Zakopane is the winter capital of Poland and offers a wide range of slopes. The most challenging runs are situated in the area of Mt Kasprowy, Nosal, Polana Szymoszkowa, and Mt Butorowy (accessible by cable car) but there are a lot of smaller pistes with chairlifts, T-bar lifts and platters. If you wish to take advantage of the growing network of ski lifts, then head to places like Bialka Tatrzanska and Bukowina.

The environs of Zakopane provide good conditions to practise cross-country skiing.

Zakopane’s ski jump, Wielka Krokiew, has hosted many important competitions, including World Cup in Ski Jumping.

There are plenty of attractive trails for people of all levels around Zakopane. Together with several mountain hostels, they make up a really good tourist base. The beginner should choose one of the valleys like Strazyska, Chocholowska, or Koscieliska. For the more adventurous there is the chance to climb Giewont (1 909 m), the most popular mountain of the Tatras, with a cross that everyone gets photographed by on its summit. The experienced and fit can try the trails to Mount Swinica, Rysy, and Koscielec.

There are about 500 caves in the Tatras, but on the Polish side only six of them are accessible. These are: Mrozna (the only one which is lit), Mylna, Raptawicka, Dziura, Oblazkowa and the Dragon’s Cave in the Krakow Ravine.

Practised hikers and climbers will have a variety of opportunities to feel the adrenaline rush. Among the most exposed and difficult trails is the ridge on Orla Perc.

Those who would like to see the majestic peaks of the Tatras, surrounding the beautiful lake Morskie Oko, can take a trip by a horse-drawn cart. After about an hour you will be able to admire Morskie Oko (The Sea Eye), so named because it is very deep (about 50 m) and was believed to have an underground link with the sea.

You may reach Mt Kasprowy or Gubalowka by cable car. The vantage point on the top of Gubalowka lets you admire the whole panorama of Tatras, while the route to the summit of Kasprowy provides bird’s eye views of the mountains.

Cyclists will be not disappointed with variety of trails for bikers of all levels. Some lead through the lower parts of the Tatrzanski National Park. You can find several bike rental places in Zakopane.

Known for its folk culture and specific architecture, Zakopane is the most famous Polish ski resort, attracting crowds of visitors in summer and winter alike. Charming and picturesque, it offers innumerable attractions and a well-developed tourist infrastructure. The International Festival of Mountain Folklore, organised annually in August, is one of the most interesting events to see.

Lenin spent his holidays in 1913-14 in this small village, and while he was here the First World War broke out.

Zakopane is a popular destination during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. During this time, people flock to Zakopane not only to ski, but also to spend an unforgettable time at one of the parties organised by the restaurants, which offer a typical highlander atmosphere, folk music and local delicacies.

Paragliding is becoming increasingly popular in the Tatras. Even though the slopes of Mount Nosal are the only location where paragliding is permitted, more and more people are trying their hand at it.