Zakopane

Zakopane is a large, year-round mountain resort in Małopolskie Province in southern Poland. It's set in the Tatra mountains which form the natural frontier between Poland and Slovakia. It's been a spa and fashionable society spot, and is characterised by wooden chalets in a distinctive local style.

By train
Trains run every couple of hours or so from Kraków, taking 3 hr 30 min. Three of these come direct from Warsaw (6-9 hours), with Sleeper trains most nights. Other destinations usually involve changing in Kraków but there is one direct train daily from Bydgoszcz via Poznan and Wroclaw.

The is  east of town centre.

By bus
Several bus companies run from Kraków via Nowy Targ to Zakopane, taking two hours, so there's price competition and buses at least hourly. The main carriers are Majer Bus and Szwagropol. Flixbus run direct from Warsaw, 7 hr.

By car
From Kraków take Highway 7 to Rabka and then 47 to Zakopane, 90 min but longer on fine weekends and holidays when everyone heads into the mountains.

On foot
You can use the long-distance hiking trails which cross the border with Slovakia.

Get around

 * PKS buses according to schedule.
 * Mini bus — There are a lot of privately owned vans (called mini bus). Most have fixed routes and rates, no schedule. Often there is the possibility of negotiation (route, price, time). Note a driver's telephone number if you think you may need transport later.
 * Taxi

See



 * Morskie Oko lake
 * Morskie Oko lake

Museums

 * The Władysław Hasior Gallery ul. Jagiellońska 18b
 * The Gallery of Art in Koziniec ul. Koziniec 8
 * The Kornel Makuszyński Museum ul. Tetmajera 15
 * Museum of the 1846 Chochołów Uprising Chochołów 75
 * The Gallery of Art in Koziniec ul. Koziniec 8
 * The Kornel Makuszyński Museum ul. Tetmajera 15
 * Museum of the 1846 Chochołów Uprising Chochołów 75



Do



 * Ski
 * Kasprowy Wierch
 * Gubałówka
 * Nosal
 * Białka Tatrzańska
 * Bukowina Tatrzańska
 * Butorowy Wierch
 * Polana Szymoszkowa003 Białka Tatrzańska wyciąg narciarski talerzykowy - Kotelnica Białczańska.jpg
 * Hike
 * Hike

Many of these activities are outside of Zakopane. However, minibuses, leaving when full, depart from different points in Zakopane all day. Most minibuses leave from the front of the train station. The same system works to return hikers/skiers to Zakopane. Expect to pay about 3.50 zł each for the minibus (around €1).

Additional things to explore:
 * Murowaniec hostel in Gąsienicowa valley
 * Morskie Oko valley
 * Kasprowy Wierch (mountain), 1985 metres. Tatra view point. Restaurant. Skiing area. Cable railway runs from

Hike
It's worth buying a map of the area if you're going hiking. Most likely you will be hiking in Tatra National Park. Be aware that as it is a National Park special rules apply—don't be loud, leave any garbage or disturb animals. Maps are sold by the tourist office (17 Kosciuszki St., telephone: 01820 12211), down the hill, on your left, just before getting to the bus stop and cross roads (Krupowki St. and Kosciuszki St.) in the centre of town. They'll also give suggested routes, based on the latest weather forecasts and your fitness and equipment. Entrance fee of 4 zł (2 zł for students and school kids).

The maps are very tourist-friendly, with the "difficulty levels" for different paths marked: possibly slightly patronising for seasoned hikers. The pram symbol for the 'easy' paths is taken too literally - people have been seen trying to get prams up steep paths from Zakopane into the mountains. All the paths marked on the map are well maintained by the government.

Whichever route you plan to take, it is advised you dress warmly and bring spare waterproof clothes and water. Put the clothes in a plastic bag in your backpack to keep them dry in case of rain. Even midsummer it can hail for a whole day in the mountains! Remember you are already at 1000m, although it doesn't feel like it.

See also: Hiking from Zakopane to Giewont

Nearby hikes
Mount Rysy 2499-metre, 4-hour hike from Morskie Oko valley

Learn

 * Mountain Academy "Murowaniec" — avalanche courses.

Buy

 * Many shops at Krupówki promenade.

Eat
A local speciality is Oscypek, smoked sheep's milk cheese.

There are many good eateries within Zakopane. Look for authentic-looking wood huts. Avoid ones with colourful lights and multi-coloured lamps. Good "Bacowkas" include "Bąkowo Zohylina Wyźnio and Nizino" right off of Krupowki. Chata Zbójnicka on Jagiellońska is also good for authentic food (and experience). You can also try the fried fish eateries anywhere in town for a quick, cheap meal. Trout is the speciality in this town.

There is a cheese market every day. It's probably best to come early in the morning while the produce is still fresh, but it's fine to eat whenever it's purchased.

Budget
All of these are in the city centre:

Mid-range

 * Plenty of private rooms. Tourists coming by train or bus will often find private landlords waiting for them at the stations. Negotiate the price. Board often available. Ask to be shown the location on a map. Many locations are outside Zakopane city (which may be an advantage).

Go next

 * Kuźnice: get in on foot, or by local bus.
 * Chochołów
 * Nowy Targ