An underrated town in Poland renowned for its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and year-round outdoor activities has been named the “most beautiful” but without any tourists. Nestled at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, the highest mountain range in the Carpathians, Zakopane is a popular mountain resort town in southern Poland, known as the “Winter Capital of Poland”.
It is a premier destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports. The town has several ski resorts and slopes suitable for all skill levels, including Kasprowy Wierch, Nosal, and Gubałówka.
In the warmer months, Zakopane is a haven for hikers and nature lovers.
The Tatra National Park offers numerous trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging climbs, including the popular route to Morskie Oko, a beautiful mountain lake.
The Tatra Mountains are a popular spot for mountaineers, with challenging peaks like Rysy, the highest point in Poland, attracting climbers from around the world.
Zakopane and its surrounding areas are known for their thermal spas, offering a relaxing experience in naturally heated pools. These spas are a perfect way to unwind after a day of outdoor activities.
A must-try in Zakopane is Oscypek, a smoked sheep cheese unique to the region. It is often served grilled and paired with cranberry sauce.
Visitors can enjoy hearty Goral dishes, such as kwaśnica (sauerkraut soup), pierogi (dumplings), and various meat-based dishes, in the town’s traditional restaurants.
Zakopane is a year-round destination. Winter is ideal for skiing and snowboarding, while summer offers excellent hiking opportunities.
It has a range of accommodations, from luxury hotels to cozy guesthouses and traditional wooden chalets.
Zakopane is the heart of the Goral (highlander) culture, which is reflected in its traditional wooden architecture, folk music, and vibrant regional customs. The Zakopane Style of architecture, characterized by intricate wood carvings and steeply sloped roofs, is a unique aspect of the town’s charm.
The main pedestrian street in Zakopane, Krupówki, is lined with shops, restaurants, and stalls selling traditional Goral crafts, local delicacies, and souvenirs. It’s a lively area where visitors can experience the local culture and cuisine
Zakopane is accessible by road and rail from major Polish cities, with frequent bus and train services from Kraków, located about 100 km away.
The travel page of the TripAdvisor forum is packed with comments from travellers who loved the town.
One person commented: “Have visited Zakopane on 2 occasions. Went in February when there were 12-15 inches of snow. And also in August when the temp was in the 90s. There are lots of building work etc going on its expanding. Zakopane is a lovely village, in winter snow covered and there are craft markets all year round all along the streets. Lovely food, try a Polish vodka or two. Very busy, a great ski resort. Set in the Tetra mountains. In summer it is as lovely with flowers in bloom. There are also dry ski slopes. Also, take a trip to the salt mines amazingly. There is a chapel down there all craved from salt. Don’t think you will be disappointed.”
A second user said: “Zakopane is one of the most charming mountain resorts I have ever seen. Wonderful in the winter for skiing and excellent for hiking in the summer. More than that, the city itself has a soul. Wonderful Highlander culture with music, food, and architecture makes one feel as if he or she is in a fairy tale. There are lots of restaurants, shops, galleries, festivals, pubs, nightclubs, theatres – one simply cannot be bored. I highly recommend it.”