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10 unique attractions of Zakopane
Zakopane is a small, picturesque town, located at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. It is a well-known mountain resort, which attracts tourists in the summer as well as winter. You can choose to go there for a romantic getaway, take children to have fun on the slopes, go on an adventure through the mountains with your friends or simply experience nature and learn about the culture and art of the region. Everyone will find something for themselves. Attractions in Zakopane are diverse and will meet even the most demanding expectations. Here are the 10 most popular tourist attractions of Zakopane. We recommend making time for seeing all of them if you chose to visit this special corner of Poland.
Krupówki
It's the center street in Zakopane, mainly pedestrian. The promenade is over kilometer long, and there are souvenir shops, rustic restaurants, museums as well as hotels and guesthouses. Every year there are thousands of tourists walking through Krupówki, not only during holidays. There are many charming corners to be discovered, that are eagerly documented with phones and cameras by the visitors. This is definitely a must-see place in Zakopane and a primary base for further exploration of the city.
Gubałówka
It is an elongated hill on the Gubałowski Foothill which is over 1100 meters high. It offers a beautiful view of the entire panorama of the Tatra Mountains. You can reach the peak on foot or by funicular, where a well-stocked hotel and a tourist base awaits you. It is equipped with gravity slide and ski runs for thrill-seekers as well as restaurants and SPA if you're looking to relax. All of those make Gubałówka into a very popular tourist attraction which is why the queues and crowds are to be expected.
Kasprowy Wierch
It's the mountain peak located on the Polish-Slovak border and it's a base for many other mountain trips. The name comes from the Kasprowa Hall at the foot of the mountain, which got its name from a famous highlander- Kasper, who owned it. The mountain peak is made of crystalline rocks. You can get to the peak on foot or via a cable car. There are a hotel and a restaurant base near the peak where you can attend various cultural events. Due to its location, Kasprowy Wierch is available to tourists, but it's not overly crowded since you need an appointment before going there. In winter, trails are often closed due to the danger of avalanches.
Kościeliska Valley
It's characterized by an amazing location. It serves beautiful views, on trails that can be conquered not only by mountain lovers and athletes but also by ordinary tourists. The routes are friendly to families with children. The flat terrain is accessible for prams and strollers. Families can have a good time admiring nature and watching the flocks of sheep. It is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the Polish mountains. It is worth noting that the Kościeliska Valley faces the biggest surge of tourists during spring when there are crocuses in full bloom, which attract not only domestic tourists but also people from all over the world.
Morskie Oko
loosely translated to English as Sea's Eye is the largest lake in the Tatra Mountains. It is located at an altitude of 1395 m above sea level. This post-glacial lake is a great place for pictures, it's green waters and remarkable transparency look beautiful through the camera lens- which attracts plenty of tourists. The route to the lake is an 8 km long walk on an asphalt road. It's not a tiring hike, and you can admire the view, but if you don't want to walk you can always use horse carriages. Right next to the lake there is a shelter where you rest after the hike or spend the night.
Pęksowy Brzyzek National Cementary in Zakopane
Zakopane is not only an amazing nature but also hundreds of years of culture and unique art. Highlander influences are particularly visible in elements of everyday life. Beautiful, small, wooden church in Pęksowy Brzyzek is a real work of art. Right next to it in the Cementary, you can pay your respects next to the graves of artists: painters, poets but also politicians, doctors and many other important figures in Zakopane, who were all buried with honors- including having special tombstones made for them by local craftsmen. It is worth visiting this place, despite your religious affiliation, because this Cementary is above all a place of culture and remembrance of people who contributed to the city of Zakopane.
Chapel in Jaszczurówka
The Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Jaszczurówka is a great photo opportunity. Picturesque chapel with wooden walls looks amazing especially during winter when everything is frozen around it. It was built by a local entrepreneur at the beginning of the 20th century as a gift to the community. The most amazing part is that there was not a single nail used to build it. Instead, they used a trick many highlanders used and crafted the wooden panels in a way that made them overlap with each other so they wouldn't need additional reinforcement. Jaszczurówka is worth visiting not only because of its architectural features but also as a place of worship and highlander culture.
Villa Koliba
When visiting Zakopane you must not forget about many museums located in the city. Everyone who is interested in local tradition and culture should set aside a few hours to visit at least a few of those places. The most famous one is Willa Koliba, where you can learn about the history of the Zakopane style. It is also a great opportunity to get acquainted with various different highlander art pieces as well as seeing an original highlander interior design.
Great Krokiew
Several times a year, a ski jumping competition is held on one of the most beautiful natural hills in the world, which is located in Zakopane. Great Krokiew attracts fans from Poland and all over Europe. This perfectly prepared and organized spectacle ensures amazing experiences not only for jumpers but also for the fans. Great Krokiew can also be visited outside the competition. Tourists can visit the back rooms, or take the cable car to the top and stand next to the starting beam. That, however, is reserved only for the bravest, considering ski jumping being an extremely dangerous discipline.
Karol Szymanowski Muzeum
Not many people know who Karol Szymanowski was. He was an extremely talented Polish pianist, composer, and writer. The museum is located in a wooden villa that once belonged to him. It is worth noting that Zakopane was a source of inspiration for many artists. They found shelter and inspiration here. The villa has preserved traditional furnishings in the highlander fashion which you can admire along with a lot of souvenirs from Szymanowski's life.
Zakopane combines respect for ancient tradition and culture, expressed through numerous museums, and love for art and nature, which can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age or health. All of it packed into a city that knows it's value and wants to attract tourists and make them feel at home through multiple hotels and resorts as well as restaurants and pubs. Tourists praise delicious food and affordable prices. Accommodation can be booked online, as well as tickets to a lot of tourist attractions. For several years now, the city has been organizing a big New Year's Eve celebration, as well as other concerts and events during the year. Zakopane is a great place to spend your free time- both in summer and winter there is plenty you can do. It will be time well spent.
