5 Days in Zakopane: Ultimate Winter Itinerary in Poland’s Tatra Mountains

Nestled in the heart of Poland’s Tatra Mountains, Zakopane offers a winter wonderland experience unlike any other. From snow-covered peaks to cosy wooden chalets, this 5-day itinerary will guide you through the best that Zakopane has to offer—be it thrilling hikes, relaxing thermal baths, or savouring traditional Polish cuisine.​

Having shown you the absorbing views of the drool-worthy Zakopane outdoors already, we now bring you the comprehensive account of our 5-day halt in Zakopane towards the year-end. Without a second thought, I can state that nothing equals the charm of Zakopane when you are on a holiday in Poland. Zakopane, in the southern Polish mountains, sits right on the Poland-Slovakia border, exhibiting the best of southeastern Europe and illustrating a bit of Slovakian and more of Polish traditions.

109 km to the south of Krakow, Zakopane flourishes in the heart of the Tatra and resembles a dreamer’s imagination. We too found it too awesome to handle. During our stay there from December 27, 2017, to January 1, 2018, we extensively explored the pretty mountain town. And guess what!

Zakopane received us with open arms. From dining in the best restaurant in Krupowki to hiking to the Morskie Oko in the vast Tatras, and from filming The Sleeping Warrior to munching on delicious Oscypek, and further riding a funicular from Gubalowka, we experienced the best this town had to offer. Read on…

How to reach Zakopane

The town in southernmost Poland is well-connected with major Polish cities by road. Therefore, reaching Zakopane by road from prominent cities like Kraków and Warsaw is not a big deal. Buses ply to Zakopane in tandem, and the rates are nominal.

By air: Kraków Balice Airport is the closest Polish airport, which can be reached after a 2-hour road journey. However, Poprad in Slovakia is 70 km away.

By road: Buses are running from Kraków Central Bus Station to Zakopane in tandem. We paid 25 Zloty per person. The journey through the highlands would let you feast on the magnificent vistas. With all the wooden cottages zooming past the window, you certainly wouldn’t want to miss the views even for a while!

Day 1: Arrival and Krupówki Street Exploration

It was drizzling when we reached Zakopane from Kraków, and the gloomy weather made the immense outdoors look even more captivating. No, it wasn’t much green because the autumn had already taken its toll on the trees, and scattered leaves around had already abandoned them. We were escorted by our host at Ulisa. A 10-minute ride took us to one of the dreamiest stays in the Tatras.

It wasn’t dark until we made home, and we got luckier with the stunning outdoor views, flourishing outside our balcony. A Christmas tree and handmade vodka awaited us in the room. That was the perfect welcome drink. I was more than excited about the day to follow! The second day in Zakopane was going to be exciting. A welcome drink was served, which happened to be a local handmade vodka.

Highlights: The stay in the wooden cottage, fantastic outdoors, churches in Krupowki

Day 2: Gubałówka Hill and Local Markets

The Sun sets in this part of Europe around 3:45 pm in winter, and the day doesn’t start until 10 am! Which means you get a little window to pull off activities and explore the popular tourist attractions in Zakopane centre. After a quick breakfast, we headed to Krupowki market – the busiest and most widespread market in Zakopane.

From plush showrooms to street-side stalls selling mouthwatering local delicacies, Krupowki has all. Talk about the local handloom products, woollen footwear, clothes, rugs, furry jackets, and you’ll find all here.

I found the wooden antiques more exciting, with all their patterns and designs, they certainly looked the most fascinating thing to buy in the Krupowki market in Zakopane. Moving across the market, we continued our march to the Gubalowka Mountain. This happens to be an easy 1.5-hour hike, which is flat and leads straight to the Gubalowka Resort, which overlooks the Zakopane town meticulously entwined between the Sleeping Warrior and the Gubalowka Mountains.

Highlights: Sunrise view in a snow-swept outdoor, the vast Krupowki Market, hike to Gubalowka Mountains, regional dishes, street food, & the famous ‘Oscypek’

Day 3: Morskie Oko Hike

We woke up to a dreamy outdoors buried under heavy snow. The day was already saved for the Morskie Oko Lake Hike. Having already read a lot about it, we were excited. Our hosts were not sure about us hitting the lake because the weather was getting worse with time. As we peeped out of the balcony, we found no trace of the adjoining road leading to the main road.

By the time we ate our breakfast and prepared to leave our stay, 20-30 cm of snow had already accumulated on the main road outside. As we were weighing the available options to travel to the bus depot, our host came to the rescue. They were kind enough to give us a ride to the bus station. From there on, there was no looking back! We trekked in the heart of the Tatras Mountains and had an incredible day to complete the Morskie Oko Lake Trek. Read our blog on the Morskie Oko Lake hike!
We took some time to head to the Krupowki Market, which looked even more dreamy, studded with snow.

Highlights: Morskie Oko Lake hike, horse sleigh ride

Day 4: Local market hopping & lunch in the city centre

After spending an exhausting Day 3, we chose to sit back and feast on the dreamy outdoors that the Zakopane mountains arranged exclusively for us! The soft, fudgy snow on the streets had, by now, turned into ice, which meant we had our task cut out while walking on the roads. Still, there was no way we would spend the day sitting idle.

Hence, we planned a local market excursion, followed by a sumptuous meal & local vodka at Karcma Po Zboju – one of the highly rated restaurants in the Krupowki. The food & local handmade vodka were amazing! Later, we went grocery shopping, and as it grew dark, we tiptoed our way back to the homestay.

Highlights: Local citron – handmade local vodka, view of ‘The Sleeping Warrior’ covered in snow

Day 5: Hole Cave Hike & New Year Concert

The weather was deteriorating faster, and planning a short tour to Slovakia wasn’t something experts recommended. Yes, apart from constant snowfall, it was constantly drizzling, and conditions became even gloomier. Jaskinia Dziura Cave Hole, also referred to as the ice cave, was pretty close to our stay. A 3-km hike through the forest covered in snow took us there. The cave hole turned out to be more exciting than we could have probably asked for.

The challenging trail through the snow-clad woods and further the wonderful cave hole with dripping ice all around, made it a thrilling yet magnificent spectacle; something that we loved a lot. The hike to the cave hole took us 45-50 minutes to complete. Getting back to the story, we ate our lunch and took some rest. The weather wasn’t ready to give in an inch, and the ice-coated road denied us a comfortable walk.

Dragging our feet was the best thing we could do. In a few hours, we left our homestay. New Year’s Eve had already gotten into everybody’s head by now, and we preparations we on the live concert in Krupowki. The entire place was decorated, and an ecstatic crowd made the streets even more lively. Artists, musicians, and traditional people, Gurals, exhibiting the typical Polish costumes from ancient times, made the highlight of the central market area.

The entire place was oozing with crowds, and the roads were sealed, and cold drinks and boozes were being distributed to people by the sponsor companies right outside the concert arena. Soon, the concert began, and the crowd went berserk. After some time, we left the concert space and chose to welcome the new year from our beautiful stay, watching the grand fireworks show from a distance. Soon, the memorable night of the 31st came to an end. Our bags were already packed, and early morning, we were supposed to leave for the magical city of Prague!

Attention: Don’t venture much inside the cave without proper spikes (raczki) for required grip and a torch, it’s so generally dark and damn slippery

Highlights: Hike up to the Jaskinia Dziura Cave Hole, musicians & sketch artists in the city centre, a concert

Day 6: Zakopane-Prague bus ride

Our journey ended the way many mountain adventures do—rushed, a bit chaotic, and unforgettable. After checking out of the homestay just minutes before departure, we were lucky enough to hitch a ride to the station and catch the only bus to Kraków. It was the perfect, unexpected end to five incredible days in southern Poland.

Final Thoughts on the 5-Day Zakopane Itinerary

If you’re planning a winter escape to Zakopane, here’s what you need to know:

• Book your Zakopane winter tours in advance, especially during the peak season.
• The Tatra Mountains are stunning in winter but demand good gear: proper hiking shoes with grip, a trekking pole, and warm layers are must-haves.
• Public transport is limited outside the main town. Walk where you can, or consider local ride options.
• Tap water is safe to drink. Skip the fizzy bottled options.
• Homestays offer a taste of local life, but be prepared for limited amenities.

This part of Poland is made for slow travel, mountain hikes, and deep winter experiences. If hiking in the Tatra Mountains or exploring Zakopane in winter is on your list, don’t wait.

Book a Zakopane winter tour with Whistling Hound

Let me take you beyond the crowded tourist attractions, into the heart of Poland’s mountains, legends, and local stories. From custom day trips to full Poland winter tours, you’ll get a real taste of the Tatras.

📩 Reach out now and let’s plan your dreamy winter wonderland trip!