Sightseeing in Zakopane - what to see. Complete travel guide

Zakopane is the mountain city in Poland and it is a popular ski resort. It is located in the southern part of the country. One of the main values of the resort city remains favorable climatic conditions. Winters are very mild and snowy here. Thus, Zakopane is a popular spot for a family vacation. Ski tracks will be available to admirers of winter sports in December. But some slopes will be available even until mid-April.

It is remarkable that the ski resort began to attract travelers in the 19th century. Its infrastructure has been improved for more than a hundred years. Now it is almost perfect. It is worth noting that the resort attracts the attention of travelers not only in winter. In summer hiking enthusiasts prefer to relax here. They have a decent selection of beautiful places for walking.

Zakopane is an amazing city with a unique national atmosphere. It is a great place for those who dream about getting acquainted with the cultural traditions of Poland. Everything is gorgeous here: the typical local architecture, incredibly beautiful folk events and cuisine. There are many beautiful wooden houses, which are the location of many hotels, restaurants and other entertainment venues. At the height of tourist season beautiful festivals and fairs in national style with the best folklore groups, are held for tourists every day. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

For over a hundred years, this wonderful city has been keeping its ancient traditions and has actively introduced them to foreign visitors. It is also worth noting that Zakopane is a regular venue for winter sports competitions. Thus, even internationally renowned athletes prefer to spend time here. It is located close to the Tatra National Park which makes the place attractive for people who are fond of ecological tourism. Walks through the most magnificent places of the sanctuary are available to guests of the resort all year round. Although in winter the choice of routes is significantly limited.

The scenic city with its rich history also has the presence of prominent landmarks. That is why fans of excursion tourism will not be bored during their holiday. The city has several interesting museums and there is an incredibly interesting botanical garden. It represents a rich collection of plants that can be seen in the local woods. No matter what time of a year you are going to visit the resort, a rich and exciting program of leisure is guaranteed for tourists. In winter they can be definitely offered a ride on a dog sledge and participate in one of exciting folklore events. But in the summer the resort offers scenic walks all day long and admire the amazing mountain scenery.

Zakopane is rich in national cuisine restaurants that are certainly very interesting to visit. The region has many signature dishes, such as oscypek, smoked sheep cheese. It has amazing taste and can stay fresh longer without any chemicals. Local cuisine is rich in hearty soups and meat dishes. For example, zurek soup is a popular national dish. The key component of this meal is special fermented yeast made from rye flour.

Mushrooms are an essential ingredient in the national cuisine. You can find mushrooms in absolutely different dishes. Pies and pancakes with different fillings are the most typical desserts that both locals and tourists like to order. Don’t forget to try beigel, these fragrant ring-shaped bread rolls have become a popular souvenir that tourists like to buy for their friends and family.

So-called milk bars are an interesting peculiarity of the resort. These dining venues appeared in Zakopane yet in the middle of the previous century. Many bars are very successful and have been working since that time. These venues offer various dairy products from nearby farms.

During hundreds of years, breeding sheep has been one of the main occupations of local people. The majority of dairy products are made from sheep milk. That said, there is nothing strange in the fact why items made of lamb wool are so widespread in the region and why travelers enjoy buying these items. The best way to shop such souvenirs is to visit special workshops as they offer a wide range of items at attractive prices. It is also important to mention that lamb wool is used not only to make clothes but also to produce beautiful carpets with geometric patterns. Sault lamps are another popular category of souvenirs. These lamps are produced nearby, at Velichka mines.