„…Even the furthest journey starts from the first step…”
L. TZU
I have recently received several questions from our readers, some even with a slight reproach dlaczego: why have I not yet shown any place from my home country? …. There are several reasons. The most important, however, was the fact that I always wished with the intention of starting Polish routes from Krakow … And this requires from me, for understandable reasons, perfection 😀
However, after giving this issue a second thought , I came to the conclusion, that actually Zakopane, our winter capital of Poland, deserves the : „No. 1” on my Polish list of visited places … First of all, because living literally 2 hours away for many years from this beautiful mountain town, I went there for the first time relatively recently … And I feel honestly ashamed of this fact 🙈. Therefore, this text, encouraging you to go to Zakopane, let it be my little compensation 😀
Before, as an adult, I started traveling on my own, also abroad, I was a great enthusiast of trips to the mountains. Beskids, Tatra Mountains, Bieszczady. Walking many trough trails in those days, it did not even think, that my sentiment for mountain views would be replaced by addiction to sea landscapes … Especially that, as you know, I have never liked winter climates …
But it is definitely worth to visit Zakopane at any time of the year … Although it must be admitted, that we can admire the most beautiful views in summer and winter … It is the largest village near the Tatra Mountains, and one of the largest in the Podhale region. It has a beautiful National Park within its borders, and is the highest situated region in Poland.
From the very beginning, as this area is located near the Polish borders, Zakopane passed from hands to hands for years. It was finally bought at the end of the 19th century by Count Władysław Zamoyski, who created not only the foundations for the mentioned Tatra National Park, but also made Zakopane a real, native resort.
Today Zakopane is a great postcard of Polish mountains. In winter, winter sports enthusiasts come here not only from Poland, but more often now, from other parts of the world. So if you like skis, skates, ice castles or ice labyrinths, then you can find everything here … In the summer, it’s a paradise for mountain climbers. Giewont, Kasprowy Wierch, Gubałówka, Kościeliska Valley, Morskie Oko, Czarny Staw, these are places on the map of this region of Podhale, that you must see. You can reach them on foot, following the trails marked in different colours (remembering about good footwear!), Or by cable car. Regardless of what form of trip we choose, ultimately we will have beautiful mountain landscapes waiting for us. I can only add from my own experience, that climbing these peaks, and getting there on foot, even if sometimes exhausting, with views rewards all the physical effort is worth put into hiking 😀
In addition to picturesque landscapes, Zakopane also offers other attractions. These include, above all, Krupówki, which now has as many supporters as critics. This most famous street of our winter capital is a kind of market, where next to handicrafts, souvenirs or local specialities, you can also shop in a shopping mall, slightly different in style from the rest of the area … But well… the price for being a typical tourist town, unfortunately all over the world is the same …
If you feel like healing relaxation, you can go to Zakopane’s Aquapark, the most popular thermal pool complex in the Tatras. Saunas, slides, all kinds of ways to spend your free time actively, everyone can find something for themselves. Similar baths can be found in neighboring, equally worth visiting towns: Bukowina Tatrzańska, Białka Tatrzańska or in Szaflary.
The so-called „upside-down house” is also an interesting experience … This is a really fascinating place, where we can see how complicated and still inexplicable in some respects is our mind …
Zakopane also has its own museums: Willa Koliba, Tatra Museum, Oscypek Museum or Karol Szymanowski Museum. You can admire not only the works of Polish great authors, but also the diversity of nature surrounding Podhale.
The easiest way to get to Zakopane is of course from Krakow. You can organise the trip yourself, booking accommodation either in hotels or in beautiful highlander houses, where you can learn not only about local traditions, but above all taste real, delicious Polish food. Personally, I can definitely recommend the „U Ewa” rooms in Bukowina Tatrzańska 🙂
If your time is limited, you can book organized trips to Zakopane, such as : a one-day trip from Krakow, or a quad trip, or simply to enjoy nature in the mountains.
In addition to the traditional, and probably the fastest form of travel to Zakopane, with the car, a train also arrives in the city, as well as numerous buses from various available companies. You can find a lot of useful information on the city’s official website.
Finally, you can’t miss ski jumping fans 😀 Here at Wielka Krokiew, you can admire the stars of this winter sport every year, watching participant from all over the world glide down from the mountain Krokiew at a height of 1378m above sea level. It was here, where our Olympics winners – Małysz and Stoch , took their first steps 🙂
Despite its beauty and majestic landscapes, Zakopane has been struggling with the problem of air pollution for years. Without discussing the real causes of the situation here, I think that anyone who cares about the beauty of nature and the remnants of these areas, which are the undeniable treasure of this land, should take into account the most ecological way possible, when visiting of such places … Let’s walk, do not leave rubbish , let’s explore using common sense and respect for the environment !
MyTravelPhilosophy 