When it’s raining. Winter (and not only) attractions in Zakopane.
When planning a trip to Zakopane in the winter, many of us have a picture of snow-covered spruces and wooden highlander’s houses in front of our eyes. Here and there appear snow-capped peaks shining in full sun, and the charm of the picture is complemented by a turquoise transparent sky. And that is quite proper. Such views are seen here, Zakopane and its surroundings become in such circumstances simply paradise for skiers and sliders. And also those who want to trek in the Tatra Mountains in winter, although these plans can foil the avalanche threat occurring also in the seemingly beautiful weather. But what to do on days when the sun is not shining, the mountains are covered with clouds, or it is constantly snowing, or, horror, raining? Will our time be wasted?
It all depends on our flexibility and positive attitude. Zakopane’s offer cannot be compared with that in big cities – it’s still a small, charming town surrounded by villages, not a metropolis. Both locals and visitors thinking about winter are mainly focused on staying outdoors, doing winter sports, but also walking around the area and admiring things which they will not find in big cities, i.e. pictures with mountains in the main role, like from a postcard. That explains why most attractions will work best in typical winter weather. But there are also many places that can be visited regardless of the aura, and in general in any time of the year – we will spend time pleasantly and creatively, learning something new, or just relaxing away from everyday matters.
Get to know the culture and history
When choosing Zakopane as the destination of a holiday trip, it is worth taking an interest in attributes which determines the uniqueness of this city compared to other popular destinations. So its history and culture. At least a bit. Of course, not all of us are lovers of museums, not everyone likes their silence and seriousness, not everyone is fascinated by the adventures of famous painters and writers who captured the town a hundred years ago, not everyone values folk art equally. So we do not have to visit all museums. But let’s choose at least one of them, let’s enter the authentic, historic interiors of a highlander’s villa, let’s look at the objects of everyday use that are gathered there, painting on glass. We will not list all museums and galleries here (we’ve described the galleries in the article “The most interesting galleries, buy yourself a work of art”), but a few are definitely worth mentioning.
The Tatra Museum and its branches, devoted to various topics – f.ex in the main building dominate the natural and ethnographic exhibition, in the Villa Oksza painting. Among the galleries, the name Wladysław Hasior deserves a special mention, the works of the artist gathered there and the way of their exhibition will impress every visitor. Czerwony Dwor – the pride of the city authorities, a newly renovated impressive building. Museum of Jan Kasprowicz on Harenda devoted to outstanding Polish poet – a place with an unusual charm and atmosphere, house is really old, as looks still inhabited. An important place for music lovers is the Atma villa, the place where the wonderful composer Karol Szymanowski lived. Goral authentic interiors can be visited on the occasion of participating in handicraft workshops, concerts, meetings devoted to literature – the most interesting are listed in our calendar. Fortunately, being in Zakopane does not require long hours for commuting, everything is close, so we should not have a problem with finding time to meet culture.
Get to know the nature
As unique and fascinating as the Podhale culture – it is the local nature. The place that we can certainly recommend is the Center for Nature Education of the Tatra National Park. The exhibition combines traditional elements and multimedia, gives the opportunity to play, but also a solid dose of knowledge about what animals inhabit the area of the Tatra Mountains, what is the local vegetation, how the highest mountains were created. You can also watch nature-related films here. It’s a place for everyone, from quite small children to adults. Located at the roundabout, from which leads the road to Kuznice, where the many trails start and the cable car to Kasprowy Wierch runs. It is worth visiting, especially if you plan trips to the mountains – during the summer we can admire the nature of the Tatras in all its glory, but also in winter we can meet in the Tatra mountains chamoises. Does and foxes sometimes walk the city streets, and it may happen that a sleepless bear will come out short walk.
Chalubinskiego St. 42a; 34-500 Zakopane
+48 18 20 233 12
sekretariat@tpn.pl
Opening hours: 9-17. Open every day except on public holidays.
Last entrance at 16.00.
Screenings of the interactive film “Tatry” (50 minutes) take place on Thursdays at 13.00, 14.00, 15.00 and 16.00 and on Fridays at 10.00, 11.00 and 12.00, 13.00.
If nature is involved, maybe we want to visit Aquarium? The largest in Poland is located in Zakopane and is called Underwater World Zakopane. You can admire local freshwater fish as well as rare species of fish from the Amazon. There are also crabs, turtles, snails and other inhabitants of the waters. The facility boasts a large panoramic reservoir with a length of 13 meters. Although it is not an attraction closely related to Podhale and the local nature, the place is an interesting proposition for days when the weather is not conducive to spending time outdoors. We will locate them easily. Coming from the center of Zakopane towards Koscielisko, 100 meters below the Szymoszkowa bathing beach in front of the Mercury Kasprowy hotel, you will come across a street called Ubocz, departing from the main street, Powstancow Slaskich.
Ubocz 3b, 34-500 Zakopane
+48 884977428
http://www.podwodnyswiatzakopane.pl
podwodnyswiatzakopane@gmail.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10.00 – 17.00
Sat – Sun 10.00 – 18.00
When we have learned the habits of goats, we know at what temperature the trout feel best, it’s time for … parrots! It is not known exactly why, but these beautiful birds are presented in several objects in Zakopane. If we are temporarily fed up with winter, fabulous views with snow in the main role, or – which unfortunately is also possible – we are tired with gray and wet pavements, taking a look at the Parrots House will remind us of summer and exotic holidays. The two small ones are located on Krupowki street, we get there easily. It is also bigger, slightly out of the way, it boasts of activity under the patronage of the mayor. This is the Exotic Zakopane parrots house. Parrots are flying freely, they sit on our arms, it happens that they interact closely with the visitors, sometimes they pull the strings from the sweatshirts. If we are scared of them, let’s get rid of this attraction. If not, we can have a lot of fun, for example by feeding birds. Service is trying to help and monitor the behavior of charges, so that it is not burdensome for visitors.
Droga do Olczy St. 11, on the first floor of the building.
+48 518 140 635.
Open daily from 10:00 to 19:00
Become an explorer
Another attraction that can make our stay in Zakopane pleasant when the weather is not conducive to walks and sports is Cyberiada, located between Krupowki and Plac Niepodleglosci. It is a science and entertainment center with three large divisions: a planetarium, a science exhibition and a VR games zone. Thanks to the latest multimedia technologies in the planetarium, we can move to the farthest corners of the cosmos, watch scientific and cognitive films. In the interactive zone of the scientific exhibition, you can try things like playing with a plasma ball, writing a laser, playing a laser bright harp, and learning a lot about the functioning of our senses and building the world. In the gaming zone, we will get special glasses and enter a different, fantastic world. Cyberiada is a place for adults and children, individual guests and groups. Especially recommended for families with older children, although there is a danger that after visiting such a science center, school physics lessons will seem even more boring 😉
Gen. Andrzeja Galicy St. 8, 34-500 Zakopane
+48 531 044 065,
http://cyberiada.pl
Open daily from 13-21.
For the hungry, tired and the youngest
This is not the end of ideas on how we can spend our free time in Zakopane with not specially winter weather. Sooner or later, of course, we will find a restaurant, a regional tavern or a cafe (we recommend the “Zakopane – bon appetit!” article more conveniently), the more eagerly that low outdoor temperatures are conducive to abandoning any diets during the holidays. In winter, as well as the Giewont and Sokol cinemas, the Witkacy Theater, and concerts in various locations, we can make up for the year-round arrears in watching movies and performances. There is also something that distinguishes Zakopane – a few water parks in the city and in the vicinity, which we will describe in a separate text, because these are places that are worth devoting a little more attention. At the end, two more words about attractions for the youngest – play rooms for children. There are currently three such places in Zakopane, created so that the few-year-olds could go wild.
Two are located on Krupowki street, one in their upper part, in the newly opened shopping gallery of Krupowki 40. The second, called Kids Park Janosika, not far away from the Tatra Museum, above the Flying Tiger store and Douglas perfumery, (Krupowki 14, +48 723 200 007, www.janosik.pl, info@janosik.pl). The third one is aptly named Malpi gaj (Monkey Grove) in the Szymonek Shopping Center (Chycow Potok 26, tel. + 48 665 011 808, www.malpigaj.com, malpigaj.podhale@gmail.com). Let’s not forget that what entertains adults, sometimes torments children very much. Visiting the museums, sitting in the inn with music and the ubiquitous smell of the hearth, and visiting the shops – these are ours, but not necessarily their favorite pastimes. Also, spinning between dozens of stalls with souvenirs is very frustrating for children, which sometimes gives a loud expression when we do not intend to buy them another gadget. Small children will be happy more with slides, labyrinths, mini rope parks, ball pools, games and blocks. Well, unless the sun shines – then put away all the attractions for later and run to enjoy the winter. And remember about the cream with the filter! 😉
Anna Markiewicz
