Snow-capped mountains with excellent ski slopes, forest trails with astonishing views, and charming mountain villages with wooden architecture, Zakopane knows how to entertain outdoor-life loving people. With great opportunities for outdoor and winter sports, this small town known as the winter capital of Poland also hosts hospitable and reasonably priced tourist services.
Summer activities. When the snow has melted, summer activities such as hiking in Zakopane take over. If you are more adventurous, you could also test the areas facilities for mounatin climbing, rafting, caving or paragliding. When you need a break from outdoor sports, visit Zakopane's museums, which show local traditions for Zakopane style wooden architecture (which you can also admire in the city) and interior design, as well as the history and natural wonders of the area. Furthermore, you can also choose to visit the lovely 13th century castle in Niedzica, which is located 20 km away from Zakopane, or enjoy the local nightlife in Zakopane that is at its best in the winter season.
Ski slopes, mountain landscapes and wooden architecture: Zakopane's attractions
Located in southern Poland, on the lower slopes of the Tatra Mountains, Zakopane has door wide open to the best known winter wonderland of Poland. Once known as a climatic health resort, Zakopane is the place where you can find Poland's best winter sports facilities such as diverse routes for downhill and cross-country skiing and 50 ski lifts, the highest of which lifts you up to Kasprowy Wierch (1980 m), a mountain of astonishing views over the Tatra Mountains. What is even better, skiing in Zakopane is done in excellent conditions, with snowy season lasting from December to April.Summer activities. When the snow has melted, summer activities such as hiking in Zakopane take over. If you are more adventurous, you could also test the areas facilities for mounatin climbing, rafting, caving or paragliding. When you need a break from outdoor sports, visit Zakopane's museums, which show local traditions for Zakopane style wooden architecture (which you can also admire in the city) and interior design, as well as the history and natural wonders of the area. Furthermore, you can also choose to visit the lovely 13th century castle in Niedzica, which is located 20 km away from Zakopane, or enjoy the local nightlife in Zakopane that is at its best in the winter season.
Hospitable small town: Practical information for staying in Zakopane
The weather in Zakopane is variable and can change fast. The area has a mountain climate with warm summers and cool winters. Temperatures generally rise to 20 degrees or near from May to September, which is the best time to travel to Zakopane for summer activities. However, as skiing is the main reason many come here, Zakopane meets just as many visitors in February and March, which form the high season for skiing. Additionally, also Christmas is a lovely time to be in Zakopane, not least because of the charming atmosphere found in the traditionally decorated town.
Photo: Deutscherfriedenstifter, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
How to get there. Located in the heart of Central Europe in southern Poland, Zakopane is an easily reachable city. Flights and traveling to Zakopane is most often done through Krakow, in addition to which also Warsaw or Slovakia are options. There are buses and taxis available for local transportation, and also some rental cars near Zakopane are available for touring the region. However, with only 28,000 inhabitants, Zakopane is a small place where moving around is also easy by foot.
Tourism in Zakopane. Zakopane is a highly popular Polish holiday resort with plenty of alternatives for accommodation in Zakopane available. Consequently, also restaurants in Zakopane are easy to find. Tourist information points, where you are served in English, are found in the city center. Adding the easiness of your stay, this small Polish town is a safe place, where you can safely walk around also after dark. Peak season for tourism in Zakopane is in July and August for summer activities, and in February and March for skiing. During these periods, this small town is usually full of visitors.
hint See also these nearby destinations: High Tatras (Poprad), Krakow, Banska Bystrica
