Zakopane walking tour & city guide

The town

Krupówki Street is the busy main street, lined with wooden restaurants and stalls. A funicular climbs Gubałówka hill for views of the Tatras. The Zakopane Style of wooden architecture can be seen in villas and chapels.

The mountains

A cable car climbs Kasprowy Wierch, and trails lead to the lake of Morskie Oko. In winter, Zakopane is Poland's main ski resort.

A day in Zakopane

Walk along Krupówki, the lively main street, then take the funicular up Gubałówka for views of the Tatra Mountains. Visit the wooden villas built in the Zakopane style.

In the afternoon, ride the cable car to Kasprowy Wierch, or hike to Morskie Oko, a beautiful mountain lake.

Good to know

Zakopane is Poland's winter capital, busy in ski season and summer. Try oscypek, a smoked sheep's cheese sold grilled with cranberry jam.

The thermal pools of Chochołowskie are nearby.

The Tatra Mountains

Zakopane sits at the foot of the Tatras, the highest mountains in Poland, and the Tatra National Park is full of hiking trails, from easy valley walks to challenging ridge routes. The walk to Morskie Oko, a glacial lake surrounded by granite peaks, is about two hours each way on a paved road, and horse-drawn carriages take part of the route. The Kościeliska Valley is a gentler walk with caves and streams.

The local Górale, or highlander, culture is strong, with its own dialect, music and wooden architecture. In the evening, many restaurants serve grilled meats and highlander dishes with live folk music.