Zakopane, one of the most beautiful cities in our country, is said to be the winter capital of Poland. It is only 100 kilometers from Krakow, but its local folklore is surprisingly different. Situated at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, the city is home to charming wooden villas designed in the classic Witkiewicz style, adorable little shops, and plenty of traditional family restaurants. Zakopane’s atmosphere reflects a unique coexistence of humans and nature. The city has also been home to many noble Polish artists who have left a tremendous impact on its history. You will begin by visiting a highlander cottage and tasting a traditional highlander sheep’s cheese called oscypek. You will then visit one of the museums, after which you will take the funicular railway to the top of Mount Gubałówka for a breathtaking view of the granite and limestone peaks of the Tatra Mountains. Next, you will have some free time to visit the oldest part of Zakopane, where you can shop at an enormous regional market, and have lunch at one of its restaurants serving local specialties.
How about a day out of the city? Leave Kraków behind and head to Zakopake, a town located approximately 2-hour drive away, to experience a unique folklore of the mountainous area of Poland and enjoy the vistas of the high peaks of the Tatra Mountains.
This region is famous for its local cheese made of sheep milk, called oscypek. There is no better place to taste it than in a wooden traditional hut where it is produced! Before we reach Zakopane, we will have s top at so-called bacówka, an authentic shepherd’s hut, where you will taste this famous smoked cheese.
We will then visit one of the regional museums where you will be able to admire local handicraft. Before your free time, we will ride up by funicular to the top of the Gubałówka Mountain which is a perfect view point to admire the peaks of the Tatra Mountains. Be sure to take pictures of Giewont, a mountain massif which became the symbol of Zakopane and the Podhale region and learn why it is called 'A Sleeping Knight’.
There are so many options to enjoy your free time in Zakopane! Shop at a regional market, stroll around Krupówki street, have a lunch at a traditional restaurant or go off the beaten track to look for the most beautiful wooden villas. Some of them were built even 120 years ago!
After a day full of adventures, we will get back directly to Kraków.
