Christmas in Zakopane – A Complete Guide for Travelers

Christmas in Zakopane is a special, special time. This mountain town gets super festive, very cozy, and – importantly – doused in snow!

Zakopane is a FANTASTIC place to spend Christmas.

Just look at the facts: A quaint mountain town tucked under the jagged peaks of the Tatras, Poland’s major ski hub, a place steeped in highlander culture, complete with timber taverns and fire-warmed pubs.

What more could you ask for?

Truth is, Christmas week is one of the peak seasons for Zakopane. We won’t lie: It gets very busy at the height of the festive season.

But that’s for good reason.

It’s charming, lovely, there’s loads to do, and snow is alllmoost a cert. Let’s dig a little deeper…

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This is just one part of our complete guide to all things Zakopane

What’s in this guide to Zakopane at Christmas?

How to get to Zakopane (at Christmas)

We have a complete guide to getting from Krakow to Zakopane (which is how most people get to the mountain town).

There might be some extra things to consider if you’re traveling at Christmas, though…

By Air

• The nearest major airport to Zakopane is Kraków’s John Paul II International Airport (KRK), located about 110 kilometers (68 miles) away. From the airport, you can take a direct bus or a train to Zakopane, with travel times ranging from 2 to 3 hours. Use Kiwi.com to search for flights – they have a great interface that shows up all the low-cost carriers and best routes into town from all over Europe.

By Train

• Trains from Kraków to Zakopane run several times a day, and the journey takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. The train ride is scenic, offering views of the Polish countryside and the approaching Tatra Mountains. The train station in Zakopane is conveniently located near the town center, making it easy to access your accommodations. Sometimes services can be delayed due to heavy snowfall, though we’ve noticed this has been WAYYYY less of an issue in the last couple of months. You can use OMIO to search and pre-book tickets on trains & buses from Krakow to Zako…

By Bus

• Buses are another popular option for traveling to Zakopane from Kraków and other nearby cities. Several bus companies offer frequent services, with travel times similar to those of trains. Buses are often more flexible and can be slightly cheaper than trains.

By Car

• If you prefer to drive, Zakopane is accessible by car from Kraków via the Zakopianka road (E77). The drive takes about 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions and the quality of the highway has improved A LOT in the last few years. However, be aware that the Zakopianka can be busy during the holiday season, and winter driving conditions may require extra caution because there can be snow built up as the road gains altitude. Still, traffic is definitely the biggest hurdle, so consider leaving Krakow as easrly as you can (like 5-6am) to dodge the queues.

We use RentalCars.com to hire all our cars in Krakow, mainly becuase they often offer generous cancellation policies up to 48 hours before or something…

Top things to do in Zakopane at Christmas

Zakopane offers a wide range of activities to enjoy during the Christmas season, from winter sports to cultural experiences.

Skiing and Snowboarding

• Zakopane is the skiing and snowboarding hub of southern Poland. There are several ski resorts in and around the town. The most famous is Kasprowy Wierch, which offers challenging slopes. The better option for beginners and more casual skiiers is Szymoszkowa, which is a walk from Zako’s center. Or, you could drive/bus it over to Bialka, which is about 20 minutes away but is the largest connected ski area in the country these days.

Gubałówka Hill

• Take the funicular up to Gubałówka Hill, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Zakopane and the surrounding mountains. At the top, you’ll find winter markets, food stalls, and activities like snow tubing and tobogganing. The views from Gubałówka are particularly stunning at sunset, with the snow-covered peaks bathed in golden light. We like this one for the little ones becuase you can get that high mountain feeling without having to enter the national park.

Tatra National Park

For those who enjoy nature, a winter hike in Tatra National Park is a must. The park offers a variety of trails that can be done with Zakopane’s trademark heavy snowfall, ranging from easy walks to more challenging hikes. That said, the most adventurous, high-altitude trails will almost certainly be impassable and closed due to avalanche risk.

Here’s are just a few of the hikes that you can usaully do in the winter months. Be sure to check that you

• Morskie Oko – A beautiful lake surrounded by mountains about 30 minutes’ drive/bus out of Zakopane. Go early to beat the crowds. The lake itself could be totally frozen over.
• Valley of Five Lakes – This is particularly picturesque in winter though some sections of the trail may be snowed under. It’s the same access path as Morskie Oko.
• Sarnia Skała – Probably the best winter hike that’s doable within reach of the town. You can hike form the door of your hotel up to this twisted peak that’s on the north side of the High Tatras. It’s not easy and you will definitely need chains or spikes on your shoes (these ones are very good).
• Polana Strążyska – The valley that leads the way to the trail for Sarnia Skała is usually accessible in the deep winter even in heavy snowfall. There’s a frozen waterfall at the end and a small mountain hut that does hot chocolate.

Always check the avalanche risk before you go hiking in the winter. That’s usually displayed at the entrance to the national park. Oh, and remember – it gets cold here, and dark early. Prepare for winter walks accordingly!

Thermal Baths

We think the winter months are the BESSSSTT time to kick back and relax in one of the many thermal baths in and around Zakopane.

The thermal waters are naturally heated and rich in minerals, providing a soothing experience that is perfect for unwinding.

There are a few in the region, with some that stand out from the crowd…

• Terma Bania – Set just under the ski slopes of Bialka Tatrzanska (20-30 minutes’ drive from Zakopane, traffic permitting), Terma has an outdoor pool that’s heated to nearly 40 degrees where you can soak and watch the snowfall.
• Chochołowskie Termy – Closer to the Slovakian border, these baths are the best for couples. They have multiple spaces, saunas, and hot pools, plus an idyllic setting near the charming highland village of Chocholow.
• Aquapark Zakopane – The least imaginative option, but easy if you have the kids in tow, this is more of a waterpark come thermal baths. It’s right in the center of Zakopane itself.

Where to stay in Zakopane at Christmas?

There are tons of fantastic hotels in Zakopane these days. You can book any you like for Christmas.

BUTTTT we would say a few things first…

1. Stay near the center – We think it’s imporant to be within at least walking distance of the main strip that is Krupowki Street if you come at Christmastime. That doesn’t mean you have to be right in the middle of the town. It just means something like 15-30 minutes’ walk away (bearing in mind it’s cold outside). Doing that will mean you don’t have to use transport to get to the taverns and eateries and events. Avoiding the main road in and out of town is especially important because it can get chocablock.
2. Spa hotels are a thing here – If you aren’t on a really tight budget then it’s worth knowing that Zakopane is a bit of a hub for spa hotels these days. Lots of places have excellent health facilities with hot tubs and saunas and things like that. They are really lovely to return to after a day in the snow in the colder months especially.

With that in mind, here are a few of our top overall picks for hotel stays in Zako around Christmas time…

• Aries Hotel & Spa – This one’s almost always close to the top of our list. It’s a luxury hotel that’s just 100m off the main street in the heart of the town. It’s got a mix of modern and highlander styles, is super cozy, and offers one of the best spas we’ve seen, including outdoor hot tubs!
• Grand Hotel Stamary – Conveniently located right by the train station, this fine hotel has an underground area with saunas, along with a big hot tub and pool that looks onto the snowy ground.
• Aparthotel Cristina – A gem of a hotel with a pizza resto in the basement, this one has a spa with views over a local park. If you’re lucky you can sit there and watch the snow fall from the hot tub.
• Apartamenty Folk & Art Krupówki 25 – A vintage apartment option that’s near the heart of the town. All units have very nice decor inspired by the local mountains. Some have balconies with mountain views.

If you wanted more in the way of apartments with extra space for the family and things like self-catering, we also have a complete guide to the best apartments and aparthotels in the city right here.

What’s the weather like during Christmas in Zakopane

The short answer: It’s cold! And snowy. But it’s also a proper winter wonderland sorta’ feel.

At least that’s the case most years. We were last in Zako in the Christmas of 2023 and it was covered in snow, with a bit of rain mixed in. That means things turn to slush after a while but the place still looked pretty enough.

December in Zakopane is characterized by frequent snowfall, with the town typically blanketed in a thick layer of snow by Christmas. The good news is that also means that the ski slopes usually manage to open by the second week of December.

Temperatures during Christmas in Zakopane can range from -5°C to -10°C (23°F to 14°F), though it can occasionally dip even lower, especially at night. It’s important to dress warmly, with layers, thermal wear underneath, and appropriate winter accessories like gloves, hats, and scarves.