Zakopane that offer incredible views and are easy to reach from the main bus station in town.
- The Tatra Mountains require a daily pass, or a weekly pass. It can be purchased from any of the park entry points.
- There is no camping allowed in the Tatra Mountains, so no need to pack a tent!
Now that the logistics are out of the way, let’s explore all the amazing things to do in Zakopane.
Everyday Things to Do in Zakopane
Welcome to adorable Zakopane! Here are some great things to do in Zakopane to get acquainted to this mountain village.
Stroll Down Krupówki Street
Lively Krupówki Street 
Watra Brewpub
The heart and soul of Zakopane is Krupówki Street, which is lined with lots of little cafes, coffeeshops, restaurants, microbreweries, and shops. There’s even a super helpful Tourist Information Center, Zakolove, which provides tours and other useful planning information. Like most mountain resort towns, things can be catered to the tourists on this street, so expect the prices to be a little higher and the meals a little less authentic. You’re paying for the ambiance, which includes great people watching opportunities, views of street performers, and if you’re lucky your ears will be treated to some traditional Polish music.
Eat Traditional Highlander Food
Can we talk about how underrated Polish cuisine is overall? Seriously, it’s some of my favorite in all of Europe. Zakopane and the surrounding region has their very own “highland cuisine.” The mountains are stunning, but this can create complications for the food sources. Many of the authentic dishes are based on what is available from the mountains, so expect the cuisine to be more hearty (think potatoes, cabbage, and seasonal mushrooms). The people of the mountains relied on their livestock of goats and pigs, and fished for trout from the mountain streams. The authentic food of Zakopane is substantial, yet, oh so delicious.
Of course, another popular item on the menu is a wide range of soups. Originating in the Tatra mountains is the yummy kwaśnica, a delicious sauerkraut soup usually served with a smoked meat.
What to Order | Try the potato pancakes with fresh mushroom sauce | See it on the menu as: placki ziemniaczane z sosem grzybowym
Sample the Regional Cheeses
You can’t stroll down Krupówki Street without seeing the little makeshift stands that are selling Zakopane’s favorite snack, cheese. By far, the most famous of cheeses has to be the Oscypek Cheese, which is a super salty smoked goat cheese.
The Oscypek cheese is so distinct of Zakopane, that it is even protected by the EU. True Oscypek cheese must be made by the shepherds in the mountain huts. The cheese is formed by an intricately patterned wooden mold. The cheese itself is a work of art. To make sure you are purchasing authentic Oscypek cheese, look for the sign “Protected Geographical Indication.” When strolling past a cheese shop, look for the word owczy, which means it comes from goats.
Of course, there are more cheeses than just Oscypek. So, why not sample a few different styles?
Pro-Tip | These cheeses are great to carry along on day hikes or multi-day treks in the Tatra Mountains
Take the Kasprowy Wierch Cable Car
If you want to explore the beautiful Tatra Mountains, but don’t feel like hiking, hop on the Kasprowy Wierch cable car. Wierch is the Polish word for peak. This popular cable car zips you just below the Kasprowy Wierch summit at 6,520 ft (1,987 m).
To reach the cable car, you’ll have to enter the Tatra National Park from the Kuźnice park entrance. To get here, it’s best to take the casual 40 minute stroll from Zakopane, hop on a city bus, or hire a taxi. Driving to the parking lot is not recommended and it can result in a hefty fine.
Once you’ve loaded into the cable car it will take around 20 minutes to reach the top. There is also a change station halfway through at Myślenickie Turnie. At the top, there is a hut serving up food and beverages. Visit the Meteo Observatory, which is right at the Kasprowy peak.
A popular option is to purchase a ticket up on the cable car and then hike down. If you purchase a round-trip ticket, your departure time is 1 hour and 40 minutes after arrival.
Bonus | Tatra National Park Entrance Fees are included with a purchase of a cable car ticket.
Places to See for Downhill Hikers
A few notable locations to see is the lovely alpine lake of Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy. Stop for lunch at Shelter Murowaniec, which of all the shelters in the Tatra Mountains, is known for having the most authentic and delicious food of the entire shelter system. Take the trail down past the Ławki rest stop and back to the main entrance gate near where you hopped on the cable car. With no stops, this itinerary will take around 3 – 4 hour, so plan accordingly.
Logistics Kasprowy Wierch Cable Car
Seasonal Hours | Low Season: 8:00 – 16:00, last ride up is 14:00 | High Season: 8:00 – 17:00, last ride up is 15:00
Tickets vary depending on season and time | Average cost: one-way is around 100 zł and round-trip 120 zł | Purchase tickets online here
Reach the cable car via the Kuźnice Park Entrance. Find it here. Here’s the official website and all the detailed information on the Kasprowy Wierch Cable Car.
Adventurous Things to Do in Zakopane
The Tatra Mountains are becoming more popular, and with good reason. Try to plan at least a one day hike or a thrilling multi-day trek.
Explore the Tatra Mountains via Day Hikes
Alpine Lakes 
Tatra Chamois 
Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich is an epic section of the High Tatras
The Tatra National Park has some incredibly diverse alpine lakes, forests, jagged peaks, and some interesting wildlife. Day hikes can be combined with a trip up on the Kasprowy Wierch Cable Car. Make sure to stop at one of the many shelters found throughout the trails, which serve up some yummy authentic food.
The Tatra Mountains are made up of two very distinctive mountain ranges, the High Tatras which boast those stunning peaks, and the Low Tatras, which have some serious lush forests. Although Zakopane bus system may be confusing at times, it is still possible to take day hikes to popular sections of the National Park via public transportation.
Morski Oko
This alpine lake is probably the most popular day trip in the Tatra Mountains and one of the best things to do from Zakopane. The entry point to reach it is from Palenica Białczańska. There are buses that frequently depart Zakopane to this park entrance. The buses take around 40 minutes.
Once you grab your ticket, follow the 5 mile path to Morskie Oko. This paved trail is used by horses, strollers, and bikes. It will take about 2 hours to casually stroll each way. There is the option to rent a horse and carriage, but please consider the well-being of the horses. Do they look healthy and loved?
This is the most popular hiked trail in the entire Tatra National Park. At this lake, find a large wooden shelter with a busy restaurant, a quick snack stop, and plenty of outdoor tables to savor the views.
Pro-Tip | This shelter is always busy and filled with tourists posing for photos and snapping a million and one selfies. To savor the serenity of the Tatras, get a little more off the beaten path.
Cross the Border into Slovakia via Rysy Mountain
Rysy summit 
Crossing into Slovakia
As stated earlier, the shelter sleeping system is on-point and it’s possible to explore these jaw-dropping and diverse mountains as a multi-day trek. One of the more impressive hikes you can do is to tackle Poland’s tallest mountain peak, Rysy. The summit sits just shy of 8,200 feet. From here, it’s possible to actually hike across the border to Slovakia. It’s kind of crazy to think that on one side you are standing in Poland and the other side Slovakia. Sleep on the Slovakian side at Chata pod Rysmi, whose claim to fame is having one of the world’s most beautiful bathrooms.
Trek Planning | 3 Epic Days Trekking in the Tatra Mountains | Downloadable Map
Psst… My favorite trail was Kozia Przełęcz, and is included in the above trek. The narrow trail has chains and ladders and is thrilling! It’s not for the faint of heart and people usually train for months to climb this trail.
Relaxing Things to Do in Zakopane
After all that hiking and exploring, you may be looking for some more relaxing things to do in Zakopane. Find some traditional music in town or soak those tired legs at a thermal pool.
Listen to Traditional Music
As the sun sets behind the mountains, and the day trippers return from their excursions, head back towards Krupówki Street. Stop and listen. There’s a good chance you will probably hear folk music floating throughout the street. Many street performers and musicians can be seen wearing full costumes and playing folk music that feature string heavy instruments, like violins. Look for the Polish tourists to be interacting by clapping and singing along. Finding folk music is quite easy and one of the more authentic things to do in Zakopane.
Visit a Thermal Spa
After those strenuous hikes, head just outside the village to one of the many thermal spas and pools. In my humble opinion, Chocołowskie Termy is simply unmissable. This thermal pool is less than 30 minutes from Zakopane and can be reached via public transportation.
While there are indoor and outdoor pools, one of the more intimate experiences can be found in the 18+ Saunarium. In this luxury section of the thermal pools, bare it all (yes, you must be naked) to enjoy a wide range of thermal pools, jacuzzi’s saunas, salt rooms, and more. This experience feels like stepping in to a 5 star spa, but with a super reasonable 3 hour ticket price at 69 zł ($18.50 USD).
Related Post | Chochołowskie Termy A Luxurious Experience That Won’t Break the Bank
Where to Sleep in Zakopane
Just on the outskirts of Zakopane is the family-run guest house of Pokoje Gościnne Maria Maka. This cozy house boasts spacious rooms with private bathrooms. Open the windows to see the mighty Tatra Mountains in the background. Within walking distance of the lodge, find tons of traditional restaurants serving up truly authentic food. The lovely hosts are as warm as the beds. The price of the room is perfect. | Check availability here.
The Best Things to Do in Zakopane, Poland
In conclusion, these are some of the best things to do in Zakopane. This mountain village is picturesque and offers a wide range of activities for any type of traveler. For those looking to casually explore the village, tackle a few hikes in the Tatra mountains, or relax in the natural thermal pools. Zakopane is the perfect retreat.
Have you done any of these recommended things to do in Zakopane? What did you think of the mountain village? Did you explore the Tatra Mountains? Is there anything that I am missing on this best things to do in Zakopane list? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclaimer: There’s a chance this post contains affiliate links, and I receive a small (but grateful) portion of the sale. There’s no extra cost to you, and I only promote things that I use and love.
