Where to go with children in Zakopane? Interesting ideas for the whole family

Zakopane – how to get there?

You can reach the capital of Podhale by various means of transportation, including car, train, bus, or minibus. Those traveling by car should take the well-known National Road 47, also known as the Zakopane Road, which winds through picturesque mountain scenery and charming villages. It’s worth noting that this route can get quite congested, especially during the tourist season. To avoid traffic jams, consider taking an alternative route through Białka and Bukowina Tatrzańska.

There are also at least a few trains that run to Zakopane, including both express and local trains. Direct connections allow you to travel to the Podhale region from Warsaw, Szczecin, Poznań, Wrocław, Łódź, and Bielsko-Biała. You can also travel to Kraków and then transfer to regional trains or a bus.

You can easily get around Zakopane itself on foot or by car.

Zakopane – Outdoor Activities

If the weather is nice, it’s definitely worth taking the kids for a ride on the cable car to Gubałówka. The lower station of the modern funicular is located just a few dozen meters from the end of Krupówki Street. All you need to do is walk down from the most popular tourist promenade in the capital of Podhale, then cross the wide Kościeliska Street and two streams to reach the ticket office and lower station via Na Gubałówkę Street.

The ride up to Gubałówka takes about 3–4 minutes. At the top, you can admire the picturesque mountain scenery, browse the stalls, or enjoy a meal or some ice cream. An alternative to the cable car is, of course, a hike up to or down from Gubałówka, which is also worth considering.

Gravity conveyor

While you’re still at Gubałówka, be sure to check out the gravity ride—it’s a blast for both kids and adults alike. The track is over 700 meters long, and you ride in a small car that speeds along at over 20 km/h. It’s the perfect attraction for those who love speed and thrills.

Children under 4 years of age may ride the cable car for free, but only if accompanied by an adult in the same car.

Geothermal Bathing Area at Szymoszkowa Glade

This unique spot in Zakopane is perfect for those who love swimming and active recreation. The resort offers its guests swimming pools and geothermal baths where the water temperature reaches 30 degrees. There are also small and large water slides, volleyball courts, and a beach. A restaurant serving regional dishes is located right next to the pools.

The modern thermal spa at Polana Szymoszkowa is the perfect place to relax and cool off on hot days!

What to do in Zakopane when it rains?

When the weather isn’t ideal for strolling around town, hiking in the mountains, or other outdoor activities, Zakopane offers plenty of other options. You’ll have no trouble finding plenty of interesting places to visit with your kids, both older and younger.

Harnasia Park

Contrary to appearances, this isn’t a real park, but a modern play center located right on Krupówki Street. Spanning an impressive 700 square meters, it features dozens of different attractions for young children. These include ball pits and foam pits, slides, swings, and climbing ropes. You can also find numerous educational toys as well as manipulative and sensory boards there. The air-conditioned hall is decorated in a highlander style.

Parents can wait for their children in the café next to the hall while enjoying a cup of delicious coffee.

Tatra National Park Nature Education Center

Zakopane also offers interesting educational attractions for children, a prime example of which is the Nature Education Center. This facility is located on Chałubińskiego Street, not far from the heart of the city. This modern facility offers interactive educational exhibits, Poland’s largest model of the Tatra Mountains, and numerous dioramas and paintings depicting Tatra ecosystems and the human impact on them. The center also screens short 4D films.

Another fun activity for children is guessing and imitating the sounds of the animals that live in the Tatra National Park.

The Kornel Makuszyński Museum

It’s impossible to visit Zakopane with children without seeing the Kornel Makuszyński Museum, dedicated to the author of well-known and beloved books and stories for young readers, including: The Adventures of Koziołek Matołek, Satan from Seventh Grade and The Adventures of Basia. The museum is located in the writer’s home at Villa Opolanka on Tetmajera Street.

There you can find the writer’s letters and diaries, as well as his manuscripts and book illustrations. There are also his personal mementos, furniture, and other household items.

If you have some time left after exploring Zakopane, it’s worth heading to nearby Rabka-Zdrój, home to Rabkoland—a park full of fun and attractions for the whole family, where both children and adults are sure to have a great time and enjoy themselves.