Poland
Zakopane
Highlander town at the foot of the Tatras. Stay 2–3 days. Below: 2 sights, 2 activities and 2 outdoor spots, plus how Zakopane fits into a longer trip.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- May – Sep
- Warmest month
- August
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- July
2 See · 2 Do · 2 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink · 1 Shop
Kraków & the Tatras
from our route notes
21°C / 71°F avg high
-2°C / 28°F avg high
about 137 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Zakopane
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
2 sights worth building a day around in Center.
Photo: Margoz · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Kościół MB Częstochowskiej w Zakopanem · GoogleSeeOld Church and Pęksowy Brzyzek Cemetery
Wooden 19th-century church and cemetery with carved highlander grave markers.
Do
2 activities for when the group wants to do more than look across Kuźnice and Krupówki.
Photo: Kasprowy Wierch - Stacja Dolna PKL S.A. · GoogleDoKasprowy Wierch Cable Car
Cable car to 1,987 m on the Polish-Slovak border ridge.
Tip Book a time online and bring layers.
Photo: Jerzy Opioła · CC BY-SA 4.0DoGubałówka
Funicular to a ridge with a full panorama of the Tatras.
Tip Grilled oscypek cheese is sold at the top.
Outdoors
2 outdoor spots for fresh air across Tatra National Park and Kiry.
Photo: Dixi · CC BY-SA 3.0OutdoorsMorskie Oko
Glacial lake under granite peaks, the Tatras' best-known view.
Tip Walk the 9 km road early, or hike on to Czarny Staw.
Photo: Opioła Jerzy (Poland) · CC BY 2.5
Eat
Where we would book a table in Zakopane in Center.
Photo: Karczma Zapiecek · Google
Photo: Gazdowo Kuźnia · Google
Drink
Our picks for a drink in Zakopane in Center.
Photo: Restauracja Góralski Browar · Google
Shop
Markets and shops worth the detour in Center.
Photo: Magda W. · GoogleShopKrupówki
Main pedestrian street of shops, wooden inns and market stalls.
Tip Look one block off for better prices.
How to fit Zakopane into a trip
Zakopane is stop 3 of 3 on our Kraków & the Tatras route. Follow it as-is or lift Zakopane into your own plan.
Stop 3 of 3
Kraków & the Tatras
Royal Kraków, salt mines and mountain air
- Trip length
- 6 days
- Best season
- May – Sep
- Pace
- moderate
- Before: Wieliczka
Getting here and onward
- Wieliczka to ZakopaneWieliczka is about 77 km / 48 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Zakopane month by month
Average daily highs run from -2°C / 28°F in January to 21°C / 71°F in August. July is the wettest month, with about 137 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan-2° / 28°F average high
- Feb-1° / 30°F average high
- Mar4° / 39°F average high
- Apr11° / 51°F average high
- May16° / 60°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jun19° / 66°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jul21° / 70°F average high, in our recommended season
- Aug21° / 71°F average high, in our recommended season
- Sep16° / 61°F average high, in our recommended season
- Oct11° / 51°F average high
- Nov5° / 41°F average high
- Dec-1° / 31°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Zakopane weather and the best time to visit →
Near Zakopane
4 other destinations from our guides within about 300 km (186 mi), measured in a straight line.
Zakopane questions, answered
How many days do you need in Zakopane?
Our route notes suggest 2–3 days in Zakopane. On our Kraków & the Tatras route it is stop 3 of 3 in a 6-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 19 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Zakopane best known for?
Highlander town at the foot of the Tatras. Stay 2–3 days. Standouts on our list: Tatra Museum (Museum of Podhale highlander life, nature and art); Old Church and Pęksowy Brzyzek Cemetery (Wooden 19th-century church and cemetery with carved highlander grave markers); Morskie Oko (Glacial lake under granite peaks, the Tatras' best-known view).
When is the best time to visit Zakopane?
Our Kraków & the Tatras route is best May – Sep. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (21°C / 71°F), the coolest in January (-2°C / 28°F) and the most rain in July (about 137 mm).
What are the best things to do in Zakopane?
Start with Morskie Oko, Kasprowy Wierch Cable Car, Kościeliska Valley, Gubałówka and Tatra Museum. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 2 sights, 2 activities, 2 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 shop.
Where should a group eat in Zakopane?
Our picks: Karczma Zapiecek (Center); Gazdowo Kuźnia (Center).
What is near Zakopane?
The closest destinations in our guides are Wieliczka (about 77 km / 48 mi), Kraków (about 85 km / 53 mi) and Budapest (about 211 km / 131 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Zakopane with your crew
Open the Kraków & the Tatras route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.