Zakopane Summer – Full Guide + Things to Do + Weather

Zakopane summer trips can be pretty amazing. This is the top time for hiking and exploring the mountains, plus great for outdoor dining and enjoying what the town has to offer.

The Zakopane summer is high time for hiking in the Tatra Mountains and enjoying the national park that’s right on the doorstep of this southern hill town.

It sure is a busy time of the year to come, but we love it.

The weather’s usually balmy and sunny, the walking trails are at their finest, and there’s a good vibe about the town with lots of outdoor eating and drinking.

This guide will run through everything you need to know about planning a trip to Zakopane in the summer.

It’s got information on what the weather’s like between June and August, the lowdown on the top things to do in the warmer months, and even suggestions on where’s best to stay and reasons why.

Let’s begin…

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You’ll see that the best way, in both summer and winter, is probably by train. It’s comfy and means you get to dodge the traffic jams on the roads – and there WILL be traffic in the summer months, especially during the peak school holidays.

We can also recommend skirting around to the eastern side of the town via Białka Tatrzańska and entering that way – it can sometimes be faster but trust in Google maps.

The upside to having your own car is that you’ll be able to drive to more trailheads for walking and exploring the national park.

Rentals from Krakow shouldn’t cost you too much. Search and compare the best deals from everyone in the town and airport to get the best deal before booking – we use RentalCars to do that…

The summer in Zakopane is likely to be noticeably cooler than it is in Krakow. The town is much higher up, set in a bowl in the Tatra Mountains, which brings that added layer of uncertainty to the climate.

Generally speaking, you’re looking at thermometer levels of between 14C (57F) and 21C (70F) for the bulk of the season. It can get hotter than that, with max peaks in the 30s (86F+) but it rarely is.

The upshot? All that’s great news for hikers, who shouldn’t have to plan early departures to dodge scorching midday heat like they do in the Alps or the Pyrenees.

In terms of rain and sun, the Zakopane summer can be quite wet indeed.

Rainfall actually peaks in the summer months to just over 191mm in July. June, August, and September aren’t quite as wet as that, but they still see a lot of the downpours.

On the flip side, most of the precipitation in Zakopane in the summer is limited to short, sharp thunderstorms that will usually come through in the late afternoon.

It’s a good idea to plan to have your hiking done by that point – injuries from lightning strikes in the mountains are not unheard of!

Zakopane summer visits are often high-energy affairs. This is the main hiking and trekking time in the Tatras, you see, and you’ll notice ramblers of all levels on the trails of the national park.

Of course, there are other things to fill the itinerary with, from thermal spas to relaxing day trips down idyllic river gorges…

Summer is probably the peak time to get on the trails of the Tatra National Park, which is the reserve that encompasses the soaring mountains to the south of Zakopane itself.

We’re not alone in thinking that this is the home of the best hiking in Poland as a whole.

The area hosts the tallest peak in the country, Rysy, along with a whole range of other mountains and mountain lakes that add up to some seriously gorgeous rambling terrain.

In all, there’s something like 275km of marked trails ranging from easy beginner walks to gnarlier summit pushes in these parts.

We’ve got a MUCH more in-depth guide to hiking in Zakopane if all that’s taken your fancy. However, just to give you an idea of the sort of variety you can look forward to, here’s a taster of some of the top hiking options for the warmer months.

• Morskie Oko – The easy path to Morskie Oko takes you to one of the most-photographed mountain lakes in Poland. It’s an incredible place that’s easy to reach for most walkers of good fitness. Just wait until you see the soaring peaks reflected in the mirror-like water!
• Kasprowy Wierch – There’s a cable car that you can ride to the top of Kasprowy from the base station in Kuznice, about 10 minutes’ by bus from the main station in Zakopane. We prefer the hike up. It’s an all-dayer and quite challenging, leaving via one wooded valley and then descending through another. The views at the top will be over both Poland and Slovakia. Cool, eh?
• Sarnia Skała – A moderate-level hike that we regularly do because it can be finished in just a few hours. A lovely variation is the walk through Dolina Strążyska with Giewont up ahead and then over the densely forested ridge to Czerwona Przełęcz.
• Giewont – The peak that you can see unfolding right infront of Zakopane to the south is Giewont, oddly shaped like a sleeping giant. It looks impenitrable but actually it’s not all that hard if you hike around the back via a neighboring valley and then up to the summit. Takes about 6-7 hours in all from Kuznice, the base station by the national park entrance.
• Rysy – Poland’s highest mountain represents a pretty solid challenge even to seasoned hikers. Summer is a good time to attempt it because it ensures there won’t be snow on the higher parts of the trail. Expect some chain sections and some scrambling, and never attempt it without the proper gear. Also, don’t go for Rysy in thunderstorms. Seems obvious but you’d be surprised!

If you’re not feeling a six-hour roundtrip hike, then there’s still one sure fire way to enjoy what the mountains around Zakopane have to offer: Take the cable car.

It leaves from the village of Kuznice on the south side of the town. Frequent buses will take you there from the train station, costing around 5 PLN ($1) a pop. A regular fare for the cable car itself is 79 PLN ($15) for a return ride for an adult aged 27-64. There are reductions for OAPs and students.

The ride takes under 10 minutes but it’s a journey of breathtaking proportions. You’ll be lofted more than 1,900 meters above sea level to the top station of Kasprowy itself. As you go, vistas of the various wooded valleys of the Tatra National Park will unfold on both sides. They look positively stunning in the height of the Zakopane summer, what with emerald pine and fir forests cascading down sunbaked ridges.

This is also a trip on a piece of history. The cable car here was first built in the 1930s and is now a veritable piece of local heritage. There’s an observatory and restaurant-gift shop complex to be found at the top, not to mention ridiculously awesome panoramas over into neighboring Slovakia.

At just 1,100 meters above sea level (only 400 or so above Zakopane itself), Gubałówka is not quite a mountain, but it does guarantee some fo the finest 180-degree views of the High Tatra peaks in the summer months.

That’s because it sits plum across the valley from the larger summits, facing directly south to give vistas galore. It’s also super easy to access from the main center of the town, so is a top way to experience the majesty of the Zakopane region without having to trek too much.

There’s a path up that weaves through pockets of pine woods. Most people will take the vintage Gubałówka Funicular, though. It’s been a mainstay of the town since the 1930s and still whisks crowds of tourists up to the lookout points on high. The station is at the bottom end of Krupowki Street.

The top station has a restaurant and a small walking path that’s accessible to all.

The Dunajec River weaves all the way through the heart of southern Poland from the town of Tarnow to the high peaks of the Tatras.

For some reason, rafting up one section of its length has become a very popular summertime activity. We’re not arguing – it sure is a lovely way to spend a clear, dry day. (Just make sure the forecast is clear and dry!)

The only way to do it is to take a day trip.

This highly rated one from Taxi Zakopane is prob the best out there. Participants will be transported from their hotel in Zakopane in the morning to the town of Sromowce Niżne a little to the east – the drive is just over an hour in all. That’s where you’ll board your raft, with a dedicated punt driver dressed in traditional Polish costume.

What follows is 30 minutes of seriously stunning landscapes, a montage of low limestone peaks clad in clusters of forest. There’s even a dramatic castle along the way to cap it all off.

If you’re super tight on time then it’s also possible to see the Dunajec River and Zakopane in a single daytrip from Krakow. This package includes all your transport plus park entry tickets and access to the Gubalowka scenic funicular in Zako itself.

You’ll hear us mention Krupowki Street A LOT in all our guides to Zakopane. That’s because it’s the main hub of the whole town. It runs right through the middle of the place for just shy of a whole kilometer.

During the summer – and the winter, spring, and fall for that matter – it’s a veritable hubbub of life. Bars, eateries, taverns, and cafés are in abundance here.

It’s the place where the hikers go for their post-walk piwo (that’s beer!) after hitting the trails of the Tatras and the place where those not walking will often hang out.

Krupowki is also worth knowing about in the summer months because it’s the main shopping strip. It’s riddled with outdoors outlets that stock everything from hiking boots to walking poles.

Drop in if you need to grab some gear for your expeditions. You can also buy detailed walking maps of the national park, which we think are a must if you want to do some serious summertime rambling in Zako.

Hot springs and thermal baths

The whole of the Zakopane valley is famous for its hot springs. People have actually been visiting the town for over 100 years because they say the waters in this region have medicinal properties.

We’d probably argue that the winter in Zakopane is the BEST time to enjoy the springs because they are thermal – many are naturally warmed to over 40 C and let you sit outside soaking in the warm water as the snow falls.

That said, we also think the summer is fantastic, espeically if you’re planning some hikes and might incur a few tight muscles here and there.

There are a few around but our favorites are…

• Chochołowska Termy – Outdoor pools overlooking the western valleys of the Tatras about 15-20 mins out of Zako. These baths are great for couples and families alike. Probably our favorite in the area as of 2024/25.
• Termy BUKOVINA – On the hills to the north of Zakopane, these are very nice baths with a bit more of an upscale vibe. Fantastic for couples.
• Aqua Park Zakopane – This large Aquapark isn’t really a spa facility per se. It’s better for families who want something to do on a wet day but the closeness to the center of Zakopane makes it an easy option for those with kids in tow.

We’d also add that a spa hotel can give you the benefit of a thermal bath experience only with the convenience of having that spa a few steps from your hotel room.

Zakopane has become a hotspot for those too! We reccomend some great ones in our guide to the top hotels in Zako, or you can search the whole bunch right here.

Quad biking in Zakopane

Quad biking has only recently become a thing in Zakopane but there are now a couple of different operators offering this adrenaline-pumping activity. It only really happens in the spring and summer months since you can’t go quading when there’s snow or ice on the ground.

Trips usually last between one and three hours, including an initial safety briefing. You’ll be provided with all the necessary waterproofs and mud-proof clothing and whatnot and then get in the saddle to ride an ATV through the local trails.

It’s worth bearing in mind that quad bike trips do not enter the boundaries of the national park for obvious reasons. Instead, they take you around the Gubalowka hill just south of Zakopaen (where you have great views of the Tatras) and through some of the lowland farms in the Zakopane valley.

All participants will need a full, valid driving license to take part and you’ll need to take that along with you.

There’s one leading provider of quad tours in Zakopane these days and we highly recommend you book online before you travel because they’re getting more and more popular every summer season.

Taste/discover Oscypek

Ask any Pole what comes to mind when you mention Zakopane and the chances are that Oscypek cheese will be in there somewhere between the snow, the skiing and the mountains.

This is the regional delicacy of the Podhale region – a chewy, smoky sheep’s cheese.

And, guess what…summer is the best time to try it.

The cheese at this time is at its freshest, made from recently harvested milk in local farms.

You can literally try it anywhere but we always say the best places are the roadside stops on Krupowki Street.

Alternatively, drop into Zakopane’s Muzeum Oscypka to learn all about how the cheese is made and why it’s super important to southern Poland.

Cheese lover? We have a complete in-depth guide to everything Oscypek cheese right here.

The Zakopane Festival of Highland Folklore is a celebration of the local culture of southern Poland and the mountain region of Podhale (where Zakopane makes its home) in particular.

It’s by far the biggest event of the summer…

Taking place annually in late August, this festival transforms Zakopane into a lively hub of traditional music, dance, and crafts, attracting visitors from across the country and beyond.

The festival is a showcase of the unique Highlander culture (known as Goral), deeply rooted in the traditions of the Tatra Mountains.

It features a variety of performances by folk groups dressed in colorful, intricately embroidered costumes. The highlight is the highlander music, characterized by the use of violins, bagpipes, and the unique podhale style of singing, which takes over the main street of Krupowki most evenings.

Traditional dances, such as the dynamic “Zbójnicki” (the Robbers’ dance), depict historical tales of the highland bandits and are performed with vigor and precision. Alongside these performances, the festival hosts competitions in traditional craftsmanship, including wood carving, weaving, and sheep shearing, reflecting the everyday life of the highlanders.

The whole thing usually lasts around a week in all and is a great time to be in town, so long as you don’t mind higher hotel rates and big crowds!