Travel to Zakopane in the fall description. Should I go to Zakopane? Food. What to try

November 26th, 2013, 12:38 am

If you expand the physical map of Poland, you can see that its southern border is a rather uneven terrain. This is a mountain system, it is called the Tatra Mountains (the highest part of the Carpathians) and it is almost equally divided between Poland and Slovakia.

The Tatras are a little lacking in height for the formation of permanent glaciers and snowfields (they usually start at 3 km, and the highest point in the Tatras is 2655, Gerlachowski Shtit, Slovakia). Due to this, in the warm season, the mountains are practically free of snow and represent the ideal area for mountain hiking, hiking and day trips.

The Tatras, both from Poland and the Slovak territory, are protected by the status of national parks. No deforestation, hunting activities or independent organization of lodging for the night. Everything is regulated and ordered. You can only move along specially laid trails, arrange halts in equipped places or in a chronisko (mountain shelters).

Thanks to such austerities, the mountains and the forest that covers them are kept in perfect purity, despite the sky-high popularity of mountain hiking and walking among Europeans (about 3 million people come to the Tatras annually).

My acquaintance with the Tatras took place during my second visit to Poland. The first Polish trip was more exploratory in nature, just to see the country and decide for the future whether it makes sense to come here again. It turned out that Poland, one of the most interesting countries that I was lucky to visit. And it was during the first trip that I learned a little about the southern part of the country, about the royal city of Krakow and about the mountains that are already visible from there.

So, a brief outline of how I got to the Tatras. The Polonaise train departed from the Belorussky Station in Moscow at about 5 p.m. The next morning at around 9 a.m., arrival in Warsaw.

Immediately at the station, tickets to Krakow were bought. Krakow is one of the largest cities in the country, it is located south of the Polish capital, at a distance of just over 300 km. Between the cities there are buses and local trains.

So, in the middle of the day we arrived in Krakow. Near the railway station is the central bus station, it is very convenient, after 10 minutes we had tickets for the bus to Zakopane. As a result, by five o’clock in the evening we arrived in Zakopane - a resort town, stretching right on the very slopes of the Tatra Mountains.

I won’t talk about Zakopane in detail. This town is called the winter capital of Poland and many ski lovers have written about it. But in the summer and autumn the town is not empty. People come here from all over the country (and not only) to walk around the surrounding peaks and passes. What a pity that the tense situation in the North Caucasus does not allow Russians to fully enjoy spending their holidays in the mountains. The Poles have no problems with this, militants are not hiding in the Tatras, but only wild animals, sometimes brides with umbrellas ..

One of the most popular sites visited by all the guests of the town is the mountain lake Sea Eye. This is a very picturesque glacial stock pond surrounded by steep rocky slopes.

Its water is saturated with salts and minerals, which, depending on the direction of the incident light, can paint the surface in different colors. As a result, making an “honorable circle” around the Sea Eye, one can observe how the shade of water changes from blue to emerald.

At 100 meters vertically above the Sea Eye lurks among the gloomy stone slopes another small pond, Black Stav over Rysy. A route passes through it to the highest peak in Poland - the northern peak of Rysy (2499m). Black Stav and the Sea Eye form a picturesque lake cascade connected by a waterfall.

The second direction is very popular with Zakopane and visiting tourists - the top of Kasprowy Wierch (1970m) and its surroundings. There is where to wind up the winds, so the temperature in these places is often several degrees lower than in Zakopane.

You can climb Kasprowy Wierch yourself or take the cable car, which starts from the suburb of Zakopane, the town of Kuznice.
From the top, where the cable car arrives and where the meteorological station observatory is located, hiking trails run in different directions.

Days in Zakopane are flying fast. From morning to dusk - healing (for the soul and health) mountain feelings, sometimes with a share of extreme sports and physical activity, and in the evening - walks in the city, rich in souvenir stalls, various restaurants and shops. If possible, visit the town of Zakopane, lurking on the very edge of Poland. Surely, harsh rocks, prongs and peaks of the Tatra ridge, coniferous forests covering the slopes and valleys, blue-green ovals of mountain lakes, and of course the good-natured Poles who often greet you upon meeting on a mountain trail ("tshesh" or " jen good ").

New to you travel!

* Thanks to colleague and friend Ivan Vostrikov for sharing some of his photos for this report.

One of the most beautiful, modern and affordable is considered Zakopane. Poland is a beautiful country that boasts high mountains, clear lakes, fast rivers, medieval castles and many other cultural and historical sights. There are all conditions for both relaxing and active recreation. Clean, healthy air, impeccable ski slopes, picturesque landscapes - all this attracts thousands of tourists to Zakopane. Every year lovers come here to enjoy great skiing.

Zakopane - one of the best ski resorts in Poland

Whoever you meet in this cozy and very beautiful town! Ukrainians, Slovaks, Belarusians, Russians - with the onset of winter, everyone is striving to book rooms in hotels early, book a tour to go to the resort. And for the New Year holidays here is not crowded. What can explain the success of Zakopane? A bewitching view of the mountains covered with snow, routes that correspond to the European level, beautiful landscapes, impeccable service. Having arrived here once, I want to visit Zakopane again and again. Photos brought from leisure, will be an excellent motivation to make a trip to this beautiful place for friends and relatives, because it is simply impossible not to be tempted by local beauty.

Weather

Climatic conditions allow you to relax in Zakopane year-round. Of course, the largest influx of tourists here is observed in the winter, because this is primarily a ski resort. From May to autumn, travelers come to make mountain trips. In the summer in the south of Poland it is sunny and warm, so the guests of the country have a rest near the lake, do climbing, walk or ride bicycles to the mountains. In autumn, in most cases, warm and dry weather in Zakopane remains. Poland opens the ski season in December.

Ski slopes in Zakopane

At an altitude of 860 m to 2000 m, 6 ski areas are equipped according to European standards. The first of them is called Kasprowy Top - it is the largest. It is suitable mainly for experienced athletes, has two descent valleys. Kasprovy Upper is located on the territory of the Tatra National Park, so while the lift will lift 2000 m in height, tourists will have something to see. Ski resorts in Poland are striking in their thoughtfulness, organization. A striking example is the most popular ski area in Zakopane Gubalowka. It is suitable for both experienced athletes and beginners. The funicular is located in the city center, so getting to the tracks is not difficult.

Shimoshkovaya glade is equipped on the ridge Gulabuvki. The beginning of the descent of the route begins at an altitude of 840 m, the zone is fenced with nets, the length of the slope is almost 2 km. Suitable for beginners, ski masters and snowboarders.

The Nosal zone is located on the mountain of the same name. The slope is small, only 650 m, but the road is steep and difficult, therefore it is suitable only for experienced athletes.

Kozinets, Buturovsky Top, Parduluvka are suitable for both masters and beginners. There are high slopes and a yoke.

Wellness in Zakopane

People come here not only to relax, but also to improve their body. Zakopane is a ski resort that is rich in invigorating air, clean water, thermal springs, green areas. Nature itself promotes purification and healing. The city has a powerful medical base, not inferior to the most famous resorts in Europe. A mild climate, coniferous forests, clean water - all this is suitable for patients with tuberculosis and anemia. In Zakopane, people with allergies and respiratory problems can be cured. Residents of big cities come to the resort to improve their health, relax, relieve stress, and restore active processes in the body.

The main attractions

Rest in Zakopane involves not only a daily descent from the mountains, but also an examination of local beauties, historical and cultural monuments of the country. To get acquainted with the traditions and customs of Poles, you should visit the Tatra Museum, where a lot of exhibits are stored. Not far from the city is the village of Chocholow, where a little more than 1000 people live. The peculiarity of the village is that it consists of wooden upland huts that were built in the 19th century.

Zakopane resort has truly picturesque corners, one of such places is the Marine Eye reserve. This is the name of the huge lake located in the Tatra Mountains. A horse-drawn carriage brings visitors to the pond. The sea eye of anyone will conquer with its beauty: a transparent turquoise surface stretches below, and proud and impregnable mountain peaks covered with snow caps rise above. Near the lake, vacationers sunbathe, fish, have picnics and just relax.

Not far from Zakopane is the temple of Our Lady of Fatima, built in honor of Pope John II. Visitors stroll through the territory, examine the sculptures, admire the altar and decoration of the building. The atmosphere of the temple inspires reflection, calms and pacifies. It offers breathtaking mountain views. Zakopane is rich in thermal springs, ancient churches, knight's castles.

Many will be interested to see the museum dedicated to Karol Szymanowski. He spent 6 years at Atma Villa, where his personal belongings and furnishings were preserved. Visitors get the impression that Shimanovsky still lives there. Fans of avant-garde should visit the theater named after Vitkevich. He is visited by many famous people, cultural figures. A lot of unique historical places are in Zakopane. Poland is a mysterious country, opening the veil of secrets only to the most curious travelers.

Entertainment

What to do in Zakopane? Here you can relax, improve your health and, of course, have fun. Poland's ski resorts are famous for their developed infrastructure, so no one will be bored for sure. Cycling, ice rink, excursions, hang glider, swimming pool, hiking, trips to the lake - this is not a complete list of entertainment that Zakopane offers.

In the Antuluvka zone, there is a water park - this is a favorite vacation spot for children and adults. It is interesting in that one of the walls is completely glass, which provides a complete overview of local beauties. The water park has slides of varying complexity, there is also a jacuzzi, salt room, steam room, pool with hydromassage. The water here is thermal, so visitors will not only have a good time, but also get better.

The resort has a lot of bars, no one will remain hungry. They are fed tasty and hearty dishes, so after a hearty dinner it is sometimes difficult to force yourself to go on an excursion or ski down from the mountain top. In Zakopane there are 13 entertainment centers, 18 nightclubs, everyone can find their own music: DJs play songs for both young people and the older generation. Well, of course, do not forget about excursions. The most popular is considered "on the coolers" - a sleigh ride. Excursions to the valleys are mysterious and mysterious, because there are a lot of caves. It is also worth visiting the Peninsky Park to enjoy the beauty of the local nature, to swim on rafts past the canyons. Entertainment in Zakopane is enough for everyone.

Zakopane Hotels

At the resort, more than 50 thousand tourists can relax at one time, housing is enough for everyone. Pensions, hotels, apartments, cottages, private houses and apartments - all this can be rented in Zakopane. Hotels of various price categories, high-level service, pleasantly surprise prices. Fans of comfort and luxury can stay in the hotels "Villa Marilor", "Litvor", located in the center of Zakopane. Poland attracts primarily skiing, you can settle down near the ski area at the Kasprowy Mercure 4 * Hotel. For family holidays, boarding houses “Mermaid”, “Sosnitsa”, “Linden yard”, “Anna Maria” are suitable.

When is it better to come to the resort?

Rest in Zakopane is good at any time of the year. In winter, lovers of skiing come here to have a great New Year's vacation. Spring, summer and autumn are great times for hiking in the mountains, when you can rent bicycles and arrange bike rides around the city. The warm season is good for exploring local attractions, visiting picturesque places such as forests and lakes. Therefore, when to go to Zakopane, everyone should decide for themselves, based on their own preferences. Better yet, visit the town in winter, spring, summer and autumn in order to fully enjoy the local nature.

Rest in Zakopane

Many travelers buy because local resorts give a vivid feeling, charge with positive and cheerfulness. Zakopane is a wonderful town that will allow guests to enjoy the identity and culture of local residents, enjoy plenty of fun on modern ski slopes, enjoy delicious Polish dishes. It is here that you can relax and relax your body and soul.

Each country is famous for its attractions. Poland is not only a country where you can see ancient castles and the cultural heritage of the Middle Ages, but this is a place where you can spend a wonderful leisure. It is about rest in Zakopane. Clean air, picturesque places, ski slopes - will be able to win the heart of any tourist! That is why every year many tourists visit the beautiful city of Zakopane. But what attracts this resort? See more about this ...

Zakopane, Poland (photo)

Millions of tourists annually visit Zakopane. Most often here you can meet Ukrainians, Belarusians, Russians, Czechs and Slovaks. Those who were here once, seek to return again here, because a vacation in Zakopane fascinates and fascinates at first sight. And those who come here for the first time, usually carefully check everything before the trip, so it’s not a rare occurrence to find in the search engines the queries: “Zakopane, Poland photo”. And after much preparation, it is simply impossible to resist the temptation to relax in Zakopane. So, where is is this glorious resort?

Zakopane - an incredibly beautiful resort, located in the south of Poland. Only 100 km separate it from Krakow. It is located in a basin between the northern part of the Tatra Mountains and the Gubulowka mountain range. The resort is located at an altitude of 750 - 1100 km, so the air is very clean. From the middle of the 19th century Zakopane developed as a resort area, the authorities made a lot of efforts to make the city a center for skiing. And indeed, many times in Zakopane skiing competitions. And although the Olympic Games have never been held here, the city strives for this by modernizing the tracks and developing the infrastructure.

Rest in Zakopane

Relaxing in Zakopane is a pleasure, because you can achieve several goals. After all, rest in Zakopane is not only a place where you can spend active vacations and go skiing. At the same time, you can improve your health and enjoy the unusual culture and folklore of the gurals. Therefore, you can get a whole range of pleasures from rest, paying only for one.

Trails in Zakopane

As already mentioned, the authorities of Zakopane sought to ensure that the city became the mistress of the Winter Olympics. Therefore, all tracks are equipped with new equipment, everything is arranged according to European standards. Zakopane will delight every guest six ski areaslocated at an altitude of 860-2000 meters. Lifts will always bring you to the mountain peaks, and while you get to the peaks, you can enjoy the picturesque view of the mountains. When choosing ski areas, you should pay attention to the complexity of the tracks, although you should try in all six areas, gradually increasing the complexity of the tracks.

The first ski area is the largest. She is called Casprow Top and is located on the territory of the Tatra National Park. There are mainly difficult tracks of the FIS type, so they are suitable for more experienced ski lovers. The lift will take you to a height of almost 2000 meters, there are maidens of the descent valley. The largest drop reaches 602 meters.

The second largest area is Gubalowka, which is located on the ridge of the Gubalowka Mountains. This is one of the most popular ski areas. Trails are suitable for both beginners and experienced professionals. One of the reasons for the popularity of this area is that the funicular is located almost in the center of Zakopane, within walking distance. The funicular has trailers that hold a little more than 100 people going up to the top. The differences that the track has in some places reach 300 meters. At the bottom there are several simple tracks with yokes, where the differences can be from 40 to 150 meters. Most often, beginners ride here.

Another of the most popular ski areas is Shimoshkova glade, which is located on the ridge Gulabuvki. This is one of the most modernly equipped tracks, has several types of lifts, it is fenced with nets on the left and right. There is a zone 1.5 km from Zakopane and the start of the descent can start within 840 - 1120 m. The length of the slope is 1950 meters, both beginners and experienced skiers will like it. Initially, the descent is steeper, and gently sloping to the bottom, suitable for snowboarders.

The next ski area is Nosal, has a height of 920 -1206 m and is located on Mount Nosal. The zone is one of the most difficult, there is a certified FIS, slalom competitions are held. Although the track is small, it has a length of only 650 meters, but it is very complex and steep. Although, there are a few yokes that are great for beginners.

Still distinguish zones Buturovs top, Kozinets and Parduluvka. They have both slopes with towers and higher slopes that will be liked by experienced skiers.

All routes are located at some distance from the city center, but you can get to the mountainsides very quickly and inexpensively by transport. In each zone there are cafes, bars and restaurants where you can warm up in cold weather and have a little refreshment.

Rest in Zakopane - good for health

Thermal springs, crystal clear water, clean and invigorating air, green areas - make the rest not only active, but also very healthy. The resort is famous for its especially healing waters and mild climate. Tatras. Coniferous forests only enhance the effect of the therapeutic effect. Zakopane is surrounded by a powerful medical base, which is not inferior to the best resorts in the world. At the same time, you can choose a tour for recovery in Zakopane at a very different price, however, the prices here are not high. Will fit resort for thosewho have problems with the respiratory system or with anemia. It treats tuberculosis and allergies. Also, a vacation in Zakopane is well suited for those who live in large urbanized cities in order to restore active processes in the body and improve their health. After all, exhaust gases and plants affect the health of every resident of the metropolis. And Zakopane will help restore all active processes in the body.

Attractions in Zakopane

Holidays in Zakopane - not only extreme descents from the snowy mountains. If you want to see something interesting and gain vivid impressions, you can visit the local attractions of the hospitable city.

Tatra Museum will tell you about the customs of the local population. You will be able to see exhibits that will tell about its traditions, about local nature and culture. Also worth a visit is the village of Chocholow. It is located 17 km from Zakopane and has a population of a little more than 1000 people. The village consists of upland wooden huts built in the 19th century. All houses are built around the main street and mirror each other.

One of the most picturesque places is the reserve Sea Eye. Sea Eye - the name of the lake located in the Tatra Mountains. Its area is 35 hectares. Part of the path to the lake can be reached on a horse-drawn cart, driven by a cabman dressed in national Gurul clothes. Having reached the lake, you will be captivated by the beauty of the landscape that will be presented to you. Snowy mountain peaks above and a turquoise clear lake below, where all the greatness of the mountains is reflected. Here you can sunbathe or catch fish, in a word, enjoy both body and soul.

Museum of Karol Szymanowski located in Zakopane and attracts many tourists. Karol Szymanowski is a famous Polish composer who spent 6 years in Atma Villa. The interesting design of the villa, as well as the composer's personal belongings create an atmosphere of mystery and the feeling that the composer's spirit lives somewhere in the house.

Theater named after Vitkevich also attracts many tourists. It is named after the Polish writer, who became famous thanks to his avant-garde ideas. Until now, the repertoire of the theater is known for its originality and avant-garde. Here you can often meet famous people, artists, and you can also get acquainted with high art.

Temple of the Fatima Mother of God located a few kilometers from Zakopane. From its territory you will be shocked by the amazing view of the mountains. A temple was built in honor of Pope John II, as a sign that he was saved from an attempt. The richness of the decoration of the temple, the extraordinary beauty of the altar and many stained glass windows are breathtaking, give a feeling of greatness and at the same time calmness. Sculptures near the temple and its large territory allow you to slowly walk and think about life.

Of course, this is not all the attractions of the glorious resort. So, you can visit the knight's castles, the old church in Debna, thermal springs. You can choose everything to your liking and you will be satisfied. The main thing is to have enough time.

Entertainment in the spa town of Zakopane

Of course, Zakopane is primarily famous for its ski slopes. The resort is no less interesting for its wellness opportunities, as well as attractions. But in Zakopane, you can have fun, relax and not care about anything. Since the holiday season in Zakopane lasts a whole year, we will see what else you can do entertain. Pools, skating rink, hang gliders, cycling, hiking, sightseeing tours - yes, you will not be bored in Zakopane!

One of the favorite places of entertainment is Aquapark, which is located in the Antuluvka zone. A feature of the water park is that one of the walls is completely glass, which allows you to fully enjoy the beauty of the landscape of the mountains. The water park has several outdoor pools, interwoven slides of different heights, a pool that simulates a rapid mountain stream. For those who want to relax, a jacuzzi, Finnish sauna, baths, steam room, salt room, as well as swimming pools with hydromassage are perfect. It is worth adding that the water in the pools is thermal, so you can additionally get wellness. You can play bowling at the water park, sit in the cafe and bar. Indeed, during such a vacation I want to eat!

Also, in Zakopane there are entertainment in the form of cafes, bars, restaurantswhere you can have a great time, enjoy the taste of food. In addition, there is about 18 night clubs and 13 entertainment centers. The music is completely different, from the style of the 80s to the most modern club. Therefore, clubs are suitable for young people and for older people.

One type of entertainment is excursions. The most popular excursion is "On the coolers". A few hour sleigh ride. You will be brought to a picnic, which will be accompanied by the mandatory drinking of "goral tea" and baking sausages. The whole celebration is that you will be driven by a highlander dressed in a national costume.

There are no less interesting excursions to the valleysespecially if there are caves. Tours are mysterious and a bit mysterious. You can choose excursions to the sights of Zakopane, which we have already mentioned. Undoubtedly, they will turn out fascinating and will be remembered by you for a long time.

Those who want to get acquainted with the pristine nature of the Peninsky Park will love the tour on the Danube. The tour takes place on rafts, sailing canyons through the Penins. And for children, a trip to Rabka, where the Luna Park is located, will be remembered. And for the sweet tooth, a confectionery is suitable, where you can discover many new sweets for yourself, and visit a paradise of sweets and chocolate.

In any case, you can always pick up entertainment for yourself in Zakopane. More calm and extreme, for relaxation and for outdoor activities, - everything is hereso you won’t need to worry about anything.

Weather in Zakopane (Poland)

Weather in Zakopane allows you to plan your vacation almost all year round. In winter it is worth coming here for the sake of skiing, and the summer season is suitable for mountain hiking.

Spring in Zakopane comes only in May. In March and April, you can still see snow and cool temperatures. But in summer You can find many sunny days and warm weather. It was during this period that most of all tourists climb mountains, climb, relax on the lake, ride bicycles and more. Fall sunny dry days continue to persist, but ski seasonusually begins in mid-December. Although, for different zones, the opening and closing of the season is different. The temperature of the hottest month is on average +15, and the coldest -5 degrees Celsius. Although, this is the average temperature and if you want to have a good rest, it is worth looking at the temperature in advance. This will make the trip a success and leave an unforgettable experience.

Zakopane - Polish resort, which can give a variety of relaxation, vivid sensations. Here you can go skiing, visit many attractions, enjoy the culture and identity of the local population, and try delicious Polish cuisine. In addition, you can relax, improve your health, relax "with your body and soul." This is the resort where everyone should visit at least once in a lifetime. Believe me, everyone who has been there at least once will forever keep in their hearts memories of the fabulous and wonderful Zakopane.

Zakopane in Poland is one of the most picturesque resorts. From ski slopes to trendy discos, everyone will find rest in Zakopane to their liking.

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Our way to Zakopane lay through a small town Nowy Targ.

Nowy Targ (Nowy Targ)

Nowy Targ - a town in Poland at the foot of the Tatras. The population is about 33,000 people. Today, Nowy Targ, as befits a county town, it is a large regional center of trade, culture and sports. There are numerous warehouses, shoe factories, furs, factories of building materials, etc.

As they write on the official website of the city: tourists are invited to dine in numerous restaurants, cafes and small pubs. The city has excellent conditions for sports: air, ski slopes and an ice rink, tennis courts. Nowy Targ It is also an excellent starting point for hiking and cycling in the land of beautiful mountain landscapes and ethnographic traditions. The icy waters of the Dunajec River and its tributaries are a paradise for anglers.

On weekends in the streets New Targ a large market is breaking. It is for this reason that we were brought here before arrival in Zakopane. The Novotarg market covers an area of \u200b\u200bmore than 1.5 hectares. Here you can buy almost everything: from apples and local cheese, to sheepskin coats and other sheepskin souvenirs. Not only tourists are bought on the market, so there are more everyday things.

Not far from the streets filled with tents of merchants and buyers scurrying between them is Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Kościół Najświętszego Serca Pana Jezusa) The construction of the temple began in the 30s of the 20th century and lasted almost 30 years. The bell tower of the church (65 m) is the tallest building in the city.

The most valuable ancient monument is a small wooden church of St. Anne XVI century (according to the tradition created by the robbers), but we did not get to it.

A lot of sheep graze on the slopes.

Zakopane: the famous ski resort in the fall

Small town Zakopane many call the winter capital of Poland. At this time of the year, many alpine skiing enthusiasts come here. The ski season usually lasts from December to April. But the rest of the time, life in Zakopane does not freeze. Beautiful natural scenery and mountain air attracts lovers of hiking to Svinitsa, Giewont and Kasprowy Wierch.

Inspection Zakopane we started from Mount Gubalowka ( Gubałówka,1123 m above sea level). On the top you can call on the narrow gauge in yellow-blue wagons. A shot opposite the railway station.

From the windows of the trailer a beautiful view of the neighboring mountains and the city itself opens:

Restaurant on top Gubalowki:

View of Zakopane:

A keepsake photo with a lamb and a stuffed bear.

Cute rural landscape.

I don’t know if you have wild boars in these parts, but beer with booming sausages is served here.

Walked around Gubalowka and went down. At the foot there is a colorful local bazaar where we bought a pillow in the form of a lamb.

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Tasty sheep’s cheese.

A trendy pedestrian area with shops, cafes, bars and restaurants lay along the old central Krupówki Street.

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What did I know about Poland? A country rich in history and culture, wonderful cities with historic neighborhoods, modern shopping centers and excellent cuisine. But Poland became the center of my winter vacation, and his heart turned out to be in Zakopane - a city loved not only by Poles, but also by residents of different countries: Russia, Ukraine, Slovakia, Germany and many others. I recommend this city not only to fans of winter sports, but also to those who just want to walk, enjoy the clean air and beautiful views. Everyone will find something to their liking, and the unusual architecture and amazing nature will not leave anyone indifferent.

Arriving in Zakopane for the first time, I immediately realized that this was a special place for me. It was here that all the joy of traveling was revealed to me: harmony with nature, the charm of city streets and the feeling of boundless enjoyment of time spent.

This city immediately struck me with fresh air and the majesty of the mountains, and being very cozy inside, forever left the desire to come back here again and again. I visited Zakopane for the first time in the spring, ski runs were still possible and skiing could be mastered, it was mostly warm for walking outside, but since the weather in Zakopane was unpredictable, interesting entertainments were also very useful to hide from the rain that changed in clear weather.

You can relax here all year round: many mountain routes, swimming pools and a water park will not let you get bored at any time. Nevertheless, Zakopane is a center of winter tourism, so I would advise you to come here in winter.

By the way, if you do not know English or Polish, it will be good news that in Zakopane they can understand you in Russian, as in the rest of Poland. Read more about this country.

How to get there

To get to Zakopane, you can use the type of transport that you like. If you are leaving Moscow or St. Petersburg, then land transport will be no less convenient for you than an airplane, but for residents of other cities I would recommend that you first come to the capital of Poland, and from there go to Zakopane.

Although, of course, this recommendation is not relevant for residents of the Kaliningrad region, whose geographical location almost obliges to travel to Poland at every opportunity. Less than an hour from the administrative center to the Polish border by car, which can be rented in Kaliningrad, in addition, there are organized bus tours from here to Zakopane.

We traveled around Poland by car - this particular type of transport was convenient for us, since you could stop in a place you liked and get to know interesting and beautiful Polish cities. On the way from Kaliningrad to Zakopane, we managed to visit Gdansk, Torun, Lodz and Krakow.

In general, my recommendations are as follows: if you want to be mobile and look for interesting places along the road and if your distance from the end point of the route allows, then choose a car. And if the city where you are leaving is more than a thousand kilometers from the main place of your trip, then I would prefer a car only if there are several drivers in it to avoid fatigue and overwork on the road. For more than 1.5–2 thousand kilometers, I would not have gone by car, in this case the road may become impractical and exhausting.

If possible, I recommend planning a road through a beautiful city, which is located just over a hundred kilometers from Zakopane. This is one of the most beautiful cities in Poland, and its visit should be included in the program of your trip.

By plane

There is no airport in Zakopane, therefore, you cannot get directly by plane here. The nearest airport is in the city of Poprad in Slovakia, but since the bus connection with Zakopane from Poprad is not as frequent as from Polish cities, it will be more convenient to travel within one country.

The nearest Polish airport is in Krakow, and can also be reached from Warsaw Airport.

Through Warsaw

From Moscow to Warsaw you can get a direct flight of Aeroflot airline and Polish LOT. Travel time will be a little more than 2 hours, such a flight will cost about 160 EUR.

From St. Petersburg, direct flights to Warsaw are available only from LOT, the rest fly with a change, mainly via Moscow. The price of a ticket for a direct flight will be about 250 EUR, for a flight with a transfer the price will be much lower: about 110 EUR.

Through Krakow

It is impossible to get directly to Krakow from Moscow and St. Petersburg; flights with at least one change are operated by Aeroflot, LOT, Finnair, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, S7. Travel time depends on the duration of the transfer, it can be 6 hours, or maybe all 20. Docking is carried out through different cities: depending on the airline, it can be, or. Since you already applied for a Schengen visa, a long-term transplant is an excellent opportunity to get to know the transit city better. The price of a ticket from Moscow will be about 190 EUR, from St. Petersburg a little more expensive - about 230 EUR.

You can see the current ticket prices.

By train

Once a day, a train departs from Belorussky Train Station from Moscow to Warsaw, the fare is 110–200 EUR. You can buy a ticket on the website of Russian Railways.

On the map above, I displayed the route of your path in which you have to cross two state borders. This, of course, will take a lot of time, so you will spend about 18 hours on the road.

From Warsaw to Zakopane can also be reached by train. It leaves twice a day, morning and evening, from Warszawa Centralna Train Station. Tickets cost from 16 to 46 EUR (73–204 Zl). You can check the schedule and buy a ticket on the website of Polish Railways.

How to get from the bus station to the city center

The intercity bus stop in Zakopane is located at the train station, and I wrote above how to get from there to the city center.

By car

If you like to travel by car, then you can get to Zakopane from Russia and so, although it all depends on which city you are going to leave. The most convenient will, of course, be from Kaliningrad.

To pass the border control, in addition to a passport and medical insurance, you need a driver’s license, a certificate of registration of the vehicle, Green card (car insurance valid for foreign trips). Sometimes they may ask for a diagnostic inspection card. Car insurance is bought for a minimum of 15 days, it costs 2320 rubles for a passenger car and is valid throughout the Schengen area.

From Moscow and St. Petersburg

From Moscow or St. Petersburg will have to overcome about 1,600 kilometers in one direction. The navigator calculates about 20 hours of travel without taking into account state borders, so you can’t do it just for days — you will have to choose a place to rest and spend money on a night if there is only one driver in the car. If several drivers go in the same car, then you can change and go on the road without an overnight stay, this will reduce your costs and waste of time. Of course, the cost of such a path varies greatly from the class of the car on which you are going to overcome it, since the main part of the costs is gasoline. I am not sure that it will be comfortable and expedient to get from Moscow or St. Petersburg by car. This option should be chosen by those who value mobility and the ability to plan a trip in fact more than calm and simplicity.

I didn’t drive from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Zakopane, but considering that you need to drive twice as much as we overcome, then the costs will be at least twice as high as ours. Based on the calculations below, you will spend about 500 EUR on such a road.

From Kaliningrad

Since in Zakopane I was driving from Kaliningrad, for me a car was the most convenient way to get there. The whole way is about 800 km one way. You need to overcome the border crossing point (for example, Mamonovo 2 - Gzhehotki), then take the motorway from Gdansk to the city, and then go to, from which it is only about 110 km to Zakopane.

You can rent a car in Kaliningrad. You can see the available offers and compare prices.

If you have time, it is worth exploring those Polish cities that will be on the way - for example, you can drop by Torun and try the famous gingerbread cookies. There is a toll road section on the A1 highway from Gdansk, the fare on which cost us about 4.5 EUR (20 Zl).

A trip by car from Kaliningrad to Zakopane consisted of several expense items:

Petrol. Since we were traveling by car with a low gasoline consumption (about 7-8 liters per 100 km), the total cost of gasoline was about 150 EUR (9000 RUB). On the territory of Poland, gasoline is almost two times more expensive than in Russia, so I advise you to refuel before crossing the border.
Hotel. We travel with a child, and it is very difficult for him to sit in the car all day. So I had to stop for the night - we rented a room in the city. Since we needed only an overnight stay, we chose the cheapest option on the outskirts of the city. He cost us somewhere in 35 EUR (2200 RUB).
Nutrition. We drove for two days, we didn’t succeed in saving on food. We ate at roadside cafes - fortunately, they are in Poland, for the most part, clean and tasty. Lunch cost around 10–13 EUR (50 Zl or 700 RUB). You can save money by eating fast food or buying food with you on the go at local supermarkets.

In general, a trip by car in Poland is convenient, as you will be met by good roads and frequent places for a snack or rest. You will be able to independently make adjustments to the route and stop at the place you like, so you can get a lot more impressions from the trip.

Hint:

Zakopane - time is now

The difference in hours:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season. When is the best time to go?

Zakopane is suitable for recreation at almost any time, but since it is the winter capital of Poland, it is in winter more tourists. Although there are plenty of summer entertainments in Zakopane: the Poles love to get out here just on the weekend to breathe fresh air and relax from the hustle and bustle. I love winter sports, so I prefer to come to Zakopane during the ski season, which lasts from December to April.

Prices do not vary much depending on the season. I saw a noticeable difference only in the price of the cable car to Kasprowy Wierch and Gubalowka: during the ski season it grows.

It’s worth going to Zakopane almost any time of the year: I’m sure that the city and its surroundings will not disappoint you. Try to get out here during the New Year holidays, as the festive Zakopane is especially beautiful.

Zakopane in the summer

I like Zakopane in the summer. The cleanest air, many hiking trails and impressive landscapes. By summer, the tracks are mostly free of snow; if he remains, then only in places on some slopes at the highest peaks.

Summer is a good time to travel to Zakopane, many wonderful places are available for walking. One of the most popular is the Sea Eye Lake, a unique place that captivates with its beauty.

In the summer months in Zakopane it is mostly cloudy or cloudy, a considerable amount of precipitation falls. Most sunny days are in August, and the hottest month is July. The average temperature in the afternoon fluctuates around 15–20 ° С.

I would choose June for a summer visit because of fewer tourists: this is due to the period of study of Polish schoolchildren and students who will still be in class until the end of the month.

Zakopane in the fall

For me, autumn is the least preferred time to travel. Although it is still warm enough in September to relax and enjoy exploring the city and its surroundings, by the end of the month, morning and evening become noticeably cooler. Rainfall in autumn is usually less than in summer, but because of the coolness outside it is not so comfortable to be. In October, snow often falls in the mountains, and by November, hiking trails begin to close, and the ski season begins only in winter.

But I would not come to the second half of autumn, because there is still no snow for skiing, but the weather no longer has long walks.

Zakopane in spring

The ski season in Zakopane lasts until approximately March 20–25, depending on the weather, which is very unpredictable. Arriving in early spring, we still managed to conquer the Tatras. The weather in March is similar to winter, although it is already warmer: on the street, as a rule, a small minus. There are fewer tourists than in winter: perhaps skiers begin to ignore this place in the spring, and I understand them. There is almost no snow in the city, as well as on low slopes. On such routes, snow is sprayed with guns.

In late April - early May, the weather is already becoming stable spring, although there are not so many sunny days. By the end of May, the air warms up and the weather becomes more comfortable and warm.

In my opinion, of the spring months, April is the least preferable for a trip, because the street is still chilly and not all walking routes are open, but skiing will not work either. It turns out that many of the entertainment in Zakopane will be inaccessible.

Zakopane in winter

I am sure that in winter you should definitely go to Zakopane: the view of the snow-capped mountains and trees justifies the status of the winter capital of Poland. During this period, there are many tourists - these are not only skiers, but also lovers of walks, mountain landscapes and fresh air.

The weather for winter is quite comfortable: there is almost no wind in the city, but more than half of the days are cloudy. The temperature drops are large: at first it can be + 7 ° C, and after a few days it will be -20 ° C. Before the trip, you should pay attention to the weather forecast.

The most important entertainment of winter is, of course, skiing and snowboarding. Many tracks of varying difficulty are available, but it is worth monitoring the weather, since not all of them can work due to wind or fog.

If, nevertheless, the weather allows, then it is best to go skiing on Kasprowy Verkh: there is good snow and the views are impressive. But for beginners, I do not recommend starting from there, since the routes there are not easy. I’ll tell you more about skiing holidays later. If you don’t ride, then it’s worth to climb Kasprowy Wierch anyway, the trip by funicular takes about 20 minutes.

Zakopane - monthly weather

Hint:

Zakopane - monthly weather

Areas. Where is better to live

Zakopane is a small city, so you can choose a place in any area for your stay. I do not know places in which tourists do not recommend settling. If you prefer a quiet pastime, then you can choose remote hotels from the center with mountain views, a private fireplace and the ability to attend spa treatments. For lovers of making new friends and unrestrained fun, hotels near the pedestrian street Krupuvki (the map below is marked with an orange dotted line) will do.

In Zakopane, there are many options for accommodation, from the most budgetary to luxury.

Rental rooms

One of the most inexpensive accommodation options is rooms rented out by locals. Often, citizens rent rooms in their own homes, so that, having saved, you can also chat with locals. You can find such rooms by the words "noclegi" or "pokoje" on the facade of the houses. Some vacationers themselves go through the streets in search of the best prices. Also at the station square you will see people with the same inscriptions on the tablets, they will offer you their accommodation options. But if you want to find a room in advance, there are many options. In general, a double room can be rented from 4.5 to 11.5 EUR (20-50 Zl) per night.

It is also worth considering that ski lifts are located around the perimeter of the city, but you will have to get to any of them from almost all hotels by transport (5-10 minutes). Therefore, when choosing housing, you can not rely on the location factor of the lifts.

Hostels

You can stay in a hostel, of which there are many in Zakopane.

A bed in a ten-bed room will cost 4.5-7 EUR (20-30 Zl). Accordingly, the less neighbors you have, the higher the price.

Hotels

You can choose a hotel for every taste and budget. There are a lot of options in any part of the city - you can choose a hotel with a pool, at the foot of the mountains or in a noisy center.

A 2-3-star hotel will cost about 59 EUR (250 Zl), for 4 stars you will pay more than 70 EUR (300 Zl), and for a five-star room you will have to spend at least 115 EUR (500 Zl). The bulk of hotels, as well as hostels, are concentrated near the pedestrian street Krupowki. You can compare prices.

Apartments

Apartments near Krupówki with free parking, a place to store equipment and a small kitchen cost me 60 EUR (260 Zl) for 4 days. The plus was the availability of dishes in the kitchen, we significantly saved on breakfast. For my travels in Zakopane, I chose apartments using the service, you can also see accommodation options.

What are the prices for vacation

Prices, of course, are very different, it all depends on the wallet. I will try to describe the necessary expenses for the trip on average.

Apartments for three days can be rented somewhere for 50 EUR. Choose closer to Krupowka, then next to you will be all the possible infrastructure of the city.
Lunch at the cafe will cost at least 6 EUR. Choose apartments with a kitchen so you can cook - the savings on food in this case will be noticeable. We did just that: I prepared breakfast myself, and it was convenient and cheap.
A taxi ride costs 1 EUR per kilometer. For long trips, choose buses; they, of course, are not so comfortable, but you can get to the place.
Museum ticket costs 1.5 EUR
You should go to the water park for at least 2 hours, such a ticket costs 11 EUR.

Here I gave the lowest prices, but you can try to save in any situation. For example, if you are a student and love fast food, then immediately reduce two items of expenditure.

The main attractions. What to see

Many attractions of this place are concentrated not in Zakopane itself, but in its environs. The most beautiful views await you in the mountains, you can get acquainted with the history of the city in museums, and enjoy its current atmosphere using modern entertainment centers.

I prefer natural beauties to any architectural structures and gastronomic delights, therefore, probably, Zakopane is one of my favorite cities. But when the weather is not conducive to the study of natural landscapes, then urban entertainment is also very pleasing. Zakopane is a completely unique place, very harmoniously there, modernity is intertwined with tradition.

Top 5

In my top, I tried to combine both natural and urban attractions, and as a result I got the following list:

Kasprowy Verkh- one of the most famous peaks in the Tatra Mountains.
I’m sure that it’s worth going up here regardless of the season in which you arrived. Upstairs you will find an impressive panorama, as well as a cafe, a souvenir shop and a kiosk with tourist equipment. If you drive a car, pay attention to the signs. The lower funicular station is located in the Tatra National Park, and entry is prohibited. Unfortunately, we learned about a fine of 50 Zl or almost 12 EUR from our own experience: in time, without understanding the signs where it was necessary to leave the car, we drove into the conservation area. In fact, everything is simple: where there are minibuses and many cars, stop there. On these very minibuses you will be delivered to the lower station for about 1 EUR (4-5 Zl). The cable car consists of two sections, a trailer for about 40 people, so take a seat at the window to enjoy the landscapes on the road, you will climb for about 20 minutes.
If you go up in the summer, take warm clothes with you, in the mountains it is usually colder than in the valley, and the wind. The ticket price at the peak of the ski season from December 17, 2016 to February 28, 2017 is almost 16 EUR (69 Zl) in both directions. When you buy such a ticket, the time spent on Kasprowy Wierch is 1 hour 40 minutes, but we were there more time and did not overpay anything. You can buy a ticket on the eve of arrival, but not earlier than 30 days in the online store on this site. It is only necessary to deal with the Polish language. Children up to 10 years old, schoolchildren, students and people over 65 have the right to a discount; travel up to 5 years is free. Students of the Russian Federation can get a discount on the basis of the international student ISIC. As for the standard Russian, I'm not sure, but you can also try. But it’s more difficult with schoolchildren, since in Poland a uniform schoolchild’s certificate is valid, but in the Russian Federation it isn’t, so the schoolchildren may not be given a discount.
Pedestrian street Krupowki - The main street of the city with a huge number of interesting shops, souvenir shops and delicious food.
Around this street the whole life of Zakopane is concentrated, it is interesting here at any time. Clowns, mimes, musicians, portrait painters will all try to decorate your holiday and cheer you up, and, of course, earn some zloty. You can ride along the street in a horse-drawn cart, although the length of the street is only about a kilometer, so it can be overcome by foot. At night, Krupowka lights up and becomes a center of nightly entertainment, guests are greeted by noisy and fun clubs.
Marine Eye Reserve - a mountain lake in the Tatra Mountains, from Zakopane about 20 kilometers. One of the main attractions of the surroundings, striking with the views that open up, the Sea Eye - this is the place that is worth visiting at any time.
Going there, take care of comfortable shoes, you will have to overcome part of the route to the lake on foot, although you can also get there by horse-drawn cart, but such a pleasure will cost about 10 EUR. The closest parking to the lake is about eight kilometers, it can be reached by bus from Zakopane Station Square, a ticket will cost about 2 EUR. The route looks something like this: from Zakopane from the parking lot Palenica Bialczanska can be reached by transport, and then only on foot or in a cart. The sea eye is a great place, and it is definitely worth it to overcome not the easiest way, but at the peak of the tourist season the lake may look like this.
The amazing landscape of untouched nature is impressive and inspiring, you will want to come back here again. By the way, there is a cafe on the lake with traditional Polish dishes, where you can relax and have a snack after the road in comfort.
Aquaparkafter an active holiday - a great place to relax. By the way, you can relax here without ceasing to enjoy the nature of Zakopane, as one wall is completely glass.
There are water attractions for all ages, a warm pool for children with many toys, as well as a bowling alley, cafe and restaurant.
Finding a water park is very easy, it is located very close to the bus station. If you arrive by car, you can leave the car in a paid parking lot, the price is 0.25 EUR (1 Zl) upon presentation of a ticket to the water park. The water park has a swimming pool, geothermal outdoor pool, slides, jacuzzi and saunas. The ticket can be taken for several hours or for the whole day. The discount is given to children under 16 years of age, people over 60 years of age, people with disabilities and their guardians, as well as students and schoolchildren upon presentation of a student card or school student ID. You can check the current prices on the site of the water park.
Mount Gubalowka - One of the most visited attractions, since you can climb to this peak without leaving Zakopane. There you will find an excellent view of the city, the Tatra Mountains, as well as cafes, restaurants, souvenirs and ski slopes.
The lower funicular station is located near the beginning of the pedestrian street Krupówka. On the way, you will find a market with local craftsmen’s products, as well as try traditional treats. Be sure to try the ospeck - this is sheep’s milk cheese, it will be offered grilled with cranberry or lingonberry jam, it costs about 0.5 EUR (2-3Zl).
The cable car overcomes a distance of 1298 meters in about 4 minutes, a round-trip ticket will cost 2.3 EUR (23 Zl), the capacity of the trailer is about one hundred people. The relevance of prices can be clarified on the website.
A discount on a ticket is provided for the same groups of people that I described earlier, children under four years travel for free.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

The most famous temple of Zakopane is Church of the Holy Family, built in 1896, one of the main attractions of the city. From the wide staircase leading to the temple, you can take an excellent picture of the cross with a crown of thorns against the backdrop of the majestic church.
Located on the main street at Krupówki, 1a. Entrance to the temple is free. Outside, the Church looks impressive, but the most interesting inside: it perfectly combines the traditional style of Zakopane and Neo-Baroque. The walls, chapels and ceilings are very unusual, which immediately attracts attention.
Next I would recommend to see Church of Our Lady of Czestochowa or, as it is commonly called, the Old Church. This is the oldest church in Zakopane was built in 1847 and was considered the main temple in the city before the construction of the Church of the Holy Family.
It is located just minutes from Krupówki at the intersection of Koscieliska and Koscielna, from the previous place you can quickly walk to it.
Near the church there is a cemetery with an interesting name for hearing. Zasłużonych na Pęksowym Brzyzku (Honored on Peksovoy bzhisku). This name is explained by the following: the cemetery was created around 1850, partly on donations from John Pecks, and the rocks in the local dialect are called brzyzkami. The cemetery itself is impressive, and some tombstones are real works of art.
In the alley leading from the church to the cemetery, there is a chapel of the holy martyrs Andrew and Benedict (świętych męczenników Andrzeja i Benedykta), the oldest religious building in the city.
Further I would recommend visiting a visit to the chapel Hearts of Jesus in Yaschuruvka (Kaplica Najświętszego Serca Pana Jezusa w Jaszczurówce). It is a classic work of the Zakopane style and is listed in the historical heritage of Poland.
This place is remote from the city center and is surrounded by trees, so it looks very bright and colorful. The chapel is built of wood, which adds to its charm. The altar seemed especially interesting to me: it surprises with its modesty and lack of pomposity characteristic of religious buildings.
Another place I recommend visiting is Church of St. Anthony of Padua. The interior of the church is decorated in a mountain style, most of the parts are made of wood.
It is located in a picturesque place at the foot of the Nosal peak, just over two kilometers from the chapel of the heart of Jesus. The main altar is decorated with a sculpture of St. Anthony, one of the most revered Catholic saints. He is being asked to find something lost, to find a soul mate, he is considered the patron saint of travelers and students.
By the way, this place can offer accommodation. I am sure that for those who seek tranquility, solitude and a place for meditation, this will be an excellent option for an overnight stay.

Museums Which are worth a visit

Compared to other attractions, museums were less covered by me, although there are many of them in Zakopane.

Parks

I was in Zakopane in only two parks. This is a park named Lech Kaczynski (Park Imienia Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej Lecha Kaczyńskiego)and park named after Marshal Pilsudski (Park Miejski Imienia Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego). The first is opposite the bus station, the second is two minutes from Krupowki.

The only interesting place in these two parks was Willa Jutrzenka in the park named after Marshal Pilsudski, built in the Zakopane style in 1900. Now there is a youth center of culture and sports.

And it’s just benches, well-groomed lawns and nothing special, except, of course, that you are in the Tatra National Park, many of the beauties of which are not so far from the city. Just a walk, I would not go here.

What to see in 1 day

9:00 - rise to Gubalowka. I haven’t seen the queues for tickets, so you can see everything in about an hour. On the way back, take a walk around the market, be sure to try the excuses and buy local souvenirs with you.
10:30 - go to the Church of the Holy Family. If you do not go deep, you can watch it in half an hour. Then follow to the old Church, they are two minutes from each other on foot. Inspection of this place will take at least an hour.
12:00 - take a walk around Krupowka. This street, in the heart of the city, deserves attention. Here you can dine in one of the cafes or restaurants, which are many.
14:00 - weather permitting, head to Kasprowy Wierch. You will reach the lower funicular station from the city center in 20–25 minutes. If possible, buy a ticket in advance on the website, there may be queues for the lift. The road to the top will also take about 20-25 minutes. Upstairs you will need about an hour.
17:00 - go to the Tatra Museum. Spend about two hours viewing the entire exposure.
19:00 - go to dinner at Bakowo Zohylina Niznio and enjoy not only fine Polish dishes, but also the traditional atmosphere of Zakopane.

If you arrived in Zakopane by car, then choose a taxi for transportation: it is easy to find near tourist places, and the fare is not too expensive.

What to see in the surroundings

Terma Bania (20 km)

By the way, this water park was recommended to us by traffic police officers who wrote us a ticket to travel to the conservation area, and this turned out to be excellent advice, even for 11 EUR (50 Zl). This thermal center is a great place and worth the time to travel from Zakopane. You can plunge into hot water rich in calcium, magnesium and other mineral components.

There are three zones: one for a noisy vacation with children, another for quiet relaxation and a third, VIP zone, usually for celebrations and banquets. These parts do not intersect, so that everyone can rest in the desired rhythm. Each zone has indoor and outdoor pools. Believe me, enjoying the mountain views from the hot outdoor pool is a great pleasure.

Dolina Kościeliska (8 km)

The next place is Dolina Kościeliska. This is one of the most visited valleys in the area - there are quite a lot of tourists here both in winter and in summer. From the city center about 8 kilometers. Caves, rivers and other natural attractions are very beautiful! In winter, you can ride on a sleigh, and in summer - on bicycles, if you do not want to overcome the path on foot, which is about 6 kilometers.

Chocholow (17 km)

Take a ride in the village of Chocholow 17 km from Zakopane. Most of the houses in this village are original hural huts, the construction of which dates back to the 19th century.

There is also a pottery workshop, the products of which you can purchase.

Dunajec Castle (47 km)

I advise you to visit dunajec castle - This is a medieval fortress located in the village of Nedzitsa. The castle is very beautiful, especially against the backdrop of magnificent views of nature.

There is a museum, restaurant, hotel. You can also climb to the observation deck or, conversely, go down to the basement, which once served as a prison.

Food. What to try

You can read about traditional Polish cuisine.

Most cafes and restaurants for different tastes and purses are concentrated around the pedestrian street Krupowka. Traditional establishments called Karczma are common. The interior decoration of such restaurants is made of wood in a traditional style, and is prepared there, as a rule, on fire in the center of the hall. And the most amazing thing for me is live traditional music, which will delight and impress no less than delicious food.

I would suggest such a place for dinner, to relax after a busy day. And musicians usually perform only in the evenings.

The most affordable dessert lunch will cost around 6–9 EUR (30–40 Zl) per person. An interesting option is a cafe with an established buffet - 100 grams of any food will cost a little more than 0.5 EUR (3 Zl).

In Zakopane, there are Polish network supermarkets, for example, Biedronka. The prices here are quite reasonable: a package of cheese, bread, milk and eggs for breakfast can be bought somewhere for 4–5 EUR (20 Zl), or maybe less, because some promotions are constantly active here. In a small shop Zabka, which is also very widespread in Poland, you can have a hot dog and tea snack after spending a little more than 1 EUR (5 Zl).

If you don’t feel like wasting time waiting for food, you can choose Bar Mleczny: there you can enjoy simple and tasty dishes and save money, since prices in such places are cheaper than average. The only drawback is the lack of a menu in other languages, but, in general, this issue is easily solved with the help of an electronic translator. By the way, in many Zakopane restaurants there are Russian-speaking waiters.

Of all the places I visited, the traditional Zakopane restaurants and one pastry bar stand out for me:

Budgetary

Bar Mleczny, ul. Krupowki 1.
PaPaj Pizza, ul. Jagiellonska 2.
Wytwornia Lodow Naturalnych, ul. Krupowki 32.
Jazz & Burger, ul. Krupowki 24.
Roma, Strazyska 39.

Mid level

Bakowo Zohylina Niznio, Jozefa Pilsudskiego 6.
Karczma Czarci Jar, ul. Male Zywczanskie 11a.
Dobra Kasza Nasza, ul. Krupowki 48.
Karczma Po Zboju, Krupowki 22.
Casa Mia Restaurant, ul. Krupowki 69.

Expensive

Restauracja Halka Zakopane, ul. Mariusza Zaruskiego 5.
Goralska Tradycja, ul. Krupowki 29.

Security. What to watch out for

Like many other Polish cities, it is quite safe for walking and entertainment. But due to the large influx of tourists, your vacation is not safe from meetings with scammers and pickpockets, so vigilance and caution will not hurt.

As for safety on the ski slopes, I will tell you more about them in the corresponding section. The main advice - do not lose your head and adequately evaluate your abilities. Speaking of summer vacations in the mountains, the greatest danger is an unprepared walking trip to the mountains: it is better to go this way with an experienced guide.

Things to do

Zakopane is a ski resort, respectively, one of the main attractions in the city is snowboarding and skiing. There are quite a lot of tracks for both beginners and advanced lovers of these sports.
You can go hiking in the mountains, especially in the summer there are many routes available, at different levels of training. If you do not like outdoor activities at all, go up to the mountains by cable car.
Depending on the season in Zakopane, you can explore the surroundings by bicycle, swim in the pool, go to the rink, ride a dog sled or fly on a hang glider. Sightseeing routes are available on sleighs or carts, such a walk can take several hours, and the mountaineer in national clothes takes you.
I would advise you to rent a car in Zakopane and drive around the places of interest and distant from the city center, stop by in the neighboring villages.

Shopping and shops

If you are looking for big shopping centers, then Zakopane will disappoint you, there is nothing like this in this city. But, purchases filled with local flavor are worth making. For example, these are products from wool and sheepskins - sheepskin slippers or a handmade carpet. A lot of wooden products, toys, spoons, bowls, hot coasters and much more are for sale. Also pay attention to cheese, such cheese you will not find anywhere other than this place. It is worth bargaining in the market: local sellers can lower the price.

There are modern clothing and shoe stores on Krupowka. It is especially worth highlighting sports, as they take not only quantity, but also quality. At the end of the season, discounts begin, so you can buy not only clothes, but also equipment cheaper.

Bars Where to go

There are many bars in Zakopane, most are around or on Krupówki Street.

Extreme sports

There are a lot of skiers and snowboarders in Zakopane, not without reason is it the main Polish ski resort. There is everything to master skiing and love it. I will discuss this in more detail in the corresponding section.

In addition to snowboarding, I didn’t do anything extreme in Zakopane, but I saw that it was possible to ride a snowmobile in the mountains. Rent costs about 35 EUR (150 Zl) per hour. It seems that there are even two-day routes with an overnight stay in a hunting lodge. In summer you can rent ATVs, there are tracks for skiing of different difficulty levels, training with an instructor is possible. Places where you can rent an ATV:

Wypożyczalnia quadów, open from 11:00 to 17:00. The price of skiing is 50 EUR (220 zł) per hour, 45 EUR (200 zł) when renting for 2-3 hours, 40 EUR (180 zł) when renting for 4 or more.
Biuro Aktywnego Wypoczynku "Altius", ul. Piłsudskiego 22. Here the price depends on the power of the ATV and varies from 30 to 100 EUR.

At the top of Gubałówka there is a rope park (Park Linowy Złota Grań Zakopane Gubałówka). The price of the visit is about 5 EUR.

This is not the only working rope park, there is also GuGu Park. The price of visiting is the same: about 5 EUR.

There is an opportunity to play paintball, you can do it here:

Face2Face, ul.Reymonta 5.
Biuro Aktywnego Wypoczynku "Altius", Bulwary Słowackiego 7.
COT Zakopane, ul. Droga na Gubałówkę 2A.

A team game costs 27 EUR (120 Zl) per person.

Another of the extreme entertainments is paragliding in tandem with an instructor. I am sure that the views from above will be breathtaking. There are also paragliding courses.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

A lot of souvenirs on every corner, especially on the main street. Many souvenirs made of wood: toys, magnets, spoons, etc. Of all the souvenirs that we brought from Zakopane, only such a sheep remained.

Such a toy, depending on the size, costs from 3 to 13 EUR (15-60 Zl), this one costs about 6 EUR (25 Zl).

I would advise you to bring cheese and wooden souvenirs to your family as a gift, and for the children you can also have a sheep, moreover, it is laid out in a small pillow.

How to get around the city

In the central part of Zakopane, it is most convenient to walk, because many attractions are concentrated around the pedestrian street. If you want to visit the immediate surroundings, then choose a taxi, and get to the neighboring villages, cities and places of interest remote from Zakopane by bus. You can see the bus schedule from Zakopane at the bus station.

Sightseeing tourist tours in Zakopane are carried out, the price of such a tour varies from 55 to 100 EUR (250-450 Zl) depending on the length of the route and, accordingly, the time of the tour.

Taxi. What features exist

We always arrived in Zakopane by car, so we didn’t travel a lot by taxi, but the trips that were made did not cause any negative. Clean cars, adequate drivers, some even speak Russian. In general, taxi drivers left a very pleasant impression: they will always help to load equipment, they will call Kasprowy Verkh from their phone to find out the weather.

To be honest, I never had to call a taxi in Zakopane by phone, because around the tourist places and on the main street it would be easy to find a car without a call, and since calling to a Polish number, even taking into account the services and discounts on roaming, was not cheap then I took a taxi on the street.

But you can ask to call a taxi at the reception at the hotel or use the services of a round-the-clock car call yourself:

Radio Taxi "TATRY" +48 18 206 66 66.
TAXI-RADIO EURO +48 602 822 666.
Radio Taxi 919 s.c. +48 18 200 09 19.

We always paid in cash, but I think that if you call a taxi, they will also accept the card, because in Zakopane, cards are accepted everywhere. Basically, payment by meter: during the day about 1 EUR per kilometer, plus 2 EUR - the initial payment. As a result, a trip of less than 5 EUR is unlikely to succeed, although the city may possibly manage to meet this amount. You can check the prices for Radio Taxi "TATRY", there are described not only the prices of the city, but also long-distance routes.

Buses

Traveling by bus around a small town is not very convenient, but in the vicinity or along intercity lines, a bus is a convenient and inexpensive form of transport. Buses in Zakopane, like minibuses in such directions, depart from the bus station. Buses follow clearly on schedule, minibus drivers wait for them to fill up. Depending on the distance, there will be a different price: in the city and its immediate surroundings about 0.5 EUR, for the city - already more than 1 EUR.

Vehicle rental

If you didn’t come by car, renting a car would be a great solution. For three days, a subcompact like Toyota aygo or Chevrolet Spark can be borrowed somewhere for 55 EUR (240 Zl). Additionally paid child seats, GPS and other services. Deposit 110 EUR, a big plus is the lack of restrictions on kilometers.

The driver must be at least 20 years old, at least 1 year of experience. Still need a passport, rights and a credit card. You can compare transport rental prices. Compared to Russia, gasoline in Europe is two times more expensive.

Traveling around Poland by car is quite convenient: there are a lot of information plates with the names of cities and the distance to them. If the road passes through villages, then be prepared for a low speed, as in settlements there is a speed limit of 50 km / h.

Polish drivers observe the high-speed regime only when approaching villages or cities - probably because cameras are usually installed in these sections. In Poland it is forbidden to use a radar detector, it is even impossible to transport it in an active state - it must be packed and removed. The DVR is not prohibited, although in many European countries it is not recommended.

Zakopane: holidays with children

Zakopane, like everything else, is great for relaxing with a child: breathe fresh air and can have fun from the heart! The Poles, along with the whole of Europe, are very calm about children and react to whims or crying only with sympathy, they can begin to entertain the child. It’s rare in which cafe you will not be offered a highchair or coloring. My daughter and I walked around Zakopane with pleasure, rode on ice and swam in the water park. She was delighted with the ride on the wagon and riding on the funicular to Gubalowka.

The park named after Marshal Pilsudski has an excellent playground. On the ski slopes there are organized places for learning skiing and snowboarding, you can take an instructor, but we have not used these services yet. The difficulty with a child of our age (3 years) was visiting museums: she was bored and wanted to pick everything up. Also, difficult mountain routes will not work, and a long journey is worth taking a light wheelchair, as the child will get tired of walking faster than you.

Take care of the right shoes: the weather is unpredictable, the temperature can change to positive, and you will dry in a cafe instead of sledding like us.

Ski vacation

The ski area in Zakopane is a few peaks remote from each other. Each equipped with one or more tracks of approximately the same complexity. To get from one peak to another will turn out only by transport, we managed to ride in one place in a day. A large number of tracks are in neighboring villages to Zakopane, but I will only talk about the ski areas closest to the city.

The main routes in Zakopane are interesting for beginners. At least my friends with an advanced level of skating were only interested in Kasprowy Wierch. Although it all depends on your own preferences, as skiers and snowboarders of different levels are found everywhere.

As in any other ski resort, you must adhere to the general rules of conduct on the slope. Firstly, you need to adequately assess the level of your own training and choose the appropriate route. In Poland, there is a standard distribution of the complexity of tracks by color:

green - very easy gentle slopes for beginners and children;
blue - the following routes in complexity, the angle of inclination does not exceed 25%;
red - medium pistes for advanced skiers, slope angle of 40%;
black - difficult tracks for the most experienced and technical. The black color also indicates tracks with an increased level of avalanche hazard.

Secondly, you need to strictly follow the rules of behavior on the slope and pay attention to prohibition and information signs. Thirdly, you need to be attentive to other tourists. Before starting the descent, you need to make sure that it will be safe for both you and others. Remember that the one who is higher on the slope is to blame for the collision.

Ski passes

There are a lot of routes in Zakopane and its environs, and the closest to the city are Kasprowy Wierch, Gubalowka and Glade Shimashkova. You need to buy separately for each top of the ski pass. Depending on the duration of the ski pass, the price at different peaks will be the following:

Kasprowy's top - 25–62 EUR;
Gubalowka - 7 to 36 EUR;
Shimashkova glade - from 10 to 22 EUR.

Traditionally, cheaper tickets can be purchased for children from 5 to 15 years old and people over 65.

Trails

There are many places for skiing in the vicinity of Zakopane, but mostly these are tracks with a small difference in height and length, which are great for training. I will talk about those routes that are easy to get from Zakopane and which, in my opinion, are worth a visit:

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