If you’re planning a quick getaway spending 48 hours in Zakopane- Poland, is a fantastic choice. Nestled in the Tatra Mountains, Zakopane is a picturesque resort town renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, this town has something for everyone and this blog will tell how to to make the most of your 48 hours in Zakopane.
After spending 5 nights in Krakow we felt like we needed a change of scenery from the city life. We were recommended Zakopane so without any hesitation we booked a bus to the south region of Poland. We could tell we made the right decision to escape from the city as we drove through beautiful scenery to Zakopane. It was a breath of fresh air to be surrounded by beautiful green hills and mountains.
Abit about Zakopane.
Zakopane has a population of 30,000 inhabitants. The unusual location of the town, hidden between a gentle range of Gubałówka and the rocky Tatra summits was a decisive factor in its career as a tourism centre. As early as the end of the 18th century Zakopane, a small and remote village started to attract the first summer holidaymakers and at present attracts over 3 million tourists.
How to get to Zakopane?
Getting to Zakopane is relatively convenient, with various transportation options available. If you’re coming from Krakow, the most common route is by bus or train.
Buses are frequent, providing a direct connection between Krakow and Zakopane in approximately two to three hours. Trains are also available, taking a bit longer but offering a scenic journey through the countryside.
Check car hire prices below.
If you prefer to fly, the closest airport is Krakow John Paul II International Airport. From there, you can take a shuttle bus or taxi to Zakopane, which is approximately a two hour drive away. Regardless of your choice, you’ll find it easy to reach this charming mountain town.
Book your flight to Krakow below.
Where to stay in Zakopane?
The resort town is located in the southern Poland, at the base of the Tatras Mountains. It’s a popular departure point for winter sports and summertime mountain climbing and hiking. Kasprowy Wierch and Gubałówka, reachable by cable car and funiculars are nearby ski destinations offering sweeping mountain views. The town is also known for its turn-of-the-20th-century wooden chalets, symbols of Zakopane-style architecture.
Zakopane has a variety of accommodation suiting all types of travellers. Ranging from luxury hotels, chalets, lodges, apartments, cottages and guest houses.
We booked three nights at Szarotka Pension via Hostel World. Prices range from 30 euros a night. Szarotka Pension is located at the foot of the Tatra Mountains and is a short 15 minutes walk to the main centre of Zakopane. Starting points of mountain routes are close by. All rooms come with a double bed and a small bathroom with shower and toilet. Buffett breakfast ia available for a small fee. You can choose from a wide range of cold meat and cheese, cereal, toasts and jam, hot scrambled eggs and sausages.
Book your accomodation below.
How to spend 48 hours in Zakopane?
Walk through the lush Bialego Valley
Białego Valley (yellow trail) a family-friendly hike, is just a 3-minute walk from Szarotka Pension, nestled between Mount Krokiew and Sarnia Skała. The stream in the valley has carved deep ponds in soft lime rock, forming picturesque waterfalls where the rock is solid dolomite. With a 187-meter vertical drop per kilometer, it boasts the largest drop among Tatra mountain streams. This valley lies within the Stanisław Sokołowski Nature Reserve and is rich in diverse flora, including spruce, beech, and fir trees, along with Alpenrose, Edelweiss, Martagon Lilly, and yew trees. As for fauna, you may spot deer, occasional brown bears, lynx, and wolves.
The upper part of the valley offers steeper terrain. During our hike on the yellow route, rain interrupted us after about 20 minutes. With only one rain jacket and both camera bags, we decided to return to town and savor some local cuisine.
Hike to Morskie Oko
Take a local bus labeled “MORSKIE OKO” from the city center. The bus drops you off at the road entrance. From there, it’s about a two-hour walk to Morskie Oko. Many tourists prefer the journey by horse-drawn cart, often operated by the local Górale inhabitants. The walk is stunning, passing natural rivers, small waterfalls, and towering trees.
Morskie Oko, meaning “The Eye of the Sea,” sits at 1,393 meters (4,570 ft.) above sea level and ranks as one of the Tatras’ most popular destinations. It’s the largest and fourth-deepest lake in the Tatra Mountains, located within the Tatra National Park, Poland, in the Rybi Potok Valley. The lake nestles at the base of the Mięguszowiecki Summits, with surrounding peaks rising about 1,000 meters above the lake’s surface. Among them is Rysy, the highest peak in the Polish Tatras at 2,499 meters. Numerous high peaks encircle the lake, and you can explore trails leading to nearby Czarny Staw, Rysy Peak, and the incredibly beautiful Dolina Pieciu Stawow.
Winter at Morskie Oko
During winter, a brief part of the journey crosses an avalanche danger zone, and even in summer, the area can be chilly and rainy. Situated in front of Morskie Oko lake is the PTTK MORSKIE OKO Hostel, constructed in 1908 by Towarzystwo Tatrzańskie. This popular hostel tends to fill up rapidly due to its excellent location and panoramic views of the lake. Whether you’re an avid hiker or simply seeking a tranquil spot for a lake photo without crowds, staying here is ideal. Families and individuals of all ages embark on the hike to Morskie Oko, and the hostel provides a kitchen and a bar where you can savor a traditional beer or a warm mulled wine before your return journey.
See the spectacular Czarny Staw Lakes
Czarny Staw, meaning Black Pond, is located just above Morskie Oko. Despite its name, the water here appears more bluish than black and lies at an altitude of 1583 meters (approximately 5200 ft.), just below the Polish Tatra Mountains’ highest peak, Rysy, which stands at 2500 meters (8200 ft.) above sea level.
The rocky edge nearby offers an incredibly beautiful vantage point overlooking the valley and Morskie Oko lake below. From this vantage point, you can follow another trail leading to the Rysy peak. To reach Czarny Staw, you’ll need to circle around Morskie Oko, which is a great idea for encountering fewer tourists and enjoying more expansive vistas. Midway, you’ll turn onto the trail to Czarny Staw and ascend the steep path to the top, following the small stream that flows out of Czarny Staw.
Although the entire hike takes no more than an hour one way, it’s not as easy as the paved road leading up to Morskie Oko lake. Along the way, you can appreciate rare alpine flora, including mountain pine. We found Czarny Staw to be a more enjoyable experience than Morskie Oko due to its fewer tourists and breathtaking views, complete with a picturesque waterfall.
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Walk down Krapowki Street
Krupowki is the central the most representative street of Zakopane. Krupowki street stretches over a kilometre in length. The promenades lined with a wide selection of shops, restaurants, hotels and attracts thousands of visitors all year round.
This central attraction of Zakopane has an unrivalled atmosphere, especially at the height of the summer and winter seasons. The street is always vibrant with life. It is here that you can see portray artists, watch various types of street performers, hear the horses stamping on the pavement and smell the Zakopane cuisine specialities and grilled food.
Also I recommend trying the local cheese called ‘Oscypek’ which is sold on this street.
Best places to eat in Zakopane?
Highlander food is not very fancy but is something that you should try. Because of the climate conditions and infertile ground, the main food consisted mainly of potatoes, flour, cabbage, buttermilk, curd and animal fat. The meat was eaten only for holidays and important familiy events and sheeps cheese were usually intended for sale, they weren’t eaten daily. Like any city the closer you eat to the city centre the more expensive the restaurants can be. We eat at these two restaurants below that were walking distance to the city centre but were still reasonably cheap
Bąkowo zohylina wyźnio– We were recommended this restaurant by our guest stay owners. The restraunts is known for having very good traditional food within a cheap price. We enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. We ordered a meat dish here which was under 10 euros each.
Dobra Kasza Nasza– GOOD OUR CROP in English serves healthy polish cuisine with vegetarian and vegan options. We wanted to have a change of cuisine and try a more healthier option. The prices were cheap and the food options healthy. The unique feature about the food was that they add groats/barley to the traditional polish staple. I ordered a main mean of broccoli and barley with a side of salad and all up cost about 5 euros.
Other activities to do in Zakopane.
There are more activities you can do in Zakopane but unfortunatlly we ran out of time. If you do get more time be sure to check out the blow out.
- Gubałówka – Majestic mountain offering hiking trails & a cablecar to the top, with panoramic views of the area.
- Kasprowy Wierch – Kasprowy Wierch or Kasprov vrch is a mountain in the Western Tatras. The mountain is also renowned as one of the most popular ski areas in Poland. Its peak is accessible by cablecar.
- Tatra National Park- Expansive, mountainous national park with lakes, caves, wildlife & miles of scenic hiking trails.
- Giewont – Popular with hikers, this mountain massif in Tatra National Park features 3 peaks & marked trails.
- Rysy – The highest peak in Poland, this popular hiking destination features alpine lakes & views in summer.
Check out some more tours below.
As our unforgettable 48 hours in Zakopane came to a close, we couldn’t help but reflect on the natural beauty, vibrant culture and warm hospitality this charming Polish town had offered us. Whether it was indulging in traditional highlander cuisine, trekking through breathtaking landscapes, or exploring the local markets, Zakopane had left an indelible mark on our hearts.
We hope you enjoyed reading our blog on Zakopane and if you want to read more about Poland check out our blog on Krakow HERE.
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