The Tatra Mountains sit in front of you, wrapped in slow-moving mist. Somewhere nearby, goat cheese sizzles over an open fire. You blink twice, and somehow you’re already standing on a mountain peak. You pull your coat tighter as the cold mountain wind cuts through the air, but it doesn’t really matter — the view makes it worth it. And you know a hot thermal bath is waiting for you afterward.
Intrigued?If that sounds like your kind of escape, Zakopane is exactly where you want to be.
In this travel story, I’ll share my personal experience and the best things to do in Zakopane if you want to spend a few days surrounded by breathtaking nature — without committing to an eight-hour mountain hike. Pack your sense of adventure and some warm socks — we’re heading to find out what to see in Zakopane together!
In this Zakapone itinerary:
Day 1 in Zakopane: Waterfalls, Tatra Mountains, and Thermal Baths
Arriving in Zakopane: Driving From Krakow to the Mountains
There are no direct flights to Zakopane, so we landed in Kraków, spent a day wandering its streets, and then rented a car. I’d recommend doing the same — or, depending on where your journey begins, you might choose to drive the entire way. Poland is made for road trips.
The drive from Krakow to Zakopane takes around 1.5 hours — and along the way, the landscape becomes quite picturesque.
After you arrive, you’ll probably want a bit of time to grab a bite and settle in — but don’t take too long. I am always eager to explore, so let’s head straight to our first Zakopane attraction.
Hiking the Siklawica Waterfall Trail in Tatra National Park
Approximate start of the Siklawica trai.
Check the ticket prices to enter Tatra national park here.
We’ll start in the place that, for me, was one of the original reasons to come to Zakopane at all — the mountains themselves.
So lace up your hiking boots.
To enter Tatra National Park, you need a ticket. In the first half of the day there was a noticeable queue at the entrance, but by the time we returned it had completely disappeared. You can also buy tickets online, which might save you a bit of waiting.
The Siklawica Waterfall trail in Tatra National Park begins gently. You step into a forest that feels calm and familiar, almost welcoming — but it doesn’t stay simple for long.
Soon, a rocky stream appears beside you. The water is so clear you can see every stone at the bottom, and so ice-cold it almost burns your fingertips just from the air around it. On the other side, stone walls rise behind the trees — sharp, layered, and constantly shifting in shape as you move deeper into the forest.
Overall, the trail is relatively easy… until it isn’t.
It climbs steadily uphill, and near the end — just after passing the wooden houses and a large boulder — the path changes character completely. It becomes rocky, uneven, and slippery. This final stretch demands attention and, unfortunately, won’t be accessible to everyone.
But those who push through this natural obstacle course are rewarded.
A 23-meter waterfall, dropping in two powerful tiers over moss-covered stone walls.
The power of the water crashing down gives you a new wave of energy.
If you want to put that energy to use, the path continues further into the mountains. We didn’t go beyond this point, as the 2.5 km walk there and back felt like enough to kickstart our Zakopane adventure.
Zakopane Trip Lesson
Autumn belongs to the mountains.
Or maybe it’s the other way around — the mountains simply reveal what autumn is supposed to feel like.
If you have the chance, plan your Zakopane trip for the golden autumn season. It’s the most magical time of year around here.
A few practical notes on this Zakopane attraction:
- There is only paid parking near the trail, no free parking
- Drinking water refill point is available
- Toilets (free) are only at the start of the trail
After a proper hike, you need to recover. So let’s continue with the most relaxing thing to do in Zakopane. You can take off your hiking boots for now.
Thermal Baths in Zakopane: The Perfect Post-Hike Recovery
What could be better after a long day of travel and exploration than “boiling” yourself in thermal pools?
The best time to visit Zakopane’s thermal baths is when it’s cold and dark outside. Imagine being submerged up to your neck in an open-air pool while steam drifts up around you. The contrast between the hot water and crisp mountain air is instantly refreshing — the warmth slowly loosens every tired muscle, one by one, until your whole body feels like it’s finally exhaling.
During our trip, the most famous thermal baths in Zakopane — Chochołowskie Termy — were closed for maintenance. So we asked our guesthouse for an alternative, and they pointed us toward Terma Bania. It’s a bit of a drive, but absolutely worth it once you’re there.
Terma Bania is impressively clean — noticeably cleaner than the thermal baths I visited in Budapest. Beyond the pools, you’ll find jacuzzis (though you may need a bit of patience to grab a spot), a lazy river, three slides, and a swim-up bar. There’s also a sauna area, though it requires a separate ticket, which we didn’t try this time.
Travel tip
Not everyone makes it to the far end of the complex near the spa entrance. That section seemed much quieter, and you’ll have a far easier time finding bubbling jets all to yourself.
Staying in a Zakopane Mountain Cabin With Tatra Views
I don’t usually write about accommodation, since everyone chooses based on budget. But I’ll make an exception here — because staying in a mountain-view cabin in Zakopane is something you should absolutely experience.
Can you imagine waking up in the morning, stepping onto a balcony with a hot cup of coffee, and looking out at mountains still wrapped in mist? Everything is quiet. The grass is covered in dew, and the windows are slightly fogged. The atmosphere feels almost unreal. Zakopane attractions are cool. But this was hands down my favourite experience.
There are many cabin options in Zakopane. We stayed at Biała Owca. I can recommend it for its beautifully designed interior — modern, tasteful, and charmingly themed around sheep. Just make sure to have a room with a balcony facing the mountains.
Day 2 in Zakopane: Kasprowy Wierch & Food
After morning coffee on the balcony, it’s time to head out in search of another adventure. The Zakopane views you’ll see today are the kind that stay with you for a lifetime. But dress warmly!
Part 1: The Kasprowy Wierch Cable Car Ride
Time to rise above the treetops.
The Kasprowy Wierch cable car ride in Zakopane is one of the easiest ways to experience the Tatra Mountains without a demanding climb.
During the ride, it’s fascinating to watch the landscape transform — the endless sea of forest slowly fades away until, at a certain altitude, trees simply stop growing and only raw rock remains.
On the way up, an audio guide shares insights about the route, including why you need to switch cable cars halfway, along with other interesting details. Unfortunately, if other passengers are talking too loudly, it can be difficult to hear everything — but in the end, we’re really here for the views anyway.
Part 2: Exploring the Kasprowy Wierch summit
I’m not surprised that people searching for something often end up on solitary mountain hikes. Standing on a rugged rock in the cold mountain wind, looking out over the vast, untamed landscape below, feels almost otherworldly. It’s as if the world stretches endlessly beneath you — and at the same time, you become painfully aware of just how small you are within it.
One thing that surprised me was finding snow at the very beginning of October. Someone had even built two palm-sized snowmen. For those who arrived in T-shirts, it must have been quite a shock. At least there’s a place to warm up — a cafeteria on site serving hot drinks.
And if you’re craving more adventure, there are hiking trails leading to nearby peaks. The views of rolling, wavy mountain ridges dusted with a light layer of snow stay with you the entire way. A steady stream of hikers moves along the snaking paths, appearing like tiny moving dots across the landscape. And if you look closely, you might even spot two small mountain lakes in the distance. Absolutely breathtaking.
Zakopane Trip Lesson #2
You might want to learn a bit of Polish — because in Poland, some websites (including the one for cable car tickets) are only available in Polish. I used Google Translate, but even that only managed to translate parts of it. Let’s just say I bought my tickets half-blind — but it worked out in the end.
A few practical tips:
- Book tickets in advance. I bought mine just one day before in October and couldn’t get my preferred time slot. In summer, it’s likely much busier.
- A round-trip ticket gives you 1 hour 45 minutes at the top. If you miss your return, you may be able to take a later ride, but seats are limited and priority goes to timed-ticket holders.
- Dress warmer than you would at the base of the mountains. If there’s a chance of snow, wear proper non-slip shoes — otherwise you’ll be walking like a penguin.
- You can’t drive directly to the cable car station. You’ll need to park in a paid lot and either walk, take a shuttle, or grab a taxi for part of the way — though some walking is unavoidable regardless.
Smoked cheese ice cream?
After you’re back on the ground, don’t rush off — there’s one more truly unique thing you have to look for. I was genuinely shocked it exists: smoked cheese ice cream.
Yes, really. And no, it’s not cheesecake ice cream — it’s salty, smoky, cheese-flavoured ice cream.
I can’t promise you’ll like it, but I can promise your taste buds will have an experience.
You can find it in one of the small ice cream shops in the area. Unfortunately, I didn’t note the name, so you’ll have to rely on a bit of luck — to track it down.
Krupówki Street: Zakopane’s Famous Walking Street
Krupówki Street is full of life. As you walk down the street, your ears catch fragments of music drifting from somewhere nearby, while your eyes move over souvenir stalls. The smell of fried food floats through the air.
Zakopane Lesson #3
It turns out you can also buy tiny wooden axes and wooden knives as souvenirs. The real question is: would they even let you bring those on a plane?
If you don’t like crowds, this might feel overwhelming — the street is packed. But despite that, the atmosphere is cheerful, lively, and full of energy.
Along the sides, you’ll find beautiful wooden buildings, most of them restaurants or shops. The only real challenge is deciding where to stop for lunch.
Traditional Polish Food on Krupówki Street
Their website
We had lunch at Karczma Góralska (Góralska Inn), which we discovered while walking along the main street.
Portions are generous, there’s plenty of space, and the food is tasty. But what really stands out is the interior — almost everything is made of wood. The space is filled with all kinds of objects: kettles, pots, blankets, barrels, even a cradle… and I swear I spotted a bucket hanging from the ceiling. Why? Why not.
If you need a recommendation of a food to try in Poland try Pierogi dumplings. They also have a vegetarian option filled with cheese. But any meat-potatoe dish will be very hearty and tasty.
And we had to skip the dessert in favour of a salty local snack.
Cheese lovers, this is your moment
Your first encounter with Zakopane’s famous cheese will most likely be on Krupówki Street. Stalls line the street selling this local specialty in many variations — smoked or unsmoked, saltier or milder, sometimes even with extras like tomatoes.
In taste, it somewhat resembles the braided cheese you can find in Latvia.
But when it’s grilled and served with cranberry jam, it reaches a whole new level. The texture, however, is quite unusual — slightly rubbery, and definitely an experience.
And just like that — with our bellies full and our hearts even fuller — it’s time to wrap up our Zakopane adventure and head back to Kraków.
Is it worth traveling to Zakopane?
Absolutely.
Once again, I have to say this was only a small glimpse of what Zakopane has to offer — the list of things to do in Zakapone is far longer than what we managed to experience in just two days.
And yet, even in such a short time, I already fell in love with it. There’s something undeniably magical about the mountains — something that lingers long after you’ve left.
So… are you already packing your bag?
More ideas for your Poland trip