We are planning to on Rick Steves tour to Poland in May. It does not include Auschwitz which we will plan to add at the end. We would love to see the mountains as well. Are the mountains worth an extra day to see. If so, best way to get there and where to stay etc.
Thank you
Posted by
Green Bay
21137 posts
There are trains from Krakow to Zakopane.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
We are not sure what to do when we get there. Would it be easy on our own or should we go with a tour group? If so can you recommend one?
Thank you
Betsy
Posted by
884 posts
We spent 2 nights in Zakopane, maybe 7 years ago. At that time the bus was faster and more frequent than the train. The train station and the bus station were close to each other in Zakopane.
As far as what to do when you are there, you can walk around the town (one main pedestrianized street), but you will want to see the mountains. Stop by the tourist information center. Zakopane is a resort town, so the tour info center is there to help you. There are hikes/walks at all levels. We really enjoyed our time In Zakopane. It was fun to see how people enjoyed their vacation time there.
Posted by
Barcelona + Sweden
4180 posts
The Tatras are definity worth a look! It's a very different "highlander" (Goral) culture compared to the rest of Poland.
Once in Zakopane, I believe there are buses (departing regularly from the bus station) to the trailhead of the hike to Morskie Oko (very deep glacial lake), by far the most popular and equally spectacular hike in the area, I did it several years ago, I recall the trail was mostly paved and you could also hire a traditional horse carriage to take to up to the lake too.
There are also many cable cars from Zakopane that go up to the surrounding mountains if you want something less intense. Kasprowy Wierch Cable Railway is the most well known, you can probably get a taxi to the ground station right from the train station.
Posted by
Vancouver, Washington
297 posts
I really enjoyed Zakopane when I was there three years ago so much so that I included it in my trip next month. The Polish Highland culture is very strong in the area and can be seen in dress, architecture and food. Walk Krupowki street, take a lift to a mountain top, hike Morskie Oko, eat Oscypek cheese or visit one of the thermal baths in the area.
Busses run from the back side of the train station frequently taking two hours from Krakow. The train runs a couple times a day but takes like 3.5 hours.
I stayed at Pensjonat I domki Javorina (www.javorina.pl), both a restaurant and chalets. It was beautiful, quiet and breakfast was delicious though some may like to stay closer to Krupowki street to be closer to the action. It’s about a 15 minute walk outside the center.
I love Zakopane.