Rainy Day in Zakopane? 5 Indoor Activities to Try for You and Kids

You might be wondering if visitors to Zakopane get bored when it rains, but I can tell you from experience that this couldn’t be further from the truth. Even on the rainy days, there are plenty of exciting activities and attractions to explore in Zakopane.

Many tourists overlook the possibility of rain when planning their trip to Zakopane, but a little bit of bad weather shouldn’t ruin your entire trip. While it may limit your ability to go to the higher mountain areas, there are still plenty of things to do in Zakopane when it’s raining.

• By the way, in order to avoid bad weather in Zakopane, please check this article where I explain what the best time for visiting Tatras is: The Best Time to Visit Zakopane for Hiking and Outdoor Activities

So what can you do in Zakopane when it’s raining? Here are some ideas based on my experiences:

5 Interesting Indoor Places in Zakopane for Rainy Days

When it’s raining, the best choice is to take cover and explore the museums of Zakopane. People often overlook local cultural sites when the sun is shining, and you shouldn’t. Get out of the rain and learn about the history and culture of the city by visiting its museums.

Tatra Museum in Zakopane

Located in the heart of Zakopane in Krupówki, the Tatra Museum displays a variety of exhibits depicting the nature of the Tatra Mountains and Podhale, as well as the lifestyle and culture of the inhabitants of these regions.

The exhibits are well documented with photographs and archival documents, and visitors can even peek inside a former highlander’s cottage to see its original furnishings and equipment. As someone who has visited the museum, I can tell you that it’s a must-see for anyone interested in the history and culture of the area.

Zakopane Style Museum

Stanisław Witkiewicz, the architect responsible for creating the Zakopane style, is the reason why Zakopane has such a unique and characteristic look. His designs are still copied by local craftsmen. However, the original buildings were constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and Witkiewicz was inspired by folk architecture.

This meant that the new resort wasn’t overrun with villas that mimicked the style of Tyrolean or Swiss villas. If you want to learn more about the Zakopane style and its history, I highly recommend visiting the Zakopane Style Museum. In my experience, it’s a fascinating and informatve place.

Oscypek Cheese Museum

Located on Jagiellońska Street, the museum offers a 90-minute immersive experience. A real shepherd will tell you a lot of fascinating facts about Podhale’s delicacies and you will even have a chance to make your own cheese. You can also buy regional products such as „oscypek” cheese, „redykołki„, „bryndza” and various other „gazdowskie” cheeses.

Traditional Highlander Food Tasting

Now, let me say, this lovely town has so much to offer than Oscypek, and I’ve cooked up a few fun and flavorful things you can do in rainy day. These tours are designed with your specific interests and budget in mind, ensuring you have the best experience ever.

If you’re watching your budget, or maybe you’re just short on time, then locals offer 2.5-hour Private Food Tasting tour which might be a perfect match for you. On this quick and tasty tour, you’ll visit a restaurant and a patisserie. I can tell you, the restaurant they’ve picked out serves a full set of traditional dishes (minus the soup and beer), along with water.

• If you want to learn more about traditional highlander’s food, then please read the other article I wrote: Discovering the Tastiest Polish Food You Can Find in Zakopane

Then, it’s onto a charming patisserie, where you’ll be treated to a delectable cake and your choice of coffee or tea. And you know what’s even better? As you move from one spot to another, the guide will show you around the old town of Zakopane. It’s a little bit of history mixed with a whole lot of food.

The Most Loved Food Tour Option

Their 3.5-hour Private Food Tasting tour is, I believe, their most popular option, and there’s a good reason for it. With this tour, you’ll be taken to three different local venues, each with its unique ambiance.

I am convinced you’ll love every item from the menu at each venue. And just to spice things up, they also thrown in a guided tour of the Zakopane Old Town highlights. It’s the perfect way to see the sights and fill your belly all at the same time.

The Premium Cuisine Experience

Last but certainly not least is the 5-hour Private Food, Beer/Vodka, and Zakopane Sightseeing tour. If you want the full Zakopane experience, this is the tour to take.

You get to try all the specialties from the menu, indulge in a tasting of either 8 beers or 8 vodkas (your pick), and visit four different venues (sorry, no patisserie this time). And to top it all off, our guide will take you on a walking tour around the highlights of Zakopane. I know this tour is the perfect combination of food, drinks, and sightseeing – it’s like the ultimate Zakopane experience.

Just to recap:

Tour Type	Duration	Food	Drinks	Venues	Sightseeing
Budget	2.5 hours	Traditional dishes, Cake	Water, Coffee/Tea	Restaurant, Patisserie	Zakopane Old Town
Standard	3.5 hours	Full menu	Various	3 different local venues	Zakopane Old Town Highlights
Premium	5 hours	Full menu	8 beers or 8 vodkas	4 different local venues	Zakopane Highlights

Now that you know what’s on offer, it’s time to choose. Remember, no matter which tour you choose, I am certain you’ll have an unforgettable time in Zakopane.

↳ Book Private Traditional Polish Food Tour in Zakopane by clicking here!

Museum of Happiness and Illusions

You will be thrilled to visit the Be Happy Museum – it is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. With a variety of backgrounds and original settings, you can be sure to get some unique snaps for your social media followers. The museum also features illusion rooms that will literally turn your world upside down.

Retro Maniac Museum

If you’re looking for a fun and nostalgic experience, check out the Retro Maniak Museum in Krupówki. This museum is not just a rainy day activity, as it offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the world of beloved fairy tale characters from decades past, as well as explore unique, hand-decorated dollhouses and iconic computers like Atari, Commodore, and Mario Bros. games.

Millennials in particular are likely to find the museum a blast from the past. With hundreds of exhibits to explore, fans of Polish cartoons such as Bolek and Lolek, Maja the Bees, and Baltazar Gąbka, as well as computer game enthusiasts, are sure to find something of interest. If you are interested in polish cartoons, you should definitely read more in the article about the most popular polish cartoons in ’90.

Go to Aquapark Zakopane

If you find yourself in Zakopane on a rainy day and are looking for something to do, consider a visit to the Zakopane Aquapark. This facility has both a swimming pool with lanes and a recreational pool with a paddling pool for children. It also has water jets, cascades, geysers, counter-currents, wall-bottom massage, and even underwater deckchairs.

But the biggest draw is undoubtedly the outdoor thermal pool, which offers a breathtaking view of the Tatra Mountains. With water temperatures reaching up to 32 degrees Celsius, even the coldest of days won’t put a damper on your fun.

What To Do With A Child When It Rains?

Families visiting Zakopane will find plenty to do together. The Aquapark is one of the most popular attractions for children, but it’s not the only one. There are many activities for the whole family. You’ll never be bored.

Kamiland – The Story of Kamil Stoch (Polish Ski Jumper)

One of the newest attractions in Zakopane is the Kamiland Gallery, which opened its doors in the summer of 2021. This gallery presents the road to success of none other than Kamil Stoch himself. In seven themed rooms, visitors can explore over five hundred exhibits, including Olympic medals, crystal balls and golden eagles. The collection is arranged chronologically to provide an immersive experience and illustrate the champion’s journey to the top.

What makes this exhibition unique is that Kamil Stoch himself acts as a guide. He appears in various audiovisual materials to share insights into the most fascinating moments of his sporting career. Whether you’re a fan of ski jumping or simply interested in the story of a remarkable athlete, the Kamiland Gallery is a must-see.

Parrot House in Zakopane

A visit to the Parrot House in Zakopane when it is raining is an excellent way to have fun with the whole family. Young and old alike will be fascinated by the experience of interacting with parrots and capturing the moment in pictures. It’s a great opportunity for children to explore their interests and for adults to join in on the fun.

Aquarium: Underwater World

For lovers of aquatic life, the Underwater World Aquarium is a must in Zakopane. It is a unique attraction where you can see all kinds of Polish fish. You can also see fish that have found their way to Zakopane.

With over thirty large reservoirs, visitors can explore both native fish and tropicl species from all over the world. However, the Amazonian zone is the main highlight of the aquarium, where visitors can see fish that are older than the dinosaurs. With such an array of fish species on display, this aquarium is sure to delight visitors of all ages.

Other Interesting Places

List of places to visit in Zakopane for lovers of Podhale culture and history:

1. Art Gallery of the 20th Century in the Oksza Villa (ul. Zamoyskiego 25) – with works of the most important Zakopane artists.
2. Willa Koliba House (18 Kościeliska St.) – the first house built in the Zakopane style and a special monument of the Tatra Museum.
3. The Władysław Hasior Gallery (Jagiellońska 18b) – the original gallery of the artist’s works.
4. Willa Atma Museum (ul. Kasprusie 19) – the only Karol Szymanowski Museum in the world.
5. The modernized Nature Education Center of TPN (ul. Chałubińskiego 42a) – equipped with a 4D cinema, the largest model of the Tatra Mountains in Poland, a discovery room and many other attractions.

Here is a list of family-friendly attractions in Zakopane, along with the addresses:

1. Gallery of Steel Figures (ul. Krupówki 40) – the gallery presents steel sculptures of cars, animals and transformers made from recycled steel scrap.
2. Illusion House (ul. Kościuszki 3) – This attraction features 30 exhibits that allow visitors to experience and witness the magic of optical illusions and 3D images.
3. Wax Figure Gallery (ul. Krupówki 60) – Here you’ll find wax figures of celebrities, fairy tale heroes and politicians, as well as a labyrinth of mirrors and a laser tunnel.
4. Upside Down House (ul. Staszica 14) – This attraction challenges visitors to keep their balance in a house that’s literally upside down.

References

• https://zakoplan.pl/co-robic-w-zakopanem-gdy-pada-deszcz/
• https://www.dzieciochatki.pl/ciekawe-miejsca-na-wyprawy-z-dziecmi/co-robic-w-zakopanem-gdy-pada-deszcz