Coming to Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains for the first time? These are the guides that answer the questions visitors ask us most often – written by someone who lives in Podhale. Start with getting here, then pick your trips.
1. Getting here and getting around
- Kraków Airport to Zakopane transfer – a minibus straight to your accommodation
- How to get to Zakopane – car, train, bus or plane compared
- Zakopane minibuses and buses – getting around without a car
- Driving to Zakopane in winter – what you must have in the car
2. Parking
- Where NOT to park in Zakopane – fines, traps and safe options
- Morskie Oko parking – Palenica Białczańska and how to plan it
3. Where to stay
- Where to stay in Zakopane – the centre or a quieter area?
4. Into the Tatras
- Tatra Mountains for beginners – how to start right
- When NOT to hike in the Tatras – 4 situations to avoid
- Morskie Oko tickets – prices, where to buy, do you need to book
- Kasprowy Wierch – cable car or hiking
- Kościeliska Valley – an easy valley for a first visit
- Chochołowska Valley – the longest valley, crocus season
5. Things to do nearby
- Zakopane attractions – what to see and what to skip
- Dunajec River rafting – route, time and getting back
- SkyWalk Poronin – free bus, SkyWalk bus and parking
6. Zakopane, culture and food
- Krupówki street – the history of Zakopane’s famous promenade
- Wielka Krokiew – the ski jump that became a symbol
- Podhale architecture – an interview with Karpiel Steindel
- Chata Zbójnicka – is this highland inn worth it?
- Poronin – a quieter, cheaper base near Zakopane
Before you go
- Book Morskie Oko parking in the Tatra National Park (TPN) system – in season it fills up before 7–8 am.
- Buy minibus tickets from the driver – city bus tickets are not valid on them.
- Start hikes early and check the forecast for the mountains, not just for the town.
- Install the Ratunek app. Mountain rescue (TOPR): 985 or +48 601 100 300.