Zakopane Summer Travel Guide: What to See, Do & Stay
“Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing.”
Looking for the perfect place for a quick summer getaway? You’ve come to the right spot! Zakopane, often dubbed the winter capital of Poland, transforms into a summer paradise filled with exciting activities and breathtaking adventures once the snow melts. Located at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, this charming town in southern Poland offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, outdoor thrills, and cultural experiences.
Whether you're looking for adrenaline, hiking the rugged trails, or simply soaking in stunning mountain views, Zakopane has something for everyone. There are countless things to do in Zakopane, and depending on how much time you have, the list can go on and on.
Here, I'll share the top must-see activities and adventures that I always visit and recommend to others. Get ready to explore, have fun, and fall in love with one of my favorite spots in the world.
Let’s go - Here are some fun activities, mountain adventures, and more for your summer trip to Zakopane:
Is Zakopane worth visiting in summer
In one word? Absolutely. While Zakopane is mostly known as the winter capital of Poland, there’s honestly so much to do here during the warmer months as well. Between the mountain hikes, thermal baths, cable cars, lakes, rafting activities, and endless viewpoints, it’s one of those destinations where it’s genuinely difficult to get bored.
One thing I also really loved about visiting Zakopane in summer is the weather itself. Because you’re surrounded by the mountains, temperatures usually stay much more pleasant compared to some other European summer destinations, or even Kraków, and there’s often a nice breeze even on warmer days.
Whether you want to spend your trip hiking through the mountains, relaxing in thermal baths with mountain views, or packing your days with outdoor activities, Zakopane is definitely worth visiting in summer.
Prefer visiting during the snowy season instead? I’ve also got a dedicated Zakopane winter guide here.
Can you visit Zakopane as a day trip
Yes, absolutely. While I do think Zakopane is worth staying a few days for if you have the time, it also works really well as a day trip from Krakow. In fact, there are plenty of organized day tours that take you from Krakow to Zakopane and cover most of the highlights, usually ending the day at one of the thermal baths.
If you don’t have a car, I’d honestly recommend going for one of these organized trips because it’s just the easiest and most convenient option. You don’t have to worry about parking, public transport, or figuring out the mountain roads yourself, and most tours already include stops at the main attractions.
If you do have your own car though, I’d recommend leaving as early as possible, especially during summer. Traffic between Krakow and Zakopane can get pretty brutal, particularly on Friday and Sunday evenings when everyone heads into or out of the mountains for the weekend.
If you only have one day in Zakopane and want to make the most of it, this is usually the route I recommend. Start by parking somewhere near the middle of Krupówki Street so you can easily explore the center afterward. From there, walk to the Gubałówka funicular station and take the train up the mountain. Once at the top, you can walk along Gubałówka before taking the ski lift back down the mountain and walking back toward the center of Zakopane. Afterward, I’d head straight to Chochołowskie Termy for a few hours to relax.
Honestly, this is usually the exact route I end up doing whenever I take friends or family on a quick Zakopane day trip because it gives you a little bit of everything — mountain views, a little culture, and thermal baths — without feeling too rushed.
How to get to Zakopane from Kraków
There are quite a few ways to get from Krakow to Zakopane. You can drive there yourself, take a bus or train, or join one of the many organized tours that leave daily from Krakow. The drive usually takes around two hours, although traffic can get pretty bad once you get closer to Zakopane, especially during weekends and holiday periods, because of the smaller mountain roads leading into town.
Personally, if you’re only visiting Zakopane for the day, I’d actually recommend booking an organized trip. Most tours already include the main highlights, beautiful mountain views, and a stop at one of the thermal baths, which honestly makes it one of the easiest ways to experience Zakopane without having to stress about parking or planning the route yourself.
If you’re staying a little longer, I do think having your own car makes the experience much easier, especially during summer when you’ll probably want to explore different hikes, mountain villages, and thermal baths outside the center of Zakopane. Most hotels and apartments offer parking nearby, and there are plenty of parking areas around town as well.
One thing to keep in mind, though: Zakopane gets BUSY during weekends and holidays. Traffic heading into town can get pretty brutal, parking lots fill up quickly, and most parking areas still only accept cash payments, so definitely make sure to bring some with you. There are taxis available around Zakopane as well, although apps like Uber aren’t nearly as widely used here. During peak periods, especially, taxi prices can become surprisingly expensive, particularly if you’re staying outside the center or in one of the neighboring towns.
Best things to do in Zakopane
One of the reasons I love Zakopane so much in summer is that there’s genuinely so much to do. One moment you’re taking a cable car up the mountains for panoramic views, and the next you’re walking through the center, eating oscypek, or heading out for a hike in the Tatras.
Here are some of my favorite things to do in Zakopane during summer, including which activities are actually worth it, whether you need to book them in advance, and a few practical tips.
Stroll the Krupówki
No trip to Zakopane is complete without a walk down Krupówki, the town’s most famous street. This lively pedestrian street is the heart of Zakopane, filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants. As you stroll along Krupówki, you’ll find everything from traditional Highlander crafts to modern boutiques. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the atmosphere, watch people, and try some local treats. Whether you’re shopping for souvenirs, tasting delicious Polish food, or just soaking up the lively vibe, Krupówki is a must-see.
Depending on where you’re staying (my accommodation recommendation is at the bottom of this post), I suggest starting at the top of Krupówki and making your way down. This route allows you to combine your day with a visit to Gubałówka.
Enjoy scenic views from the Gubałówka
A visit to Gubałówka is a must when you're in Zakopane. This popular spot offers stunning views of the Tatra Mountains and the town below. You can take a funicular ride up to the top, which is an adventure in itself. There are ticket machines that take cards right by the entrance, so don’t worry about booking ahead. You can choose between a round-trip (44 PLN +- €10) or one-way (34 PLN +- €7). I usually take one-way (you’ll find out why in a second).
Once you’re there, you’ll find plenty to do, from enjoying local snacks at the small food stalls to browsing through the souvenir shops. There are also restaurants with scenic views, making it the perfect spot to get some lunch while taking in the scenery.
Take the bobsleigh on the Gubałówka
While you're up there, don't miss the chance to ride the bobsleigh on Gubałówka. It's a fun experience for both kids and adults. The bobsleigh track twists and turns, giving you an exciting ride with beautiful views all around. It’s a great way to add some adventure to your trip. One slide will set you back about 19 PLN, which is about €5.
Just keep in mind that it does get busy, especially in summer, so be prepared to wait in line a bit.
Take the Ski Lift
If you continue walking to the end of Gubałówka, you’ll run into a ski lift that takes you back down. Taking the ski lift is convenient and offers breathtaking views of Zakopane and the surrounding mountains. It’s a relaxing way to descend after exploring Gubałówka, giving you a chance to soak in the scenery one last time.
What I usually do is take the tram up, turn left onto Gubałówka (following the street) to the ski lift, and take the ski lift down. After the ski lift ride, you'll walk back to the bottom of Krupówki, which takes about 15 minutes. This way you’ll get to experience both the tram and the ski lift — a win-win.
Hike the Kasprowy Wierch
Looking to go on an adventure in the mountains while on your trip? You’ve got it! Hiking Kasprowy Wierch is an exhilarating adventure that offers options for different skill levels, from leisurely strolls to challenging ascents, all with breathtaking views of the Tatra Mountains. At the summit, a restaurant awaits where you can refuel and soak in the stunning mountain scenery (there’s also one next to the cable car if you want to rest before or after your adventure). For those who prefer a more relaxed approach, take the cable car either up or down.
My recommendation? Ride up and then enjoy the easiest trail down, a scenic 3-hour walk through Zakopane's picturesque landscapes. Remember to book your cable car ticket online (this is the official site) with a time slot to skip the busy lines. Also, don’t forget to bring plenty of water and a snack for your hike; trust me, you’ll need it.
Explore Splyw Dunajcem
Thinking about a fun adventure outside Zakopane? Consider a Splyw Dunajcem trip! This scenic rafting journey along the Dunajec River offers stunning views of the Pieniny Mountains and lush landscapes. If you don’t have a car, joining an organized trip from Zakopane is convenient as it’s outside the city. However, even if you're driving, keep in mind that you'll need to take a bus from the end of the river back to the parking area, so factor that into your time (and ticket!) there.
It’s definitely a day trip, but trust me, it’s worth it, especially on a sunny day! You’ll glide peacefully through the river’s gentle currents, surrounded by nature. The guides share interesting local stories, adding a touch of history to your experience.
Take in the views of Morskie Oko
Thinking about a memorable adventure in Zakopane? Consider visiting Morskie Oko! This stunning lake is nestled amidst the Tatra Mountains and offers breathtaking views that are well worth the roughly 2-hour hike up and down. It's definitely an easier walk compared to more challenging hikes like Kasprowy Wierch, with a paved path that makes the journey smoother.
You can't reach Morskie Oko by car, but horse-drawn carts are available. However, stories suggest these carts might strain the horses due to their capacity, so if you’re able, I recommend the scenic walk instead. Once there, you can relax and enjoy the serene surroundings or refuel at the on-site restaurant.
The Best Thermal Baths Near Zakopane
One thing you absolutely can’t skip when visiting Zakopane is the thermal baths. There are quite a few you can choose from in the area, but the three most popular ones are actually located just outside Zakopane itself: Chochołowskie Termy, Terma Bania, and Bukovina Thermal Baths.
All three offer a pretty similar setup overall, with indoor and outdoor thermal pools, mountain views, pool bars where you can order cocktails while sitting in the water, and water slides for both adults and kids. The biggest difference really comes down to the atmosphere and overall size.
Chochołowskie Termy is by far the largest and most lively of the three, which also makes it the busiest option, especially during weekends and holidays. It’s also the thermal bath most organized day trips from Krakow tend to include. Terma Bania feels a little more modern and is divided into smaller sections, while Bukovina Thermal Baths has a calmer atmosphere and feels much more focused on relaxation.
Personally, if you’re only visiting Zakopane for a short trip and want the most iconic and overall fun experience, I’d probably recommend heading to Chochołowskie Termy. There’s just a lot to do there, and it works really well whether you’re visiting as a couple, with friends, or as a family.
Keep in mind that the thermal baths are outside Zakopane. This means you’ll have to take your own car if you’re not in Zakopane on an organized trip. Don’t have one? Then the baths also offer a pick-up in Zakopane. You can check the prices and the options on their website.
Want to know more about Chochołów Thermal Baths? I’ve created a full guide about what you need to know before your visit.
Where to stay in Zakopane
Where you stay in Zakopane really depends on the kind of trip you’re looking for. If you want restaurants, shops, and Krupówki right on your doorstep, staying in the center is definitely the most convenient option. But if mountain views and a quieter atmosphere are more important to you, staying slightly outside Zakopane can completely change the experience as well.
Staying Near Krupówki
Whenever I visit Zakopane, I usually stay at Mountain Shelter Apartments right next to Krupówki. The location is honestly hard to beat, especially if you want to explore Zakopane on foot. Whether you’re arriving by bus or by car, everything feels very convenient, and they also offer underground parking, which makes a huge difference during busier periods.
The property offers different apartment sizes ranging from studios to larger one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Over the years, I’ve stayed in several of them depending on the trip, and they’re all fully equipped with kitchens, washing machines, dishwashers, microwaves, and pretty much everything else you might need for a longer stay.
Staying In Kościelisko
During my most recent trip, though, I actually stayed in one of Mountain Shelter Apartments’ cabins in Kościelisko, located above Gubałówka — yes, the same mountain where the famous funicular takes you. The views there were incredible.
If you prefer a slightly quieter mountain atmosphere, this is such a nice option. The cabins are fully equipped, usually have multiple bedrooms, and feel much more peaceful compared to staying directly in the center of Zakopane. Waking up with mountain views all around you feels completely different from staying in town.
Personally, I really loved staying there for the mountain views, and summer honestly feels like the perfect time to experience that side of Zakopane. While the snowy winter views are even more magical, getting up and down the mountain can become a bit trickier. You’ll need a proper car with winter tires, and since you’ll be driving everywhere from Kościelisko, it’s definitely less convenient in the snow.
Why I Keep Booking Mountain Shelter Apartments
One thing I also really like is that the apartments and cabins are pet-friendly, which means my cat always joins me there and absolutely loves it. Most stays also come with balconies, and after long days hiking in the mountains, it’s such a nice place to come back to and relax for the evening.
I’ve been visiting Zakopane twice a year since I was a child, so I’ve stayed in a lot of different apartments and locations over the years. But I always end up coming back here because the combination of the locations, apartment sizes, and convenience is genuinely difficult to beat.
Insider tip: if you book through Booking.com, the apartments and cabins are listed individually by number, and every stay is slightly different. That means you book the exact apartment or cabin you see in the photos, which I personally love because I know exactly what to expect before arriving. Just make sure to carefully check the photos and descriptions before booking so you can choose the stay that fits your trip best.
Where to eat in Zakopane
One thing you definitely won’t struggle with in Zakopane is finding places to eat. There are plentyyyy of restaurants all over town, ranging from traditional Polish highlander spots to more modern cafés. And compared to cities like Kraków for example, the prices are still pretty reasonable in my opinion, even in the more touristy areas.
You’ll see oscypek cheese everywhere, usually grilled and served with cranberry jam, alongside hearty dishes like kwaśnica and żurek soup, pierogi, grilled meats and wild game, and classic Polish comfort food like kotlet schabowy or golonka.
And one last thing: if you haven’t tried piwo z sokiem yet (beer with raspberry syrup) definitely give it a chance before judging it. It’s one of those very Polish things you’ll see people drinking everywhere in Zakopane (and all around Poland, honestly) during summer.
What I mostly really like about Zakopane is that even some of the more “touristy” restaurants still serve genuinely good food, so you can’t really go too wrong here.
Here are a few places I always end up going back to whenever I’m in Zakopane:
Karczma Bąkowa Zohylina
This is probably one of the most famous traditional restaurants in Zakopane, and over the years it has definitely become more of a tourist spot than a local hidden gem. That said, I’ve been coming here ever since I was a kid — genuinely for more than 20 years at this point — and I still keep going back. The food is still really good, the prices have gone up over the years but still feel pretty reasonable to me, and during weekends or busier holiday periods they often have traditional highlander bands playing live music.
They actually have two locations: one right near Krupówki and another one slightly further up called Zohylina Wyżnio. The one near Krupówki is much busier and smaller, so if you want a better chances of getting a table, I’d definitely recommend heading to Wyżnio instead. They also take reservations there, which is a huge plus during summer.
Restauracja Po Widoki
If you’re already up on Gubałówka and looking for a place to stop for lunch, Restauracja Po Widoki is a really solid option. It’s nothing fancy, but the views are beautiful, the food is genuinely decent, and the prices are surprisingly fair considering how touristy the location is.
They serve lots of traditional Polish mountain dishes like oscypek cheese, grilled fish, żurek soup, and kotlet schabowy. You’ll find it all the way at the far end of Gubałówka — so after exiting the funicular, keep walking toward the right side until you reach the end.
Ziębówka
Okay, this one is my absolute favorite favorite favorite place to eat around Zakopane. Unlike some of the restaurants in the center, this still feels much more local, although people from outside Zakopane have definitely started discovering it over the past few years.
My aunt, who lives in Zakopane, recommended it to me years ago, and now I genuinely go back every single time I visit. The food is traditional Polish highlander cuisine but with a slightly more modern twist, and it’s exceptionally good. The prices are also still really fair. I think we usually end up paying around €60 total for two people, including food and drinks, which honestly feels more than reasonable for the quality.
The only small downside is that it’s located outside Zakopane itself in Witów, so you’ll need a car to get there. That said, it’s actually perfectly located if you’re heading toward Chochołowskie Termy or hiking in Dolina Chochołowska, so it’s easy to combine with a day trip.
They also don’t take reservations, so there can sometimes be a wait, but it’s usually nothing too crazy. Highly, highly recommend though, genuinely one of my favorite places in the area.
Sushi Yama
And finally, because sometimes you just randomly crave sushi in the mountains and can’t stop thinking about it, we recently ordered from Sushi Yama in Kościelisko, and it was surprisingly really good as well.
Small warning though, because this turned into absolute chaos for me... They don’t have online ordering, so you actually need to call and pick the order up yourself. The problem is that there are multiple Sushi Yama locations across Poland, and they all look VERY similar online.
So naturally, I thought I had found some clever online loophole somewhere… except I accidentally ordered from a completely different Sushi Yama on the other side of Poland. By the time I realized, they had already started making the food, so I felt so bad that I still ended up paying for part of the order. In my defense, their logos, websites, and Instagram pages all look almost identical, and nowhere does it very clearly say which city you’re ordering from until it’s too late…
Anyway… funny story now, stressful at the time. But the sushi itself was genuinely really good and also not ridiculously expensive.
Practical tips for your trip to Zakopane
Bring cash with you, especially if you’re driving around Zakopane. Most restaurants and cafés accept cards without any problems, but many parking lots still only accept cash.
Zakopane is very tourist-friendly, and lots of people speak English, but learning a few basic Polish words is always appreciated. Even something simple like dzień dobry (hello) or dziękuję (thank you).
Wear proper walking shoes, even if you’re not planning to do long hikes. Many mountain paths, viewpoints, and hiking trails can get uneven, rocky, or slippery pretty quickly.
There are buses and minibuses available between Zakopane and nearby villages or hiking areas, but having your own car definitely makes exploring the region easier and much more flexible.
If you’re staying outside the center in places like Kościelisko, keep in mind that you’ll probably be driving quite a bit between restaurants, thermal baths, hikes, and viewpoints.
Zakopane gets very busy during sunny weekends and holidays, especially in summer. If you can, try avoiding driving into Zakopane on Friday evenings or leaving on Sunday evenings because traffic can become pretty brutal.
Even during summer, temperatures can drop quite a bit in the evenings because of the mountain air, so definitely bring a sweater or light jacket with you.
Zakopane is pet-friendly. You’ll see dogs everywhere, from restaurant terraces and cafés to mountain cabins and hiking trails, and many hotels and apartments allow pets as well.
Bring flip-flops and your own towel to the thermal baths if you can. Rentals are available, but they are unnecessarily expensive.
And lastly, please don’t use the horse carriages or horse rides around Zakopane and Morskie Oko. The route is extremely demanding for the horses, especially during warmer days and busy periods, and there have been ongoing concerns around animal welfare for years.
There you have it - a list of everything you need to know for your next trip to Zakopane. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. Happy Travels!
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