What will you find in our guide?
- How to plan your first day with a gentle introduction to the mountain atmosphere - Strążyska Valley in the morning is practically a private trail, and Krupówki before ten o'clock are still empty, so you can calmly buy a real oscypek with a seal.
- Second day with a bigger challenge - Nosal (1206 m above sea level) is approximately a two-hour hike, but in good weather, the views will reward your effort. In the afternoon, Antalówka offers a panorama like that from Gubałówka, only without the queues and crowds.
- Third day in the Kościeliska Valley - 13 km to the shelter at Hala Ornak is a peaceful walk among the Tatra nature, perfect for ending the weekend.
Day one, so getting acquainted with Zakopane
Start calmly. After arriving and settling into the Epic Stay apartment, give yourself time to acclimate. If you are staying on Makuszyński Street, you have the perfect base - it's just a 5-minute walk to the center, and in the evening, there is a blissful silence here.
In the morning, set off to Strążyska Valley. It's the perfect place for your first contact with the Tatra Mountains. The trail to the shelter takes about 45-60 minutes at a normal pace. Be sure to try the sour soup at the shelter - it's really good. They are currently renovating the bridges there (year 2025), so there may be a problem with a stroller, but it's no trouble for pedestrians.
After returning from the Strążyska Valley, it's time for a walk on Krupówki. If you go early, before noon, you'll avoid the biggest crowds. When buying oscypek, look for the one with a seal and a number; that's a guarantee that it's made from sheep's milk. The rest is unfortunately often just regular cow's cheese.
You can spend the afternoon exploring the side streets of Zakopane. Kościeliska and Strążyska are places where you will see the real Zakopane - blacksmith workshops, sculpting studios, and traditional architecture without the touristy atmosphere.
Day two is the time for the first mountain challenge
Start the second day early, preferably around seven in the morning. It's a magical time in Zakopane, where the town is just waking up, and you have the trails almost to yourself. The goal for today is Nosal, a quite impressive hill above Kuźnice with an elevation of 1206 meters.
You can reach Kuźnice on foot or take a bus from the PKS bus station. A ticket costs 5-7 złoty, and you pay the driver, usually in cash only. From Kuźnice to Nosal, it takes about an hour and a half, at most two hours. The trail is not difficult, but there is a place while descending where you have to go down some rocks, and if it's wet, it can be slippery, so you need to be careful. Alternatively, you can approach from the Bystre side (Murowanica stop), which is steeper, but at the same time definitely less crowded.
The views from Nosal are truly breathtaking - you will see the entire panorama of the Tatra Mountains, and on a clear day, also Zakopane spread out in the valley. It's the perfect place for a mountain selfie without crowds in the background.
After descending from Nosal, spend the afternoon at Antałówka. It’s a viewpoint located just 15 minutes from the center, known to maybe 10% of tourists. The panorama of the Tatra Mountains here is almost the same as from Gubałówka, but without the lines. Walking up the town towards the transmitter visible from afar, you will find the streets leading to Antałówka.
In the evening, when returning to the apartment, you can prepare something in the kitchenette. The Kukułka and Zięba apartments located in Zakopane at Epic Stay are equipped with a dishwasher, microwave, and coffee maker, among other things. This is often a better solution than a restaurant. At your own pace, in your own space, with air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter.
Day three is a trip to the Kościeliska Valley
The last day is worth dedicating to a longer trip to Kościeliska Valley. It's about 13 kilometers to the shelter at Hala Ornak, which takes 3-4 hours at a leisurely pace. A bus marked "Kiry" will take you to the entrance of the valley. It departs from the PKS bus station or the City Gallery.
The Kościeliska Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Tatra Mountains, offering an easy, though long, walk along an asphalt road. Along the way, you'll pass picturesque meadows, streams, and limestone rocks. At the shelter on Hala Ornak, have something warm to eat before heading back. After a demanding hike, the mountain food tastes especially good here.
If you still have the energy, you can take one of the side trails - for example, to the Frozen Cave or to Przysłop Kominiarski. However, keep an eye on the time - the last buses leave around 6-7 PM, depending on the period and season.
Practical tips for three days in Zakopane from the hosts of Epic Stay
Admission tickets
The ticket to Tatra National Park costs 10 zlotys (regular) or 5 zlotys (discounted). Buy it online at tpn.gov.pl to avoid queues during the season. Parking near the valleys costs 20-50 zlotys per day, but you can always leave your car on the street near the John Paul II roundabout in Kuźnice and save money. You can also leave your car at Epic Stay and reach the mountains by other means of transportation.
When to arrive?
The best time to visit Zakopane, in our opinion, is May-June or September. At that time, it is warm, but without the summer crowds. Winter is also a nice period. In January, after the tenth, there is usually snow, and the crowds have typically already left after the New Year.
Payments
Cash is mandatory - busy, most mountain lodges and stalls selling oscypek do not accept cards. Always check the weather forecast before heading into the mountains - if it gets bad, turn back. There are no jokes in the mountains.
Spend the weekend in Zakopane with Epic Stay!
Epic Stay Apartments at Makuszyńskiego 3a is the perfect place for a three-day getaway to Zakopane. Kukułka and Zięba offer everything you need after a day in the mountains. You'll find a comfortable double bed, a sofa for extra guests, air conditioning for hot days, and a fully equipped kitchenette.
The location is a real asset - just a 5-minute walk to Krupówki means you are close to everything, yet in a quiet area where you can relax. On-site parking for 15 zlotys per day solves the parking problem in the center. Pets are welcome upon arrangement with the reception, for a small additional fee.
After three days of exploring Zakopane, you will appreciate the comfort of your own space - a balcony with a view where you can enjoy your morning coffee while planning your day, or an air-conditioned living room where you can relax after mountain hikes.