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As late as the mid-nineteenth century Zakopane was still an undiscovered village in the wilds. And besides a cluster of wooden cottages, only a tiny chapel and a few wayside shrines betrayed a link to the outside world. However, Zakopane's discovery by the famed doctor Tytus Chalubinski changed all of this, and soon the village was drawing visitors from across Poland, inspired as they were by the magnificent scenery and the rich folk culture.
Above all it was artists and writers that embraced the region, and Zakopane became something of a mecca for Polish thinkers, a place where dreams of a reborn Poland were forged. Social conventions were blurred and artists developed profound bonds with the local 'gorale' - the highlanders - and not a few romantic liasons were launched too.
By the 1930's Zakopane had evolved into one of the most popular holiday destinations in the country, with a flourishing winter sports scene and hiking all the year round. It is this character that has endured - above all Zakopane is a place where people come to have fun. Zakopane town itself is a crazy cocktail of fairground commercialism and folkloric charm, where spirited old ladies in patterned headsquares, loaded down with pickled mushrooms and lumps of ewe's cheese, jostle side by side with outsiders selling heavy metal t-shirts and football strips. The main street especially, Krupowki, is a love it or loathe it place, a riot of commercialism set against a backdrop of elegant wooden villas and fin-de-siecle mansions.
Yet away from the bright lights of the main streets there are some revelatory surprises that can still enchant, transporting the viewer back to the magic of one hundred years ago.
But of course it is the great outdoors that is the main attraction of the town. Zakopane is Poland's top mountain resort, and thus a haven for skiers and hikers. The Tatra mountains, the highest stretch of the Carpathian range, rear up over the town in all their ancient majesty. There are a plethora of trails, both in the foothills and valleys as well as up in the craggy peaks. In Spring, the alpine meadows of the Podhale are flooded with carpets of flowers, making this an idyllic place for walking.
A little further afield there are plenty of opportunities for a fine day out. East of Zakopane at Czorsztyn, lies the splendid medieval castle of Niedzica, which is perched above a vast lake. Within easy striking distance from here are a sprinkling of wooden churches of genuinely breathtaking beauty, whilst a little further east lies the Pieniny mountain range, a favourite amongst Poles and foreigners alike.
Our Zakopane Guide in Polish!
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 | | "What are the campsides like in mid Sept? I heard that Zako can be a bit of a 'honey pot', could you recomend a nearby quite town with good access to the mountains?
Thanks" | William
United Kingdom
Aug.31.2010
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Guys, get ready your trekking shoes and motivation as spring season started already in Zakopane with warm weather and sunny days.The snow is disappearing surely but leave the high peaks still beautiful.Also, if you look for comfy accomodation at affordable price and advices, please do feel free to reply to me by writing a review too on this webpage." | Lorek
Poland
Apr.09.2010
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "can't wait to be back in poland. especially Zakopane!" | Kasia
United States
Feb.26.2010
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Hello everyone, if you have any wonders about your future coming to Zakopane(accomodation, transfer from/to the airport, activities there(spa, snow doo, ski...), ski rental...)and any questions you would like to have answers to, please do nor hesitate to contact me at the email address: info@ogrodygorskie.pl .As I work and live there, i am aware of all what is going on in Zakopane and surroundings." | lorek
Poland
Feb.18.2010
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Contact for the below: sts73@o2.pl" | Skiing in Zakopane
Poland
Oct.23.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "I offer ski instructing for beginners and advanced skiers. Slopes in and around Zakopane. As a ski-instructor I help with arranging ski buses, ski rental and other services. In case of worse weather or simply for a day off I'll take you for hiking in the Tatra Mountains - I am a mountain guide, as well. " | Skiing in Zakopane
Poland
Oct.23.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Am looking forward to getting my skis on..." | Bart
United States
Sep.28.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Go ski in Belchatow cheaper and less people" | Simon
United Kingdom
Sep.25.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "I forgot to mention that there is of course possibity to do some off pist alone(at your own risk) or with some guides in the Tatras mountains." | lorek
Poland
Sep.08.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Zakopane has many slopes which are of course for all ski level.For adavnced level.There are not in the same place. There is Kasprowy wierch, Bukowina slopes, Gubalowka, Nosal main slope, Harenda and you may even get more nearby in Slovakia.You may even get spa half indoor/outdoor, snow scooter rides...How many days do you intend to be in zakopane, do you have an accomodation, and how many people?I may have an offer with www.ogrodygorskie.pl" | Lorek
Poland
Sep.08.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Hello, can someone tell me if this resort is good for advance skiers, is there much offpiste etc?" | David Harries
United Kingdom
Sep.08.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "I would recommend anyone to get the Zakopane Life city map and Zakopane Life trails or paths map before starting any visit around.And if you need comfy accomodation at affordable price, contact us after visiting www.ogrodygorskie.pl.Thanks" | lorek
Poland
Aug.28.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "I recommemd the Zabi Dwor inn. A great place. Like old Zakopane, different to the commercial bars on Krupowki" | Mariusz
Poland
Jul.31.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Thanks guys, have been using those links" | Ed
United States
May.27.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "suce vinchatte et avale ratacradoski" | fruitos
France
Mar.04.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "tape ton chibre!" | suce
Albania
Mar.04.2009
rates this page 1/5 |
| | "l am goind to the birth place of my father kazimierz and my grandad tadeusz schiele l can not wait to go my first time in zakopane friday the 15th of augest 2008
" |
United Kingdom
Aug.08.2008
rates this page 5/5
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| | "great " | Steve
United Kingdom
Dec.24.2006
rates this page 4/5 |
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