Zakopane's winter charm: Tatra Mountains, snowboarding, and must-do programs

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For the fourth year in a row, Ádi and I have returned here during the first months of the year, to escape the seemingly endless January and February that follow the festive rush. Understandably, people might wonder why we, who are always eager to discover new places, choose to spend a few days here every year. The answer is simple: we always find a new side to Zakopane. The place enchants us each time with its fairytale-like mountain chalets, the majestic peaks of the Tatra Mountains, and the delicious food.

This passion began four years ago when we decided to visit Zakopane. Our two main goals were exploring the city and learning how to snowboard. In this article, I’ll share experiences and insights that you might find useful if you visit, along with my personal favorites and the memories tied to them.

"The range of sights and activities in Zakopane and its surrounding areas are nearly endless."

Cozy Christmas spirit at Górska Antresola

When selecting accommodation, two personal preferences guide our decision: it must be within walking distance of Krupówki pedestrian street, and it should have the charm of mountain chalets. For the second time, we booked the Górska Antresola apartment, which completely captivated us. It’s the perfect choice for couples — cozy, romantic, and well-equipped (though a microwave would be a welcome addition).

This year, we spent four nights here, with our schedule largely dictated by our daily two-hour snowboard lessons. One of the best aspects of Zakopane is the variety of ski slopes for both beginners and advanced skiers, located both in the town and nearby. Zakopane is a picturesque place to learn snowboarding, surrounded by the snowy slopes of the Tatra Mountains. The cost of smaller learning slopes is also more affordable, so we don’t have to spend a fortune on ski-lift tickets. After snowboarding, we often explored the city.

Funicular ride to Gubałówka – the best panorama

Gubałówka shrouded in evening mist

The range of sights and activities in Zakopane and its surrounding areas are nearly endless. One of my personal favorites is heading up to Gubałówka, which offers a unique perspective every time. The best time to visit is during the day when there’s no fog, as that’s when you can truly appreciate the view. We’ve experienced it in freezing, snowy weather, under sparkling sunshine, and on foggy evenings. This year, for Valentine's Day, there was a DJ booth set up and an open-air disco with music and light shows entertained the visitors. There was also a quieter corner where you could enjoy a waffle, hot chocolate, or mulled wine while admiring the decorative lights (since the view of Zakopane was obscured by the fog). The Christmas decorations and festive atmosphere still lingered throughout the city and at the top as well. You can reach the top either by hiking or taking the funicular railway. The latter costs 35 PLN per person round trip if you buy a ticket online or 45 PLN if you purchase it in person from the ticket machines. If you’re interested in hiking but worry about getting too tired, I recommend taking the cable car up and hiking down, so you can explore the mountains at your own pace while still enjoying the experience.

Snowlandia's snow maze – an adventure for the whole family

Snowlandia’s winter attractions are also worth a visit. One of the main highlights is the snow labyrinth, where those with a sharp sense of direction can easily find their way out. There’s also an igloo featuring snow and ice sculptures, and the Tatra Educational Park, which introduces the local wildlife. At the other end of the area, there’s a sledding hill for the little ones. This activity can be particularly fun for adults and families with children alike. Bucketlister tip: wear good boots and, if necessary, strap-on anti-slip devices. When we visited, it was very icy, and visitors were slipping and falling like bowling pins. You can find more details and entrance fees on their website.

Snowlandia’s labyrinth from above on a snowy afternoon

Krupówki Street in festive lighting

Krupówki - the most famous street in Zakopane

When we spend a long weekend here, we find ourselves walking through this street every day. Whether we’re just passing by or intentionally wandering around, it’s always a delight. Almost every corner has vendors selling donuts, spiral potatoes, hot chocolate, and mulled wine. My personal favorites are the grilled cheese vendors, where you can savor the local specialty with cranberry jam. From classic, inn-style restaurants to elegant pastry shops, the variety is endless. For those who enjoy shopping, this place is a wonderland filled with boutiques. Interestingly, even in February, the town is still adorned with Christmas lights. This might seem confusing, but it allows Christmas enthusiasts to enjoy the festive atmosphere of Zakopane in Advent without the holiday crowds.

"...you might be wondering why there's no mention of hiking, given the stunning landscape and numerous nearby trails."

Thermal baths: relaxing in steamy water, surrounded by snowy landscapes

If you're looking to warm up after the cold, head to the thermal baths to relax your muscles. There’s also an Aqua park in Zakopane (Termy Zakopanskie), and it’s about a half-hour drive to another thermal bath for example (Chochołowskie Termy). We tried the latter, hoping for fewer crowds than in Zakopane, but we were mistaken. When it comes to pricing, consider how many people are in your group and how long you plan to stay, as some tickets are only valid for a few hours. Chochołowskie Thermal Bath is a larger complex with several thermal pools and services. It boasts most of the hot springs in Poland, so the prices are a bit higher. Among the two huge, indoor-accessible outdoor pools, one features a bar and music in the evening, creating a lively atmosphere, while the other is quieter and more relaxing. This is another excellent option with or without children. After a tiring day of hiking or snowboarding, it’s especially satisfying to relax our tired limbs in the warm water.

Hiking in the Tatra Mountains

Snowy pine forest in the Tatra Mountains

If you've made it this far, you might be wondering why there's no mention of hiking, given the stunning landscape and numerous nearby trails. The reason is quite simple: we primarily came here for snowboarding, and with lessons, other activities, and occasional injuries, hiking wasn't possible. Next year, we plan to focus more on this, so I hope to provide a more detailed report then. One of my top bucket list items is visiting Kasprowy Wierch by cable car. You can buy tickets online, which are limited in number. From personal experience, I recommend purchasing your tickets at least 1-2 days in advance if you expect clear, nice weather, as they sell out quickly, especially on weekends. That’s why we missed it this year. The price of a round trip online is 119 PLN per person. You can also buy tickets for several attractions on the same page. Another more serious, full-day tour is visiting Morskie Oko, considered the most beautiful mountain lake in the Polish Tatras. If you plan to visit, I have at least one useful tip: it’s worth booking tickets for the national park and parking lot online a few days in advance, as it can be significantly cheaper.

"All things considered, I don’t want to give a false impression of this popular city—it does have its downsides."

This year, we managed to accomplish many of our plans, visiting favorite spots, trying new ones, and returning home with plenty of reasons to come back. Recently, I’ve seen numerous posts and videos claiming Zakopane is unenjoyable due to crowds, unfriendly restaurant staff, and high prices. One thing is certain: it does get crowded, especially in the winter months. However, in my experience, February was quieter this time compared to January in previous years. We can mitigate this by choosing our travel dates wisely. Attractions do attract a lot of visitors, but if we're flexible with our timing, we can avoid the rush. As for the people, indeed, we rarely encountered overly cheerful waiters, salespeople, or street vendors, but we accepted this as part of the local culture—people here are just different. Of course, you might get a friendlier reception with a few words of Polish and a smile. Zakopane isn’t cheap, and prices rise every year, but staying in an apartment and cooking at home can help save money.

All things considered, I don’t want to give a false impression of this popular city—it does have its downsides. However, for Ádi and me, Zakopane will always remain a winter wonderland dear to our hearts because of the beautiful memories we’ve shared. It was here that I snowboarded for the first time with the best instructor I’ve ever met and fell in love with a sport that will stay with me for life. It’s also a place where we can relax and unwind, taking some time for ourselves to recharge at the beginning of the year.

Have you ever been to Zakopane? Share your experiences in the comments!

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