Things to do
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Giewont
The limestone peak whose profile, read locally as a sleeping knight, closes the southern skyline of town, topped by a tall iron cross raised in 1901. The usual route climbs from Kuźnice through the Kondratowa valley and finishes on fixed chains over polished rock. Queues form at the chains on summer weekends, and the exposed summit is dangerous in thunderstorms.
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Gubałówka
A grassy ridge north of the centre, reached by a funicular from the market at the foot of Krupówki. The crest gives a full panorama of the Tatra wall, with a strip of stalls and bars and a quieter path running west along the ridge toward Butorowy Wierch. The funicular queues at sunset, and the walk down through the fields takes under an hour.
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Kasprowy Wierch
A summit on the Polish and Slovak border, reached by a cable car from Kuźnice in under half an hour. At the top a ridge path follows the frontier east toward the granite peaks, and in winter chairlifts serve high, exposed ski runs on both flanks. Tickets are timed and sold online, and queues at Kuźnice start early in summer.
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Kościeliska Valley
A long, gentle valley west of town, wooded and walled by limestone cliffs, with a nearly flat track suitable for any walker. Side paths lead into caves such as Mroźna, lit and walked one way, and up to the small Smreczyński lake near the head. Horse carts run the lower stretch, and park entry is ticketed at the gate in Kiry.
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Krupówki
The main pedestrian street, running from the foot of Gubałówka toward the mountains, lined with timber inns, souvenir stalls and highland restaurants. Oscypek, the smoked sheep's cheese, is grilled at stalls along the way and sold in bulk at the market by the funicular. Winter evenings and summer weekends bring the densest crowds, and the side streets are calmer for dinner.
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Morskie Oko
A glacial lake under the granite walls of the High Tatras, reached by an asphalt road closed to private cars at Palenica Białczańska. The walk up takes about two hours each way, and a stone path climbs on above the lake to the smaller Czarny Staw. Park entry is ticketed, and the car park at the road head must be booked online in season.
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Villa Koliba
The first villa built in the Zakopane Style devised by Stanisław Witkiewicz, finished in 1893 in larch logs on a stone base, with steep shingle roofs and carved highland ornament. It now houses the Museum of Zakopane Style, with furniture and fittings designed to match the house. Entry is ticketed, and opening days shift with the season.
