Zakopane.
Flight from TLV
3h 27m
Best season
ינו–אוג
Avg temp
10°
Currency
zł PLN · 1=₪0.817
Time zone
שעה אחת פחות מת״א
Language
פולנית
Plug
C / E · 230V
Visa
אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה של עד 90 יום בתקופה של 180 יום באזור שנגן
Safety
יעד תיירותי בטוח בדרך כלל; בחורף ובמסלולי ההרים חשוב לבדוק תנאים, להצטייד בהתאם ולהיזהר מכייסים באזורים עמוסים
Overview
🇵🇱Zakopane
🇵🇱Poland
Zakopane is Poland’s mountain town, popular with Israeli travelers seeking snow, nature and good-value holidays around two hours from Kraków. In winter, visitors ski at Kasprowy Wierch and nearby Białka Tatrzańska, stroll lively Krupówki Street and warm up at Chochołowskie thermal baths. Summer brings the Gubałówka funicular, Tatra hiking and the essential trail to Morskie Oko lake. Wooden chalets and Alpine scenery make it an excellent base for families, couples and groups of friends.
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Where to stay
Where to stay in Zakopane
Each area and who it suits best.
Central Zakopane and Krupówki Street
This is Zakopane’s lively, convenient heart, centered on pedestrian Krupówki Street, Niepodległości Square, and the lower Gubałówka funicular station. Hotels such as Aries Hotel & SPA put restaurants, bars, outdoor shops, and tour pickups within walking distance, but nights and weekends are noisy, crowded, and more expensive.
Grunwald and Bulwary Słowackiego
East of Krupówki, around Grunwaldzka Street, Rówień Krupowa park, and the Bulwary Słowackiego promenade, this district is calmer while remaining walkable to town. Hotel Belvedere is a well-known anchor, with easy access to Dolina Białego and Wielka Krokiew; the trade-off is a 10 to 20-minute walk to central dining and sometimes an uphill return.
Jaszczurówka and Nosal
A strong choice near the Nosal ski area, the Dolina Olczyska trail, and Jaszczurówka’s wooden chapel, with leafy roads such as Droga Oswalda Balzera. Nosalowy Dwór Resort & SPA is particularly convenient for families and winter stays, but Krupówki is roughly 3 to 4 km away and morning traffic toward Kuźnice can be heavy.
Kuźnice
This is the gateway to Kasprowy Wierch, Hala Gąsienicowa, and the trails around Kalatówki, saving early-rising hikers travel and queue time. Hotel Murowanica is a familiar base on Droga na Bystre near the Kuźnice approach; evenings are very quiet, dining is limited, and private cars cannot drive all the way to the cable-car station.
Kościelisko
This village west of Zakopane offers chalets with Tatra views and excellent access to the Kościeliska and Chochołowska valleys. Around Nędzy Kubińca Street and properties such as Hotel Eco Tatry, rates are often better and nights peaceful, but without a car or taxis, trips to Krupówki and the cable cars are less spontaneous.
Bukowina Tatrzańska
This mountain town east of Zakopane suits travelers who prefer thermal pools and snow to Krupówki nightlife, especially around Termy BUKOVINA and the Rusiń-Ski and Olczan-SKI areas. Hotel BUKOVINA is the standout stay, but the roughly 15 km trip to central Zakopane can take 35 to 60 minutes in winter traffic.
Year-round weather
Year-round weather in Zakopane
Temperature averages
Real climate dataינו
2°
-3°
Cool
פבר
4°
-3°
Cool
מרץ
9°
-1°
Cool
אפר
11°
2°
Cool
מאי
15°
6°
Cool
יונ
20°
11°
Recommended
יול
22°
13°
Excellent
אוג
22°
13°
Excellent
ספט
19°
10°
Recommended
אוק
12°
4°
Cool
נוב
5°
-1°
Cool
דצמ
3°
-3°
Cool
Most pleasant weather: יול · אוג
Peak season for Israelis (when everyone goes): ינו · פבר · יול · אוג. January and February are the heart of the snow and ski season, with strong demand around Hanukkah and winter breaks. Israeli families also arrive in July and August for Tatra hikes and Morskie Oko during the school holidays, so accommodation and cable cars should be booked early.
Based on a 3-year average · measured in Zakopane · Open-Meteo
This week in Zakopane
Measured in Zakopane
11°
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Things to do
Things to do in Zakopane
On the map
Zakopane on one map
Every spot travelers love — tap a pin for photos, opening hours, navigation and booking.
Suggested plan
A perfect Zakopane itinerary
Day by day, so you can picture the whole trip.
- 1
Day 1
Krupówki and Gubałówka
Begin with Krupówki Street, the Holy Family Church, and the market below the funicular station. Ride the funicular up Gubałówka in the afternoon, walk along the ridge, and stay for golden-hour Tatra views on a clear day. Descend toward historic Kościeliska Street and its wooden houses, then return to the center for coffee or a bar around Niepodległości Square.
- 2
Day 2
Morskie Oko
Leave by 06:30 for Palenica Białczańska and start walking before day-trip groups fill the route; reserve parking or a bus ahead in peak season. The paved approach to Morskie Oko is about 8 km each way, while fit hikers can continue on the steep trail to Czarny Staw pod Rysami. Have a simple lunch at Schronisko Morskie Oko and return before dark, as mountain weather changes quickly. Choose a hotel spa that evening rather than another long walk in town.
- 3
Day 3
Kasprowy Wierch and Kuźnice
Reserve a morning Kasprowy Wierch cable-car slot and reach Kuźnice by minibus or taxi, as private cars cannot enter the terminal area. At the summit, stay on marked trails and adjust plans to wind and visibility; in summer, descend partway toward Hala Gąsienicowa, while in winter this is skiing for experienced visitors rather than an ideal beginner hill. Stop at the iconic Wielka Krokiew ski jump on the way back. Finish with dinner around Grunwaldzka or Bulwary Słowackiego, which is calmer than Krupówki.
- 4
Day 4
Kościeliska Valley and Mroźna Cave
Travel early to the Kiry entrance and walk through Kościeliska Valley beside the stream, cliffs, and shepherd huts. In summer, when open, add Jaskinia Mroźna with proper footwear and check operating hours; families can keep to the easier route as far as the Ornak refuge. Eat at the refuge and, if energy permits, continue to Smreczyński Staw. On the return, stop in Chochołów to see its traditional wooden houses.
- 5
Day 5
Thermal Baths and Bukowina
Devote half a day to Chochołowskie Termy, the large complex favored by families, or Termy BUKOVINA for a calmer, more hotel-like experience. Arrive at opening or after 17:00 to avoid peak crowds, bring flip-flops, and note that towels and lockers may cost extra. If choosing Bukowina, add a Tatra viewpoint and, in winter, a few hours at Rusiń-Ski. Return to Zakopane for a final Krupówki evening and shopping for winter gear, wooden crafts, and sealed sweets.
- 6
Day 6
Choose Rafting, Snow, or a Slow Day
In summer, take a traditional raft trip on the Dunajec River in Pieniny National Park, a full-day outing requiring an early departure and advance booking. In winter, replace it with a ski lesson at Polana Szymoszkowa or Białka Tatrzańska, both more beginner-friendly than Kasprowy. For a slower day, walk through Dolina Strążyska to Siklawica waterfall and visit the Tatra Museum on Krupówki. Allow at least three hours of buffer before traveling back to Kraków, especially on Sundays or during snowfall.
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Budget
How much does Zakopane cost?
Real ILS price ranges, so you know what to expect.
Round-trip flight from TLV
₪650-1,500 (to Kraków)
4–5-night package
₪1,900-3,800 per person
Mid-range hotel night
₪280-520 per room
5★ hotel night
₪650-1,150 per room
Restaurant meal
₪45-100 per person
Local beer
₪13-22
Coffee
₪10-17
Short taxi ride
₪18-40
Rental car per day
₪130-260 (excluding fuel)
Daily ski pass
₪150-230 (major resort)
Daily budget per person
₪250-550 (excluding hotel)
Family, 5 nights
₪8,500-15,000 (including flights)
Good to know
Good to know before Zakopane
Getting around
From the airport
Most Israeli travelers land at Kraków Airport. A prebooked shuttle to Zakopane costs about ₪90–160 per person, or ₪450–650 for a private car, and takes two to three hours depending on road traffic. Direct FlixBus or Majer coaches leave from the airport or Kraków MDA station, cost around ₪25–50, and take 2.5 to 3.5 hours; the airport train reaches MDA in about 20 minutes for roughly ₪16. A regular taxi or Uber/Bolt for the full journey generally costs ₪450–750, sometimes more on snowy weekends. From Warsaw, take a train to Kraków and continue by coach rather than booking a very long direct transfer.
Need a car?
Couples or young groups staying near Krupówki and focusing on cable cars, spas, and organized excursions do not need a car: walk and supplement with buses and taxis. A car adds real flexibility for families based in Kościelisko or Bukowina, or anyone combining Chochołów, thermal baths, and remote trailheads. In winter, snow-driving confidence is essential, and a car does not solve traffic jams or the access restrictions at Kuźnice and Morskie Oko.
Tips
Bolt operates in Zakopane, but availability drops at night and during snow; with local taxis at stations or hotels, confirm the price first. Reach Kuźnice by minibus or taxi, and reserve parking at Palenica Białczańska online through the national park before visiting Morskie Oko. Parking around Krupówki is limited and paid, while the Zakopianka road from Kraków clogs on weekends, so leave before 07:00 or outside peak hours.
Kosher & Jewish
Chabad / community
A seasonal Chabad Zakopane operation serves the central area during busy travel periods, with prayers and prebooked Shabbat or holiday meals; its venue and schedule may change between summer, Jewish holidays, and ski season. Outside peak dates, do not assume a daily minyan or operating kitchen, so contact the organizers before booking. Chabad Kraków in the Kazimierz district is the more permanent, established address before or after a mountain stay.
Kosher food
Zakopane has no dependable year-round selection of kosher restaurants, and a vegetarian restaurant or meat-free dish should not be treated as kosher. Observant Israelis prebook meals through Chabad when it is operating, rent an apartment with a kitchen, and bring sealed products from Kraków or Israel. Local Lidl, Biedronka, and Carrefour branches carry produce, grains, and some packaged goods with recognizable certification, but kosher meat, dairy, and wine are extremely limited.
eSIM · VAYULOR
eSIM for Zakopane 🇵🇱
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance for Zakopane 🇵🇱
A hospital day in Zakopane can cost thousands. Full coverage with Hebrew support.
- Medical + hospital 24/7
- Trip cancellation
- Baggage
- Ski & winter sports add-on
Currency & rates
Live rateCurrency & rates
Quick conversion at today's rate
Convert
You get
81.7
1 PLN
₪0.82
100 PLN
₪81.7
1,000 PLN
₪816.7
Source: exchangerate-api · updated Sep 13 · refreshes daily
Visa & documents
Visa & documents for Zakopane 🇵🇱
What you need before you fly
- אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה של עד 90 יום בתקופה של 180 יום באזור שנגן
- Passport valid 6 months
- Travel insurance, leave details for a quote
Local tips
Good to know about Zakopane
- 💳Cards are accepted almost everywhere central, but keep PLN 100 to 200 for stalls, trail parking and minibuses, and always choose to be charged in złoty rather than accepting the terminal’s conversion to shekels.
- 🚌From Kraków, reserve a FlixBus or Majer Bus in advance and depart early on weekends, when traffic on the Zakopianka road can turn a roughly two-hour journey into a lengthy crawl.
- 🎟️For Morskie Oko, reserve parking at Palenica Białczańska through the TPN national park website, as driving there without a confirmed space is pointless during peak periods.
- 🏨For couples I prefer the quieter streets around Antałówka or Jaszczurówka, while families without a car are better placed near Krupówki or the bus station on Chramcówki Street.
- 🌡️Book Chochołowskie Termy for a weekday afternoon and bring flip-flops, because its pools and family changing areas become extremely crowded on weekends and Polish school holidays.
- 🍸Zakopane is not a casino destination, and nightlife centers on Krupówki venues such as Appendix and Vavavoom, where weekend guests should carry ID and may encounter a smart-casual dress policy.
- 🥣Kosher-observant travelers should not assume that vegetarian dishes or oscypek cheese are kosher, so bring sealed products from Kraków, choose an apartment with a kitchen and verify any seasonal Chabad or kosher-food services in Zakopane before traveling.
- 🥾Even in August, carry grippy hiking shoes, a warm layer and a rain jacket, and check the TOPR forecast each morning because a Tatra thunderstorm can arrive quickly while Zakopane still looks sunny.
- 📱A European eSIM works well in town, but parts of the TPN trail network have no signal, so download offline maps in Mapy.cz and save screenshots of parking and admission tickets.
- 🤝At table-service restaurants, rounding up or leaving about 10% is customary, but state the final amount before the server gives change rather than automatically leaving a few small coins.
מאיה רוזן
Senior agent · Greece for 12 years
"To me, Zakopane feels like a mountain holiday that is remarkably easy to fall for: mornings overlooking the Tatra peaks, followed by lively evenings around the restaurants and lights of Krupówki Street. Israelis especially love the combination of dramatic scenery, good-value spa hotels and hikes that do not require mountaineering experience. My favorite moments are seeing Morskie Oko before the tour groups arrive or catching sunset over Giewont from a quiet terrace in the Antałówka area."
Loves
The local secret I recommend to Israeli travelers is Rusinowa Polana, an alpine meadow with one of the finest Tatra panoramas and a gentler trail than the region’s headline hikes. Reach the Wierch Poroniec parking area by 8:00 a.m. on a clear day, before it fills up and clouds begin hiding the peaks.
Skip
I would not waste the middle of the day queuing for the Gubałówka funicular only to land on an overcrowded strip of commercial stalls. If you want the view, go at opening time or near sunset and buy your ticket in advance.
Boutique pick
I begin at 7:00 a.m. with a trip to Morskie Oko, reaching the lake while the water is still calm and the trail relatively quiet, then return to Zakopane for a late lunch and a hotel break. At 4:30 p.m. I head into the outdoor pools at Chochołowskie Termy, preferably on a weekday, and stay as darkness settles over the mountains. The day ends with a walk along Krupówki and a hot drink at Cafe Tygodnik Podhalański, whose upper-floor windows offer an excellent view.
Client stories
What returning travelers say about Zakopane
"We rode the cable car to Kasprowy Wierch on a clear day, and the Tatra panorama was the most beautiful moment of our trip. That evening we soaked in the warm pools at Chochołowskie Termy, exactly the romantic ending we had hoped for."
Noa and Ido, Tel Aviv
Couple · 4 nights · September
"The kids refused to leave the gravity slide on Gubałówka, while we enjoyed the view and atmosphere without tackling a difficult trail. The next day we walked to Morskie Oko with planned breaks, and they still tell the whole family about it."
Michal and Ori, Modi'in
Family with children · 5 nights · August
"We skied at Nosal in the morning and headed to Cafe Piano near Krupówki that evening; it was small, lively and refreshingly unpretentious. Zakopane will not replace a major party city, but it was spot-on for a friends’ trip built around snow, beer and mountain views."
Roy, Daniel and Tal, Be'er Sheva
Friends · 3 nights · February
"We took the funicular up Gubałówka at an easy pace and sat facing the peaks with hot coffee, without committing to a demanding hiking day. Later we visited the Villa Koliba Museum and felt we had finally discovered Zakopane’s story and distinctive architecture."
Rachel and Yossi, Haifa
Older couple · 4 nights · June
FAQ
Common questions about Zakopane
Do Israelis need a visa for Zakopane?
Israeli passport holders do not need a visa for a tourist visit to Zakopane or Poland of up to 90 days within any 180-day Schengen period. Before traveling, check whether ETIAS is already in effect and confirm the latest passport-validity requirements.
Are there direct flights from Israel to Zakopane, and how long is the flight?
Zakopane has no airport, so travelers fly from Tel Aviv to Kraków, about 3 hours and 40 minutes nonstop when the route operates, followed by a two to two-and-a-half-hour drive or bus ride. The Kraków-Zakopane road can take longer on Fridays, holidays and snowy weekends.
When is the best time to visit Zakopane, and when is peak season?
For snow and skiing in Zakopane, visit from January to early March, with peak crowds around Christmas, New Year and Polish winter holidays; for Tatra hiking, June through September is best, with July and August especially busy. September generally brings quieter trails and pleasant conditions, although mountain weather changes quickly.
How many days should I spend in Zakopane?
Three nights in Zakopane are enough for the Kasprowy Wierch cable car, Gubałówka, Krupówki Street and thermal baths, while four to five nights allow time for Morskie Oko or several ski days. Fewer than two nights can feel rushed because of the transfer from Kraków.
How do you get around Zakopane, and is a rental car necessary?
Central Zakopane is easy to explore on foot between Krupówki, the Gubałówka funicular and nearby restaurants, while local minibuses serve trailheads such as Kuźnice and Morskie Oko. A car helps families visiting Chochołowskie Termy, but traffic and limited central parking make it unnecessary if you stay near Krupówki.
How much does a holiday in Zakopane cost?
A three-night holiday in Zakopane typically costs around ₪1,500–₪3,200 per person sharing a double room, including flights from Tel Aviv, a good hotel, transfers and basic attractions; Christmas and peak ski dates can reach ₪3,500–₪5,000. A main meal usually costs ₪35–₪80 per person, while cable cars and thermal baths add from several dozen to over ₪100 per attraction.
Is Zakopane safe for Israeli travelers?
Zakopane is generally safe, and Krupówki remains busy in the evening, though travelers should watch for pickpockets and intoxicated drivers around nightlife areas. The greater risk is in the Tatras: check TPN forecasts and alerts, wear suitable footwear and never enter snowy terrain without proper equipment and experience.
What are the must-do attractions in Zakopane?
On a first visit to Zakopane, take the cable car from Kuźnice to Kasprowy Wierch, walk around Morskie Oko, ride the funicular to Gubałówka and finish at Chochołowskie Termy. In winter, add skiing at Nosal or Białka Tatrzańska, depending on snow conditions and ability.
Does Zakopane have nightlife, casinos, kosher food or a Chabad house?
Zakopane nightlife centers on bars along Krupówki and venues such as Cafe Piano and Le Scandale, but this is not a major clubbing destination and it has no notable casino. Zakopane has no dependable year-round kosher infrastructure or permanently active Chabad house, so kosher travelers should stock up in Kraków and contact Chabad Kraków in advance, especially for Shabbat and holidays.
Is Zakopane better for families or couples, what should you pack, and what can it be combined with?
Zakopane works for both: families enjoy Gubałówka, Snowlandia and the thermal baths, while couples often choose a spa hotel, Kasprowy Wierch views and an evening on Krupówki. Pack layers, a rain jacket and hiking shoes even in summer, plus thermal clothing and waterproof boots in winter; the natural combination is two or three nights in Kraków, with an optional visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine.