There’s only one place I love more than Krakow, and that’s my birth town of Zakopane (which quite literally translates to ‘buried’). Since I didn’t grow up there, I enjoy being a tourist each time I visit, whether it’s summer, winter, spring or autumn.
Check out my Google Maps saved list for Zakopane – it’s got all my recs listed below, so you can find them easily.
Getting from Krakow to Zakopane
Both the train and bus stations are in the same place. You can buy a ticket for the bus, which will cost you around £5-£10, in the main building or purchase one directly from the bus driver. You need to look for buses that have ‘Zakopane’ written on a card placed behind the front window. The bus journey takes around two hours, depending on traffic, and it’s worth noting that some buses don’t have toilets. If having access to a toilet is important to you, consider booking a Flixbus in advance. This bus offers free Wi-Fi and is generally more comfortable in my experience.
Personally, I prefer taking the direct train that takes three hours, even though it takes longer than a bus. It’s best to buy your ticket online in advance on the Intercity website. The ticket will cost you around £10 (55 zł) for first class or £8 (42 zł) for second class.
Things to do in Zakopane
There are two things I love most in life (family and friends aside) – being creative and food. So, do you really think I’d pass up the chance to make my very own oscypek regional cheese, shaped like a lamb? Of course not! This museum is the place to be if you want to get up close and personal with oscypek, see how it’s made, and make your own, which you can devour later.
Gubałówka
Hike or take a five-minute funicular ride up to reach the top of Gubałówka mountain. When I last visited, I insisted on option A, which led to at least six stops to catch my breath… round of applause for my stamina! That aside, reaching the top was incredibly rewarding, and seeing the breathtaking views of the Tatra mountains was well worth the effort.
To add to the fun, there’s a gravitational slide if you’re looking for a thrill, a beach (not quite like the ones in Spain… more like some sand and chairs), and plenty of places to grab a bite. The walk down is definitely more difficult, so best believe next time I visit, I won’t insist on it and pay the £4 (22 zł) to take the five-minute ride down.
International Mountain Folklore Festival
Planning to visit Zakopane in the summer? You can look forward to getting a dose of culture at the week-long, annual International Mountain Folklore Festival, which takes place in August. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Podhale (the name given to this region of Poland) through live concerts by local bands, showcasing regional music. There’s also Shepherd Dog exhibitions, workshops where you can learn to create ceramics, paint on glass, play the złóbcoki instrument and more.
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Things to do nearby
Morskie Oko
Morskie Oko (translates to Eye of the Sea) lake is an Insta-worthy destination, especially when it’s not too busy. Located in the Tatra National Park, you’re able to get there in around 30 minutes by bus from Zakopane. The trail takes around two and a half hours to complete, making it the perfect spot to get your 10k steps in for the day. Once you reach the lake, you’ll find the PTTK Morskie Oko Mountain Hut, where you can get some food and rest before heading back. Mountain huts are common on trails like this one and act as a place to rest, even offering overnight stays, which is perfect for longer hikes.
Giewont
Climbing the Tatra Mountains earns bragging rights, and one of the popular peaks near Zakopane is Giewont, which I climbed with my dad when I was a child. The climb takes three to four hours, and it’s best to start early in the morning when the air is nice and crisp. This in itself can be a one-day trip, and you’ll be knackered by the time you reach the bottom.
Kulig
Something you’ll see around Krakow and Zakopane is horse-drawn carriages. During the winter, some of these horses are part of the Kulig. If riding a sleigh as you make your way through snow-covered streets, taking in the views sounds like it would be right up your alley, be sure to book your spot early!
Waterparks with thermal baths
Water with healing properties… What in the fantasy book is going on? No, but really, Lesser Poland has some great thermal baths with spas, 18+ only areas, and water slides. Regardless of where you’re staying, you’ll be able to get a bus or taxi to any waterpark that takes your fancy. All of them sound amazing, although I’ve only been to the first two (listed below) which are located next to each other, anyway.
- Termy Gorący Potok
- Termy Szaflary
- Terma Bania
- Chochołowskie Termy (the largest in Poland!)
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Must-try foods in Zakopane
Oscypek – a regional cheese made from sheep’s milk (usually served with cranberry sauce/jam)
Korbacze – a type of string cheese made from cow’s milk. You can get them smoked or unsmoked (I prefer the latter)
Kwaśnica – sauerkraut soup with potatoes and meat
Moskole – potato cakes, usually served with garlic butter
Places to eat in Zakopane
Eat like a local
To get the full local experience of what it’s like to be a Góral/Góralka (the name given to people who were born in this region), dining at a Karczma (traditional restaurant often characterised by a wooden interior) is not optional.
A family favourite for us is Gazdowo Kuźnia, a top-rated spot serving traditional meals. For a quick, BIG and affordable meal, consider Regionally Bar Mleczny, which offers a ‘meal of the day’ that comes with a soup, a main, a salad and a side for around £7-8 (38 zł).
Traditional fine dining
The name itself, Mountain Diamond Restaurant, screams fancy. They take pride in creating art on the plate through luxurious meals. If you choose to book a table, trying an authentic meal from the Podhale region is a must. So, consider ordering one or both of these as your starter: oscypek grillowany (grilled regional cheese served with nigella and blueberry chutney), and zabielany żurek na maślance (buttermilk sour rye soup served with an egg, potatoes and lamb sausage).
Perfect for vegans/vegetarians
For my fellow vegetarians, last time I visited, my mum showed me Bistro Las (which translates to Forest – not to be confused with the one in Krakow, since they’re two separate businesses). It’s one of the best vegan/vegetarian restaurants I’ve ever been to. Homemade Polish meals and vegan takes on common Polish Sunday dinners – yes, please! They offer both a set menu and a range of specials that change often.
When we visited, we had the tomato soup with rice (my favourite!), mielone (a vegetarian version of a popular Polish meat dish – fried lentil and rice patties served with mashed potatoes and a salad), and a vegan frittata.
Dining with mountain views
Now, if you want stunning views of the nearby mountains, people online might recommend heading to Krupówki 40 shopping centre, where you’ll find Góralski Browar. In my experience, this place gets jam-packed, and if you’re looking for more of a hidden gem, then Café Tygodnik Podhalański is my go-to choice. They have a great menu, full of sandwiches, paninis and desserts, which you can eat on their rooftop terrace or indoors if it’s cold. I love their brownie, which comes with raspberry sauce, as well as the cheese and pesto panini.
Sweet treats
Possibly the coolest place to enjoy some dessert or get a unique gift to take home is Góralskie Praliny. This local confectionery sells praline chocolates shaped like oscypek. You can either select a range of flavoursto include in a gift box or purchase a few to try while enjoying some coffee. Some examples of include wild rose, coconut and even oscypek cheese (don’t knock it till you try it!)
Every time I visit Zakopane, I make sure to get a pick and choose box for my partner’s mum, and she finishes them before she can even say thank you.
Bonus pick – Mocno Śliwka SHOT Alkohole Regionalne Zakopane
Address: Kościuszki 10, 34-500 (full disclosure, this shop is owned by my mum – proud daughter moment!)
One thing you need to try when in Zakopane is the regional alcohol. Many alcohols sold in this area have branding that suggests they were made regionally, but this is rarely the case. Most brands that you’ll come across in shops are produced in Krakow or elsewhere in Poland. Nalewka Tatrzańska is one of the only regional producers, and their products can be bought in a select few locations, including Mocno Śliwka SHOT Alkohole Regionalne Zakopane.
Two unique drinks you can try from them are Śliwowica (a strong alcohol, also known as bimber, which comes in 50%, 60%, and 70% strengths and is made from plums) and Litworówka (a 40% tincture made from angelica archangelica, which grows in this region).
Fun fact – Litworówka has a range of healing properties and is good for the stomach!
The regional alcohol shop, owned by my mum, has introduced a new concept to the town, similar to that of the places selling cherry alcohol shots in Krakow. Here, however, you can have a shot of the 50% plum tincture ‘Mocno Śliwka’, for £2.50 (12 zł). So, if you want to try something new and immerse yourself in Polish culture, head down and prepare to say na zdrowie (cheers!)
If visiting Zakopane is now officially on your list, browse our Poland holidays.
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Author: Marlena Jagoda (she/her)
Last updated: 12/08/2025
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