Where to Stay in Zakopane: Best Areas & My Recommendations
“The hills are alive”
I’ve been visiting Zakopane since I was a kid, and for most of my childhood, we stayed at my aunt and uncle’s place right in the center. They lived in a building on Krupówki, Zakopane’s main street, which, as a kid, I thought was pretty much the perfect place to be. You walked outside and everything was right there: shops, restaurants, cafés, and what felt like thousands of people walking past at any given moment. It also meant hearing people shouting in the middle of the night, but somehow that was all part of it.
About ten years ago, they sold the building and moved to Kościelisko. At first, I didn’t really understand why they would want to leave such a convenient location. They wanted somewhere quieter and, most importantly, somewhere with views of the mountains. Then I stayed at their new house and completely understood. I absolutely fell in love with the views from Kościelisko.
What I also quickly learned, though, is that staying outside Zakopane isn’t always the most practical option. Driving back and forth every time we wanted to go into town became a bit of a pain, so over the years I started renting different places in and around Zakopane instead. More recently, I’ve also been visiting with bigger groups, which makes renting our own place the much more practical option.
I still visit at least twice a year, and over the years I’ve stayed in quite a few different places both in and around Zakopane. Sometimes that has meant being right back in the middle of everything, while other trips have taken me much farther away from the crowds.
So, is it better to stay in Zakopane itself or head somewhere outside town? And how much does having your own transportation change the answer? After years of doing both, I definitely have some thoughts.
In this guide:
Planning the rest of your trip? Check out my Zakopane Travel Guide for my favorite things to do, see, and eat while you’re there.
Let’s get into it - Here’s everything you need to know to plan your stay in Zakopane:
Staying in Zakopane
When you think of staying in Zakopane, you’re probably thinking somewhere around Krupówki and the center. This is where you’ll find most of the restaurants, cafés, shops, and, of course, plenty of places to stay. It’s busy, there are people everywhere, and there’s pretty much always something going on.
But Zakopane doesn’t end at Krupówki. There are lots of hotels and apartments farther away from the center too, including some really nice spa hotels. You’re technically still staying in Zakopane, but depending on the location, you might already need to drive or take a taxi if you want to go for dinner or spend some time around Krupówki.
And I think that’s worth paying attention to when you’re booking. If I’m staying in Zakopane, I personally want to be close enough to the center that I can actually enjoy the convenience of it. I want to walk outside, have a supermarket nearby, grab a takeaway coffee, or decide at 8 PM that I feel like going out for dinner without having to think about how I’m getting there.
Once I’m far enough out that I need to get in the car anyway, I’d usually rather go properly outside Zakopane. There are some beautiful spa hotels around town, but if I have to drive everywhere regardless, I’d rather stay somewhere with those incredible mountain views and drive to one of the actual thermal baths when I want a spa day.
I also think staying in the center is the easiest option if you don’t have your own transportation. And if you’re visiting Zakopane in winter, there’s another thing to consider: snow. Staying down in Zakopane is a lot easier than driving up into the mountains when it’s been snowing heavily. If you’re comfortable driving in snow and have a suitable car, then by all means go for those mountain views. But if you’re not, I’d personally rather stay down in town and make my life easier.
If you are bringing a car, definitely check the parking situation before booking. There is public parking around Zakopane, but most of it is paid, and the cost can quickly add up. Bigger hotels will generally have their own parking, but with smaller hotels and apartments, I wouldn’t assume it’s included.
The obvious trade-off is that the center of Zakopane gets busy. Very busy. And while you can still find rooms and apartments with mountain views, you’re generally not getting the same jaw-dropping views you can find when you stay higher up outside town.
Where I Stay: Mountain Shelter Apartments
When I decide to stay in Zakopane, I almost always end up back at Mountain Shelter Apartments. I think I’ve stayed there around six times now, in several different apartments depending on who I’m traveling with. At this point, the receptionist actually remembers me and no longer asks for my documents when I check in. Although I have a feeling the cat might have something to do with that. Apparently, not that many people bring their cat to Zakopane. Who would have thought?
The location is probably the biggest reason I keep coming back. Mountain Shelter is right in the center, where Krupówki splits around a square, and you can turn onto a parallel street. That means you’re basically right on Krupówki without actually having people shouting outside your window in the middle of the night. For me, it’s pretty much the best of both worlds.
The apartments themselves are also spacious, modern, and really well equipped. They’re serviced apartments, so you get a lot of the convenience of staying at a hotel, but with the extra space and freedom of having your own apartment. There’s a proper kitchen with things like a dishwasher and coffee machine, so you can make breakfast or cook if you want to, without it feeling like you’ve rented an Airbnb where you’re completely on your own.
For the past three years, I’ve always booked the Penthouse Apartment. One thing I particularly like about Mountain Shelter is that you can choose the exact apartment you want when booking, rather than just selecting a room category and seeing what you get when you arrive. The apartments are numbered, so once you find one you like, you can simply book the same one again.
I keep going back to the Penthouse because of the high ceilings and how light it feels while still being cozy. It also has a balcony, which is always a plus for me. But I’ve stayed in several of their other apartments too, including different sizes and different sides of the building, and being able to choose between them makes it particularly useful when I’m traveling with a bigger group.
Find a Place to Stay in Zakopane
Not sure Mountain Shelter is right for you? Check what else is available in Zakopane for your travel dates…
Staying Outside of Zakopane
Staying outside Zakopane is a completely different experience, and for me, the biggest reason to do it is the views. There are plenty of towns and villages around Zakopane where you can stay, but you don’t need to start researching every single one. I think it makes much more sense to choose based on what you actually want to do during your trip.
Kościelisko is probably my favorite option, and honestly, I don’t need a much better reason than the view. I particularly like staying around Salamandra, the road that runs uphill through Kościelisko toward the Gubałówka area. You’re higher up and well outside the busy center of Zakopane, and there are lots of apartments and cabins here with incredible views across to the Tatra Mountains. We stayed there again in early summer recently, and it reminded me exactly why I love staying up here so much.
The downside is that there really isn’t much around you. If you want to grab a coffee, go to a restaurant, or suddenly realize you’ve run out of something basic, you’re probably getting in the car. Krupówki is only around a 15-minute drive away depending on traffic, so it’s hardly a major journey, but in winter that can feel very different.
I learned that one evening when it was already dark, there was a lot of snow, and our cabin at the time had a ridiculously steep driveway. We realized we needed something from the store, and as someone who isn’t used to driving in snow, I took one look outside and decided absolutely not. We ordered in instead.
So I think Kościelisko works particularly well if you want more of a cabin-in-the-mountains type of trip and have your own transportation. If you’re visiting in winter and aren’t comfortable driving in snow, I’d think twice about staying higher up, especially around Salamandra.
It’s also worth comparing prices rather than assuming staying outside Zakopane will be cheaper. Places with those panoramic mountain views can get pretty expensive. On the other hand, a lot of the cabins and apartments have two or more bedrooms, so when you’re traveling as a group, the price can suddenly make much more sense when you split it between everyone.
Other Places to Consider Outside Zakopane
Kościelisko isn’t the only reason I’d consider staying outside Zakopane. If you’re planning a winter trip around skiing and thermal baths, it can actually make more sense to stay close to those rather than treating Zakopane as your base.
Białka Tatrzańska is probably the best example. Around Kotelnica and Terma Bania, you can essentially stay, ski, eat, and go to the thermal baths in the same area. If that’s the kind of winter trip you’re planning, I’d much rather stay there and have everything around me than drive back and forth to Zakopane every day.
Witów is another area I’d consider if your plans are focused more on the western side of the region, particularly if you want to ski around Witów and spend time at Chochołowskie Termy.
Dzianisz is another popular option nearby if you’re mainly looking for a quieter mountain stay.
Beyond that, though, I wouldn’t keep moving farther and farther away from Zakopane just to find accommodation. Once you’re outside town, having your own transportation becomes much more important, and taxis can get pretty expensive.
Where I Stay: Mountain Shelter Salamandra
And yes, Mountain Shelter again. This is not sponsored. Mountain Shelter, if you’re reading this, please sponsor me.
This is where the views really shine. The apartment has much more of that cabin-in-the-mountains feeling you probably picture when you think of a ski chalet, with incredible views of the Tatras both from inside and from the huge terrace. There’s plenty of space outside to sit and enjoy the view, but even when it’s too cold to spend much time on the terrace, you don’t exactly have to give it up when you go inside.
It’s also a really good option if you’re traveling as a group. There are two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a pull-out sofa, and a fully equipped kitchen with everything you need if you want to cook rather than drive into Zakopane for every meal.
I’d definitely stay here again, and I’m actually planning to come back in winter. I’ve already seen those views in early summer, so naturally, I now need to see what they look like covered in snow.
Which option is the best for your trip?
The great thing about Zakopane is that you can plan completely different trips here. The downside is that getting everything you want in one place can be difficult, if not impossible. The cabin with incredible mountain views probably isn’t going to have restaurants and shops outside the door, while the apartment right on Krupówki isn’t going to give you the same peaceful mountain setting.
So before you book, I’d ask yourself a few questions:
Will you have your own car?
If you’re driving yourself from somewhere like Kraków, you’ll have much more flexibility to stay outside Zakopane. If you’re arriving by bus or train and won’t have a car once you’re there, I’d stay in central Zakopane where you can walk to restaurants, shops, and Krupówki without having to rely on taxis.How important are the mountain views?
If waking up to the Tatras is high on your list, I’d look outside Zakopane, particularly around Kościelisko.Who are you traveling with?
Think about how much space you’ll actually want during the trip. If you’re traveling with a bigger group, a full-size cabin with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms can make much more sense than several separate hotel rooms. The same goes for families with children, where having a living area and some outdoor space can be really useful. If it’s just the two of you, you probably don’t need quite as much space and have a lot more flexibility in where you stay.What’s your budget?
Don’t assume staying outside Zakopane will save you money. Some of the cabins and apartments with the best mountain views can be surprisingly expensive. Mountain Shelter Salamandra, for example, can cost between € 300 and € 400 a night, which is a lot for Zakopane. That price can make much more sense when you’re splitting it between a bigger group, but as a couple, I’d definitely compare it with what you could get in central Zakopane for the same amount.What are you actually coming to Zakopane to do?
If your winter trip is mainly about skiing and thermal baths, somewhere like Białka Tatrzańska or Witów might make much more sense than Zakopane itself. If restaurants, shopping, and spending time around Krupówki are a bigger part of your plans, I’d stay central.Are you comfortable driving in snow?
A 15-minute drive sounds like nothing until it’s dark, snowing, and there’s a steep driveway between you and the nearest shop. If that doesn’t sound like your idea of fun, staying central might be worth sacrificing the view for.
For me, the answer changes from trip to trip. Sometimes I want to walk straight out onto Krupówki, and sometimes I’d happily trade that convenience for waking up to the Tatras outside my window. Think about what matters most for this particular trip first, and then choose where to stay around that. Zakopane probably has what you’re looking for, you just might not find all of it in the same spot.
There you have it, everything you need to know to choose where to stay in and around Zakopane. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
Happy Travels!
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