Trip from Kraków to Zakopane – why is it worth it?

Tourists visiting Kraków, after exploring this beautiful city, look for other places worth visiting along the way. Standard highlights include the Salt Mine in Wieliczka and the Auschwitz camp, but increasingly, they are also opting for a slightly longer journey to Zakopane. See why it’s worth going there.

Ride on the Gubałówka Cable Car

Cable cars in the mountains are mainly associated with travelling in a cabin suspended on a cable. Zakopane has such cable cars too, but one of them is different as the cabins move up the hill on tracks. The ride always evokes a lot of excitement, especially among the youngest, who look on in horror at the cabin coming from the opposite direction. However, there is no need to worry, as there is a spot halfway up the mountain where the cabins pass each other.

Beautiful View of the Tatra Mountains

The panorama of the Tatra Mountains seen from the top of Gubałówka is a sight that stays in memory for a long time. Visible in the foreground, Giewont is the most characteristic point of this panorama. The rugged peaks, covered in snow for a significant part of the year, inspire awe and at the same time command respect, serving as the best evidence of nature's extraordinary power. These views will appeal not only to mountain lovers but to everyone who wants to see impressive natural formations.

Local Folklore

A trip to Zakopane cannot miss a visit to the booths with highlander crafts located at the foot of Gubałówka. You will find elements of highlander costumes, local food products: oscypek cheese, honey, or preserves, as well as various garments made of leather and sheep wool. This is a place where you can undoubtedly feel the atmosphere of the highland culture and listen to the highland dialect, which thrives well under the Tatras.

Highlander Cuisine

During a trip to Zakopane, it is also worth trying the delicacies of the local cuisine by visiting one of the many restaurants offering these special dishes. Kwaśnica (sour soup), moskole (potato flatbread), and lamb roast are just a small sample from the long list of dishes we can eat under the Tatras. It’s worth tasting them to also understand the local culinary traditions.

Walk in the Valley

Zakopane is not only a town and mountains but also beautiful valleys. Walking in the most popular ones, such as the Chochołowska or Kościeliska Valleys, does not require significant physical preparation, making them suitable not only for avid hikers but also for those in slightly poorer physical condition.