What to visit in Zakopane. Life in Poland. Visit Morskie Oko
In this article I decided to highlight all useful information, which I own, regarding Zakopane. In a couple of weeks of staying in Zakopane, we managed to find out a lot about this cozy town.
Hotel in Zakopane
At the beginning of December it was no longer easy to find a hotel at an average price. The average in my understanding is in the range of 80-100 zlotys. We looked at a lot of hotels on booking.com and trivago.pl; options that met our requirements were priced at 120 zlotys and above. After a couple of hours of careful searching good hotel with a kitchen, dedicated bathroom, wireless Internet and at a price that was favorable to us, we found a villa with a luxurious mountain view near a ski resort for beginners. The hotel cost us 90 zlotys per day, and if we pay for the hotel directly, as the owner of the house Anya said, the price is 80 zlotys per day. The only funny thing was that upon arrival there were a lot of repairmen in the house, and the house was closed to visitors. As it turned out, Anya blocked all the rooms from reservations in her house in order to refresh the rooms before the holidays, but it seems that our request slipped through booking.com at the very last minute. The situation was resolved by us spending the night in a neighboring house with the owner's aunt. I would like to note that this house (my aunt’s) is very cold and costs more, rooms there start from 120 zlotys. The next day we returned to Anya and lived there safely for 2 weeks. The hotel has a kitchenette (shared), the room is very cozy and comfortable, we washed it by hand. The only small negative was that the Internet didn’t work for a couple of days, but we made do with mobile phones. When there were other tenants in the house besides us, it was impossible to cook in the kitchen without incident.
This is the view from the balcony.
Hairdressers in Zakopane
On the 20th of December we went in search of a good hairdresser. We didn’t investigate this issue beforehand; we went to hairdressers not far from our hotel (there are two hairdressers there). In the first - Salon Fryzjerski Perła, they refused me as soon as they saw my long hair. The pretext was that the hairdresser had a lot of people and she would only be free in the new year. The funny thing was that there were no people there at all (and we looked into it often, since our room was nearby). We went to the hairdresser across the street - Salon Fryzjerski Kosmetyczny D’ORA KOLASA DOROTA, they made an appointment for us the next day. There are a lot of clients in this hairdressing salon, especially regular ones. The hairdressers did not have time to serve everyone on time. I had to wait 20 minutes for my turn, but I was very pleased with the result. My hair was cut by Anya, a very nice and pleasant hairdresser. And most importantly, he cuts the hair very carefully and diligently.
Great cafe in Zakopane
During our 2-week stay in Zakopane, we couldn’t do without visiting a cafe. My favorite cafe is Samanta. Located in Krupówka, there are very tasty cakes and reasonable prices, a cozy place for a small group to relax.
On the second floor there is a women's clothing store called SinSay, which has a very cool selection at reasonable prices.
Supermarkets near our hotel
Already when we checked into the hotel, we realized how well we had chosen it. Near ski resort Nosal plus a good selection of supermarkets. You can shop at Groshek, Delicatessen and Gama mini-markets. The walk to the Delicatessen market is about 7 minutes from the hotel, to Groshek about 10 minutes. Of course, if you go even further, on the way to the station, you can have a very good meal in Biedronka.
Where can I print documents in Zakopane?
If anyone, like us, needs to print documents, I can recommend an excellent point for good prices. This is Ksero Zakopane Usługi kserograficzne not far from the street. Krupówki. Printing: 1 sheet - 0.30 groschen, from 11-20 - 20 groschen per sheet. From 20 sheets at 15 groschen per sheet.
But a 7-minute walk, on Krupówka, not far from McDonald’s, there is also a point with a photocopier and printer – Roch. Usługi poligraficzne, ksero, pieczątki Typography, only the price they told us was 0.60 groschen per page, and when they said that we had not one page, but about 20, they offered us a “small discount” at a price of 0.40 groschen per page.
Unusual things to do in Zakopane in winter
We have been to Zakopane for the 7th time this year. I really love this town for its friendly, pleasant and warm atmosphere. It is in this city that the mood always rises. The 14 days we spent here seemed very eventful and enjoyable.
The Wax Museum
It is located in Krupówka. The cost of a normal ticket is 15 zlotys, a reduced ticket is 12 zlotys. There is a promotion: if you take a photo near the Avatar, post the photo on Facebook and add #KrupuwkiEXPO in the description, you can get a small 20% discount. We did everything right, showed a photo from Facebook at the checkout and they let us in for 20 zlotys together, that is, our discount was a little more than 33%.
As for the exhibition itself. I am surprised that there were so few people in this museum who wanted to look at this work of art. I don't particularly like museums, I find it boring there. But for a change I wanted to visit the wax museum. This is just a magical place, it has a very amazing atmosphere. When we went there, it seemed to me that these were real people. I kept waiting for some statue to move, everything looked so believable. But no one jumped out, thank God. It was very interesting to examine each figure in detail, and even more interesting was to read the short information about each sculpture. The museum has very interesting exhibits: politicians, even Harry Potter, Lady Gaga, Robert de Niro, Einstein, Picasso, Bruce Willis, Bon Jovi; and a lot of exhibits that are sculpted in honor of people who were included in the Guinness Book of Records: the fattest man in the world, the cassette man, the lonely man, the most A tall man, a two-faced man, a man with a horn and many other interesting things.
The photo shows me and the Beatles.
Salvador Dali
Bruce Willis
Bon Jovi 
I'm impressed how everything was thought out - every wrinkle, every detail, even the skin is like real.
Club Nosal
We settled right next to the Nosal ski resort. Already on the 10th of December there were many people wanting to ride on the track, especially children. They also teach snowboarding/skiing.
When the snow falls, that high, unfilled hill over there will also be completely filled with extreme sports fans. 
Krupówka is one of the main attractions in Zakopane. This is the number 1 place that guides suggest visiting first. I always like to walk around Krupówka, at any time of the day and at any time of the year, but in December-January it is especially beautiful here. Very beautiful lighting and a very amazing atmosphere.
I couldn't resist Fashion Street 29 Krupówki. Whether in January of last year or now, it is very beautiful and very pleasant to walk here. There are shops where you can boil. True, I don’t know what the prices are there, but something tells me that they are not low.
Mount Gubałówka
We decided to get out into the mountains, breathe in the clean mountain air, but for unknown reasons the funicular was not working. We took a detour along the paths up the mountain. Of course, we climbed for about an hour, taking into account that we periodically set up transfer points.
This is the view of the mountains, and we are still halfway to the top.
We were already approaching the finish line; there were a lot of people who wanted to climb the mountains, both behind us and towards us. We even met a couple with a baby.
The climb was not easy, but it was still worth it. We trodden the entire ski slope of Mount Gubałówka, 1123m.
Try oscypek(smoked grilled cheese with cranberry jam)
In Krakow you can also find such a strange combination of smoked cheese and jam at first glance, but for some reason it is in Zakopane that, because of the amazing atmosphere, you want to enjoy this snack to your heart’s content. The price ranges from 2-3.50 zlotys. For 2 zlotys you can buy it at the closest point to the funicular.
You can buy oscypek for home, take it individually for 1-1.50 zloty. About in the middle of the market you can come across oscypek (cold, without jam, so you can buy it home) for 1 zloty. Personally, I really like this snack. Another option is oscypek with bacon and prunes (I never found it in Zakopane, but you can find it in Krakow, it’s also very tasty).
For colds, and just to keep my immune system in good shape, raspberry honey and cranberry jam help me. In January, I remember we bought raspberry honey, although it was very liquid and a liter of honey was enough for a couple of weeks. This time we decided to try cranberry jam. The cough subsided immediately, my throat cleared up immediately, and in the morning there was not the slightest sign of a cold. It's very tasty with tea. In general, in Zakopane (I saw it in supermarkets, I think they also have it on the market) you can also see various syrups and tinctures: syrup from oranges, lemons, roses, jam from rose petals (though I bought it even in Kharkov), birch syrup juice and more.
Visit Morskie Oko
Very a nice place, but it’s best to go here in spring and summer. Near the station, minibuses often take you to Morskie Oko. Ticket price is approximately 15 zlotys per person.
Ride a horse-drawn carriage
Go to a Hutsul picnic
This is a great option for those who want to diversify their leisure time. We have been planning to sign up here for a long time, but we won’t be able to get here this year, so most likely in 2016, then I will be able to describe my impressions in more detail. I know that this type of leisure is in demand in Zakopane.
Skate
Alternatively, go ice skating. Especially at this time, it’s very cool to diversify your leisure time with skates in the open air. Ice rink located near the Sokol cinema (which I also recommend visiting), on Grunwaldzka street.
Take a walk around Kuznice
Visit the crooked house
This is a very interesting place to stay for tourists. We were here 3 years ago. The place is incredibly interesting. I absolutely love this house and highly recommend visiting it. You can see where it is
Formula for the perfect trip
- Time and money - 10 days, $1000 per person
- Who to go with - a married couple with or without children, beginners, pros who want to eat and drink more than ride. Women won't be bored
- Skiing and snowboarding - there are almost no difficult trails, most of the slides are “green” and “blue” with well-developed infrastructure
- In addition to skiing - thermal baths, spas, cheap restaurants with local flavor, boutiques
Skiing in Zakopane dates back to the days when Josef Fischer produced handcarts instead of skis, and athletes wore a tie before the start. But until the middle of the 19th century, only shepherds and sheep knew about the remote mountain village. Then it would never have occurred to anyone that you could “relax in the mountains.” We went to the sea or to the waters.
Dr. Titus Halubinsky changed everything. A doctor, local historian, revolutionary, founder of the Polish Tatra Society, he stated that only in Zakopane there is a special mountain air. Only there you can cure all diseases, improve your health and just have fun.
Count Władysław Zamoyski was inspired by the idea of a healthy lifestyle and skiing. He bought Zakopane together with the surrounding area for 460,002.03 zlotys in 1889. He curbed a mountain stream, cut down trees on the mountain slopes, turning them into ski slopes, and built a railroad.
The first world championship was held here in 1929. Ten years later they decided to repeat it. Nowadays, championships are held regularly, and the World Cup in ski jumping is held annually. This is because the largest ski jump in Poland was built in Zakopane - Wielka Krokiew with a K-point at 120 meters.
Now Zakopane − main center winter sports and recreation in the Polish Republic. There is the highest springboard, the largest skating rink, the longest cable car, and a rope tow.
Where to ride
Zakopane is considered to be a ski resort for beginners. But this statement is not entirely true, there are “red” slopes and steep hills. As a rule, difficult sections stretch from the top of the mountain to the middle, and then move into the blue or even green category. Indeed, the resort is designed for mass tourists, so the slopes are gentle, and there are numerous ski schools that accept both adults and children.
A tough professional may get bored; on some rides he will have to go around hundreds of beginners. But in some places you can still find your dose of adrenaline or go freeriding.
Trails and lifts in Zakopane
Kompleks narciarski Kasprowy Wierch Zakopane − Ski resort Kasprowy Wierch
The most popular of the resort's nearby slides, it is always crowded. It is only about 7 km from the city center and can be reached by bus, taxi or on foot. Three lifts - one cable car and two chairlifts:
- Kolej linowa na Kasprowy Wierch - cable car, length - 4300 m, ride time - about 20 minutes
- Kolej krzesełkowa Gąsienicowa – chair lift, ride time – about 8 minutes
- Kolej krzesełkowa Goryczkowa – chair lift, ride time – about 15 minutes
Please note that the price of the cable car ticket does not include a ski pass for the lifts. We went up on the cable car - in front of you are two rope tows and two tracks of varying difficulty. You don’t have to take a return ticket, but go skiing. The route will be difficult, but very beautiful. Although it is possible to ski directly from the final upper station of the cable car, most skiers go higher.
All lifts accept the PKLpass ski pass, which is accepted at 5 other ski lifts. A four-hour ski pass will cost 110 zł, a day unlimited ski pass will cost 149 zł. But if you don’t plan to ski for a long time, it’s better to put a hundred zlotys on your ski pass and pay for each lift separately. For one use of the lift you will be charged 13-18 zł, depending on the slide.
The ski resort currently has four slopes, all served by snowcats, not illuminated, not covered with artificial snow, and suitable for both skis and snowboards:
- GORYCZKOWA − 1770 m, black track
- GĄSIENICOWA − 1200 m, black track
- SZLAK NARCIARSKI Z HALI GĄSIENICOWEJ − 8500 m, red track
- NARTOSTRADA Z GORYCZKOWEJ − 3500 m, red track
Kolej linowo-terenowa Gubałówka − Gubałówka funicular
The most convenient slide, the final station of the funicular is located almost in the city center. The carriages run from 09:00 to 21:30; on the way to the top they make a number of stops in places with well-developed infrastructure. The stops have everything - restaurants, bars, cafes, ski rentals, souvenir sales and much more. One-way fare is 17 zł, two-way fare is 23 zł. The total length is 1300 m, travel time is about 3.5 minutes.
There is a drag lift on the mountain itself, the PKLpass ski pass is accepted, the cost of a two-hour ski pass is 32 zł, a day pass is 60 zł.
The track is suitable for skiing and snowboarding; if necessary, it is covered with artificial snow, serviced by snowcats, and illuminated at night.
- GÓRNA POLANA − 300 m, blue track
Kompleks narciarski Nosal Zakopane - ski resort Nosal
The complex includes 5 rope tows. The trails are illuminated, maintained by a snowcat and covered with artificial snow if necessary. The lower parts of the slopes are ideal for beginners, while the upper parts will appeal to professionals. All stations and sites have a well-developed infrastructure - restaurants, rental offices, first aid stations, cafes and souvenir shops. There is a school for beginner skiers and children.
Ski pass for lifts No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 − 2 zł per lift, the price is valid throughout the season. A two-hour ski pass, valid on all lifts, will cost 30-40 zł, and an unlimited one-day ski pass will cost 55-75 zł, depending on the season.
- Wyciąg 1 Tatrapoma P. − 200 m, blue track, easy and wide. If you rise higher, the length increases to 650 m, and the difficulty increases to black
- Wyciąg 2 Tatrapoma P (Żółwik) − 145 m, blue track, recommended for teenagers and children
- Wyciąg 3 Tatrapoma P − 250 m, blue track, easy and wide
- Wyciąg 4 Tatrapoma P − 240 m, blue track
- Wyciąg 5 Tatrapoma P − 220 m, blue track
Ośrodek Narciarski Kotelnica Białaczańska – ski resort Kotelnica Bialczańska
The largest complex in the vicinity of Zakopane. Located in the center of Bialka Tatrzanska. The resort has 14 trails of varying difficulty, from blue and green to red. Not only beginners will like it here, but also those who are already good at skiing. Some routes have received official certification from the International Ski Federation. Special routes for cross-country skiing enthusiasts. Restaurants, rental points and other infrastructure facilities on the territory of the complex.
- FIS 1 - length 780 m, red track
- FIS 2 - length 900 m, red track
- 2a – length 1070 m, blue/red track
- 2b − 1160 m, blue track
- 2c − 1600 m, blue track
- 3 – length 1480 m, blue route
- 4 – length 1430 m, blue route
- 4a – length 350 m, blue track
- 5 − length 350 m, blue track
- 6 − length 710 m, red route
- 6a – length 650 m, red route
- 7 – length 1900 m, blue track
- 8 − length 1200 m, blue track
- 8a – length 500 m, red route
- 9 − length 900 m, blue track
- 10 − length 950 m, blue track
- B1 – length 380 m, blue track
- B2 – length 190 m, green track
- B3 – length 110 m, green track
- B4 – length 110 m, green track
- K1 – length 470 m, blue track
- K2 - length 450 m, blue track
- K3 – length 200 m, green track
- K4 - length 65 m, green track
- K5 - length 400 m, blue track
All trails are serviced by snowcat, illuminated and covered with artificial snow. The complex has 9 chair lifts and 12 drag lifts.
You can get to the ski resort from the center of the village of Bialka Grapa by skibus, running daily from December 26 to March 6. Travel is completely free for all categories of passengers. If you missed the ski bus, take one of the many minibuses that run from the bus station. They depart approximately once every 15 minutes, and the fare costs from 3 to 5 zł.
TATRYSKI cards are valid at all ski lifts of the complex, which are also accepted in Kotelnica Bialczanska, Bania, Kaniuvka (Bialka Tatrzanska), Hawran (Jurgow), Czorsztyn-Skai (Kluszkowce), Koziniec and Grapa-Lytwinka (Czarna Gora), Sky-Bachledova (Bachledova Valley). A two-hour ski pass costs 53.35 zł, a day pass costs 96.63 zł. The price rises in the high season and falls in the low season, there are discounts for children of different ages and pensioners. If this is your first time on one of these rides, it makes sense to simply leave a deposit of 10 zł and put a hundred or two on the card. Then you pay a fixed price on each ski lift and can try all the routes to find the best one for you. This option will be convenient for those who are not going to actively ride or are bad at skating and will spend most of their time not on the mountain, but in the cradle.
Kompleks narciarski Polana Szymoszkowa - ski resort Polana Szymoszkowa
Two chairlifts:
- Wyciąg krzesłkowy 6-os − 1300 m, 6 minutes travel time, “six in a row”
- Wyciąg krzesełkowy 4-os − 400 m, 3.5 minutes travel time, “four in a row”
A well-equipped ski complex, in addition to skiing, offers geothermal baths, apartments and hotels right on the slope, bars and restaurants, a ski school, night skiing, a children's park and even wedding planning.
Deposit for a magnetic ski pass card is 10 zł. The cost of one lift on a small lift is 4.5 zł, on a large one – 9 zł. A two-hour ticket for both lifts costs from 35 to 50 zł, an evening ticket costs from 25 to 35 zł, depending on the season.
You can purchase a ski pass, which will be valid for Polana Szymoszkowa, Suche (Poronin), Witów Ski, Harenda. A daily ticket will cost from 90 to 100 zł.
The complex has two main trails, both are illuminated, covered with artificial snow if necessary and serviced by snowcat.
- DUŻA KOLEJ - 1291 m, from the top to the middle - red route, then - blue route
- MAŁA KOLEJ − 360 m, blue track
Kompleks narciarski Harenda - ski resort Harenda
One chairlift and five drag lifts.
- Kolej krzesełkowa 4-os – chairlift, “four in a row”, length 1200 m.
- Rope ropes - from 80 m to 250 m.
The complex includes a hotel, parking, restaurants and bars, and an ice skating rink. In addition to the usual trails, there is a route for sledding and cross-country skiing. There is a children's ski school. All lifts operate from 09:00 to 21:00. The complex is located in the northern part of Zakopane, in the Guta area, near the Jan Kasprowicz Museum. You can get from the center by taxi or bus number 14.
There are six trails in the complex, all illuminated and serviced by snowcats.
- TRASA FIS TRUDNA − 800 m, black track
- TRASA ŚREDNIO − TRUDNA − 900 m, red track
- TRASA ŚREDNIO - ŁATWA - 500 m, from top to middle - blue route, from the middle - green route
- TRASA ŚREDNIO − ŁATWA − 500 m, blue track
- TRASA ŁATWA − 250 m, green track
- TRASA BARDZO ŁATWA – green track, recommended for children
All lifts in the complex accept the GÓRAL SKIPASS ski pass, which also gives the right to use the Polana Szymoszkowa, Suche, Witów Ski lifts. A ticket valid only for Harenda will cost 35-45 zł, a day ticket - 80-95 zł, and an evening ticket - 30 zł. The price range depends on the season. For GÓRAL SKIPASS you will be charged from 90 to 100 zł per day.
Witów ski − ski station Witów
Two lifts:
- Kolej krzesełkowa – chairlift, length 1000 m, ride time – about 6 minutes
- Wyciąg orczykowy - rope tow, length 110 m, ride - about 2 minutes, recommended for children
Located in the Witov farm, located northeast of Zakopane, you can get from the center by SKIBUS bus. The bus leaves every 45 minutes and the journey takes about 25 minutes. The lifts operate from 09:00 to 21:00. There is a hotel and a restaurant, the Jagna Marczułajtis ski school, ski equipment rental with a large selection, and fast food on the top of the mountain. There is free parking next to the complex.
Two ski slopes:
- Main − 900 m, blue track
- Small - 120 m, green track, recommended for children
At the top of the mountain there is also running track, and in the middle of the descent - snow park.
A three-hour lift ticket costs from 60 to 70 zł, an evening ticket costs from 35 to 45 zł, depending on the season. All ski lifts of the complex also accept the GÓRAL SKIPASS ski pass, which gives the right to use the Polana Szymoszkowa, Suche, Harenda ski lifts. For GÓRAL SKIPASS you will be charged from 90 to 100 zł per day.
How to get to Zakopane
Zakopane is a small mountain village, so all routes to the ski resort go through Krakow.
From Krakow to Zakopane
Regular route bus No. 2070 Kraków-Zakopane operates every 45 minutes from the bus station. The first bus leaves at 06:10, and the last at 22:25. Travel time is a little over 2 hours. Ticket price: 14 zł.
There are many other carriers offering bus services from the Malopolski Dworzec Autobusowy bus station to Zakopane, ticket prices range from 13 zł to 20 zł and more. During the season, the number of carriers increases sharply.
By taxi
The cheapest offers from taxi drivers are 299 zł. The price may increase along with the level of comfort. Sometimes the price can be lower if you order a taxi from Uber - 150-190 zł.
On blablacar
The ideal combination of comfort and price, during the season there are always many offers, asking from 14 zł to 32 zł. Most of the offers are professional taxi drivers serving passengers with 7-12-seater buses.
By train
Perhaps the most inconvenient transport - travel time increases to 3 hours. InterCiti departs from Krakow Main Station three times a day, tickets cost from 25 zł to 50 zł in first class.
Only from Kyiv, there are daily UIA flights from Boryspil to Krakow. Cost - around 7,000 UAH. per person in two directions. The airline's rules allow one set of skis or snowboards to be carried in checked baggage if they are packed in a special case that protects other baggage from damage. You can save up to 50% of the cost of excess baggage, for example, a second pair of skis, if you pay for it one day before the flight. The flight time is 1 hour 45 minutes, but the departure time is inconvenient - from Kyiv at 20:40, and in Krakow at 21:25, you may not catch the bus and will have to spend the night in the city. The last bus number 2070 leaves at 22:25.
Another option is to fly from Kyiv with Wizzair to Katowice. Tickets from a low-cost airline can be purchased from 1,700 to 4,200 UAH, depending on how full the plane is. Flights depart only on Mondays and Fridays, departure at 16:30, arrival at 17:05 local time. Skis are transported in baggage, which must be paid for.
By train
From Lviv daily to winter period There is a train to Krakow. Please note that this is not an Intercity train, but regular train No. 51L with compartment seats. Ticket price: 90−140 zł. The journey takes 8 hours 52 minutes, the time may increase slightly due to downtime at customs and changing wheels. Departs from the main station at 16:49 and arrives in Krakow at 01:41 local time.
Road transport − the only kind public, allowing you to get from Ukraine to Zakopane without transfers.
There are direct daily (in winter) bus services from the Mandrivniki Club company from Lviv to Zakopane.
Lviv-Zakopane-Lviv
Departs daily from the main station at 08:00, arrives in Zakopane at 20:00 local time, and the bus departs back at 21:00. Arrival times are approximate. Tickets are sold only in two directions, adults cost 55 €, children - 50 €.
There are two buses, the second one leaves an hour after the first one and completely repeats its schedule with a difference of 1 hour.
Lviv-Krakow-Bialka Tatrzanska-Zakopane-Lviv
Departs daily from the main station at 09:00, arriving in Zakopane at approximately 19:00. Tickets are sold only in two directions, adults cost 60 €, children - 50 €.
By car
From Lviv to Zakopane - 421 km along the highway. Literally in 2017, construction work was completed on the A4 motorway, which runs from the border to Krakow, and now you can reach speeds of up to 140 km/h. But in some areas they began to charge a toll; in total you will need to pay 36.20 zł. Don’t forget that on other roads in Poland the speed limit ranges from 90 km/h on single-lane roads to 120 km/h on four-lane ones. The trip on the motorway will take about 5 hours, not counting the wait at customs.
If you want to reduce distance and costs, you can go through Sambir in Ukraine and Gorlice in Poland. The H13 highway has recently been repaired, so you won't have to drive through potholes. And at the Smilnica-Kroscenko customs crossing, the queues are usually shorter than at Krakovets or Rava Ruska.
Fuel costs in Poland are slightly higher than in Ukraine, so be sure to fill your tank full before crossing the border. The best exchange rate for hryvnias to zlotys is in Lviv. It is better to change dollars or euros in Polish banks, in any city on the way to Zakopane.
Where to stay
By European standards, Zakopane − inexpensive resort, designed for Poles and tourists from the countries of the former USSR. Therefore, the price level for accommodation here is relatively low. A place in a hostel costs from 35 zł to 80 zł, the price of a double apartment starts from 98 zł, and for a hotel room they ask from 140 zł.
There are so many hotels, apartments, cottages, rooms, apartments, houses and inns that it’s dizzying. Here you can find wooden buildings, stylized in an antique style, and modern themed establishments, such as Good Bye Lenin Hostel Zakopane.
Economy option - search for accommodation on site
If you want to save money, you should not book a room in advance. As in many others tourist centers, in Zakopane every local resident rents out a house or room to tourists. Concluding a deal on the spot eliminates intermediaries along with their commissions, and the price is highly dependent on the influx of people.
To find the cheapest option, you need to come to Zakopane and walk around the city, looking for signs that say “available.” And, of course, you always need to bargain with the owners, bringing down the price by at least 10%. By doing this, you can get a room for two for 30−120 zł, depending on the distance from the city center and the availability of amenities.
Booking via Airbnb
Another way to save money is by playing on the decline in tourist flow. Always available a large number of options, prices start from 50 zł and rise to 1000 zł. Most offers are in the range of 100−200 zł.
There are extra-budget options - accommodation in a four-bed wooden house without amenities will cost 39 zł per person. For a cozy room with amenities in the hallway, with a view of the mountains, a TV and individual heating, they ask for 51 zł. But you will need to get to Zakopane every day for half an hour by bus.
A room in a small hotel with a bathroom, internet and towels for 4 people costs 250 zł. The price includes use of an equipped kitchen and secure parking. And for 300 zł you can rent a whole house.
Booking via Booking
This service has stricter requirements for hotels, so the room will cost more. But you are guaranteed to get what is advertised.
Prices start from 40 zł per bed in a hostel dormitory room and rise to 2350 zł per night in a villa near the ski lift with a large yard and garden.
VIP accommodation
There are only three hotels in Zakopane that claim 5 stars:
- Hotel Rysy in the center, 200 m from Krupowki Street, offers a full range of services, from airport transfers to coffee machines in the room from 350 zł and above
- Rezydencja Nosalowy Dwór, 2 km from the center, is very popular, there are almost never any available rooms costing from 400 zł
- Giewont Aparthotel with a beauty salon and SPA center, where room prices start from 1000 zł
What to eat
Traditional Polish cuisine and classic European cuisine are presented in Zakopane in a 50/50 ratio. But even the national cuisine is adjusted to European standards. Most tourists note that all dishes are tasty and very nutritious.
There is usually a restaurant near the lift below, and at the top of the mountain there is fast food with coffee and beer. On the hill you will definitely be offered low-alcohol drinks and light snacks with national flavor. Unlike other places, it is not mulled wine that is more popular here, but warmed beer. Honey, jam, and spices can be added to it. And as a snack they offer goat cheese. Perhaps the reason lies in extreme hunger from skiing, but it is extremely difficult to resist these delicacies. Prices fluctuate within a few zlotys.
Zakopane is, first and foremost, a ski resort; vacationers come here for health and pleasure. Therefore, not all restaurants serve alcoholic drinks.
There are really a lot of restaurants, high competition keeps prices at an acceptable level and forces the owners to come up with new ways to attract customers.
Approximate prices:
- Bottle of Pepsi or other soda 0.25 l − 3 zł
- Grilled fish/pork/poultry dish - from 13 to 20 zł per serving
- Soup – from 4 to 7 zł
A hearty lunch or dinner for two without alcohol will cost about 50−75 zł.
Many establishments play up the flavor of everyday life local population and have the words “kolyba” and “sheepfold” in their names. One of the best is probably Owczarnia, where all types of meat are fried on a huge grill. Live music, folk songs in the evenings.
If you like a particular restaurant, it makes sense to reserve a table in the morning for the evening. Once the darkness drives skiers off the slopes, it will be difficult to find a free place.
Concise Polish culinary dictionary
- Zhurek or simply zhur is a soup cooked with sour flour. Can be mushroom or meat
- Barshch - red borscht
- White barshch - zurek with sausage and boiled egg
- Rosul or rosol - broth
- Flaki - tripe, beef stomach soup
- Bigus - stewed cabbage with a lot of different meats
- Pies - dumplings, sometimes with meat
What to see and where to go after skiing
Zakopane has been trying for a hundred years to become a year-round balneological resort. Therefore, there are a lot of establishments here offering spa treatments and other wellness techniques.
Water activities
The most common and popular are baths with mineral water, baths different types. Almost everyone claims that the water comes from a hot mountain spring. Although the availability of geothermal water outlets is a big question, bathing in a wooden barrel under open air in frosty weather it evokes indescribable emotions. Swimming is often offered in one package with a ski pass and other ski amenities. One of the largest baths is Termy Bukovina. The cost of swimming is 35 zł for 35 minutes, 69 zł for 3.5 hours, 99 zł for the whole day. Discounts for children and pensioners. The complex operates virtually around the clock; special prices are offered for night swimming.
For lovers of classic water activities all year round There is a water park. The pools are available from 9:00 to 22:00, but some activities open later. In addition to slides of varying lengths, there are Yakuza hot tubs and a large Wild River slide. The water temperature is kept at 29-32 °C. One hour of pleasure will cost 25 zł, and the whole day will cost 79 zł.
Trade and souvenirs
The pedestrian street Krupówki runs through all of Zakopane; almost all trade in the city is concentrated on it. Here you can find both simple hawkers and branded boutiques. Just don’t forget that prices at the resort are always a little higher than in Krakow.
Zakopane - verdict
An excellent Eastern European ski resort with lots of slides, trails and activities. Any skier can find “their” hill here, although serious professionals may find it a little boring. A bit far for a weekend trip, but excellent for a 7-10 day trip. Ideal place for training skiing, many children's schools and simplified trails. If you want to put your child on skis, take him to Zakopane.
When planning your expenses, base your meal plan on $100 a day if you're eating for a week. This amount will include expenses for travel, accommodation, meals at the bistro and skiing. And if you take $1000, then you can already eat in restaurants, visit thermal baths and buy souvenirs. When planning a budget student trip, you need to be very careful about discounts and special offers. Experienced tourists manage to spend as little as $300, but it’s better to have a little more money in reserve.
You can travel to Zakopane without a car, as the city has plenty of public transport. But you will be somewhat cramped and tied to the traffic of the sky buses. Having your own car, you can travel not only the main city of the resort, but also all its surroundings.
Polish culture and cuisine are very close to Ukrainian, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish establishments from Transcarpathian ones. A significant part of vacationers, and therefore service personnel, speak Russian or Ukrainian. Almost all local sites have a Russian language version. Therefore, you will not have problems with booking, service and communication.
If you want to go to Zakopane on Catholic Christmas (December 25) or New Year, it is better to book your seats in advance. At this time, the resort is occupied by the Poles themselves and it is extremely difficult to find something free.
What to see in Zakopane? All the most interesting places and attractions of Zakopane: colorful photographs and detailed description. When going on vacation, you should carefully consider which places to visit in Zakopane. Zakopane is a wonderful holiday destination that boasts its unique natural, cultural and historical attractions. Here you can get acquainted with the most famous and, on the contrary, new attractions of Zakopane.
In Zakopane, tourists are attracted by the picturesque wooden architecture.
The famous village of Chochołów is home to a complex of wooden mountain houses built in the 19th century. The houses are still inhabited to this day.
The church in Dębno is a wooden structure, built around 1500, with rich carvings and polychrome. Its interior preserves unique works of painting, sculpture and handicrafts.
Get to know knightly castles, which previously served as border forts on the border with Hungary, can be found in the area of Spiš and Pieniny.
Museums:
The Tatra Museum has exhibition halls with historical, ethnographic and natural exhibits.
Museum of Zakopane Style. Stanisław Witkiewicz is introduced to interior items, decorative and applied arts in the Zakopane style, and works of art associated with Stanisław Witkiewicz.
Museum of the composer Karol Szymanowski. There are pianos, furniture, personal memorabilia of the composer, letters, paintings, etc. on display. The museum has a musical association named after. Karol Szymanowski.
Jan Kasprowicz Museum. The decoration of the house looks the same as during the writer’s lifetime.
The Cornelius Makuszynski Museum is a wooden villa built at the end of the 19th century, in which the famous children's writer in Poland lived. His photographs, documents, and memorabilia are presented.
The Nature Museum of the Tatra National Park introduces the flora and fauna of the Tatras.
You can also visit the Museum of the Order of Laughter, the Locomotive Exhibition, and the Ceramics Factory.
To admire the splendor nature Zakopane From a bird's eye view, there is an observation deck on Mount Gubałówka, where a funicular takes tourists. Mesmerizing views open up from the top of the Kasprowy Wierch mountain; there is a cable car here. The village of Bukovina Tatrzanska is also famous for its picturesque mountain panoramas. However, magnificent nature and stunning landscapes can be seen from almost anywhere in the city.
The small town of Zakopane in Poland - famous resort and just an incredibly beautiful place. Here you can ski, enjoy the beautiful scenery and have fun. The sights of Zakopane are no less interesting. These are exactly what we will talk about in our article.
Location
Zakopane is located at an altitude of 750-1100 meters above sea level. The town is located in a very narrow gorge and is located between the Gubalowka and Tatra mountains, almost near the border with Slovakia. Krakow is very close to it.
Zakopane is a very small town. Its population does not exceed thirty thousand. But at the same time, for the last hundred years Zakopane has been considered one of the centers of cultural life in Poland. It is in this town that artists and performers come to gain inspiration. Despite its modest size settlement, its infrastructure is very developed. There are banks, restaurants, cafes, shops, discos, a theater and a cinema here.
But Zakopane is best known as a ski resort. Moreover, it is considered the best in Poland. Moreover, his fame spread far beyond the country.
The main feature of the resort is the stunning clean air, saturated with the life-giving aromas of coniferous forests. Zakopane is recommended as a resort for the treatment of such terrible ailments as anemia, tuberculosis and respiratory diseases. In general, the city will appeal to absolutely all people, since there is a lot of entertainment here. In addition, the attractions of Zakopane will not leave anyone indifferent. Even if you're not a fan of skiing, you'll find something interesting to do in the city.
City museums
Zakopane is not only a ski resort, but also a very interesting place. If you are not a fan of extreme descents, then explore the sights of Zakopane.
The Tatra Museum will tell guests the customs of the local population. There you can see exhibits that tell about the culture, traditions and nature of these places. The museum's exposition also includes household items, which allows you to clearly imagine the life of the local population in the old days.
Also in Zakopane there is the Jan Kaspirovich Museum and the Cornelius Makuszynski Museum.
Village Chocholow
Of great interest to tourists, of course, are the sights of Zakopane and the surrounding area. Seventeen kilometers from the city is the village of Chochołów, which you can visit. Its population is 1,100 people. The village is located almost near the Slovak border. The village is unique. Almost all the buildings in it are original wooden houses, most of which were built in the nineteenth century. The entire village consists of one street. In the historical center of the village, houses along the road are located in such a way that they mirror each other.
During the season, the village is visited by a large number of tourists. Here you can buy unusual pottery that is produced only here. There is an interesting house in the village, built from just one pine tree. It is called the “one tree house”. Also worth watching is Gothic stone church, which is completely different from all the other buildings in the village.
The village gained fame after the events of 1846. At this time there was an uprising against the tyranny of Austria-Hungary. It was led by local teacher John Andruskevich. There is even a museum in the village, the exhibition of which is dedicated to the Chochołów Uprising.
Temple of Our Lady of Fatima
Another attraction of Zakopane and the surrounding area is the Temple of Our Lady of Fatima. It is located in the village of Koscielisko. The temple was erected in 1992 as a sign of gratitude for saving Pope John Paul II during an assassination attempt in 1981. The Pope himself visited him several times, believing that Our Lady of Fatima saved his life.
The temple has interesting story. It is named in honor of Our Lady of Fatima, who appeared to people in 1917 small town Portugal called Fatima. She then came to the three shepherds and told them three secrets about future events. It is said that two of her prophecies have already come true.
The temple has magnificent decoration, a rich altar and painted stained glass windows with paintings from the life of John Paul II.
Near the church you can see many religious sculptures, and from the temple grounds there are stunning views of the Tatras and Mount Giewont.
Krupowka Street
One of the attractions of Zakopane (Poland) is the pedestrian street Krupowki. There are similar promenades in all resort towns. However, the local street is colorful and unlike other streets in Poland. It runs through the center along the entire city and stretches to the foot of the famous Gubalowka mountain. Krupówki is always crowded. There are shops, restaurants and taverns here. Tourists are entertained by street musicians, mimes and clowns. Along the street there are stalls with traditional souvenirs.
While relaxing in Zakopane, you should definitely take a walk along the promenade and buy gifts. According to reviews from tourists, the street is really interesting, like any central street of any resort. Here you can sit in a cafe or just relax. Local residents praise Krupówki. In fact, she may not seem as beautiful as you expect.
Mount Gubałówka
The main attraction of Zakopane and the surrounding area in winter is Mount Gubalowka. It rises 300 meters above the city. The mountain offers stunning views of the surrounding area. You can climb to its top by cable car or by mountain tram. Krupówki Street ends right at the foot of the mountain. Co observation deck at the top of the mountain you can admire not only the city, but also the beautiful Tatra Mountains. Here you can also walk along the paths, look at natural beauty through optical instruments. There are several cafes and shops in Gubałówka. It's always colder on the mountain than in the town.
Mountain resort
The main attractions of Zakopane in winter are the mountain trails. The town is located as if in a bowl; in the immediate surroundings there are several bases, the slopes of which are always open to tourists. Zakopane has long acquired the status of a family resort. Favorable climatic conditions attract thousands of tourists every year. Mild snowy winters are the main feature of the resort. Ski slopes ready for riding in December. On some slopes, tourists continue to ski until April. The local trails are good for beginners, but they are also popular with professional athletes.
The city began to attract tourists as a ski resort back in the nineteenth century. Over the past hundred years, the town's infrastructure has changed and improved. And now tourists are greeted by a completely modern ski resort. The attractions of Zakopane may not be as outstanding and cannot be compared in importance with its mountain trails, but they are still interesting for tourists.
The best route and the most popular is Kasprowy Wierch. By the way, the mountain is the most crowded. There are many tourists there not only in winter, but also in summer. Indeed, in the warm season, walking routes are available. In about three hours you can walk to the very top. And on the ski lift the journey takes only half an hour. Nearby is Świńci, one of the highest in Poland.
Vitkevich Theater
Another attraction of Zakopane (Poland) is the local theater, which bears the name of the famous Witkiewicz. The theater is located on Chramtsówki Street. By the way, it is the only one in the city and is a source of pride.
Morskie Oko
In winter, the sights of Zakopane seem especially fabulous, thanks to the abundance of snow. One of those places that is interesting to tourists is a mountain lake with beautiful name Sea Eye. Getting to it is not so easy. Local guides offer rides in a horse-drawn carriage or on horseback. The lake is located high in the mountains. They say that you can walk to it on an asphalt road in three hours. On its coast there is an equipped tourist parking lot where you can spend the night. There is also a cafe here.
Walks in the park
The good thing about the resort is that Zakopane's attractions and entertainment are designed for guests of all ages. Representatives of all ages can find something interesting in the city. The Tatra National Park is interesting for a family visit. It is especially interesting in the summer. There are numerous hiking routes throughout the reserve, some of which end in Slovakia. The Koscheliska Valley is very beautiful. It amazes with picturesque meadows and clean mountain streams. They say that even Pope John Paul II himself visited her.
Valley of the Caves
What is worth seeing in Zakopane is the Valley of Caves. The path to it lies along a good dirt road. The main attraction of the valley is the Frost Cave. It was discovered not so long ago, in 1934. It opened to visitors about 50 years ago. By the way, this cave is somewhat unique; it is the only one in the Tatras equipped with electric lighting. In summer, the temperature inside the cave does not rise above +6 degrees. Excursion route it takes about half an hour. Some passages are so narrow that you literally have to squeeze through. In general, the route is simple and safe, so you can visit the cave with children.
Another similar place is located in the Koszczelin Valley. The cave is known as the Dragon Pit. This name was given in honor of the rock located at the entrance to the dungeon. Her form resembles a dragon with an open mouth. Moreover, the similarity is so obvious that no one believes that nature itself, and not people, made it this way. The route of the cave is not very easy. In some areas it is necessary to hold tightly to the fasteners in the walls, otherwise you can fall and break. Still, mountains are not park alleys.
City entertainment
As you can see, most of the interesting places are located outside of Zakopane. But in the town itself there is a lot of entertainment. On sunny summer days you can swim in the pool located on the territory of the Mercury Kasprovy Hotel. The city has a water park open all year round. For family vacation You won’t find a better place than the Rabkoland amusement park, built in the vicinity of the city. On its territory there are attractions for children of all ages and recreation areas.
In the central area of the city there are all the nightclubs (there are 18 of them), restaurants, and bars. During the peak holiday season, various entertainment programs. The central streets are always lively, here you can go shopping and look into souvenir shops.
Everything big starts from small things. Zakopane was once a tiny urban village, but became a city eighty years ago. From that moment on, it acquired the status of the main tourist base located in the Polish Tatras. This city is a ski resort from December to April, and in the remaining seven months of the year, the attractions of Zakopane attract tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world.
City and citizens
Zakopane has such a national flavor that an ordinary walk along its central street - Krupowka - always turns into an amusing trip. Local residents The Poles themselves call them “bacha” and treat them with pronounced irony. They are similar to the Russian Chukchi - they are the same object of numerous jokes. On holidays and on Sundays, they sedately walk through the streets of the city in national costumes.
The Bacha speak their own language, you can’t even call it a dialect: it includes Polish, Old Polish, and Slovak. The exposition of the Tatra Museum, located on the main street and open to everyone from Tuesday to Sunday, tells in detail about them, about this magical land, local traditions, about the nature around the lying mountains. In addition to it, there are four more museums in the city. Interesting excursion offers the house-museum of Cornelius Makushinsky, the famous children's writer, a native of these places. You can also learn more about the history of the region in the Museum of Zakopane Style and the Museum of Nature of the Tatra National Park. The cost of visiting is the same everywhere - ? 0.25.
Gubalovka
Of course, there is something to see in Zakopane for those who are not fans of museums. You should start with a wonderful road over the mountain peaks on a funicular, the final station of which is the top of Gubalovka. The lower station is located on the street of the same name - “Na Gubalówka” and is a continuation of Krupówka. Are round-trip cable car tickets worth it? 1, and the price is the same for all categories of passengers and seasons. On the top great amount tourist facilities. Equipment rental includes sun loungers, skis, and sleds.
Particularly popular here is an attraction reminiscent of a Russian roller coaster. This is a metal chute that goes down like a serpentine, and you can slide down it in a special cart. The rider has no way to control it other than braking with his feet. Simple, but enough courage for three – and the price for the descent is ridiculous, just? 0.4. WITH observation deck opens best view to the city. For those who are not eager to walk in the mountains, but just want to sit on the grass, enjoying the picturesque panorama, they will find their desires fulfilled on this peak.
Morskie Oko
Traveling along the mountain slopes on horseback or in a horse-drawn carriage leaves no one indifferent. This is how you can get to a real miracle - Lake Morskoe Oko, which lies high in the mountains. This path is best covered on horseback, the journey will take more than half an hour, and such a trip will cost from? 2 in the summer and before? 10 in winter. The lake is popular because of its accessibility; a person on foot can easily get to it in three hours along an excellent asphalt road. On the shore of the lake you can have a snack and spend the night - one of the tourist stops provides an excellent menu and overnight accommodation for everyone. It is difficult to say that the blueness and purity of the local waters is unique; there are many unique ones in the world. mountain lakes. There would be something to compare with, but Morskie Oko is the most famous in the Tatras - that’s for sure.
Walk in the park
Is it worth entering the park? 2 in one day. For this money you can only walk along special paths, because a ticket giving the right to absolutely free movement and setting up tents will cost more. All paths in national park lined with stones and steps on the steep slopes. It’s better to wander around the park with a map in your pocket, and you can purchase it at any of the entrances. All roads are marked on it, colored in “difficulty color”, and distances are indicated in minutes.
If you walk at a normal pace, then real time corresponds to what the card promises. In addition to the fact that it reflects all the attractions of Zakopane, all the “chronicles” for tourists are also displayed. This is such a special vacation spot that could only be born in the mountains. The root of the name is clear to every Russian - “buried”, and the purpose is essentially the same. You can take shelter in such a place from rain and extreme cold, and save yourself from hunger. delicious food and, if you want, even spend the night. Will a bed in the room cost from? 3 to? 6 per day, and if there are no places, then for? 1 bed directly on the floor. But this rarely happens - under New Year and on other major holidays.
Where the park's roads are located in the valleys at the entrances, there are bicycle rentals. Will such entertainment cost? 0.5 per day, time is unlimited, and no deposit is required - you can only leave the park without a bicycle. You can rent your two-wheeled friend at one rental, and return it at a completely different one.
Valley of the Caves
The path to it is laid along a convenient dirt road. Its main attraction is Frost Cave. It was discovered in 1934 and opened to the public more than fifty years ago. This is the only cave in the Tatras equipped with electric lighting, so entry into it is paid. Is it worth it? 0.25, and for children it’s even cheaper. The summer temperature here is only + 6 degrees. You can only take photographs without a flash, so as not to create conditions for mold growth. In the most interesting chambers, the lighting is organized in such a way as to effectively present the features of the landscape. You have to squeeze through some passages sideways - they are so narrow. The journey through the cave takes half an hour and is accessible even to small children, and ends with a long descent down a narrow staircase.
Second interesting cave in the Koszczelin Valley – Dragon Pit, you can reach it in an hour of leisurely walking, if you count from one of the entrances along a route of the third degree of difficulty - between high rocks, along a narrow gorge. The name of the cave was given by the rock standing at the entrance - its shape has the shape of the desired dragon, opening its mouth in a terrible roar. And no one believes that its creator is nature, and not a modern avant-garde sculptor. Moving around the cave is difficult; on some climbs you need to hold on to rings and a rope specially screwed into the rock at the same time. Otherwise, you can fall and break yourself; mountains are not an alley in a park. But nothing bad will happen to those who follow basic safety measures.
There is a lot to see in Zakopane, and in addition to what is described above - you can visit three peaks - two thousand meters in one day, or take a day trip to Slovakia, or go to the ice skating rink in the evening artificial ice, and at the same time the largest in Europe. There will be enough entertainment for two twenty-day vacations, all that’s left is to hit the road. By the way, it’s not far to go.