9 Epic Things to do in Zakopane in Winter 2025

Why you should consider visiting Zakopane in winter

Two hours away only from Kraków is a real gem – Zakopane, the winter capital of Poland. It is a pity the city is not more well-known, as it is the perfect place to visit for a winter trip.

Winter in Zakopane does it all: snowy mountain caps, hot cocoa, warm blankets, melted cheese. The scenery is breathtaking and your wallet remains full. It truly is the perfect winter destination.

Zakopane is located in the heart of the Tatra mountains in southern Poland, at the very border of Slovakia. It is heaven for outdoor enthusiasts who want to cleanse the city stress. The city itself has a classic mountain resort warm and cozy ambiance to it, with a lively main street, Krupówki Street, and cozy restaurants and shops.

Visitors have access to a charming town with quaint stores, mountain hikes, strolls on frozen lakes, and all sorts of winter activities such as skiing or snowboarding, snowmobile tours, ice skating rinks, tobogganing, or even sleigh rides and food tasting tours.

Zakopane is one of the most affordable winter resorts in Europe, without a doubt. In total, including roundtrip flights to Krakow, busses to Zakopane and back, accommodation, food, activities and souvenirs, 4 full days cost me around 300 euros.

This is the ultimate guide to visiting Zakopane in winter.

Anya

Hi! I’m Anya, founder of the travel blog Stop Going to Paris which focuses on underrated cities in Europe. I’m a passionate traveler but above all, a passionate adventurer always looking for the hidden gems that deserve more love.

After 10 years and 70+ destinations, I can help you plan your European trip: book a call with me. It includes a full itinerary with unique destinations, transportation, accommodation and activities.

Fun fact, I live in… drumroll… Paris! That’s why the name of the blog is funny.

A quick list of the attractions and activities in Zakopane 

Let’s quickly review the best things to do in Zakopane in the winter:

• Visiting the town
• Hiking in the Tatra National Park
• Sightseeing at Gubałówka
• Snowboarding 
• Skiing and ski jumping
• Cable car rides 
• Sleigh rides
• Eat the local Polish cuisine 
• Thermal Baths
• Souvenirs shopping 

Zakopane in Winter: best things to do

Hiking in the Tatra National Park – Zakopane’s top trails

The number one most appreciated activity in Zakopane is without a doubt hiking. Here are 8 trails that locals and tourists appreciate the most.

1. Palenica Białczańska – Morskie Oko – Czarny Staw pod Rysami (read below for more details)

Trail length: 20.8 km. Difficulty level: moderate. 

2. Kuźnice – Giewont

Trail length: 12.1 km. Difficulty level: hard. 

3. Kiry – Czerwone Wierchy – Kasprowy Wierch – Kuźnice

Trail length: 19.2 km. Difficulty level: hard. 

4. Zakopane – Nosal – Wielki Kopieniec – Toporowa Cyrhla

Trail length: 8 km. Difficulty level: moderate. 

5. Droga pod Reglami – Dolina Białego – Sarnia Skała – Strążyska Valley

Trail length: 8 km. Difficulty level: Hard.

6. Strążyska Valley – Siklawica Waterfall

Trail length: 4.7 km. Difficulty level: moderate

7. Dolina Białego

Trail length: 6.9 km. Difficulty level: moderate

8. Koscieliska Valley – Mroźna Cave – Smreczyński Staw

Trail length: 14.0 km. Difficulty level: moderate

The Morskie Oko hike is the most popular one among these, and beginner-friendly.

To get there, you must first take the 50-minute bus from the city’s main bus station to Palenica Białczańska. There is an entrance fee of 10 zloty (2.25 euros). I wrote a very detailed guide for the Morskie Oko hike, and have included my highlights, safety tips, a downloadable trail and a map.

The trail starts at the doors of the Tatras National Park and ends in the mountain lake Morskie Oko. You can then go on to the next lake, Czarny, and even further reach mountain peak Rysy, which will allow you to cross the border to Slovakia.

The trail is very beautiful and as I said, beginner-friendly. The round-trip to Morskie Oko takes 4.5 hours in winter, as the snow is hard to walk in and often slippery. You’ll need solid winter hiking shoes with good gripping soles, or add Snow Grips, which is what I ended up doing. I got mine at Alpine Pro in the city center.

If you want to enjoy the winter snow sights I did, you must go during the November-April period, as the mountains in winter look very different during spring and summer. The snow melts after April and makes way for beautiful greenery and the lakes are not frozen anymore.

In December, make sure to watch the hour so you don’t end up doing the return trip at night like I did. However, if you don’t make it in time on the way back, or if you’re in Zakopane with kids, you can take one of these horse sleigh rides under cozy blankets. It would make the moment memorable for sure!

Kasprowy Wierch is the second most popular hike in the Zakopane area. I personally did not attempt it, as I didn’t have enough time in the Zakopane region, but I’ve only heard good things about it from other travelers. It’s also very close, since the drive from Zakopane to the entrance of the Tatra National Park is only 10 min. 

Visit Krupówki Street, the main street in Zakopane

The city of Zakopane, on top of being a hiking spot, is also a quaint town with cute streets and shops and best of all, great restaurants. At the heart of Zakopane is Krupówki Street, its main street with everything you will need there. It’s the perfect place to sit back and watch passers-by for a few hours.  

If you need help, the tourist Office in the main bus station is a good source of information. Zakopane is home to many Museums, including the Tatra Museum, The Museum of Zakopane Style, The Gallery of 20th Century Art, and the Karol Szymanowski Museum which explores the life of Karol Szymanowski, the 2nd greatest Polish composer after Chopin.

You’ll also find plenty of sports equipment stores, which is practical when you need anything last minute.

Sightseeing at Gubałówka

At the center of Zakopane lies a cable car station, that takes you to the summit of Gubałówka Hill. A view of the snowy landscape of the Tatras mountains with the city at your feet is a mere cable car ride away. The wooden cottages add a charming touch to the winter scenery, it truly feels like a fairy tale. If you stroll down Krupowki Street, you’ll find souvenir boutiques and food stands selling snacks such as Oscypek, a smoked cheese unique to the region. Don’t miss out on the seasoned accordion potatoes on a stick!

An evening with Highlanders

The Góral people are the original settlers of this area. You can learn more about them through an evening of combined bonfire feast and sleigh ride experience where they invite visitors to share their customs through music, storytelling, and Highlander cuisine. 

We started with a two-hour bonfire feast, where we had the opportunity to try various local foods and snacks like homemade bigos (traditional Polish stew), sausages we cooked ourselves over the fire, oscypek (local cheese), bread with homemade pickled cucumbers, and Highlander hot tea. 

The event included live performances by a Highlander band, with music, dancing, and cultural games. We were quickly taught a few traditional dance moves and songs, it was all very interactive and perfect.

After that it was a magical sleigh ride through the snow-covered Chochołowska Valley in a traditional Highlander sleigh, illuminated by torches. The beautiful serene ride showcases the valley’s natural beauty, with no urban noise, no light pollution. 

Everyone there was a stranger until they weren’t. It was an unforgettable and magical evening.

Skiing and snowboarding

As the heart of Poland’s winter season, Zakopane is known for its ski slopes, from beginner-friendly to more challenging. The Nosal Ski Center offers a perfect playground for beginners, with easy slopes. 

You can rent all the equipment there, but I’d advise on getting ski gloves if you don’t want scratched bloody hands like me. If you’re a beginner I would also advise on not making the same mistake I did: not getting an instructor for the first lesson. Or risk falling on the ski slopes ten times more than you should!

All in all, between the ski station fee and the equipment renting, it cost me 16 euros for 2 hours of ski fun.

If you’re a pro at skiing and you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, Wielka Krokiew ski jump is for you. The space has even hosted the Ski Jumping World Cup before. The area is also perfect for cross-country skiing and many other winter sports: I recommend checking out Bazartatry, they offer ski lessons, snowmobile and ice climbing trips.

Other possible winter activities are snowmobile tours (bonfire included! read more about it in the snowbile tours section), ice skating rinks, tobogganing, and sleigh rides with a bonus food-tasting tour!

Snowmobile tours

Snowmobiling in Zakopane is a one-of-a-kind winter experience. It’s the kind of activity that combines raw power with breathtaking scenery, surrounded by the towering peaks of the Tatras. 

Guided snowmobile tours are the easiest way to explore Zakopane’s snowy terrain. They’re not just rides; they’re adventures led by local experts. Operators like Snowdoo and Extreme Snow ride through some of the most incredible routes in the Tatras. These tours often take you to pristine valleys and remote snowfields, places impossible to reach by foot.

Here are some of the best routes these tours cover:

• Chochołowska Valley: Perfect for beginners, this route offers stunning views and smooth trails.
• Gubałówka Ridge: A thrilling ride that combines mountain views with gentle slopes.
• Kasprowy Wierch Routes: For more experienced riders, these paths take you higher into the range for jaw-dropping panoramas.

Most operators provide detailed instructions before setting off. This ensures everyone, regardless of skill, feels confident handling the machines. Guides stay close to the group, leading the way and pointing out key landmarks. 

Check the weather forecast before you book. Snowstorms can alter visibility and make conditions risky. Operators may cancel or postpone tours if safety becomes an issue, so be flexible with your plans.

Eat the local Polish cuisine 

Zakopane offers a unique experience of Goral (Highlander) culture through dishes and specialties distinctive to these mountains. In all restaurants, the ambiance is warm with fur-covered seats, wood fires and hearty meals. You can enjoy iconic and famous traditional Polish foods such as the classic Polish dumplings, Pierogis, potato pancakes called Moskole with garlic cheese, or delicious Trout fried in butter. If you’re adventurous, maybe some deer meat! Meals in these restaurants are frequently complemented by traditional music provided by talented singers wearing full costumes.

I highly recommend Gazdowo Kuźnia for traditional dishes and Bifalo Steakhouse if you feel like an excellent Ribeye Steak.

Food in Zakopane, Poland. Photos by Anya Rahmoune from Stop Going to Paris.

Relax in a thermal bath

Thermal baths and spas are a fan-favorite activity for travelers in Poland and Zakopane because they constitute a good reprieve from more strenuous activities like hiking and skiing. Chochołowskie Termy’s thermal pools are a fantastic relaxation experience amid stunning panoramic views. 

The state-of-the-art facilities with indoor and outdoor pools provide a great balance of modern luxury and traditional charm. I love soaking in the water while gazing at the mountain snow peaks. 

One unique feature is the infinity-style pool on the rooftop. Imagine sinking into warm water, surrounded by serene mountain views, while snow gently falls around you. Pure bliss, right?

You can also book wellness treatments: massages, body scrubs, saunas and steam rooms (finish options and herbal-infused steam rooms), or facial treatments and hydrotherapy sessions  to refresh your skin. 

By the time you leave, every ounce of winter fatigue will be replaced with relaxation. 

What and where to shop for souvenirs

The region’s skillful craftsmanship makes it easy to shop for souvenirs in Zakopane. You’ll find wool blankets, socks, and mittens adorned with colorful Highlander patterns, embroidered folk costumes, and hand-painted Easter eggs, known as Pisanki. I myself bought a pair of beautiful amber earrings, as they are traditional not only in Zakopane but in all of Poland. As well as a mug with a picture of the mountains on it!

I suggest going to Tatra Folk Art for the souvenirs and W.KRUK for the jewelry.

How to go to Zakopane

The easiest way to get to Zakopane is from Kraków MDA bus station, where you can catch a bus. The trip from Kraków to Zakopane is thankfully short, only 2 hours. I booked with Flixbus but alternatives exist in the form of national and regional companies such as Polonus, BP Tour and Maxbus.

Zakopane is also accessible through a private full-day tour from Krakow, to get the best of Zakopane in one day.

You can also take the bus from Warsaw, but also from Budapest, Prague, Berlin or Kosice and Proprad in Slovakia.

A few things to know before going to Zakopane

1- You’ll be surprised to learn that Poland is much closer to the North Pole than you would think. Apparently, they sometimes catch the Northern Lights! Which means that winter days are short: in December, night falls at 4 pm only. This completely messes with your perception of a day and how to use it – I remember feeling sleepy by 6 pm in the first few days I was there. You have to plan your day around the few hours of daylight you’re provided to optimize them, which usually means waking up earlier to be ready to go as soon as the sun is up.

2- Poland does not use euros as a currency, they use złoty (pronounced “zlo-ty”), which is equivalent to roughly 1/4th of a euro. It leaves you with a few options to remediate the problem:

• Change your money before coming or when arriving.
• Use Revolut and convert your money in the app. When I tested, fees amounted to 1 euro for every 100 euros.
• Take an international option with little to no conversion charges with your credit card, which is what I ended up doing as it was the best hassle-free solution for me.

When in a pinch, I found Polish businesses still accept euros for the most part, but I would suggest not relying on that and finding a reliable solution instead.

Final thoughts: why Zakopane deserves a spot on your bucket list

All in all, the Zakopane area is the best of Poland in winter, with a multitude of great sights and fun things to do. It’s not Poland’s winter capital for nothing! I have personally spent great winter holidays there, I’d say one of the best of my life even.  

So for me, Zakopane in winter is a fantastic experience that I cannot recommend enough, because the city really has it all: a charming town, breathtaking nature and plenty of winter fun. It is also one of the cheapest ski resorts of Europe, so you get great value out of that trip. Don’t even think, just book the next plane ticket!