Travel guide | Weekend in Zakopane Tourist attractions

If you are looking for a winter destination in the middle of nature, Zakopane is the answer to your wishes. The small town in southern Poland is a picturesque location that offers tourists an idyllic landscape for relaxation, but also the opportunity to experience winter sports. Zakopane was named,,the winter capital of Poland” thanks to the many ski resorts in the area.

It's worth taking a weekend getaway to one of the most beautiful cities in Poland! We offer you a complete guide for 3 dream days.

Accommodation

In Zakopane, you have a lot of accommodation options, at reasonable prices, starting from 30 EUR per night. Decide on the period in which you want to go and take a look at our proposals. Choose your accommodation early, because the holiday period is quite crowded and you risk not finding available where you want.

Pension U Misia Located in Zakopane, 6 km from Zakopane Water Park, Pensjonat, U Misia' provides accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking, a garden and a terrace.

Villa Nova offers accommodation with modern design in Zakopane. It is just 50 meters from the famous Krupówki pedestrian street with many restaurants and shops.

Grand Podhale Resort&Spa offers accommodation in Zakopane, 1.1 km from Pardalowka Ski Lift. Free private parking is available. The Jacuzzi is free for all guests.

Also, a cheaper option would be to opt for accommodation in the residents' houses. They are happy to welcome you and give you an authentic experience.

Zakopane tourist attractions

Day 1

City architecture

After a demanding drive, enjoying the architecture of the place on a walk through the small Polish town is exactly what you will need. The city itself is a must-see tourist attraction.

Zakopane is a mountain resort located at an altitude of about 900 m, at the foot Tatra Mountains, in the goral area. The so-called Gorals, a word that would translate as mountaineers, are a Polish minority with Vlach roots, being descendants of shepherds from Transylvania who migrated between the 12th and 15th centuries. Many tourists are attracted to Zakopane by the beautiful and rich oral culture. The unique architectural style is a landmark of their culture that you must admire.

The main street in Zakopane is Krupowki and you can start your walk from there. You will find a lot of restaurants, terraces and shops with sports or fashion items. Don't be put off by the many tourists who visit it.

Continue down the street Koscieliska, also called the wood street. Here you can enjoy wooden constructions with a wonderful design and rustic churches at every step. These include:

Saint John the Evangelist Church

Built between 1710 and 1720, but in a different location, the structure was originally in Zakrzów, near Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, but remained unused after a new church was erected there in 1922. Thanks to the efforts of Jan Hyc-Myrmuła and Jan Kasprowicz's son-in-law , the painter Wladysław Jarocki, the church was moved to Zakopane and installed in Harenda in late 1947 and early 1948. It took several years to be completely reassembled.

The old cemetery

The cemetery contains over 500 graves. Some of the most famous inhabitants of Poland. Among the dead honored are Polish war heroes and Nazi resistance fighters, standing side by side with authors, architects, climbers, poets, musicians, artists, scientists and engineers.

Willa Koliba

Villa Koliba, the first building built according to the design of Stanislaw Witkiewicz in the Zakopane style, is located on Kościeliska Street, the oldest street in Zakopane, with traditional houses and characteristic culture. The villa was built between 1892 and 1893 and is now a museum.

Atma Chata

A house from the 19th century, which belonged to the composer Karol Szymanowski, and is now a museum.

Dom Do Gory Nogami (Upside Down House)

The house is located near Krupowki Street and presents the architecture of the area in an original way. As its name suggests, the house is positioned upside down and, moreover, all the objects inside are placed this way.

The entrance fee for children up to 12 years old is 7 PLN (1.49 EUR), and 9 PLN (1.91 EUR) for children over 12 years old. The house is open to the public daily from 10:00 to 18:00 and on Saturdays until 20:00.

Day 2

Gubalowka Hill

This is the second most visited tourist attraction after Krupowki Street. The hill is famous for the spectacular panorama it offers over the city and the surrounding mountains. There you will find a lot of souvenir shops, some of them local. For those who are fond of skiing, there is also a ski lift.

You can reach the hill Gubalowka with the funicular on Krupowki Street, and the price of a return ticket is PLN 21 (EUR 4.47) or PLN 15 (EUR 3.19), one way only. There is also the option of arriving by tram, but it doesn't run until November, so check early to make sure it's available.

If you want to enjoy the scenery there, you can choose to walk. It is a healthy and pleasant option in nature, if the weather permits.

Ski slopes – Ski Zakopane

Around the winter holidays, the resort becomes full of tourists who come to the area eager to enjoy skiing. If you are also among the fans of this sport, find out that in Zakopane there are many well-maintained ski slopes, marked according to their degree of difficulty.

Polana Szymoszkowa

It is a ski resort that stands out for its beautiful views of the Tatra Mountains. Two chairlifts are available here for skiers and snowboarders. The large ski lift is for six people and goes all the way to the top Gubałówka. It's a great suggestion for more advanced skiers and snowboarders, as well as tourists looking for incredible views. The smaller ski lift that runs halfway down the slope is ideal for beginners. At the lower station of the chairlift, it is located KidsPark Szymoszkowa, which includes a belt lift for the youngest skiers and snowboarders. Under the strict supervision of an instructor, children can ski for the first time.

Herenda

It is located on the southeastern slopes of Rafaczówki, an extension of the crest Gubałówka. The slope is illuminated (open until 21:00) and has an artificial snow system. It is closed for one hour at 15:00 for snow clearing. The trails at Harenda are intended for both beginners and experienced skiers. For the latter, the black track that also hosts an International Ski Federation competition is particularly attractive. The slope is equipped with a ski school, winter equipment rental services, catering services, an ice rink and a spacious parking lot.

In Zakopane, you can also find many ski equipment rental centers, as well as teachers ready to help you unravel the secrets of winter sports.

The ski hill

About 3 km from the city center there is a platform made especially for skiing. This is dedicated to the championships that take place every winter. If you prefer this sport, then you must stop here to admire the place where the most important winter championships in the country take place.

Day 3

The hikes

You can end your weekend in Zakopane with a mountain route. Start in the morning and make sure you're informed before you hit the road. Check the duration of the route, the degree of difficulty, the weather and equip yourself accordingly. Hiking is possible in both warm and cold seasons. The duration and the route must be adapted to the physical condition.

You can practice the so-called "Nordic walking”, made with ski poles. Lower Rówień Krupowa and from Above, the alpine trails and Ścieżka pod Reglam are perfect places to practice this activity.

If you are visiting Zakopane for the first time, it would be best to choose routes that also offer the opportunity to visit tourist attractions. You can find perfect trails for Nordic walking where you can admire both the Tatra Mountains and the amazing architecture of the city.

An easier option would be the route leading to Gubalowka from Kościelisko. Just as easy and pleasant is the route to the upper regions of Zakopane with the giant Wielka Krokiew Ski Jump, which will host the 2023 Ski Jumping World Cup.

You can still choose to go to Sarnia Skalka or even in the heart Chocholowska valleys. If you are looking for a more challenging route, take the destinations above as starting points for a route at a higher altitude.

You can opt for the top Kasprowy Wierch from the Tatra Mountains, located at an altitude of 1,987 meters. You can also get there by cable car from Zakopane, from Kuznice station.

Gastronomy

If you are also among the travelers, find it under the hashtag #travelforfood, Zakopane is the destination you have to go to. You will not only have dream views and spectacular activities, but also a gastronomic experience that you must try.

Local delicacies include: placki po góralsk (potato pancakes), different types of local cheese, oscypek (smoked sheep's cheese), sour cream (cabbage soup). Whatever you choose from the local restaurant menu will be delicious!

restaurants

Zabi Dwor Karczma is a rustic place, known for the bracken on the menu. In addition to this specialty, you can find a lot of local dishes, including soups, the price of which starts from 14 PLN (2.98 EUR).

Zakopiańska is another place with a pleasant atmosphere, where you can find delicious traditional dishes. Costs are slightly higher. A lamb prepared in traditional style is 89 PLN (19.93 EUR).

Marzanna is a local restaurant with very good food at lower prices.

Zakopane is a city that must be put on the list "must-see” from this winter. It will surprise you with its culture, found both in local architecture and gastronomy. It is also an unmissable destination for winter sports lovers!

Accommodation

Zakopane tourist attractions

Day 1

City architecture

Saint John the Evangelist Church

The old cemetery

Willa Koliba

Atma Chata

Dom Do Gory Nogami (Upside Down House)

Day 2

Gubalowka Hill

Ski slopes – Ski Zakopane

Polana Szymoszkowa

Herenda

The ski hill

Day 3

The hikes

Gastronomy

restaurants

Useful Links

Transport

Accommodation

Museums

restaurants

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