Zakopane ski resort is the highest mountain resort in Poland .
The resort got its name from the city of the same name, Zakopane, which is located in the valley of the Tatra Mountains at altitudes from 727 to 1150 meters and 110 km south of one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Krakow.
Location of the resort
On one side, the city is surrounded by the Gubalowka mountain range, and on the other side are the Tatra Mountains.
And although the highest peaks of the Tatra Mountains are located in the Zakopane region, the height from 1 km 200 m to 1 km 987 m is quite enough to organize a decent European-level ski resort here.
I would like to note that the category of skiers who likes to go to the Alps, in particular to visit the famous ski resorts of Switzerland or Austria, can find a good alternative here, since the Tatra mountains are in many ways similar to the Alps, except that the scale is smaller, but the prices here they are an order of magnitude lower, and you can get closer. But about everything in order.
Cultural centre
It is also worth noting that Zakopane is a kind of cultural center of the southern region of Poland, where for more than 100 years cultural life has been constantly raging, in which you can partially immerse yourself.
But let’s talk about Zakopane as a ski resort.
The number of routes, tracks, lifts in skiing regions
The skiing region is divided into 3 main zones – Kasprowy Wierch, Nosal, Gubalowka.
General characteristics of the skiing region:
The highest point is 1 km 987 m (Mount Kasprowy Wierch);
The height difference is about 950 m;
The total length of routes (tracks) is about 30 km;
Elevators – twenty;
The length of cross-country skiing routes is about 50 km.
Kasprowy Wierch ski area
The highest point is 1 km 957 m. Above, at an altitude of 1 km 987 m, there is a weather station. Very crowded, but at the same time the best place for downhill skiing in Poland.
The longest track in Poland is equipped here, the length of which is 4 km 295 meters. A total of 5 routes are equipped here.
Two chairlifts and one passenger car lead to the top of the mountain.
The passenger-carriage cable car leads to the very top of the Kasprowy Wierch mountain. It begins with Kuznice and is divided into two parts.
The first part will take you to a height of 1 km 354 m, the second part to 1 km 959 m.
It is very similar to the cable car Mishor – Ai-Petri, which is located in the Crimea, but a little more modern.
The difference between the lower and upper points is 930 meters.
Skiing area Nosal (Nosal)
The highest point is 1 km 206 meters. There are 9 routes that are considered to be among the best not only in Zakopane, but also in Poland.
In terms of infrastructure development, everything here is perfectly arranged.
Hotels, parking lots, rental offices, cafes and restaurants, everything is nearby.
The routes here are small, and the height difference is not significant – 245 m, but they are well prepared, some of the routes are illuminated.
There is a 650 m long slalom route, which is the best in Poland.
The most difficult trails start at the top of the mountain, while the trails in the lower part of the resort are ideal for beginners. The complex is served by a cable car with single chairs and 9 rope lifts, the prices of which services depend on the time of day.
Skiing area Gubalowka
The highest point of this skiing area is 1 km 120 m. Several large ski tracks are equipped here. The longest route is 1 km 338 m.
Blue tracks – 1;
Red – 2;
Blacks – 1;
For cross-country skiing – 1 (nearby in the forest).
The skiing area is equipped only with rope lifts, with the exception of one funicular.
The popularity of the Gubalowka skiing area is also due to the fact that you can reach the top of the mountain by funicular directly from the center of Zakopane .
The height difference is 300 meters.
There is a special observation deck at the top, which rises above the city for 300 m and offers a beautiful view of the city and the surrounding mountains.
For those vacationing with children, attractive discounts are available for the use of the funicular and lifts. Economical tourists are recommended to buy a day pass, it gives the right to free use of the funicular and several lifts of your choice and costs about 70 zlotys.
In addition to the main skiing areas, there are several ski complexes on the territory of the resort, each of which has its own characteristics and advantages.
The complex with the same name occupies the northern and southern slopes of Antalowka mountain, it is particularly popular among tourists who have chosen one of the hotels in the center of Zakopane for accommodation. The tracks here are gentle, the height difference is from 35 to 40 meters, so the complex is recommended for beginners. For the convenience of vacationers, there is a network of attractive cafes, tourists are served by two lifts for amateurs, a subscription for 10 lifts will cost customers about 10 zlotys.
Another optimal center that is perfect for beginners is Koziniec, where vacationers are served by three ski lifts, one of which is specially designed for beginners. Among the advantages of the complex, it is worth noting its close location to the city center, as well as developed infrastructure, which includes equipment rental points, a ski school and a cafe. Guests of this complex need to pay about 10 zlotys for a subscription for 12 lifts.
Kalatuwki is considered one of the most picturesque complexes for a reason . As early as the beginning of the 20th century, competitions in winter sports were held here, today the ski complex is increasingly chosen for recreation by professional athletes. The tracks here are quite difficult, and therefore will not be the best place to rest for beginners. There is a well-known hotel and restaurant on the territory of the complex, which absolutely everyone can visit. Guests of the complex are served by 2 ski lifts.
Beginners and those vacationing with children should pay attention to the Budzowski Wierch ski complex . The tracks here are gentle, there are three ski lifts on the territory of the complex, and all of them are intended for beginners. The services of professional instructors are available to skiers, and there is a network of popular cafes for the convenience of vacationers. Budget tourists will also like the complex, a ski pass for 10-15 lifts will cost them no more than PLN 10.
If you are looking for a quiet place for a winter vacation, then the Zakopane ski resort is not for you.
There are always a lot of people here, as not only Poles, but also Russians, Germans, tourists from neighboring countries, in particular Ukraine and Slovakia, come here to rest.
Winter sports competitions are constantly held at the resort, there is a skating rink, many trampolines, a swimming pool that is open 12 months a year and is filled with geothermal healing waters.
Where to stay
Zakopane is a tourist and cultural center of the southern region of Poland, so it would be wrong to say that there will be any problems with accommodation.
The city can accommodate about 60,000 tourists at one time due to the large number of hotels, cottage towns, boarding houses, and the private sector.
The most famous hotels:
Three-star – Kasprovy, Ortsel, Sabala;
Four-star hotels – Litvorlikvor, Litvoi, Villa Marylor, Belvedere;
Boarding houses (3-star rooms) – Sosnytsia, Lypovy Dvir, Orel.
The best original Zakopane hotels for vacation or business trip
Hotel Rysy
It is definitely worth noting the high-class Rysy hotel, it will pleasantly surprise even the most demanding guests with its sophisticated atmosphere. The hotel rooms are decorated in a modern style, they are decorated with original carpets made of natural sheep’s wool and stylish designer furniture of unusual shapes. All rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the mountains. The hotel also took care of business guests. For holding events, they can use a modern conference hall furnished with exquisite “antique” furniture.
Hotel Belvedere
The Belvedere Hotel is located near the valley of the White Stream, it is perfect for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of harmony and natural splendor of the region. The hotel occupies a complex of very beautiful buildings with tiled roofs, it is located on the territory of a large garden. In the warm season, its surrounding area is decorated with fountains and landscape compositions. Hotel Belvedere is perfect for accommodation with children, for small guests there is a bright game room with table football, special children’s furniture and soft toys. Adults will be more pleased with the availability of a spa salon in the hotel, which offers a wide range of thalassotherapy procedures.
Hotel Stamary
Hotel Stamary is still popular among lovers of top-level recreation. The building in which the hotel is located resembles a luxurious palace, it can be called a true example of national architecture. The hotel provides a lot of additional services for guests with children, for them there is an excellent game room with a dry pool, and in the height of the tourist season, entertainment events are organized. Hotel Stamary is perfect for those who plan to spend a lot of time on sports. After a busy day, guests will be able to relax in a cozy cafe, where delicious homemade pastries are served.
Hotel Grand Nosalowy Dwór
The popular Grand Nosalowy Dwór hotel is located in the foothills of Nostal, it is one of the largest hotels in the resort and offers guests a wide selection of rooms and apartments. On the territory of the hotel there is an excellent ski school, as well as a leisure center with a huge indoor pool. Gourmets will like the hotel restaurant, where you can try exquisite Mediterranean delicacies and the best varieties of European wines. Tourists who visit the Grand Nosalowy Dwór Hotel in the warm season will be able to relax in the picturesque garden and enjoy the impeccable beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Gourmets: restaurants and cafes in Zakopane
Polish cuisine has its own traditions and echoes the composition of dishes and seasonings with Slavic and Western European cuisine. Here guests are offered a wide variety of meat dishes, rich soups and delicious pastries. Portions are usually generous, and the food itself is hearty and quite heavy. Poles love soups, and here you can try a wide variety of them. The most popular: cabbage soup based on meat broth and cabbage; botvinka, or borscht; Zhurek or Zurek is a very specific soup, which is prepared on sourdough bread with the addition of various smoked meats, eggs, sour cream and greens. This soup has a sour taste and is often served in a bread plate. Polish borscht also deserves attention. It is usually served with small dumplings filled with mushrooms, beans or meat.
Fish dishes are also loved here. They mainly offer river fish: pike, zander, carp. Be sure to order baked or fried fish, carp with a special Polish sauce made of egg and greens and, of course, try the aromatic hunter’s ear. Try Polish dumplings, or as they are called here – pies with an emphasis on the second layer. They are prepared with a variety of fillings: meat, cabbage or potato, or sweet with berries and fruits, with cheese.
It is also worth paying tribute to local pastries. Unsweetened casseroles are prepared in Zakopane – they are something like Russian pies, only in an elongated shape with a filling of cheese, onions and mushrooms. As a dessert, you will be offered a shortbread roll with a nut and sugar filling, mazurek – a Polish traditional cupcake, as well as a wide variety of cakes, cookies, gingerbread and jams. Almost any cafe will recommend pancakes with a sweet filling, apple pie or strudel with apples or cherries.
Among national dishes, we recommend trying bigos. This is a cabbage soup with several types of meat, sausage and mushrooms. For the soup, be sure to order lard – melted lard with onions, garlic and herbs. It is spread on bread and often served with pickles. You must order knedlyki – large dumplings made of potato dough with plum filling. They are boiled until ready in boiling water and served with sour cream or cream.
Bigos
If you prefer meat, be sure to check out the inn. As a rule, establishments with this name offer a wide variety of meat dishes: pork shank, homemade sausages, which are cooked right there on an open fire, juicy and spicy kebabs. Cabbage, potatoes and various salads from fresh vegetables are traditionally served as a side dish. Moreover, it is not necessary to order a side dish, it is already included in the composition of the dish. Also, several sauces will certainly be offered to the meat.
Alcohol here is mainly strong. In restaurants and shops you will find various tinctures and liqueurs, Polish vodka. As a souvenir, be sure to buy “Zubrivka” – this is the most popular vodka infused on grass with the same name. Polish beer will be an excellent accompaniment to meat dishes. Excellent beer is brewed here, its quality is no worse than Czech or German. By the way, beer here is often served with raspberry syrup, be sure to try this combination. Wines, of course, are also on the menu of restaurants, but most of them are imported, and local ones do not differ in good taste.
On the streets of Zakopane , you can snack on waffles with jam or buy fried cheese with cranberry sauce. In the very center of the city, guests are offered a whole roasted pig. In winter, such hearty and hot food will come in very handy. We recommend buying Polish cheeses. Especially a lot of them are offered at small fairs, which are often held on weekends. Here you can try and choose several varieties for yourself or as a gift. You can often find sheep and goat cheeses.
Almost all establishments offer both budget and expensive dishes to guests. We advise you to visit the Bakowo Zalylina restaurant to try national Gural cuisine. Here they serve warmed wine with spices and warm beer with syrup, as well as a special tea to which lemon and vodka are added. There are several establishments where food is organized according to the principle of a buffet table. In general, prices in restaurants are quite affordable. In the Zakopanski cafe-bar you will be offered a variety of cocktails, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, coffee and delicious desserts. Main dishes are also available here. This cafe is located on Krupuvka street and is considered one of the best in the city.
For those who stayed in apartments, but do not want to cook, there is “Zbojeckie jadlo” in Zakopane. This is a buffet where you can buy literally any dish by weight. In order not only to eat, but also to listen to live music, you should go to the Kolorowa restaurant . Here they offer national dishes and a soulful atmosphere. The highlight of the interior is the fireplace in the dining room. There are also many establishments offering desserts. We especially recommend the Samanta cafe . Here you will be offered a wide variety of coffee drinks and a huge selection of sweets. The prices are very nice.
Active recreation, entertainment and nightlife
The most lively and interesting place in the city is Krupowki Street – the central street of Zakopane . This is where fans of active recreation go in search of entertainment, the picturesque street is a continuous series of popular hotels, restaurants, night clubs and shops. It is here that one of the city’s main attractions can be found – original trade tents selling excellent cheese, popular national sweets and interesting souvenirs. This lively and beautiful street is never empty, it will be difficult to find a more interesting place for walking in the city.
The resort town of Zakopane is largely oriented towards lovers of active recreation, and therefore the variety of sports and entertainment complexes here is simply huge. Recently, a water park (Aqua park Zakopane) was opened at the resort , so now vacationers can diversify their leisure time not only with skiing, but also with water activities. Visitors to the water park have 3 huge swimming pools, as well as 6 jacuzzis and many colorful slides. There are suitable attractions for fans of thrills in the water park, as well as an excellent pool with a play area for the smallest visitors. In addition, the water park offers several types of saunas and solariums, absolutely everyone will find a suitable place to relax.
The most popular hiking route remains the ascent to Mount Gubałówka . Its top is the most accessible, for climbing it is not necessary to have special skills. Here, lovers of thrills are also in for a pleasant surprise, an excellent attraction is equipped for them, which in terms of the principle of action is somewhat reminiscent of the classic “Russian slides”. Those who prefer a more relaxed vacation will have the opportunity to visit the observation decks equipped at the top, which offer a gorgeous panoramic view.
Another great way to appreciate the panorama of the surroundings is to take a ride on the Kasprowy Wierch Tram . Its route runs through very picturesque places, climbing to the top of the mountain in a miniature observation cabin will give the whole family a lot of impressions. Travelers who plan to visit Zakopane with small children should definitely visit the Teddy Bear Museum . It resembles a classical museum only remotely, it is a very interesting gallery, which presents a rich collection of soft toys. Visitors will definitely be told the exciting story of the appearance of the toy, and after the tour they will be offered to look into a specialized store and buy souvenirs.
Rabkoland amusement park is perfect for a family vacation, located around the city of Zakopane. There are suitable attractions and recreation areas for children of any age. Those who prefer to have fun not only during the day, but also at night should go to the central area of the resort. It is here that the most popular nightclubs and bars are located, and in the height of the tourist season, an interesting outdoor entertainment program is organized for vacationers almost every evening. During a walk through the busy central streets, you can witness another folk festival or culinary master class, guests are offered a ride on beautiful horse- or dog-drawn sleighs. Popular shops and souvenir shops are also located here, you can find them literally everywhere in the city center.
Excursion to cultural sights of Zakopane.
There are architectural and historical monuments in Zakopane , as well as several very interesting museums. Perhaps one of the most unusual cultural institutions is the Karol Szymanowski Museum , known to many travelers as Villa Atma . Its location was a very beautiful wooden house, surrounded by dense thickets of trees, this picturesque villa belonged to the world-famous composer. It has completely preserved the atmosphere of the past years, museum visitors can see a collection of antique furniture and works of art, as well as personal belongings of the composer and his favorite piano. For the past few years, the cozy villa has been a permanent venue for interesting musical evenings and concerts, several days a week, the entrance to the museum is free.
All guests of the resort should definitely visit the Vronislav Cech Memorial house , where the world-famous explorer and skier lived with his family. Today, the beautiful wooden villa has also been converted into a museum. Among its priceless exhibits are Wronislav Chech’s awards and his equipment, as well as a collection of interesting photographs and postcards.
The Jan Kasprowicz Museum – a famous Polish poet who was born in a simple peasant family and achieved great success – deserves the attention of resort guests . In the old house, where the poet’s family lived, visitors have access to the living room and bedrooms, as well as the dining room, which completely recreates the atmosphere of the past years. The museum houses a rich collection of ancient paintings and books, as well as the poet’s manuscripts and his personal belongings. The museum represents great value from an architectural point of view and is one of the most beautiful buildings in Zakopane.
Tatra Museum can be called the most visited and interesting cultural center of the resort without a doubt . It introduces visitors to the culture and traditions of the indigenous population, the museum collection is very diverse. There is also a rich collection of handmade furniture, and beautiful tableware, and national costumes, and handicrafts, and even an antique car.
You can continue getting acquainted with the culture of local residents during a walk in the picturesque village of Hoholuv , it is located in the immediate vicinity of Zakopane . It is a typical mountain village and is very interesting from an architectural point of view. In the immediate vicinity of Zakopane, in the village of Niedzica , there is a very interesting historical monument – Dunajec castle . This is a unique monument in the Renaissance style, which was built in the 14th century and has been rebuilt several times since its foundation. Dunaec is considered one of the most beautiful castles in Poland, many interesting and mysterious stories are associated with it.
Continuing your acquaintance with the history of the city, you should definitely visit the Cornelia Makushinsky Museum (Museum Cornelia Makushinsky).. This beautiful villa with an impressive facade once belonged to a famous writer, it was here that he met his friends, among whom there were many famous literary figures and artists. Among the exhibits of the museum are personal belongings and manuscripts of Cornelius Makushynskyi, as well as a collection of photographs and old letters. Lovers of history should definitely take a walk through the old Zakopane cemetery, which is also of great interest to connoisseurs of architecture and art. It is here that the graves of prominent figures and the most famous townspeople are located. The choice of interesting natural attractions for visitors to Zakopane is quite huge, the ascent to Gubałówka mountain is very popular among vacationers.
How to get there
It is convenient to get there by two routes, through Krakow and through the Slovak city of Poprad (airport).
It is 110 km straight south from Krakow, 2 hours 30 minutes on the way and you are there.
You can also get from Krakow to Zakopane by train.
From Poprad, drive closer, 68 km, the road passes through mountains and very beautiful places of the Tatra National Park. There is no railway connection. In general, it is up to you, but it is better to go by personal car.
In conclusion, we can say that the ski resort of Poland Zakopane is not only a place with the opportunity to go skiing, it is a huge party place where you can really have fun and relax, immerse yourself in the world of art and local folklore.
It is better to come here with a large company or a family with children.
What you need to be ready for
It should be noted that this skiing region is not distinguished by the presence of a large number of different tracks. Skiing areas are scattered and do not have a single system of lifts that would unite them.
Likewise, there is no single Skipass that covers the entire skiing region.
Since this skiing region is a very popular place for recreation not only in Poland, but also far beyond its borders, there are frequent queues at the ticket offices and on the lifts, which you just have to put up with. Well, how lucky is that.
Although the skiing season at the resort is open from mid-December to the end of March, the weather in the region is very changeable, there are days when it rains, which can quickly change to heavy snowfall. But thanks to snow cannons, most of the ski slopes are always covered with snow.
But all these shortcomings do not spoil the ski resort of Zakopane in Poland at all, and it has long been considered an excellent budget place for active winter recreation.
Language barrier
After looking at the numbers of the cars standing in the parking lots, you will probably think that you have come to rest either in Russia or in Ukraine.
Here you will hear conversations in Polish, Slovak, Russian, Ukrainian, English and other languages. There is especially no language barrier with the service staff, who are very well prepared to meet tourists from all over the world.
Welcome to the Zakopane ski resort .