Zakopane

Zakopane is Poland's winter and mountain capital at the foot of the Tatras, the first choice for skiing and walking, and known for its wooden houses in the Zakopane style created by the highlanders. Its main street, Krupówki, is full of shops, cafés and stalls selling smoked oscypek cheese.

From the town a funicular climbs Gubałówka hill facing the Tatras, and a cable car rises to the summit of Kasprowy Wierch on the Slovak border. In the Tatra National Park lies Morskie Oko, the largest lake in the Tatras, reached on foot or by horse-drawn cart.

Zakopane is about two hours from Kraków by car. Summer, June to September, is for walking and lakes; winter, December to March, is for skiing. The town fills up at weekends, so book early.