Zakopane (Podhale Goral: Zokopane) is a town in the south of Poland, in the southern part of the Podhale region at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. From 1975 to 1998, it was part of Nowy Sącz Voivodeship; since 1999, it has been part of Lesser Poland Voivodeship. As of 2017 its population was 27,266.
Zakopane is a centre of Goral culture and is often referred to as "the winter capital of Poland". It is a popular destination for mountaineering, skiing, and tourism.Zakopane lies near Poland's border with Slovakia, in a valley between the Tatra Mountains and Gubałówka Hill. It is connected by rail and road to the provincial capital, Kraków.
Zakopane lies 800–1,000 metres above sea level and centres on the intersection of its Krupówki and Kościuszko Streets.
** Kasprowy Wierch ** Gubałówka ** Nosal ** Białka Tatrzańska ** Bukowina Tatrzańska ** Butorowy Wierch ** Polana Szymoszkowa!-- --
Additional things to explore:
A local speciality is Oscypek, smoked sheep's milk cheese.
There are many good eateries within Zakopane. Look for authentic-looking wood huts. Avoid ones with colourful lights and multi-coloured lamps. Good "Bacowkas" include "Bąkowo Zohylina Wyźnio and Nizino" right off of Krupowki. Chata Zbójnicka on Jagiellońska is also good for authentic food (and experience). You can also try the fried fish eateries anywhere in town for a quick, cheap meal. Trout is the speciality in this town.
There is a cheese market every day. It's probably best to come early in the morning while the produce is still fresh, but it's fine to eat whenever it's purchased.
Trains run every couple of hours or so from Kraków, taking 3 hr 30 min. Three of these come direct from Warsaw (6-9 hours), with Sleeper trains most nights. Other destinations usually involve changing in Kraków but there is one direct train daily from Bydgoszcz via Poznan and Wroclaw.
The is east of town centre.
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