Morning: Kasprowy Wierch by cable car from Kuźnice
Start the day in the mountains, because visibility is best in the morning and the queues are shorter. The cable car to Kasprowy Wierch sets off from Kuźnice, about 3 kilometres from the centre of Zakopane. In season it is worth booking tickets in advance online, because the daily allocation sells out quickly. At the top, at almost 2,000 metres, you get a panorama of the Tatras on both sides of the border. Set aside about two hours for the ride up, a moment at the summit and the ride down.
Reaching Kuźnice and parking there is not always easy, especially in the morning. A transfer from your hotel to the lower station costs from 160 PLN (ca. 40 EUR) per car (1 to 4 people), so you don’t waste time looking for a space and start the day right at the cable car.
Want to catch the morning cable car without fighting for parking at Kuźnice? Book a transfer from your hotel to the lower station, with a fixed price and child seats included.
Book a transfer to KuźniceMidday: Krupówki and the feel of the town
After coming down from the mountains, head back to the centre and Krupówki, Zakopane’s main promenade. This is where you feel the character of the town: regional architecture, stalls with oscypek cheese, cafés and highland-cuisine eateries. Take a moment to duck into the side streets and up to the church, because the promenade itself can be very touristy. About an hour to an hour and a half is enough for a stroll, a snack and some shopping.
Along the way: oscypek and highland cuisine
A visit to Zakopane is incomplete without trying the regional food. On Krupówki and in the side streets you can buy grilled oscypek with cranberry, and in the inns you can eat kwaśnica, placki po zbójnicku or pierogi. Prices right on the promenade tend to be higher than a street away, so if you want a relaxed meal without the tourist mark-up, walk a little off the main drag. It is a good moment for a break between the mountains and the rest of your sightseeing.
Afternoon: Gubałówka and the view of the Tatras
From around Krupówki you can walk up to the lower station of the Gubałówka funicular. This is a gentle rise on the opposite side of the valley from the Tatras, so it offers the best panorama of the whole range. The funicular ride is short, and at the top you will find viewpoints, stalls and a spot for more photos. It is a calmer alternative to Kasprowy, also good for families with children, as it requires no advance booking or particular fitness.
To finish: Wielka Krokiew
If there is time left, drive up to Wielka Krokiew, the famous ski jump at the foot of the Tatras. Even without a competition on, it impresses with its scale, and from below the jump there is a fine view of the mountain panorama. It is a good point to round off the day before you head back to Krupówki for dinner. The ski jump is a few minutes’ drive from the centre.
A backup plan when the weather lets you down
In the mountains the weather makes its own rules, and sometimes a cloud hangs over Kasprowy in the morning and the cable car stops in strong wind. In that case, switch the plan: start with Krupówki and a calm breakfast, ride up Gubałówka, which works even in poorer visibility, and instead of Kasprowy choose the thermal baths or a museum. Zakopane has several interesting places under a roof, including the historic villas in the Zakopane style and the old cemetery at Pęksowy Brzyzek, where people of note to the region are buried.
If you are travelling with children, don’t force the plan. The ride up Gubałówka alone, a stroll along Krupówki with an oscypek and a moment by Wielka Krokiew will comfortably fill the day without rushing. Leave Kasprowy for a moment when the weather is certain, because a ride up into cloud with no view is a waste of a ticket and your time.
What you can realistically fit in
In a single day you can comfortably combine Kasprowy in the morning, Krupówki at midday and Gubałówka in the afternoon, with Wielka Krokiew as an extra if the pace allows. The key is to start early with the cable car, because it is the most sensitive to crowds and weather. The rest of the points lie close together in the valley, so you lose the least time between them. You will find the prices of all routes and rides in the Zakopane price list.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see Zakopane in one day?
Yes. In one day you can combine Kasprowy Wierch in the morning, Krupówki at midday and Gubałówka in the afternoon, adding Wielka Krokiew if there is time. The key is to start early with the cable car to Kasprowy.
Where does the cable car to Kasprowy Wierch leave from?
The cable car to Kasprowy Wierch starts from Kuźnice, about 3 kilometres from the centre of Zakopane. In season it is worth booking tickets in advance online, because the daily allocation sells out quickly.
How much does a transfer from Zakopane to Kuźnice cost?
A private transfer from your hotel to the lower station of the cable car to Kasprowy costs from 160 PLN (ca. 40 EUR) per car for up to 4 people, at a fixed price. This way you don’t waste time looking for parking, and child seats are included.
Kasprowy or Gubałówka if I’m short on time?
Kasprowy Wierch takes you high into the Tatras with a wider panorama, but it needs a booking and better weather. Gubałówka is quicker, cheaper and easier with children, and the view of the whole Tatra range is impressive too.