Zakopane is one of Poland’s most famous destinations, known for its unique charm as both a gateway to the Tatra Mountains and a hub for preserving traditional culture. Since the 19th century, it has also been a beloved retreat for Polish artists, including writers, painters, and poets, who found inspiration here and left their mark on this extraordinary town.
One of Zakopane’s most iconic spots is Pęksowe Brzyzko Cemetery, where nearly every tomb is a unique work of art. Many were crafted by renowned sculptor Władysław Hasior. The cemetery is the final resting place of many famous Poles, such as writer and painter Witkacy, skiing legends Stanisław and Helena Marusarzówna, poet Kornel Makuszyński, writer Władysław Orkan, poet Kazimierz Przerwa-Tetmajer, and Tytus Chałubiński, a doctor, nature lover, and early promoter of Zakopane.
Just across from the cemetery stands Zakopane’s oldest church, adding another layer of history and tradition to this remarkable town.
But the most of all, what attracts in Zakopane and whole Podhale region is the incredibly rich and living traditional culture of the Highlanders: the Górale. See a wedding procession filmed in Zakopane during one of our Forefathers Traces Tours.
Here, in Zakopane, just walking on the main street you will see wooden houses with beautiful, elaborate woodcarvings, you will see the people in their regional clothes walking to the church for a wedding or some holiday. Here you can taste the smoked cheese (oscypek) made from sheep’s milk in the same style as a hundred years ago. If you know Polish language you can capture the accent and dialect from here which is used in everyday conversations. And the combinations of these three faces of Zakopane is causing the millions of visitors to fall in love with this town immediately!
We will have dinner in one of the restaurants with Goral folklore music:
During our trip we will have occasion to see the old part of Zakopane with traditional houses, wooden chapel and already mentioned cemetery. We will see the Willa Koliba, the magnificent example of the architecture style created by Stanisław Witkiewicz. Finally we will take a funicular train up the Gubałówka mountain to admire the commanding views of the Tatra Mountains and the Zakopane panorama in the valley below. Finally we will wander through the local market at the foot of Gubałówka to see, smell, taste and touch local products from all over the region.
We will also try to show you the beautiful surroundings of the Podhale region, including Chochołów, a unique village or ?living museum? comprised almost exclusively of the original Polish Góral highlanders’ wooden houses.
And this is the hotel website where we will be staying for 3 nights in Zakopane area: Redyk Hotel.