Zakopane is the place to be for mountain hiking and skiing in Poland. Although its local population is only about 30,000, Zakopane is visited by over 2 million tourists a year. Situated in the Nowy Sacz Voivodship, in the southern part of the Podhale region, Zakopane lies at the feet of the Tatra Mountains the only alpine mountain range in this part of Europe. Zakopane lies in big glen between the main Tatra range and Gubalowka Hill.
Zakopane is Poland's highest town: its municipal region extending from 750 to 1000 m above sea level. The town area includes part of the Polish Tatra, with the highest peak (Mt. Swinica) reaching to 2301 metres above sea level. The central point of the town - the cross-roads of Krupowki St. and Kosciuszki St. are 838 m above sea level.
The very first documents mentioning Zakopane come from the 17th century, and describe the Zakopisko glade. Its later history was connected with the development of mining and metallurgy industries and then with the progress of health service and tourism. It gradually evolved from a little village to the region's health-resort and ultimately a reasonable-sized town, named the winter capital of Poland.
Tourists can visit numerous exhibitions and local craft and fine art galleries. There are also several artistic schools and, most famously, The Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz Theatre.
