Zakopane is the winter capital of Poland. Whether you are visiting Zakopane in winter or summer there are a lot of activities and unique things to do. So, let’s look at the top best things things to do in Zakopane, Poland.
Why Zakopane?
As mentioned, Zakopane is the winter capital of Poland known for its beautiful mountains and a great skiing destination. It is also an hour away from Krakow, a cultured city you can visit if you wanted to see old town and krakow market square. Zakopane is super affordable from food to activities and accommodation (when booked in advance of course).
Where to stay in Zakopane: Accommodation.
My friends and I booked a lovely apartment for 3 people via booking.com called Willa Leluja. The apartment was 0.7miles away from the town center and 600 yards from the ski lifts. In total for 3 adults staying 2 nights it cost us only £141. This was affordable and the apartment was absolutely beautiful and clean, with amazing outside views of the mountain.
Top Best things to do in Zakopane, Poland
1. Skiing ⛷️ (WINTER)
The skiing season in Zakopane is between January and April. Many people visit this place around Christmas to February. The hotel that we booked was near a ski resort. My friends and I went in November for a weekend getaway, so didn’t get a chance to ski but still enjoyed our time there. Other Ski Resorts that you can visit are Kasprowy Wierch and Nosal.
The best snow conditions in southern Poland are between January and late April.
2. Visit Gubalowka
Gubalowka is a mountain in the Gubalowka range above the polish town of Zakopane. There are stunning mountains that will leave you amazed at nature. Other things that you can do in Gubalowka include, skiing, snow tubing, and cafes and restaurants. The highlight of this trip was seeing the mountain and trees clothed in white. A moment i will never forget:
3. Visit the local town
There is something magical about seeing a town while it was snowing. It felt as though I was in a scene of a small town christmas movie. The town was 10 minutes away from Willa Leluja which is very convenient. There are many restaurants, shops and views of the mountain at the village.
4. Chocholowskie Termy (Thermal Spa)
Chocholowskie Termy is the biggest thermal bath in Poland and it is located outside of Zakopane village. It can get very busy all throughout the year. So make sure that you book in advance, as this is a beautiful experience.
5. Try Polish Cuisine
You cannot visit Poland without trying their delicious cuisine. There are many local restaurants to try out. One thing I’ll say is that most Polish dishes have a lot of meat included.
O’L Final Thoughts
Zakopane is one of my favourite destinations to visit. From the beautiful mountains, to the ski resorts and thermal baths. Zakopane is the place to be, so make sure to visit if you are looking for an affordable ski destination.
