Discover Zakopane

Higher situated city in Poland (more then 800 m -2624 fts - above see level) , one of the more important touristic and sport centres in our country - Zakopane is located by the Polish-Slovakian border, at the Tatra Mountains. It has good conections with all big Polish cities - you can reach it by train, bus, and car. The nearest international airports are in Poprad (south, Slovakia, 70 km from Zakopane) and Krakow (north, Poland, 110km.)

Every year about 3.000.000 tourists from Poland and abroad are attracted by its splendid landscape, interesting folklore, fantastic atmosphere. They can find here more then 20 good hotels (some of them have very high standard), more then 200 pensions and more them 20.000 beds in private rooms.

From more then one hundred years Zakopane plays important role in development of Polish culture - here is the place where most prominent Polish writers, artists, musiciens and journalists come for rest and for work. From the end of XIX century Tatra Mts - the highest chain in this part of Europe and highlanders' culture as well influenced evolution of whole-country culture. Till today the folklore of Podhale region is one of greatest tourist attractions.

In the town and in its vicinity act about 20 folk-groups (presenting dance, music and folk customs), there is also plenty of folk-artists. In Zakopane live also many professional artists - among them about 100 painters and sculptors, musicians and writers. There is some museums, presenting regional nature, etnographical items or biography of known Polish artists, who lived in Zakopane.You can find there also many art-gallaries and some art-schools, among them known zakopanian Art School for youngest creators.

In Zakopane live more then 29.000 citizens. Majority of them works for tourists. In Polish part of Tatra Mountains there are eight tourist huts (some of them are like quite big hotels). There are more then 300 kilometers of tourist trails, situated in the terrain of Tatra National Park.

For skiers there are numerous ski-lifts, funicular on Gubalowka Hill and cable cabine railway on Kasprowy Wierch Mountain. The most frequented ski areas there are Kasprowy Wierch, Nosal, Szymoszkowa and Harenda. You can also rent a mountain bike, practise paragliding and horseback riding. There are some swimming pools, tennis courts and other sport areas.
author: Maciej Pinkwart

MY BELOVED ZAKOPANE

Zakopane is the most beautiful town I have ever known. I was born here and have never thought of living anywhere else. The charm of Zakopane results from its location at the foot of the Tatra mountains. Looking north-west from the Ustup - Wierch Bachledzki - Antalowka - Zakopane (yellow markings) walking trail one can admire gentle peaks of the Western Tatras:

When looking north-east one can see the sharp edges of the High Tatras:

And when looking east from the Bachledzki Wierch the view will be completed with the Slovakian Bielianske Tatras:

But the best known landmark of Zakopane, to be admired from everywhere in the town,
is the "sleeping warrior" - mount Giewont:

author: Barbara Gasienica-Jozkowy

.:ZAKOPANE AT ITS MOST BEAUTIFUL

.:In JANUARY the days are short and cold, but skiing conditions usually the best. At the turn of January and February school children have their winter break at schools, which results directly in huge crowds of tourists and skiers everywhere in the town and on slopes. The end of February and the whole month of MARCH are skiers' favourite time.

IN APRIL there's still snow galore on Mount Kasprowy. Additionally, the month is known for thousands of tiny crocuses blooming on the Tatra clearings. MAY is a real spring month. IN JUNE Zakopane gets quiet, the days are long and mostly sunny, the mountain paths welcome tourists tired of the crowds.

JULY and AUGUST, the two summer months are the peak season. The easier trails get very crowded, and on sunny days at the most popular peaks there are queues of people waiting to climb the top. There is a lot going on in the town in summer - cultural and recreational events are organised, the most distinguished of all being the Mountain Folklore Festival, held the last week in August for over 36 years now.

SEPTEMBER is a very good month for hiking trips, the days are still long enough, the weather usually good, there are no more holidays crowds. OCTOBER might both be very sunny and chilly with the first snowfalls in the mountains. NOVEMBER is a rest time after a busy tourist season. From the very beginnings of DECEMBER some of the ski slopes are open and well prepared for skiers and snowboarders.

Christmas in Zakopane is an unique experience. The town gets beautifully decorated, usually covered with loads of fresh fallen snow. Small wooden chapels at mountains trails welcome to Midnight Mass. New Year is welcomed outside at hundreds bonfires held everywhere in the town. New Year's balls are organised in pensions, hotels and restaurants. At this time of the year the traditional sleigh rides KULIG enjoy great popularity, horse drawn sleighs with torches are seen and horse bells heard everywhere in the town.