Tourism

Zakopane is a typical tourist town. The businesses run by its inhabitants are aimed mainly towards the tourist market. Numerous travel agencies, hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and sports hire shops ensure service of different standards, each suited to the specific needs and expectations of tourists. Zakopane also offers a wide range of leisure activities, both in Summer as well as in Winter. In Spring, Summer and Autumn, the Tatra mountains attract walkers and mountaineers, while Winter sees the resort become a paradise for skiers. Particularly popular is Kasprowy Wierch ( 1985 m), called the skiers’ ‘Holy Mountain’.

 

 

 

 

A Stroll through Zakopane

 

Any visit to Zakopane must begin with a visit to the Tytus Chałubińskiego Tatra Museum. Its collections of natural, geological and industrial exhibits, relating to Tatran mining and metallurgy, its ethnographic collections, its folk art, including glass paintings, but also its professional art collection. All of these help visitors to learn about the rich heritage of the extraordinary region that is Podhale. The next walk –ul. Kościeliska, known as „Zakopane’s Old Town”. Here, one can still feel the climate of the Zakopane of old, and see how górale –highlanders- lived. Villa Koliba, the first house to be built in the Zakopane style designed by Stanisław Witkiewicz, is now home to the Zakopane Museum of Style. This is one of Zakopane’s magic places. , where the past reigns, and the present can easily be forgotten. In contrast – Poland’s most famous pedestrian street. Krupówki, the street in question, links the square beneath Gubałówka peak with the south side of the town. This popular pedestrian zone, original and eclectic in design, is filled with inns, restaurants and bars,as well as exclusive clothes shops. Here, you can shop for a mountain hike or for a New Year’s party. Tourists, expecially ladies, can spend hours just walking up and down Kropówki. At weekends, the locals gladly join them, meeting familiar faces and chatting. The street is at its most beautiful in winter, during Christmas, and in the last week of August, when participants in the International Highland Folklore Festival sign and dance in a colourful parade. Krupówki can only be compared to Sopot’s Monciak, ul. Bohaterów Monte Cassino. Since 2008, these two pedestrian zones are connected by a special overnight train, „Monciak – Krupówki”. Elegant shops and restaurants, but also stands selling goat cheese and souvenirs, and above all the throngs of tourists, lend Kropówki its specific, unique character. It is the done thing to complain about Kropówki –too expensive, too many people- but sooner or later everyone ends up at Poland’s most famous pedestrian zone.

On Tatran Trails

The immediate closeness of the Tatras mainly draws mountain lovers. The trails in the Tatras will satisfy both Sunday strollers and real high-mountain hikers. However, whenever you strike out on any trail, you must remember that you are in the Tatra National Park, and that everything in it is under protection. For this reason, it is worth getting to know the rules in place in the park, which will help avoid any unpleasant confrontations with the Park Rangers.
An excursion into the Tatras does not necessarily mean conquering the highest summits. Less experienced tourists, or those not in peak condition, can take a walk along the charming subalpine valleys. The most popular among them are: Dolina Strążysk, Dolina Białego, Dolina Olczyska and Dolina Za Bramką. All of them can be reached by the Drogi pod Reglami roads, and it shouldn’t take more than two or three hours to walk their length. The Tatras also have main valleys (leading up to the main mountain-ridge), which are much longer, but are just as manageable as the subalpine valleys. In Dolina Kościeliska and Dolina Chochołowska even tourists completely unaccustomed to mountains can enjoy beautiful limestone and dolomite rock formations, evidence of karst formation (caves etc.) and rich, limestone dwelling plants. Both valleys can be travelled by horse and cart in summer, and by horse and sleigh in winter.

The best viewing point, practically accessible from the centre of Zakopane, Gubałówka (1126 m). From the peak, which can be reached by foot or cable car, a vast panorama of the town and mountains stretches out. In winter, skier can take numerous ski-lifts from here on the south and north sides. Fans of long walks will look forward to the walk along the wide trail of Gubałówka towards the highland villages – Kościelisko, Dzianisz or Zęb, the highest villages in Poland. These places are home to traditional, timber construction and authentic mountain folklore.
High mountain trails, such as Orla Perć or the trawl to Rysy, are recommended only to seasoned tourists, properly-equipped and with a knowledge of the rules of walking in high mountains. Going into the high Tatras, you should be accompanied by a guide, who will not only ensure safety, but will also give interesting information about the Tatras. Climbing enthusiasts will love the various terrain types, from recreational rock-faces through easy ridges up to large walls. The walls of Zamarła Turnia, Kościelec and Mnich are legend, and have been climbed by the best Polish mountaineers, who went on to successfully climb the highest mountains in the World.

ATTENTION!
Whether going for a walk along the valleys, or climbing the high Tatras, remember that tourist safety is a master for the Tatra Voluntary Mountain Rescue Service - Tatrzańskie Ochotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe. TOPR Emergency number +48 601 100 300, +48 18 20063 444