Zakopane in summer – holidays in the Tatra Mountains in Poland

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | Zakopane is located at the foot of the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland and is one of the country's most popular holiday destinations. In winter, skiing is the main attraction, but in summer, green valleys, high mountains, hiking trails and excursions to some of Poland's most beautiful natural areas await. We visited Zakopane by camper van in the summer and discovered a place where magnificent nature mixes with traditional mountain culture – and a lot of touristy junk.

Zakopane – Poland's great mountain resort

Located in the very bottom of southern Poland, near the border with Slovakia and at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, Zakopane is one of Poland's most important centers for mountain tourism, attracting large numbers of visitors both summer and winter.

In the summer, hiking, nature and excursions are the main focus. At the same time, Zakopane is a lively holiday resort with restaurants, shopping, markets and a lively atmosphere that can sometimes almost compete with the mountains themselves for attention.

Zakopane offers special architecture

Something we noticed immediately when we arrived in Zakopane were all the large and imaginative wooden houses. This is because there is a very unique architectural style here – Zakopane style – which was developed by the artist and architect Stanisław Witkiewicz at the end of the 19th century.

The style drew inspiration from the traditional architecture of the mountain people of Podhale and is characterized by wood, steep roofs, carved details, verandas and decorative gables. A famous example is Villa Koliba, which was the first villa built according to Witkiewicz's ideas.

Stroll along Krupówki

In the middle of Zakopane lies the pedestrian street Krupówki, the city's main tourist thoroughfare. People stroll up and down here in a never-ending stream, and the street is lined with restaurants, outdoor cafes, shops and vendors.

Traditional mountain culture is also evident here – albeit in a rather commercial vein. Along the street, restaurants and shops are mixed with stalls selling local products, crafts and souvenirs.

We don't need to deny that Krupówki is touristy. There are plenty of souvenirs, knick-knacks and things you might not have known you needed here. But the people life is an experience in itself and the street is hard to miss during a visit to Zakopane.

Shop at the market at Gubałówka

At one end of Krupówki, the hustle and bustle continues at the large market at the foot of Gubałówka, selling everything from local food products and traditional crafts to woolen goods, leather, wooden objects and souvenirs.

When we were here, there was also plenty of what could best be described as knick-knacks – bags, furs, moccasins, stuffed animals and souvenirs of every imaginable kind. It is lively, colourful and very much Zakopane.

Take the funicular up Gubałówka

Right next to the market is the funicular station up to Gubałówka, which is one of the easiest places to get to for views of Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains.

The funicular takes you up to the Gubałówka ridge at an altitude of 1,123 meters. From there, in clear weather, you have views of Giewont and Kasprowy Wierch, among others. You can also walk along the ridge towards Butorowy Wierch.

Take the cable car to Kasprowy Wierch

For even more impressive mountain views, head to Kuźnice and take the cable car to Kasprowy Wierch. The upper station is located at an altitude of 1,959 meters, just 26 meters below the summit.

From here, the Tatra Mountains spread out in all directions and there are several hiking trails for those who want to continue on foot. Kasprowy Wierch is very popular, so during high season it is wise to plan your visit in advance.

We considered taking the cable car up ourselves, but the tourist information warned us about long queues. In the end, we lost the desire – so we still have Kasprowy Wierch to experience!

Hiking in the Tatra Mountains

Zakopane is primarily a starting point for hikes in the Tatra Mountains. There is everything from relatively accessible valleys to long and demanding tours high up in the mountains.

Popular hiking areas include the Kościeliska Valley, Chochołowska Valley, Strążyska Valley and Hala Gąsienicowa. Those looking for a bigger challenge can choose significantly longer and more demanding trails.

It is important to adapt the tour to your experience, fitness level and current weather conditions. Conditions in the mountains can change quickly.

Hike to Morskie Oko

One of the most famous excursions from Zakopane is to the mountain lake Morskie Oko, surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks in the Tatra National Park.

The hike starts at Palenica Białczańska and the distance up to the lake is about 7.7 kilometers. The official tourist information estimates the walk up to Morskie Oko to take about 2.5 hours.

Morskie Oko is also one of the Tatra Mountains' most popular excursion destinations, so anyone looking for solitude in the mountains should not expect to find it here during high season.

Discover the food culture and traditions of Zakopane

Zakopane is not just about nature. The Podhale region has a strong górale culture, the traditional culture of the mountain people in the area. It is evident in the architecture, music, crafts, food and traditional costumes.

If you want to immerse yourself in the local culture, you can take a walk along the old Kościeliska Street, where several historic wooden houses have been preserved. Here you can also find Villa Koliba and other examples of the special Zakopane architecture.

Also take the opportunity to try the local food. The most famous is probably oscypek, the characteristic smoked cheese from the Tatra Mountains. In the restaurants you can look for rustic dishes from Podhale, preferably on a traditional tavern with wooden decor and local food on the menu.

Zakopane is beautiful – and very touristy

There are two quite different sides to Zakopane. On the one hand, there is the magnificent nature, mountain culture and beautiful old wooden houses. On the other hand, Zakopane is one of Poland's most popular holiday resorts – and it shows.

Krupówki and the area around Gubałówka can be bustling with people, souvenir vendors, restaurants and various tourist attractions during high season. We were fascinated by the contrast as much as by the city itself: behind all the hustle and bustle, the mighty Tatra Mountains rise.

Camping with a motorhome in Zakopane

During our visit to Zakopane, we stayed with our camper at Camping Harenda, a few kilometers outside the center. The campsite was relatively simple, but we received a nice welcome and were able to take a bus into the center of Zakopane. In addition, we had a view of the intensely green nature and the mountains from the campsite.

Our visit was a few years ago, so check current information, prices and service before planning an overnight stay.

More to see and experience in Poland

Of course, there is more to see and experience around Poland. Here you will find reports about places and experiences that you may want to combine your trip with:

• Things to do in Krakow
• The salt mine in Wieliczka
• Baranow Sandomierski Castle
• Polish food – 25 dishes to try