A couple hours outside Krakow, travelers can find themselves in the Tatra Mountains, dubbed the “Polish Alps.” The highest range of the Carpathian Mountains is shared with Slovakia where the two country’s border slices through the mountains, with national parks on either side. In winter, visitors will discover the epitome of Polish skiing as well as treacherous mountaineering that challenges the will. During summer, there’s hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, spelunking, and paragliding, among other outdoor activities. The town of Zakopane provides the home base for recreation with a variety of accommodations, restaurants and cafés, art galleries and shops, and nightlife. Highlights include alpine lakes, panoramic views from Rysy Peak, Kasprowy peak and cable car, and climbing Orla Perc.

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