If you think about it, the map of Zakopane is much more modest than the map of Paris. But like any city, Zakopane has its own attractions that attract tourists. This is evidenced by numerous colorful tourist brochures of Zakopane with gorgeous photos of Guralski sights, alluring aura of the original mountain culture.
Of course, we do not forget that Zakopane is primarily a ski resort. But no description of Zakopane sights is complete without mentioning that the city is a cultural center of the Gurals.
This is an ethnic group of Poles with its own traditions, culture, customs and folklore. A peculiar dialect of the Gurals (with the use of old Polish and Slovak words), rich and original Guralski cuisine, as well as folk performances and parades on holidays - these are the highlights of Zakopane Resort.
If we talk about other attractions of Zakopane, it is worth noting the monuments of history and architecture, the so-called Zakopane style, which can be visited in the city. The 15-meter high cross on the top of Gewont Mountain, which seems to shield the town, has become one of the elements of the town's coat of arms.
Zakopane has been a center of attention of Polish intellectuals, artists, musicians and scientists for over a century and a half. The nature of this wonderful place simply fascinates and gives impetus to creativity. Zakopane style, whose author was the artist and writer Stanislaw Witkiewicz, is the result of reinterpretation of folk Gural motifs in a modern way.
One of the famous sites in Zakopane is the villa called "Koliba", which was built in 1893 according to the project by Witkiewicz. Such mansions, located next to real houses of gurals and give the city a unique flavor.
Numerous schemes of Zakopane with attractions also recommend visiting the village Chochołów, where the Gurale have lived for several centuries and where an authentic complex of wooden houses has been preserved.
In the villages of Spisza and Penín there are knightly castles built on the border with medieval Hungary.
Vacationers with children will love a trip to Rabka, where there is a family recreation park Rabkoland. Older children can visit museums of ancient wagons and locomotives, the Order of Laughter, and the factory of folk ceramics.
Lovers of natural beauty will enjoy excursions to the Koštelijskaya Valley with caves or to the most beautiful lake in Europe - Sea Eye. And fans of extreme rest will appreciate rafting on the Dunajec River.
