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Reviewed by: Adrian Stefanov | Last updated: June 2026
The ideal Zakopane itinerary is a mix of hiking, outdoor sports, exploring the town’s diverse activities and culture, as well as dipping in the region’s famous thermal baths.
There is so much to do when you visit Zakopane so having at least a rough plan is a must. As the centre of southern Polish culture and one of the main entries into Tatra National Park, Zakopane is often visited by tourists multiple times in order to be savoured fully.
But worry not. We’ve prepared a 6-day Zakopane itinerary that includes the most iconic things to do, see and experience. From hikes and adventures, to food and local culture – with flexible options depending on your preference, as well as links to anything you might want to book.
Day 0: Quick Prep List
Before we get into the 6-day Zakopane summer itinerary, let’s take a look at the most important things you need to know to be prepared:
🏞️ Hiking tips:
- Start hikes early to avoid crowds
- Check forecast – Tatra (especially High Tatras) weather changes quickly
- Bring a few layers, a rain jacket and backpack cover
- Download Mapa Turystyczna or maps.me for offline navigation
💡 Good to know:
- Carry cash – many stalls and mountain huts don’t accept card
- Book certain activities in advance, especially in peak season (July/August)
- For activity, food and restaurant recommendations read on, or check out 50+ things to do in Zakopane in summer
Most day activities like rafting, quad bike safaris and thermal baths cost around 100-125zl (roughly £20), while visits to museums, galleries and cable car rides are free or just a few pounds.
Now let’s get into your essential Zakopane itinerary for summer, spring or autumn!
Day 1: Krupówki Street, Gubałówka and Dinner in a Tavern
→ Starting things slowly, take a walk along Krupówki Street – the main strip in Zakopane’s city centre. Don’t plan too much – just see where the day takes you. From the local markets and signature oscypek cheese stalls, to all the unique galleries and pop-ups that were never there before.
Top recommendations:
- Trying different traditional Polish street foods like oscypek cheese, pierogi dumplings, potato pancakes and zurek.
- Visiting Myszogrod – miniature hand crafted city inhabited by over 1000 real mice.
- Enjoy the unique Zakopane-style architecture
- Watch the street performers and highlander musicians
- Explore craft booths (wood, leather and mountain-style goods and souvenirs)
- The notorious Zakopane cemetery
→ Then, head over to Gubałówkę st., where the funicular train to Gubałówka leaves. It takes less than 4 minutes to take you to the top of the foothill, where a gorgeous view of Zakopane and the surrounding Polish Tatra Mountains is at full display.
There you can have a picnic or have a coffee in one of the restaurants with an incredible panoramic view. Once you’re done, either take the train back to town or walk back down via one of the scenic forest paths.
→ Finally, dinner awaits in a traditional Polish restaurant or tavern. Here are our top picks. Don’t worry – we’ll go back to town in a few days, in case you feel like you haven’t seen enough.
Karczma Góraleczka
One of the oldest taverns (traditional restaurants) on Krupowki street. A whimsical wooden interior and a fantastic selection of tantalizing and satiating Polish food.
Bakowo Zohylina Niznio
Beautifully designed villa-style restaurant with regional musical performances every night. Good prices, vegetarian options and much charm.
Karczma u Starego
An authentic local tavern offering local beer and traditional Polish meals. A perfect starting point to get a sense of tavern culture and Polish cuisine simultaneously.
Day 2: Hike To Morskie Oko. Optional Horse Carriage Ride
The hike to the Morskie Oko lake is the classic hiking destination when in Zakopane – naturally, we check it off on this Zakopane summer itinerary. While the hike itself is among the easy ones, it branches into other nearby hiking trails, and the view is well worth seeing.
→ Start your day by going to the Zakopane Bus Station and taking a bus to Palenica Białczańska. From there, the hike to Morskie Oko lake is only 2 hours and it takes place mostly on a paved road.
→ If you’re after more hiking you can continue to the adjacent Czarny Staw (Black Lake) or take one of the other nearby trails. For example, the one that leads to Mount Rysy, the highest peak in Poland.
→ In the afternoon, if you wish to take a breather, you can hop on a horse-drawn carriage ride through the beautiful Chochołowska Valley, especially vibrant when the crocuses are blooming. The ride ends in a mountain hut with a snack, before returning to Zakopane for dinner. Moving on to Day 3 of your Zakopane itinerary…
Day 3: Summer Sport or a Relaxed Adventure
This day is entirely up to you. Pick between one or multiple indoor and outdoor adventures and have fun solo or with your group. Make sure to book in advance to reserve your spot. Below are our top picks.
READ MORE | 50+ Things To Do in Zakopane (Summer)
Traditional Rafting on Dunajec River
Scenic, relaxing, pre-planned. A true cultural time capsule. Dunajec river flows through the foot of the magnificent limestone cliffs of Pieniny National Park and the dramatic “Three Crowns” peaks, towering at about 1,000 meters above sea level. The start is 50km from Zakopane with arranged transport.
Quad Bike Safari
Quad / ATV rides belong on your Zakopane summer itinerary if you want a more dynamic and refreshing activity. Tours typically last 1-3 hours, and you can ride solo, with a passenger or on a 4-person buggy. Awesome way to explore scenic Tatra foothill trails and their panoramic views on easy off-road terrain.
Via Ferrata
A via ferrata is a semi-climbing route, secured with cables, metal steps and ladders – so you can move safely over exposed mountain terrain. An adrenaline-boosting alternative for advanced hikers. For intermediates, we recommend going with a guide, who will also lead you to the best routes, as well as handle equipment and planning.
Escape Room
A shorter, group-based activity to put your problem-solving skills to the test. The escape room in Zakopane has 6 chambers and is able to accommodate up to 33 players at once, provided you book in advance. You can spend a big chunk of the day here, or do just one room and combine this with other items on this list for the third day of your Zakopane itinerary.
Illusion House & Happiness Museum
The Illusion House is ripe with optical illusions and 3D paintings – in fact, over 550 sq.m. of them, so expect to take a lot of pictures. Likewise, the Happiness Museum was designed for photoshoots and selfies. Colorful sets and illusions in pastel-colours will inspire you to fill your brain (and storage space) with memories.
Shooting Range
If you’re into guns or simply want to try something new, the Zakopane shooting range might be right up your alley. Spice up your Zakopane itinerary here, in either the in-door or out-door facility. The range sports an impressive repertoire of light and heavy weapons, and instructors are ready to show you how to use them, and provide all the gear you’ll need. Book in advance.
Day 4: Hike or Bike Ride, Then Relax in a Thermal Bath
Ahh, a new day in our Zakopane summer itinerary…
→ Starting off, we’re heading to Chochołowska Valley – another famous beginner level hike, however, you can also rent a bike for variety. Stop at Chochołów village for photos of the traditional wooden houses and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Tatra Mountains.
→ Next up, the Chochołowskie Termy thermal baths. What better way to rest after 4 days of walking and adventuring than to dip in the natural mineral thermal pools of the region. There are 6 impressive thermal baths around Zakopane, so check out this Zakopane thermal baths guide in case you’re looking for something different. Contact us if you want us to arrange transport and book tickets to any of them!
→ Dinner time! Enjoy a sunset sauna and outdoor views with glorious mountain views, before returning to Zakopane. I recommend some more modern restaurant options for dinner like Nosalowy Dwor, La Playa Beach Bar or Restauracja TUNEL.
Day 5: Day Trip From Zakopane
Zakopane’s location is ideal for day trips. Its proximity to the neighbouring Slovakia and nearby historical destinations make a day trip from the town an essential part of a Zakopane itinerary. Our team can plan and arrange a day trip to any of these locations for you:
Day Trip to Krakow
One of Poland’s most beautiful and historic cities. Explore the medieval Old Town, visit Wawel Castle and savour amazing cafe culture, restaurants and a vibrant street life. Take a look at some events happening while you’re in town – there’s always something to do in Krakow. The trip from Zakopane is only 2-3 hours.
Day Trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial
Historical Auschwitz Memorial and Museum can be an emotional experience for some, and a very eye-opening one. It’s highly recommended to get a guided tour for some in-depth insights into the history of the former Nazi concentration camp. The ride plus tour usually takes up the whole day.
Day Trip to Wieliczka Salt Mine
A UNESCO-listed underground world carved from salt. Walk through tunnels, chambers, even an underground chapel – the mine is hundreds of kilometers big and a true feat of human ingenuity. Fascinating and surreal, best experienced with a guide.
Day Trip to Slovakia
A whole different country to explore less than an hour from Zakopane, and there is much to see. Slovakia’s Paradise National Park, the Belianska Cave, Grebienok Peak, UNESCO-registered Spis Castle, the Cold Water Waterfalls. Just send us a message and we can personalize an itinerary and arrange transport from and back to Zakopane.
Day 6: Cable Car, Museums and Galleries (and Dancing!)
Finally, for the final day of our Zakopane itinerary for summer, we have a slower day to fully enjoy the town itself.
→ Starting the day with a refreshing cable car ride to Kasprowy Wierch (1985m). One of the most popular high Tatra peaks. The cable car takes only about 15 minutes and the view up to is stunning. Coffee or lunch in a restaurant is available there, and you can even hike down through one of the many trails that start from the peak.
→ Go back to Zakopane and start your museums and gallery tour! Luckily, we’ve prepared a set itinerary here, so you can be as efficient as possible.
Start from Kościeliska 18, 34-500 Zakopane and follow this route for the best experience:
→ Willa Koliba: First stop is the first house ever built in the signature Zakopane style. Designed by Stanisław Witkiewicz in the late 1900s, it’s where you can learn more about the rustic and whimsical style that makes Zakopane so special.
→ The Tatra Museum: The main building of the museum has been on Krupowki for over 100 years. The museum houses the rich history, culture and nature of the Tatra region. From folk costumes, traditional crafts, wildlife, geology and crafts, it’s an extensive capsule of Zakopane’s heritage.
→ Municipal Art Gallery of Zakopane: Founded in 1911, it’s one of the oldest art galleries in Poland and a hub of avant-garde culture. It houses work of notorious Polish artists, but also contemporary art, concerts, film screenings and other events.
→ Art Gallery Yam: A small establishment, quick to explore, but it arguably the best place to get acquainted with the modern art scene of the region, although some foreign art is also displayed. Most paintings are for sale.
→ Galeria Władysława Hasiora: A museum dedicated to the eponymous Zakopane artist, housed in his former studio. Showcases his banners, assemblages and sculptures made from everyday objects.
→ The Oscypka Cheese Museum: This is an interactive ‘’live’’ museum dedicated to the infamous oscypka smoked cheese. You’ll see how its made, and you’ll have the chance to shape your own mini cheese to take home. Delicious addition to any Zakopane itinerary.
→ Willa Oksza: Final stop – another Stanisław Witkiewicz Zakopane-style house. It’s not only a beautiful example of the architectural style, but it also hosts the Gallery of 20th Century Art.
TIP: If at any point you get hungry stop by one of Poland’s signature milk bars. These are cheap food joints that serve traditional Polish cuisine – nutritious, hearthy and a bang for your buck. I recommend Bar Mleczny at Hr. Władysława Zamoyskiego 5 – a short walk from Art Gallery Yam.
→ And finally, to end your final night in Zakopane, have dinner at Restauracja Browar Watra Dancing – a famous restaurant with amazing food, on-site brewery and a dance floor. A hangout for locals and tourists where you’ll end your Zakopane summer itinerary with a flair.
Build your own itinerary
Our team has arranged winter and summer holidays in Zakopane for years, and we can help you plan a Zakopane itinerary (summer or winter) based on your preferences. Just send us a message and talk to a real human for free!
Thank you for reading! Check out our Ultimate Zakopane Summer Guide, for more info about Zakopane outside of the winter season.
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“Zakopane Summer Holidays. Explore More, Plan Less.”