Things To Do in Zakopane

Poland's Mountain Town

Zakopane sits at the foot of the Tatras, two hours south of Krakow, and it is the country's winter capital and summer hiking base. Wooden highlander houses line Krupówki street, smoked oscypek cheese is sold from stalls, and the Gubałówka funicular climbs to a ridge with the whole mountain wall in view. Most visitors come on a day trip from Krakow, but staying a night or two opens up the snowmobile, horse and ski experiences that run from the town itself.

Day Trips from Krakow

The classic eleven-hour trip combines the Gubałówka cable car, a tasting of oscypek and local spirits, free time on Krupówki and an evening soak in the hot springs, and it is the most reviewed Zakopane tour. The nine-hour Tatra Mountains and Gubałówka version skips the baths and costs less. Winter travelers can swap the cable car for the snowmobile, bonfire and hot springs tour, which ends with grilled sausages in the snow.

Thermal Baths

Chochołów Thermal Baths, twenty minutes from Zakopane, has indoor and outdoor pools fed by hot springs, with the Tatras visible from the water. The evening experience from Krakow includes transport and entry and is the quietest time to go. Several tours bundle the baths with the snowmobiles.

Snowmobiles, ATVs and Horses

From Zakopane itself, the extreme snowmobile ride with a bonfire runs three to four hours in winter, and the ATV tour covers forest tracks and mountain meadows the rest of the year. The seven-hour snowmobile and thermal pools adventure combines both big-ticket winter activities with transfers from your hotel.

Learning to Ski

Gubałówka Hill is a gentle slope above town, and the one-hour small-group beginner lesson is a cheap way to try skiing before committing to a full day on the lifts. Equipment rental is at the bottom of the hill.

Seasons

December to March is ski and snowmobile season; June to September is for hiking and the ATVs. The thermal baths and the cable car run all year. Most tours here offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.