Sitting at the foot of the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland, Zakopane offers a completely different experience from the historic cities the country is perhaps better known for. Here, it’s all about mountain scenery, cosy wooden architecture, thermal baths and spending time outdoors.
While Zakopane is one of Poland’s most popular skiing destinations, you don’t have to visit in the middle of winter to enjoy it. Hiking trails, mountain viewpoints and the town itself make it just as appealing for a short break at other times of the year.
We spent three days in Zakopane at the end of March, combining it with a longer stay in Krakow. It was firmly shoulder season: the ski season was coming to an end, and some of the summer attractions hadn’t yet reopened. But for a quiet, cosy mountain getaway, it turned out to be exactly what we’d been looking for.
1. Spend an afternoon at Aqua Park Zakopane
Thermal baths are one of the most popular things to do in Zakopane, particularly after a cold day exploring the mountains. While there are several thermal bath complexes around the region, Aqua Park Zakopane is a particularly convenient option if you’re staying in the centre of town.
Interestingly, it wasn’t our original choice. We’d planned to visit the much better-known Chochołowskie Termy, but it was closed for maintenance that day. Aqua Park Zakopane became the alternative and, in hindsight, it felt like a blessing in disguise. It was far less prominent in the recommendations we’d found online and conveniently located around a 20-minute walk from our accommodation.
The highlight is undoubtedly the outdoor geothermal pools. On a cold day, there’s something incredibly relaxing about sitting in the hot water while the icy mountain air hits your face. Visit around sunset on a clear evening and you can watch the sky change colour behind the mountains without having to leave the warmth of the pool.
But it isn’t purely a place to relax. Aqua Park Zakopane is also a waterpark, with swimming pools, slides, and other water attractions that make it suitable for families as well as adults looking for somewhere to unwind. It’s very easy to spend several hours here without realising how much time has passed.
Its central location is another big advantage. Taxis and Ubers are readily available around Zakopane, but if you’re staying nearby, walking there through the town can be part of the experience.
2. Head up Gubałówka Hill
For some of the best views over Zakopane and towards the Tatra Mountains, Gubałówka Hill should be high on your list.
Once at the top, there are market stalls, places to grab something to eat, and plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the mountain scenery. Some attractions and stalls are seasonal, so don’t expect everything to be open if you’re visiting during quieter periods of the year, particularly the gravitational slide.
Our visit fell at the end of March, when Gubałówka was particularly quiet and some things were closed. However, the views alone made the trip worthwhile and having fewer people around arguably made it easier to enjoy them.
There are several ways to experience Gubałówka depending on how active you want to be. Hiking uphill is perfectly possible if you have the fitness for it, while taking the Gubałówka Hill Funicular the top offers an easier alternative.
A good compromise is to travel up and walk back down Gubałówka Hill. The downhill route is much less demanding and gives you the freedom to stop at the viewpoints along the way. This is what we chose to do, and it ended up being one of the most enjoyable parts of the visit.
3. Hike through Tatra National Park
Zakopane’s position at the foot of the Tatra Mountains means some spectacular scenery is within easy reach of the town. Even if you’re not visiting specifically for hiking, it’s worth setting aside some time to experience Tatra National Park.
There are routes for a range of abilities, from relatively gentle walks through the valleys to considerably more challenging mountain hikes.
For a more accessible option, Dolina Kościeliska (Kościeliska Valley) is a beautiful route through woodland and mountain scenery. This was the trail we chose, and it offered exactly what we’d hoped to find without requiring a particularly technical hike.
The landscape can feel surprisingly ethereal, with forests, streams and mountains creating a completely different atmosphere from central Zakopane. It’s also home to plenty of wildlife. We managed to spot a bat during our walk, although sadly none of the brown bears that live within the wider Tatra region made an appearance.
Of course, encountering a bear isn’t something you should actively seek out. Wildlife should be given plenty of space, and it’s worth checking local guidance before heading onto the trails.
Conditions can also vary significantly depending on the season. A straightforward summer trail may be a very different prospect when there’s snow or ice on the ground, so always choose a route suitable for the weather and your own experience.
4. Wander along Krupówki Street
At the centre of Zakopane is Krupówki Street, a long pedestrianised stretch filled with restaurants, cafés, shops and souvenir stalls.
It’s undeniably touristy, but that’s part of its appeal. Krupówki is where much of Zakopane’s atmosphere comes together, particularly in the evening when restaurants fill up and people return to town after a day spent skiing or exploring the mountains.
There’s also something distinctly Christmassy about it, regardless of when you visit. The wooden architecture, cosy restaurants and mountain surroundings give Krupówki the feel of a winter resort even outside the festive season.
It’s a good place to try traditional Polish and Highlander food, browse for souvenirs or simply wander around without any particular destination in mind.
For a short stay in Zakopane, the streets surrounding Krupówki are also worth considering as a base. We stayed just off the main street and found the location ideal – close enough to reach restaurants and shops within minutes, without needing to rely on taxis every time we wanted to explore.
5. Try traditional Polish Highlander food
Food is another great way to experience Zakopane’s Góral, or Polish Highlander, culture. One of the most recognisable local specialities is oscypek, a smoked sheep’s cheese traditionally produced in the Tatra region, which you’ll often find served grilled.
You’ll also find plenty of Polish favourites, including pierogi (Polish dumplings) with a variety of fillings. Look out for the cosy wooden restaurants around Krupówki and the surrounding streets serving hearty Polish and Highlander food – particularly welcome after a cold day spent exploring outdoors.
What else is there to do in Zakopane?
Five activities might not sound like an enormous list, but that’s partly the point. Zakopane isn’t necessarily somewhere you need to race between attractions. Much of its appeal comes from the mountain setting and having the time to enjoy it.
There are, however, plenty of other things to do depending on when you visit.
Morskie Oko is one of the most famous places in Tatra National Park, with a mountain lake surrounded by some of the Tatras’ most impressive scenery. It’s particularly popular with visitors looking to dedicate more time to exploring the national park.
Zakopane is also one of Poland’s major winter sports destinations, so skiing and snowboarding naturally become a much bigger part of a visit during the winter months. Wielka Krokiew, Zakopane’s famous ski jumping hill, is another well-known local landmark.
During the warmer months, there are considerably more opportunities for hiking and exploring the mountains, making summer a very different experience from a winter or shoulder-season trip.
Where to stay in Zakopane
For a relatively short trip, especially for first-time visitors, staying centrally makes exploring Zakopane considerably easier.
We stayed at Après Ski Bachleda, a modern aparthotel just off Krupówki Street. It had the cosy, alpine feel we’d been looking for, with warm interiors, kitchen facilities, and distant mountain views, while still being within easy walking distance of restaurants, shops and central Zakopane.
It has more of a private apartment feel than a traditional hotel, which made it particularly well suited to a cosy mountain getaway. Despite its excellent location, it wasn’t somewhere we’d seen repeatedly recommended when researching accommodation in Zakopane, but it ended up being a great find.
@magentaadventures 📍 Apres Ski Bachleda - a cosy little apartment in Zakopane, Poland. This is a fantastic place to stay if, like me, you’re looking for a traditional chalet feel but in a central location. Literally minutes away from the popular Krupówki Street. You can even choose apartments with mountain views🩵⛰️ #Zakopane #TravelPoland ♬ The Kite Luisa Marion - Luisa Marion
How long should you spend in Zakopane?
While Zakopane can be visited on a day trip from Krakow, we’d recommend staying for two or three days if you have the time. This gives you enough opportunity to explore the town, spend some time in Tatra National Park, and visit the thermal baths without trying to fit everything into one day.
When you visit will largely depend on what you want to do. You’ll likely stay for longer if you’re visiting for a winter skiing or summer hiking trip. We visited at the end of March, when Zakopane was much quieter. For a cosy few days in the mountains, this suited us perfectly.
How to get to Zakopane from Krakow
Zakopane is around 100km south of Krakow, with regular trains and coaches connecting the two. We travelled there by train and returned to Krakow by coach, and found both options straightforward.
We’ve covered the journey, costs, and different transport options in our guide to getting from Krakow to Zakopane.
Is Zakopane worth visiting?
Zakopane is well worth adding to a Poland itinerary, particularly if you’re already visiting Krakow and want to experience somewhere completely different.
You don’t need to be a skier or experienced hiker to enjoy it either. Between the mountain scenery, thermal baths, and atmosphere around the town, there’s plenty to fill a short stay.
Three days felt about right for us. It gave us enough time to experience Zakopane without rushing, while still leaving plenty we’d happily return to see.
Kelsey Haslam is the founding editor of Magenta Adventures Travel Publication and a freelance travel writer with a focus on community-based travel, culture-led experiences, and theatre tourism. She is passionate about spotlighting lesser-known destinations and connecting travellers with meaningful, human-centred stories.
Her published work includes destination features and luxury hotel reviews for leading travel outlets such as A Luxury Travel Blog, Beau Monde Traveler, and Luxury Lifestyle Magazine.
Explore more about Kelsey’s background on the About Page.
