Krupówki Street: Zakopane's Lively Heart, Explained

2026-09-22 · 5 min read

If Zakopane has a centre of gravity, it's Krupówki — a long pedestrian street lined with shops, food stalls, cafés and highland souvenirs, and the place nearly every visit to the town passes through.

What it's like

Krupówki runs through the middle of town, closed to most traffic, with wooden-fronted buildings on either side and a steady flow of visitors regardless of season. It's lively rather than quaint — closer to a bustling promenade than a quiet mountain village street.

What to eat

Street stalls along Krupówki grill oscypek, a smoked cheese made from sheep's milk, usually served warm with a spoonful of cranberry sauce. It's the single most recognisable food of the region and worth trying at least once, even for those who don't think of themselves as cheese people.

What to buy

Stalls sell carved wooden items, highland wool sweaters, sheepskin slippers, and oscypek to take home. Prices and quality vary considerably from stall to stall, so it's worth a walk down the full street before committing to a purchase.

Beyond the food and shops

Krupówki also has a handful of small museums and galleries tucked between the shopfronts, along with views up toward Gubałówka at one end. In winter, it takes on a different character entirely, strung with lights and busy with skiers passing through.

Tips for visiting

• Go early or later in the day to avoid the busiest midday crowds.
• Cash is useful for the smaller stalls, though most now take cards.
• It's an easy walk from most central parking and pickup points in town.