ATOL protected holidays
Zakopane
Summer holidays here are great for...
Walking
Cycling
Mountain biking
Swimming
A Zakopane summer is one for the (story)books. Stunning scenes, sauerkraut soup, hikes and hot springs. Traditional Polish alpine charm at its best.
- Poland’s coolest summer escape
- Folk charm meets mountain adventure
- Breathtaking views, whatever the altitude
Welcome to Zakopane in summer - Poland’s alpine gem where pine-scented air meets mountain thrills and cosy culture. Tucked at the foot of the mighty Tatras Mountains, this laid-back town buzzes with energy in the summer months, offering everything from high-altitude hikes to traditional highlander feasts. Whether you’re an explorer, hot-spring soaker, or just here for the smoked cheese, there’s something to make your heart sing.
Zakopane brings that rare mix of adventure and charm, where kids can toboggan in the sunshine, couples can sip cocktails in thermal pools, and everyone finds their own kind of summer bliss.
- Poland’s coolest summer escape
- Folk charm meets mountain adventure
- Breathtaking views, whatever the altitude
Welcome to Zakopane in summer - Poland’s alpine gem where pine-scented air meets mountain thrills and cosy culture. Tucked at the foot of the mighty Tatras Mountains, this laid-back town buzzes with energy in the summer months, offering everything from high-altitude hikes to traditional highlander feasts. Whether you’re an explorer, hot-spring soaker, or just here for the smoked cheese, there’s something to make your heart sing.
Zakopane brings that rare mix of adventure and charm, where kids can toboggan in the sunshine, couples can sip cocktails in thermal pools, and everyone finds their own kind of summer bliss.
Zakopane
Activities
Hiking & Walking
Zakopane is a hiker’s dream. Sitting on the doorstep of Tatra National Park, the region is rich with trails that range from serene strolls to pulse-raising peaks. It’s easy to dip in and out of nature here - you can explore in the morning and kick back in a beer garden by afternoon. Regular local buses and funiculars take you straight to top trailheads, and even horse-drawn carriages can carry you partway into the mountains. So whether you want storybook lakes, hidden valleys, or those all-important summit selfies, there’s a trail with your name on it.
- Kościeliska Valley - A gently winding walk perfect for families, with caves, streamside meadows and the occasional mountain goat.
- Morskie Oko - Poland’s most famous alpine lake. A two-hour uphill walk (or a horse-drawn ride) brings you to stunning turquoise waters.
- Giewont Peak - A local legend and summit towering over Zakopane, topped with a striking 15-metre-tall steel cross. Best for experienced hikers chasing a challenge.
Zakopane is a hiker’s dream. Sitting on the doorstep of Tatra National Park, the region is rich with trails that range from serene strolls to pulse-raising peaks. It’s easy to dip in and out of nature here - you can explore in the morning and kick back in a beer garden by afternoon. Regular local buses and funiculars take you straight to top trailheads, and even horse-drawn carriages can carry you partway into the mountains. So whether you want storybook lakes, hidden valleys, or those all-important summit selfies, there’s a trail with your name on it.
- Kościeliska Valley - A gently winding walk perfect for families, with caves, streamside meadows and the occasional mountain goat.
- Morskie Oko - Poland’s most famous alpine lake. A two-hour uphill walk (or a horse-drawn ride) brings you to stunning turquoise waters.
- Giewont Peak - A local legend and summit towering over Zakopane, topped with a striking 15-metre-tall steel cross. Best for experienced hikers chasing a challenge.
Cycling & Mountain biking
Gear up for some seriously stunning biking. While you can’t cycle in the national park itself, Zakopane and its surrounds serve up some spectacular routes for road riders, e-bikers and mountain bikers alike (you can easily hire from local shops). Expect rolling hills, forest paths, and those magical Tatras peeking out from behind every bend. It’s wild and wonderful, with enough options to suit both scenery-seeking pedallers and downhill daredevils.
- Chochołowska Valley - A long, scenic ride with a gentle gradient. Great for beginners or families.
- Czorsztyn Lake Loop - Lakeside riding with postcard-worthy views and breezy descents. Ideal for leisurely explorers.
- Bachledówka Trails - Off-road joy with forest sections and proper climbs. Best for mountain bikers after a rugged fix.
Gear up for some seriously stunning biking. While you can’t cycle in the national park itself, Zakopane and its surrounds serve up some spectacular routes for road riders, e-bikers and mountain bikers alike (you can easily hire from local shops). Expect rolling hills, forest paths, and those magical Tatras peeking out from behind every bend. It’s wild and wonderful, with enough options to suit both scenery-seeking pedallers and downhill daredevils.
- Chochołowska Valley - A long, scenic ride with a gentle gradient. Great for beginners or families.
- Czorsztyn Lake Loop - Lakeside riding with postcard-worthy views and breezy descents. Ideal for leisurely explorers.
- Bachledówka Trails - Off-road joy with forest sections and proper climbs. Best for mountain bikers after a rugged fix.
Other things to do
As well as walking and wheeling, Zakopane offers an adventure playground with a folk twist. You can soar over the mountains, raft through river canyons, or soak up the view from a cable car. Culture, thrill-seeking and relaxation all sit side by side. Take your pick:
- Dunajec River Rafting - Drift between cliffs on a wooden raft steered by a guide in a felt hat. Quirky, calm, and utterly scenic.
- Kasprowy Wierch Cable Car - Soar to nearly 2,000m and straddle the Poland-Slovakia border. Good for non-hikers craving alpine excitement.
- Thermal baths - Soak with a mountain view. Chochołowskie Baths offer cocktails, slides and bliss. It's time for a post-adventure chill.
As well as walking and wheeling, Zakopane offers an adventure playground with a folk twist. You can soar over the mountains, raft through river canyons, or soak up the view from a cable car. Culture, thrill-seeking and relaxation all sit side by side. Take your pick:
- Dunajec River Rafting - Drift between cliffs on a wooden raft steered by a guide in a felt hat. Quirky, calm, and utterly scenic.
- Kasprowy Wierch Cable Car - Soar to nearly 2,000m and straddle the Poland-Slovakia border. Good for non-hikers craving alpine excitement.
- Thermal baths - Soak with a mountain view. Chochołowskie Baths offer cocktails, slides and bliss. It's time for a post-adventure chill.
Where to eat and drink
Eating in Zakopane is the culinary equivalent of a warm hug in a timber-clad tavern. The local fare is hearty and highland-inspired, with smoky cheeses, rich soups, and mountain lamb slow-cooked to perfection. But it’s not all meat and folk songs - the town’s food scene also offers fresh, veggie-friendly fare. A few of our top foodie picks include:
- Karczma Przy Młynie - Rustic wooden charm, live folk music and a must-try sauerkraut soup. Perfect for an authentic night out.
- STRH Bistro Art Café - Modern, airy and proudly vegetarian-friendly. Great for brunch and mountain-side people-watching.
- Meta, Seta, Galareta - A bar with a name you’ll mispronounce and a vibe you’ll love. Casual, quirky and a favourite with locals.
Eating in Zakopane is the culinary equivalent of a warm hug in a timber-clad tavern. The local fare is hearty and highland-inspired, with smoky cheeses, rich soups, and mountain lamb slow-cooked to perfection. But it’s not all meat and folk songs - the town’s food scene also offers fresh, veggie-friendly fare. A few of our top foodie picks include:
- Karczma Przy Młynie - Rustic wooden charm, live folk music and a must-try sauerkraut soup. Perfect for an authentic night out.
- STRH Bistro Art Café - Modern, airy and proudly vegetarian-friendly. Great for brunch and mountain-side people-watching.
- Meta, Seta, Galareta - A bar with a name you’ll mispronounce and a vibe you’ll love. Casual, quirky and a favourite with locals.
Zakopane
Map
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Zakopane
Weather average
Average daily high
May
16°C
tempJun
19°C
tempJul
20°C
tempAug
20°C
tempSep
13°C
tempOct
10°C
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All flight-inclusive holidays sold on Heidi are fully financially protected under the ATOL scheme (ATOL 11456)