Has anyone been to Zakopane in Poland ?

[harrychees]

We have booked for next December
Our plan is spend a couple of days in krakow then go to Zakopane for 3 nights.
We have booked the raddison blu.
Does anyone have any recommendations for things to do in Zakopane
Also the best way to get from Krakow.
We are going 17th December
Likely to be snow ?
Thanks in advance

Anyone ?

I have been to Zakopane as part of a day trip. It’s a beautiful town.

The countryside on the way there is beautiful with the most incredible houses; 3 storeys etc!

I did a taxi day trip and it wasn’t that dear, I’m not sure about public transport tbh.

Stopped off at a cheese smoke-house which was really interesting.

There is an amazing spa up in the mountains that is definitely worth a visit; there seems to be a few now that I’ve googled.
Definitely worth a visit.

I got a bus down from Krakow to Zakopane. Stayed in a hostel type place so can’t comment on your accommodation. I skied one day at some slopes near me, and had a snowboard lesson there on another day, and got a bus across town to a different set of slopes. I remember the ski areas not being well connected compared to Alps where chairlifts get you around more easily. Are you intending to ski? I don’t remember what else there was to do but had a lovely time there. I went in March. I imagine lots of snow in December but don’t really know! Sorry probably haven’t been very helpful but it was a nice trip down memory lane just thinking about it again.

We're about to do a similar trip to the OP. Can I ask if you have any tips? We're thinking 2 nights in Krakow and then 3 in Zakopane with our 3DC: 13, 10 and 8. 30th Dec - 4th Jan. where did you stay?

We’ve only been in summer. Really enjoyed a few days in Krakow, then a week in Zakopane for hiking and thermal baths.
We rented a car but there’s a very easy (and cheap!) flix bus from Krakow to Zakopane, and trains run smoothly too. Next time we would take one of those options instead of a rental.
It’s very touristy with loads of things to do, and everything is geared towards tourists so you’ll have plenty of options.
Can’t recommend activities as I imagine the summer activities will be very different to the winter ones.

Yes - about 10 years ago.

Went skiing. A lot

Yes, but we went in summer so did lots of walking. We got the bus to Krakow and I highly recommend. We booked tickets online, bus was v modern and comfortable- so much better than the UK! Look up flixbus.

Brilliant! Can you hire ski stuff there? We're beginners so fancy trying it for one day along with some sledging and more relaxed family snow fun

You could when I was there.

It's a popular ski resort

That seems really interesting. Do the Christmas side of things start in November?

I def did but it was a long time ago.

Unless you are going skiing or hiking it’s like Blackpool with so many similar tat stalls/shops! We were there a couple of hours with a tour and that was enough.

The spa was ok but it was so so busy, someone we spoke to described it as a hot bath with hundreds of others. We could not even get in a hot tub it was so rammed!

Yes, we did the journey earlier in the year. Took the train there, flixbus back. Both are good, although trains are limited on Sundays hence taking the bus back. Snowlandia is good for kids. There are a few options for thermal spas.

@Cheeseand2veg look up ski school Jerry. Really user friendly school for newbies, they can provide all the kit.

You can also get sledge rides where you have traditional sausage and cheese at the end. It is a very Polish resort. Lots of Polish street snacks available.