10 Fun Things To Do In Zakopane In Winter

things to do in Zakopane in winter

If you’re looking for a ski resort in Europe that offers more than just skiing, you can’t go far wrong with Zakopane, Poland. There are lots of fun things to do in Zakopane in winter besides skiing.

Zakopane ski resort in the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland is a great all-round winter destination. Located only 110 km south of Krakow, it is easy to reach from the UK and is one of the cheapest ski resorts in Europe.

Visiting Krakow with kids? Read our guide on things to do in Krakow with kids including recommendations on where to stay and where to eat.

Wondering how to get to Zakopane? Easyjet has some cracking fares to Krakow (especially if you book close to the release date around one year in advance of travel). You can also look on Skyscanner if the Easyjet flights aren’t suitable.

We then rented a car at the airport through TravelSupermarket and drove 90 minutes down to Zakopane.

Here are our favourite things to do in Zakopane in winter.

Skiing in Zakopane

Skiing (or snowboarding) is by far the main reason people go to Zakopane in the winter. If you are new to skiing or are taking your first family ski holiday, Zakopane is a great choice, not just because it’s one of the cheapest places to ski in Europe.

If you want to learn more about Zakopane skiing, we’ve written an article on why Zakopane is great for beginner skiers which includes information on ski slopes, ski instructors and ski passes.

Skiing in Zakopane

Snowlandia

Snowlandia is a winter wonderland and a great activity for any age. It’s located just to the south of the centre of town near the Wielka Krokiew ski jump. As the name suggests, the main theme is snow and ice.

There is a large ice pyramid and an igloo, both of which have carved ice sculptures inside. This is one of the coolest things to do in Zakopane in winter.

Ticket prices vary depending on which attraction you choose to visit. You can do just one or all of them.

ADULT CHILD (3 – 16)

Mini Zoo 10 PLN 8 PLN

Labyrinth 20 PLN 16 PLN

Pyramid 16 PLN 12 PLN

Igloo 20 PLN 16 PLN

All areas 53 PLN 42 PLN

The maze was our favourite and is a lot harder than it looks as there are lots of dead ends. The walls are about 12 ft tall so there’s no cheating!

If you get stuck, you can look up at the people who have made it to the castle in the middle of the maze and ask if they can direct you. It took us about 15 minutes to walk around.

There is also a 200m toboggan run where you can take your own toboggans or rent some there. This is great fun for big and little kids.

Snowlandia in Zakopane

Ice skating

There are four main places to go ice skating in Zakopane. It is quite an inexpensive activity with one hour costing around 10 PLN (£2.00) and skate rental costing around the same again.

Tor Cos is a speed skating rink just to the east of the Wielka Krokiew ski jump and it also has a rink for amateurs in the middle
Tatra Ice is the largest ice skating rink around and is located right in the centre of Zakopane
Lodowisko Tafla – the even have deck chairs in the area surrounding the rink if you want to take a break.
Lodowisko Tafla ice rink in Zakopane

Thermal baths

There are a number of thermal baths in Poland and they’re the perfect place to go to relax after a day of skiing or hiking. They are fed with geothermal waters which are great for certain ailments such as rheumatic conditions and poor circulation.

They’re not just a place to go and relax though. They also have fun zones which are perfect for kids and big kids! It was one of our favourite things to do in Zakopane.

Aqua Park in Zakopane is located to the south-west of the centre of town. It is a complex of indoor and outdoor pools open year-round.

ADULT CHILD (3 – 16)

1 hour 22 PLN 19 PLN

2.5 hours 44 PLN 33 PLN

All Day 69 PLN 58 PLN

If you have a car and would like to explore a little further afield, we can highly recommend the Bialka Tatrzanksa Termy. We had a fabulous afternoon here enjoying the Fun zone and the relax zone.

If you’re contemplating a visit to the thermal baths in Bialka Tatrzanska, you can read our review which includes all you need to know about visiting the Bialka Tatrzanska Termy.

Terma Bania (Bialka Tatrzanska – 22 km from Zakopane)

Termy Bukowina (Bukowina Tatrzanska – 15 km from Zakopane)

Chocholowskie Termy (Chocholow – 18 km from Zakopane).

You can also take this highly recommended Zakopane tour which includes a visit to the thermal baths.

Terma Bania in Bialka Tatrzanska

Watch the ski jumping

Zakopane is home to a Wielka Krokiew ski jump, the most famous ski jump in Poland. You may be lucky with the timing of your visit to Zakopane and be able to take in a ski jumping event. The world ski jumping championships are regularly held in Zakopane, but if you miss a competition day, you will most likely be able to watch people practice.

It’s great to take a ski lift to the top to get a view back down and have some idea of what the jumpers must feel like when looking down the slope. You can also walk up and down, although it is a bit of a trek for small children.

If you are visiting on a competition day and want to eat in a nearby restaurant afterwards, make sure to book in advance because everyone else will probably have the same idea.

Wielka Krokiew Ski Jump, Zakopane

Kasprowy Cable Car ride

Kasprowy Wierch is one of the biggest mountains in the Tatra Mountains with the most variety of ski runs. If you’re not skiing or snowboarding, you can take the Kasprowy cable car up just for the views. Head to The journey takes about 20 minutes and is incredibly scenic.

For reduced fares (and children under 4), you will need to bring ID to prove age.

ADULT CHILD (4 – 15)

Single 75 PLN 65 PLN

Return 89 PLN 75 PLN

The Kasprowy Cable Car

Other things to do in Zakopane in winter

Visit the Upside Down House
Take a sleigh ride in the beautiful Chocholowska Valley
Have your photo taken by the Zakopane sign located in the large park almost opposite Lidl (Dolna Rówień Krupowa)
Build a snowman in the same park

Or have a look at some other things to do in Zakopane in winter: