If you dream of a holiday in the most scenic places in highest Tatra mountains, there’s no need to limit yourself to Zakopane. I know, it’s a popular destination, but I am convinced that you’ll love exploring the quieter, charming towns of Podhale. Being there, you need to know that these towns are perfect bases for reaching the Tatra Mountains.
How to Choose The Best Place to Stay in Tatra Mountains?
Selecting the perfect accommodation in the Tatra Mountains for your trip involves considering several factors. If you prefer to avoid crowds of tourists or excessively high prices, steer clear of the central areas of popular resorts. Instead, opt for suburbs or smaller villages near the entrances to hiking trails.
Before booking your stay, inquire with the owner or check the property’s website for information on the proximity to bus stops and grocery stores. Knowing whether you can access attractions via public transportation and purchase provisions at reasonable prices will help you plan your trip more effectively. If you plan to dine in local taverns, make sure there are some near your chosen accommodation.
Here are some of the best cities and most scenic villages in the Tatra Mountains of Poland:
↳ Before you head to Tatra Park, I highly recommend reading my complete guide to Tatra Mountains. I showcase the most scenic places you won't want to miss. Make sure to check it out, so you don't overlook anything interesting: Tatra Mountains – An Insider’s Guide to All Attractions and Info
Kościelisko and Murzasichle – Accommodation Near Zakopane
Kościelisko, a village bordering Zakopane, is a much calmer place. I think you’ll find that everything moves a bit slower here, which is perfect if you want to unwind. The town offers plenty of accommodations, often at better prices than Zakopane, and boasts a delightful view of the Tatra Mountains. You’ll also find many inns serving regional food.
Kościelisko is close to the Tatra National Park, so you can easily access many trails on foot. Some of the closest entrances include Nędzówka, Kiry, Gronik, and Polana Biały Potok.
↳ See more pictures of Kościelisko and find accommodation by clicking here!
On the other side of Zakopane lies the picturesque Murzasichle. I am convinced that the town’s unique name, which comes from the merging of the village names „Mur” and „Zasichle”, adds to its charm. Murzasichle (check rates for accomodation here) offers a stunning view of the Tatra Mountains and numerous places to stay in private accommodations and apartments. The closest park entrances from here are Brzeziny and Toporowa Cyrhla. You can take buses from Murzasichle to places like Kuźnice.
Szaflary, Chochołów, and Bukowina Tatrzańska – Thermal Baths with a View
If you love water attractions and peace, consider these towns with thermal baths as alternatives to Zakopane. Szaflary, Chochołów, and Bukowina Tatrzańska are popular for their facilities, but many tourists stay in Zakopane and only visit for a few hours. If you have a car, you can reach the Tatra trails in less than 30 minutes from these towns.
The most popular of these is Bukowina Tatrzańska. It offers an extensive range of accommodations, and Terma Bukowina is one of the largest thermal bath facilities in Poland. You’ll also find many beautiful Zakopane-style buildings, mainly wooden boarding houses from the interwar period.
↳ Book the accommodation close to these thermal pools by clicking here!
Chochołów (check accommodation rates) is another town that will impres you with its architecture. Almost all of its buildings are original highlander’s cottages, making it a living open-air museum. Staying in one of these cottages is perfect for those who love highlander culture. The local thermal baths are also advertised as the largest in Podhale and throughout Poland. From Chochołów, you’re just a short distance from Slovakia, making it an ideal base for exploring attractions like Orava Castle.
Lastly, Szaflary (check accomodation rates) is a great accommodation base located on the Nowy Targ-Zakopane route. You can find the ruins of a medieval settlement called „Cat’s Castle” and Anna Dorula’s cottage from 1843. After your mountain adventures, relax in the local thermal baths or head to Nowy Targ for some famous ice cream, believed to be the best in Podhale.
Białka Tatrzańska – Thermal Baths and Mountains
Termy Bania has made Białka Tatrzańska a popular choice for those who want to avoid crowds and enjoy unique welness attractions in the fresh mountain air. The nearby guesthouses and hotels, such as Hotel Liptakówka (check prices) and Pensjonat Pod Kotelnica (check prizes) , offer top-notch hotel services, wellness zones, and excellent cuisine at reasonable prices. It is worth mentioning that Białka Tatrzańska is located just 30 minutes from Zakopane!
Gliczarów Górny – A High-Altitude Village
Gliczarów Górny should be on your checklist, as it is one of the highest situated villages in Poland, nestled atop a beautiful hill. This village was once strictly agricultural, but it has transformed into a tourist and recreational destination.
Gliczarów Górny is perfect for photography enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates beautiful mountain landscapes. From the hill where the village is located, you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the entire Tatra Mountains, including Giewont and other snow-capped peaks of Podhale. The village’s unique Podhale buildings, with their high, narrow houses and sloping roofs, blend seamlessly into the mountain landscape.
Visit Gliczarow Gorny during one of its cyclical cultural and entertainment events, such as the Gliczarów Festival or sports events like the Ski Rally for the Gliczarów Cup.
↳ See more pictures of Gliczarów and find accommodation by clicking here!
Ząb – The Highest Located Village in Poland
Ząb, the hometown of ski jumper Kamil Stoch, has become one of the most popular mountain resorts in recent years. As the highest village in Poland, Ząb offers breathtaking panoramas of the Tatra Mountains on clear days. Even though the number of tourists is increasing, the inhabitants have maintained their agricultural and pastoral traditions for over 300 years.
In Ząb, you can explore attractions such as the historic Church of St. Anne, built in the early 20th century. The wooden construction and decor of the church are characteristic of Podhale folklore. The church also has a small cemetery with an original chapel. The famous Papal Trail, traveled by St. John Paul II on June 7, 1997, runs through this town. A papal turret with the inscription „Welcome Gazda Świat in the place where it is closest to heaven” commemorates his visit.
↳ See more pictures of Ząb and find accommodation by clicking here!
The Best Places to Stay in Slovak Tatra Mountains
Discover some atmospheric towns in the Slovak Tatra Mountains. Here is a subjective ranking of the top five most charming Tatra towns on the Slovak side.
- If you choose to stay on Slovak side of Tatra mountains, you definitely need to read this article: Slovak Paradise Trip – Trail Routes, Accommodation and Parking
Štrbské Pleso
Štrbské Pleso is a village at the very foot of the High Tatras in Slovakia, situated on the southern shore of the eponymous lake. Located at an altitude of 1315-1385 meters above sea level, it is an important tourist center, with most of its buildings being holiday homes and hotels. Štrbské Pleso offers stunning views of the Nízke Tatry, Liptov, and Poprad Valleys.
The Štrbské pleso lake, the second largest in the Slovak High Tatras, is undoubtedly the village’s main natural attraction. The lake, with its 19.8 hectares, is surrounded by a recreational path featuring wooden exercise equipment. Boats can be rented on the southern shore of the lake.
In winter, Štrbské Pleso is attractive for winter sports, while in summer, it serves as an excellent starting point for excursions into the Slovak Tatras, with several interesting trails for all levels of experience.
↳ See more pictures of Štrbské Pleso and find accommodation by clicking here!
Stary Smokovec
Stary Smokovec, the oldest Tatra recreational settlement, is known for its enchanting mountain scenery. Located at the foothills of the High Tatras in Slovakia at 1010 meters above sea level, it is part of the administrative structure of the High Tatras city. Neighboring villages include Tatranská Lomnica and the: Nový Smokovec, Dolný Smokovec, and Horný Smokovec.
The village enchants tourists with its old-fashioned character, numerous villa buildings, and green areas set against the mountain landscape. The iconic Grand Hotel, built in 1904, stands out as an architectural masterpiece. The town is also famous for its Smokovskaya mineral water, with a forester’s lodge and a hunting lodge built around its source in the 18th century.
Stary Smokovec offers attractions both in and out of season. In winter, nearby Saddle Mountain (Hrebienok) becomes a center for ice art, hosting the Tatry Ice Master championship in artistic ice sculpting. The resort features a comfortable ropeway to Hrebienok, while the toboggan run, open day and night, serves as a popular winter attraction.
↳ See more pictures of Stary Smokovec and find accommodation by clicking here!
In summer, the village offers various spas, and adventure seekers can use it as an excellent starting point for mountain excursions.
Tatranská Lomnica
Tatranská Lomnica, a part of the administrative structure of the city of Vysoké Tatry, is one of the largest sub-Tatran settlements in Slovakia. Located at the foot of the Lomnica peak massif, this village is an extremely attractive Slovak tourist destination.
An important ski resort, Tatranská Lomnica hosts European and World Cup competitions annually. The resort provides skiers with two ski areas under a common ski pass. Additionally, it offers facilities for ice skating, fitness, paragliding, swimming pools, golf courses, and a horse sports center. Those seeking passive relaxation can enjoy a full range of wellness facilities or visit the well-known „Tatra” cinema.
As an excellent starting point in the Tatras, tourists can journey from here to Rainer’s Cottage, Lomnický Pond, or the majestic Lomnický Lomnica, accompanied by a guide. The town boasts well-developed infrastructure, with the Road of Freedom running through it and a connection to Stary Smokovec via the Tatra Electric Railway.
↳ See more pictures of Tatranská Lomnica and find accommodation by clicking here!
Ždiar
Ždiar, a small Slovak village located in a valley between the Spiš Magura and Belian Tatras, is just 12 km from the polish border crossing at Lysá Polana. Known for its highland folklore, the charming village features numerous regional ensembles and a dialect similar to Polish Spis.
As the most important tourist center in the Belian Tatras foothills, Ždiar offers visitors several restaurants, stores, and sports equipment rentals. In summer, tourists can embark on interesting hiking trips, visit the ethnographic museum, or explore the nearby Belianska Cave, one of the most beautiful in the Slovak Tatras. In winter, the village boasts one of the largest ski resorts in Slovakia, along with 30 kilometers of cross-country skiing trails. The Zdiarske peaks and vast meadows provide ideal opportunities for paragliding enthusiasts.
↳ See more pictures of Ždiar and find accommodation by clicking here!
Tatranská Javorina
Tatranská Javorina, a village surrounded by the magnificent Tatra peaks, is an ideal destination for those seeking peace, relaxation, and a connection with the Tatra Mountains. A green trail begins in Tatranská Javorina, leading through the Javorova Valley up to the Glacier Pass. In winter, a ski resort operates in the village.
When visiting Tatranská Javorina, don’t miss the historic wooden Church of St. Anne, built in 1903. From here, you can enjoy a lovely view of the Belianske Tatras. The church is surrounded by a wooden chapel, a small cemetery, and a wooden cross.
The ski resort in Tatranská Javorina, although small, attracts many skiers due to its good snow conditions and proximity to the Polish border. The resort offers 3 T-bar lifts and about 1,300 meters of ski slopes on the slopes of Gombošov vrch (1194 m above sea level). Most of the slopes are easy, with only one being suitable for intermediate skiers.
If you are interested in skiing in Tatra, you probably want to read this article too: The Best Ski Resorts in the Tatra Mountains of Poland and Slovakia
↳ See more pictures of Tatranská Javorina and find accommodation by clicking here!
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are numerous places in the Polish and Slovak Tatras worth visiting, such as the locations mentioned above and others like Bialy Dunajec. These destinations offer a chance to relax away from the hustle and bustle of busy streets and explore lesser-known sites not typically featured in mountain guides. Although these places may not be the most visited by tourists, it’s essential to plan your accommodations well in advance to avoid any issues.
Internet search engines for mountain lodging are growing in popularity, with new options frequently being added. Using these tools, you can book accommodations in the Tatras at a price you propose, potentially saving significant amounts that can be added back into your holiday budget.
References:
- https://www.findbed.pl/blog/jak-tatry-to-tylko-zakopane-nic-bardziej-mylnego
- https://goryiludzie.pl/2022/01/gdzie-nocowac-w-polskich-gorach-turystyczne-miejscowosci-u-podnoza-tatr-bieszczad-karkonoszy
- https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatry
