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Morskie Oko
Perched nearly 1400m above sea level, the emerald-green 'Eye of the Sea' is the largest lake in the Tatras and a popular outing from Zakopane. Minibuses…
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Zakopane
Nestled in the foothills of the Tatras, Zakopane is Poland’s best-known mountain resort, famed for hiking in summer and skiing in winter, though at the height of the summer and winter seasons it can get positively overrun.
In addition to outdoor pursuits, Zakopane is known for its beautiful wooden villas, dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some of these now house museums, while others have been converted into hotels or pensions. The father of this craze for ornate timber houses was the architect Stanisław Witkiewicz (1851–1915), and his early 20th-century creations helped to establish Zakopane as a haven for painters, poets, writers and composers. Two of the town’s most famous former residents include Witkiewicz’s son, the writer and painter Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz (better known as 'Witkacy'), and the composer Karol Szymanowski.
Explore Zakopane
- MMorskie Oko
Perched nearly 1400m above sea level, the emerald-green 'Eye of the Sea' is the largest lake in the Tatras and a popular outing from Zakopane. Minibuses…
- TTatra Park Nature Education Centre
The national park's education centre walks visitors through the natural history of the mountains, including dioramas, interactive displays, kids'…
- OOld Church & Cemetery
This small wooden church and atmospheric cemetery date from the mid-19th century. The Old Church has charming carved wooden decorations and pews, the…
- SSzymanowski Museum
An adjunct to the national museum in Krakow, the Szymanowski Museum highlights the life and work of the early modern Polish composer Karol Szymanowski …
- TTatra Museum
This is the main branch of the Tatra Museum, which occupies various branches around Zakopane. Featuring old-fashioned exhibits exploring the natural…
- MMuseum of Zakopane Style
Housed in the Willa Koliba, this was the first of several grand wooden villas designed by the noted Polish painter and architect Stanisław Witkiewicz in…
- MMuseum of Zakopane Style – Inspirations
This companion museum to the main Zakopane Style museum is more of an ethnographic exhibition, highlighting the highlander folk roots and styles that…
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Zakopane.
See
Morskie Oko
Perched nearly 1400m above sea level, the emerald-green 'Eye of the Sea' is the largest lake in the Tatras and a popular outing from Zakopane. Minibuses…
See
Tatra Park Nature Education Centre
The national park's education centre walks visitors through the natural history of the mountains, including dioramas, interactive displays, kids'…
See
Old Church & Cemetery
This small wooden church and atmospheric cemetery date from the mid-19th century. The Old Church has charming carved wooden decorations and pews, the…
See
Szymanowski Museum
An adjunct to the national museum in Krakow, the Szymanowski Museum highlights the life and work of the early modern Polish composer Karol Szymanowski …
See
Tatra Museum
This is the main branch of the Tatra Museum, which occupies various branches around Zakopane. Featuring old-fashioned exhibits exploring the natural…
See
Museum of Zakopane Style
Housed in the Willa Koliba, this was the first of several grand wooden villas designed by the noted Polish painter and architect Stanisław Witkiewicz in…
See
Museum of Zakopane Style – Inspirations
This companion museum to the main Zakopane Style museum is more of an ethnographic exhibition, highlighting the highlander folk roots and styles that…
Guidebooks
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