Zakopane has been attracting visitors from Poland and all over the world for over a hundred years now. Situated at the foot of the Tatra mountains and surrounded with woods it is an excellent location for holiday makers tired of city hustle. Advantages of crystal clear waters and air made Zakopane a spa resort already in 1886. All the factors turned Zakopane from a pure mountain village into a dreamlike place for visitors both in summer and winter time. Over the years the town has gained a prominent name of a Summer and Winter Capital of Poland alike.

     An abundance of well prepared and signposted trails have been opened for mountain hike lovers. The majority of those take hikers on through the territory of the Tatra National Park, where a half wild nature can still be observed and admired. The tired ones can enjoy their rest in one of the numerous mountain shelters.

     For the active and sport lovers there is plenty to offer as well. There are bike hires, swimming pools, tennis courts and pitches. The Sports Center in Zakopane provides professional 25 meters swimming pool. There is also an Aqua Park being built at the moment on the slopes of the Antałówka hill, where geothermal hot springs are to be used for visitors health and relaxation.

     Extreme sport lovers will find their paradise in Zakopane. Rock climbing, for both beginners and advanced mountaineers, paragliding instruction by the Nowy Targ Aero club will satisfy the most requiring thrill seekers. The mountain views from a high rock or bird′s eye views will for sure be an unforgettable experience.

     The cable car to Mount Kasprowy and the funicular to the Gubałówka hill take visitors to most spectacular viewpoints. They enable whole families, even those with little children, and elderly people as well to enjoy the breathtaking views of the Tatras.
     Well organized transport within and outside the town is served by public and private companies alike. There is no problem getting to places like Jaszczurówka Chapel, Olcza and KuŸnice districts, Morskie Oko lake, often referred to as "the most beautiful bit of Poland," even if they are ten or twenty kilometers away. In the town of Zakopane itself tourists can reach various destinations with the local bus taking you to the Strążyska or Kościeliska Valleys, the later being the greatest one of all the Tatra valleys, passing the oldest part of the town along the Kościeliska street which boasts of the traditional wooden architecture.

     Accommodation of all standards is available in the town. Luxurious hotels, numerous pensions, and private lodgings will cater for everybody′s needs and pockets.

     Art enthusiasts will have a chance to enjoy their time in one of a numerous museums and art galleries. They present works of local art as well as those of well-established Polish artists. Many of the artists, whose works are now exhibited at the Zakopane museums loved the town so much that decided to move and settled here. The inhabitants often do painting, sculpture and embroidery themselves either professionally or on amateur basis. There is hardly a household without a family member who would not do the glass painting. This is a traditionally technique, which can be found almost everywhere. For all those reasons there are numerous art schools: Secondary School of Fine Arts, Vocational School of Artistic Weaving, Music School. There is a reason to believe that the local folk are intrinsically artistic people with an inborn love of the beautiful. This might be a consequence of an everyday community with the richness of the Tatra nature, which teaches sensitivity and involvement.

     In high season, many outdoor events are organized; concerts and festivals. Then highlanders′ traditional outfits can be seen and admired, old songs sung and listened to, local specialties served. Local cheese enjoys most popularity with the in-comers. This is made of eve′s milk and called "oscypek." In the Podhale region the sheep-breeding has been a long established tradition. No wonder, sheep skins, warm slippers, sweaters and socks of sheep wool and various cheese kinds are offered at the local markets. The highlanders′ Folklore culture is still vivid and alive, and is a phenomenon on a national scale. The locals speak a distinct dialect, they wear traditional outfits at national and church festivities, and their gatherings are accompanied with the sounds of local bands playing traditional music. The highlanders′ Folklore culture is not merely a tourist attraction, but an element of everyday life.

     When weather does not permit outdoor activities, or when tired of a day′s stroll numerous cafes, restaurants or traditional inns welcome visitors to a specific atmosphere, local music and tasty specialties. Most of those places are situated along the main mall of Krupówki. In the 17th century the street was a part of a shepherds′ track, where sheep were taken into the meadows high in the mountains. Over a hundred years ago, the local workers walked the street to KuŸnice iron works, then visitors coming in larger and larger numbers took over as a walking path. Today′s Krupówki street is the most popular walking mall in Poland and a must when visiting Zakopane.

     In winter time Zakopane becomes a paradise for ski lovers. Modern chair lifts on Mount Kasprowy came up to modern standards and ensure high capacity. More changes are planned to be carried out to increase safety and comfort of the skiers, on this highest and longer pists in the Tatra mountains.

     The skiing complex of Nosal offers pists to skiers of all levels. Numerous skiing schools offer skiing and snowboard instruction. The funicular takes skiers to the top of the Gubałówka hill; lifts and pists at Polana Szymoszkowa and Harenda are also of best quality. Artificially snowed, well prepared and lit after dark pists are open from early mornings till late evenings. It is well advisable to warm-up at some shorter and easier slopes before setting out for higher and steeper ones. New ski lifts are constantly being put up at smaller and easier hills in the town, perfect especially for children or beginners. Skis and snowboards are available at numerous ski rentals both in the town and at most of the slightest even ski slopes and lifts. A 7.5 kilometer cross country track has been operation since 2000, partly on the territory of the National Park.

     The modernization of the Wielka Krokiew jumping hill has made it one of the best and most attractive venues in the world. Thanks to the investment, it was possible to have the Ski Jumping World Cup event organized in Zakopane. The ski jumping elite with the best ski jumpers of the world together with Adam Małysz competed in the event. An artificial speed skating track is planned next to the hill in the future.

     The visitors arriving to Zakopane are faced with numerous attractions like carriage or sleigh rides, various cultural and sport events. One of those is an old ski equipment competition, a great fun for both competitors and viewers alike. The competitors, clothed in old-fashioned suits present a difficult technique of skiing with wooden skis and one only long pole. "O Wielkanocne Jajo" (Easter Egg) competition has become a tradition. Other forms of local extreme sports, such as skiring, ski skiring, or small sleigh races enjoy great popularity. Following a horse on your skis or speedy sleigh ride is for the brave only. But such are in abundance among the local people.

     For years Zakopane has been polluted with the coal dust of the chimneys. Nowadays, the phenomenon is rare. More and more buildings in the town use geothermal waters as the energy source, recently one of the biggest hotels in the region has been joined to the network. Hot waters are drawn from underground springs 2 kilometers deep. A complete change to clean energy source system, with the use of gas, oil and geothermal waters, is being planned in the nearest future, for these are the values of the Tatra wild life which have been attracting thousands of tourists both in summer and winter time.

     Zakopane has a long established tradition in the field of sport. First skiing competition was held in 1910 and 150 participants competed in the event. The first ski jumping competition was held at that time as well. Zakopane has hosted skiing World Championships, Winter Universiades, Biathlon World Championships, Ski Jumping World Cup events, Nordic Combined World Cup A and B events, Europa Cup in Alpine skiing and FIS Cross Country competitions. Skiing competitions of all national and international levels are held annually in Zakopane, no wonder the town is called the ′cradle of Polish skiing′ and a winter capital of Poland.