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Zakopane Travel Guide: Poland's undiscovered winter sports destination for wellness enthusiasts
Did you know that you can perfectly combine a city trip to Krakow with a few days of skiing or wellness in Zakopane? After a few days Krakow We traded cafés and streets for pine trees and snow, heading towards the mountains. The further we drove, the whiter the landscape became, and the hot chocolate and winter sports vibes became more prevalent. In this new Zakopane Travel Guide, we share our tips for this hidden gem in Poland!
Zakopane © Your Little Black Book
Zakopane travel guide: Poland's most beautiful winter escape from Krakow
Zakopane isn't called Poland's winter sports capital for nothing. The town lies at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, the only place in the country where you'll find such high mountains and impressive views. But don't expect a copy of the Austrian Alps here. Zakopane has a unique character, with open valleys, rugged landscapes, and an atmosphere that feels like a discovery. Everywhere you look, you'll see wooden houses in traditional highland style, giving the village that warm, cozy winter sports feeling. At the same time, it's also the perfect place for relaxation: thermal baths, spa hotels, and wellness are just as much a given here as a day in the snow.
| GETTING THERE: Zakopane is just a few hours' drive from Kraków and is also easily reached by (direct) train. This makes it the perfect way to combine this winter mountain destination with a city break. Team YLBB flew to Kraków in just two hours with easyJet. There are several flights a week from Amsterdam. Find a cheap ticket here >>
Zakopane Train Station © Your Little Black Book
Best time to visit Zakopane in Poland
If, like us, you're primarily looking for spas, wellness, and that ultimate winter feeling, Zakopane is a fantastic destination from mid-November onward. Often, there's already snow, a wintery atmosphere, and the first Christmas markets pop up. In practice, you can enjoy snow and winter vibes here from November until well into April. The official winter sports season usually starts around mid-December, depending on snowfall.
The best spa hotels in Zakopane
Zakopane is Poland's spa paradise and has long been the go-to destination for Poles to unwind and explore the mountains. It's no surprise, then, that you'll find plenty of excellent spa hotels here. These are our three recommendations for staying in Zakopane, all offering wellness facilities. Tip: be sure to schedule a few hours of spa time.
Nosalowy Park
Nosalowy Park is ideal if you're looking for a comfortable and central base. From this hotel, you can walk to the center of Zakopane and the train station in just ten minutes. The wellness area is extensive, with a large swimming pool, saunas, and a Turkish steam bath. The breakfast buffet is also exceptional. We stayed here for two nights to explore the mountains, and it worked perfectly. Comfortable, well-equipped, and reliable.
Nosalowy Park © Your Little Black Book
Slow Tatry Boutique Resort & SPA
Slow Tatry Boutique Resort & SPA is a place where everything comes together: hospitality, a love of nature, and an eye for design. This small-scale boutique hotel is located near the ski lift and has a warm, well-maintained, and personal feel. The rooms are stylish, the bistro is a great place to eat after a day on the slopes, and the breakfast is also one to truly sit down for.
Slow Tatry Boutique Resort & SPA © Booking.com
EnHotel
EnHotel is a true hidden gem in Zakopane. With just fourteen rooms, this hotel feels exclusive and intimate, exactly what you want for a relaxing mountain getaway. The location is perfect: surrounded by greenery, right next to the Tatra National Park and within walking distance of the Kasprowy Wierch cable car. Inside, you'll find a restaurant, bar, and a spa with a sauna and hammam. Everything here is perfect, from the food to the personalized service. Boutique at its finest.
EnHotel © Booking.com
Zakopane travel guide: tips for winter sports & winter activities
Zakopane is the place to be in Poland for winter sports and winter outdoor activities. Don't expect a mega-ski resort like in the Alps, but rather a compact, atmospheric destination where nature, mountains, and winter vibes take center stage.
Skiing & snowboarding
The winter sports season usually starts around mid-December, depending on snowfall. The exact opening dates vary annually and by area. In total, you'll find around 16 kilometers of slopes in and around Zakopane. While not extensive, the scenery makes up for it. After a day on the slopes, it's time for Polish après-ski: accessible, convivial, and unfussy.
Snowboarding & skiing in Zakopane
Cable car to Kasprowy Wierch
Even if you're not skiing, the cable car to Kasprowy Wierch is a must. At the top, spectacular views of the Tatra Mountains await, and—a nice detail—in clear weather, you're literally on the border with Slovakia. Keep in mind that the weather in the Tatras can change quickly; a winter storm in the middle of the mountain is not uncommon.
Kasprowy Wierch Cable Car © Your Little Black Book
Highlander culture & architecture
Take the time to explore the traditional highland houses. These wooden houses, built with sturdy logs and distinctive sloping roofs, are typical of Zakopane.
Zakopane © Your Little Black Book
Winter hiking
Zakopane is perfect for winter walks. From short routes through snowy forests to longer hikes towards valleys and viewpoints. With a little luck, you might even spot deer along the way (I mean, how cute!). Put on some good shoes and take your time, because the scenery here is truly next-level.
Winter walking © Your Little Black Book
Christmas markets in Zakopane
During the winter months, Zakopane hosts a charming, yet relatively small, Christmas market, especially around Krupówki Street. Expect wooden chalets, the aroma of burning wood, and local products like smoked oscypek cheese, wool accessories, and wood carvings. It's more intimate than Kraków, but that's precisely what makes it all the more charming.
Christmas Market © Your Little Black Book
Spa days
If the weather's bad or you just feel like relaxing, a spa day is always a good idea. Perfect for ending your winter trip to Poland in slow mode.
Spaday Nosalowy Park © Your Little Black Book
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Favorite restaurants in Zakopane you want to know
In Zakopane, food is all about comfort food. After a cold day in the mountains, you can tuck into hearty, traditional Polish dishes with meat, potatoes, and pickles—just what you crave after hours in the snow.
| MUST-EAT IN ZAKOPANE: Oscypek with cranberries. You see this smoked mountain cheese everywhere in Zakopane, but trust us: you'll want to try it warm and fresh at least once. The ultimate local comfort food.
Marilor
Marilor is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful restaurants in Zakopane. The elegant interior exudes history and feels both warm and chic. At the beginning of the last century, this was the meeting place for artists and the Polish elite, and that grandeur still exudes, with a modern twist. Today, you can enjoy refined dishes in a stylish setting.
Tadeusza Kościuszki 18, 34-500 Zakopane, Poland
Marilor © Your Little Black Book
Bąkowo Zohylina Niźnio
For traditional Polish food as it was meant to be, head to Bąkowo Zohylina Niźnio. Think wooden tables, a crackling fire, and live Polish music in the evenings. Be sure to order a hot soup to warm up and start, as you should, with rye bread, meat spread, and pickles. Comfort food with a capital C.
Józefa Piłsudskiego 6, 34-500 Zakopane, Poland
Bąkowo Zohylina Niźnio © Your Little Black Book
Leśniczówka u Zięby
Leśniczówka u Zięby feels like a classic mountain hut where time seems to stand still. The atmosphere is warm, the food pure and carefully prepared. Our favorites? The winter tea, smoked oscypek with cranberries, and of course, the pierogies. The lamb stew is also one to remember.
Witów 306, Dolina Chochołowska, 34-512 Witów, Poland
Smoked oscypek at Leśniczówka u Zięby © Your Little Black Book
Why Zakopane Should Be On Your List
Zakopane is one of those destinations that combines everything we look for in a winter getaway. Mountains without mass tourism, plenty of snow for winter sports, but just as much space for spas, wellness, and long evenings spent enjoying the food. It's compact, atmospheric, and surprisingly versatile, making it the perfect destination to combine with a city break in Kraków. Enjoy the tips in this Zakopane Travel Guide! Read the complete Krakow guide with all YLBB tips for a city trip here >>
With love, Dee Dee
Zakopane © Your Little Black Book
Winter walking © Your Little Black Book
Traditional smoked oscypek © Your Little Black Book
This travel guide was created in collaboration with easyJet
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