About Zakopane, Poland

The picturesque town of Zakopane, is Poland's premier mountain resort, and is one of the country's most popular holiday destinations, both for winter ski-ing / snowboarding and summer outdoor pursuits including hiking, climbing and mountain biking. Once mainly a holiday resort for the Poles, Zakopane is blessed with outstanding natural scenery, some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Eastern Europe, and offers a great value-for-money holiday. Prices here are significantly lower than other European resorts which might explain why it's visited by a staggering 2 million tourists a year.

What makes Zakopane so special is the preservation of the traditional highland culture which gives the town and region a unique identity. Zakopane is a small town with pretty, Alpine-style wooden houses which lies at the foot of the Tatra mountain range in South East Poland. Well positioned, it is only 100km from Krakow airport in the north and 70km to Poprad airport in Slovakia, to the south.

The main street through the centre of town - Krupowki, is full of charm with its bars, restaurants, shops and street entertainers. During Christmas and well into the New Year it is beautifully decorated with Christmas lights that complement the town perfectly and gives Zakopane a truly magical feel. Throughout the year you will find Krupowki filled with a street artists and entertainers keeping the town lively and vibrant.

Whether you're a skier, hiker, mountain biker or just want a place to escape to and take in wonderful natural thermal baths; to relax and be surrounded by the splendour of the countryside, the warmth of the local people, and enjoy the delicious Highland cuisine and beer, then Zakopane is a truly wonderful place to visit during any time of the year.

Flights & Transfers:

From the United Kingdom:

The nearest airports to Zakopane are Krakow Balice airport, also Poprad Tatry airport in Slovakia.

Listed below are a few low cost airlines that fly to these airports directly. More and more airlines are flying from the UK and Ireland, so it's worth checking other options as well as these listed below. The flight time is approximately 2 hrs depending on which airport you fly from.

Transfer time from both airports takes between 1.5-2hrs depending on weather and traffic conditions.

Taxi transfer

Taxi transfer can be arrranged from Krakow airport through Zibi, a reliable English speaking driver who has a 7 seater minibus. He can be contacted on 0048-501-305-914 or www.transfers-krakow.com

Places to Visit:

LAKE MORSKIE OKO

One of the most magnificent and picturesque lakes in the Tatra Mountains. Opt to walk or take a Highlanders horse and cart most of the way and experience the beauty and majesty of this special place. There is a restaurant at the lake.

DUNAJEC GORGE AND VALLEY

Set in the Pieniny Mountain range the river Dunajec winds its way through one of Europe's most spectacular mountain gorges.

This trip includes a 2hr gentle raft ride down these mountain gorges which is very relaxing and enables you to completely soak up the amazing scenery.

NIEDZICA AND CZORSZTYN CASTLES

Situated on either side of the huge Lake Czorsztyn these castles are both important in the local history. Czorsztyn castle is a ruin set high above the lake with panoramic views. Niedzica castle, however, has been modified over the centuries and has a museum and restaurant.

AUSCHWITZ / BIRKENAU CAMPS AND MUSEUM

Trips can be organised on request.

WIELICZKA SALT MINE

One of the oldest salt mines in Europe and is the only place in the world where mining has been continuous from the middle ages, and the oldest part of the mine is opened to the public as a museum. It is also on the UNESCO world cultural heritage listing.

You will visit more than 20 chambers with incredible figures and monuments and a chapel all carved out of salt.

Fascinating - a great experience.

AQUAPARK ZAKOPANE

The Aquapark includes both indoor outdoor swimming pools opening onto terraces that face Mount Giewont. One of the main attractions is the Wild River, a winding track imitating the power of a natural rocky stream. Both adults and children can go on the tube water slides, one of them being the highest and longest in Poland ending up in the outdoor swimming pool. Visitors can relax in a number of water-jet shower cabins, cascades, saunas and steam rooms. The Aquapark also offers a small bar, a café, a spa center and a bowling alley. The water supplying the outdoor swimming pool comes from two geothermal wells located on the premises

WORLD CUP SKI JUMP

Another attraction to Zakopane is the world cup ski jump, attracting thousands of people when the ski jumping world cup comes to town. If you are not in town during the actual world cup you can go to the top of the ski jump and imagine you are Eddie the Eagle!

HEALTH SPAS

The majority of the larger hotels have excellent spa and wellness facilities which are open to non-hotel residents and include a variety of treatments and massages to revitalise your body and spirit. In addition to the hotels there are also a number of Thermal Spas in the area - one at Bukowina and another just outside Nowy Targ - both within 10 minutes drive.

RAFTING ON THE DUNAJEC RIVER

Rafting is a popular organised tourist activity that starts south of Kroscienko in the Pieninski National Park. There is a car park,café and visitor centre where tickets for the boat trips are purchased. A minimum of ten people is generally required for a boat trip, so you have to wait until a party of ten is gathered. The boats are punted along the river by local boatmen in national dress, so that you're travelling at a very relaxed pace.

KRAKOW

If you wish to extend your stay and spend a few days exploring this fascinating city then let us know when booking and we will give you the contact details of a company we can recommend to provide you with accommodation in Krakow.