Zakopane is situated in southern Poland, about 100 km to the south of Krakow, close to the border with Slovakia. It lies in a valley at the foot of The Tatras, the highest mountains in Poland (Mount Rysy 2499 m). It is visited annually by some three million tourists. The most important alpine skiing locations are Kasprowy Wierch, Nosal and Guba?ówka Hill.

Zakopane has the highest elevation (800-1,000 m) of any town in Poland. The central point of the town is at the junction of Krupówki and Ko?ciuszko Streets.

On the map Zakopane can be found at 48 (18" latitude and 19 (57" longitude. The centre lies at about 840 m above sea level, but some parts are even as high as 1000 m above sea level on the slopes of Guba?ówka, a hill that surrounds it from the south. 

Zakopane is only four centuries old and was founded between the 16th and 17th centuries as a farmers’ and shepherds' settlement. Legend says that one day a man called G?sienica came here with his sons Pawe? and J?drzej and they built a mill here. In the middle of the 18th century, in nearby Kulnice, a steelworks was set up to process iron ore mined in The Tatras. There was also the owners' manor that received travellers visiting the mountains. Soon the beauty of the nearby sunny valley of Zakopane was discovered.

Zakopane became famous as a tourist and health resort. In 1845, the first parish was set up in the village and two years later Zakopane was visited by one of its legendary persons - priest Józef Stolarczyk. He encouraged the highlanders to rent their houses to the visitors, later on people started to build special houses for them. In 1878 the first house was built by a "newcomer from lowlands" called Walery Eljasz, the author of many guidebooks to The Tatras. The first hotel called "Pod Giewontem" was built in 1885. In 1899 Zakopane was connected by the railway, which started a new chapter in its history. The development of Zakopane is also connected with Towarzystwo Tatrza?skie (The Tatra Society - 1872) and with doctor Tytus Chalubi?ski, who is described as "Zakopane discoverer" and "the king of The Tatras". In 1886 the village got the status of a health resort. It received the town rights in 1935. 

Pope John Paul II's visits to Zakopane have become the most important events in the town's history. He has been attached to Zakopane and The Tatras since his youth. As an alumnus of the Cracow seminary he did a lot of hiking and skiing here. 

He did not abandon his passion for the mountains even when he became the Cracow metropolitan. His favourite places were the chapel in Jaszczurówka and "Ksi??ówka" - the holiday house of the Polish Episcopate. In The Tatras he adored the Chocho?owska Valley, which he visited again in 1982 after he had become the Pope. 

His next visit to Zakopane and The Tatras took place in June 1997. He visited Mount Kasprowy Wierch, Morskie Oko Lake, he went to Lud?mierz along the ridge of Guba?ówka. There are many souvenirs of his visit - e.g. the altar, which was used by him during the Mass was transported from Krokiew Hill to the gardens of Virgin Mary Sanctuary in Krzeptówki Street 

The most characteristic monuments: 

- Ko?cieliska Street. A complex of wooden buildings typical of the Podhale region, which originated in XIX century. 

- Stary Ko?ció? (Old Church). A wooden church built in 1845-1851, the seat of the first parish in Zakopane. Situated in Ko?cieliska St. - Kaplica G?sieniców. 

The chapel was the first sacred building in Zakopane built in 1800 by Pawe? G?sienica. Situated in Ko?cieliska St. 

- Stary Cmentarz na P?ksowym Brzyzku. The old cemetery, the first cemetery in Zakopane, the place where famous writers, artists and mountaineers are buried. Situated in Ko?cieliska St. 

- Nowy Cmentarz Zakopialski. The new cemetery opened in 1907; the place where artists, mountaineers, mountain rescuers, priests and The First and The Second World Wars veterans are buried. Situated in Nowotarska St. 

- Willa "Koliba". The mansion is the first example of Zakopane style built in 1893 according to Stanislaw Witkiewicz's design. Situated in Kolcieliska St. 

- Willa "Pod Jedlami". The mansion of the Pawlikowski family designed for them by Stanislaw Witkiewicz. It is the biggest and the most beautiful example of the Zakopane style. Situated in Koziniec St. - Willa "Witkiewiczówka". The mansion in the Zakopane style designed in 1904 by Jan Koszyc Witkiewicz. In the 1930s it was the residence of Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz (Witkacy). Situated in Anta?ówka St. - Kaplica w Jaszczurówce. The wooden chapel was built in 1904-1908 according to Stanislaw Witkiewicz's design. Situated in Jaszczurówka. 
 

Visitors can enjoy a funicular railway ride to the top of Gubalowka Hill. At the top there is a spectacular view of the Tatra Mountains, Gorce Mountains, Pieniny Mountains, and the Beskid Mountains. A ride in the cable railway to Kasprowy Summit will leave unforgettable memories of spectacular views. The funicular, built in 1938, covers the 1388 meter long route in just about 5 minutes! The fare is approximately €3, return. To better experience the true Zakopane atmosphere, take a walk along Krupówki, the central mall, lined with restaurants, cafes, boutiques and souvenir shops. This Polish promenade invites visitors from all over the world to see a side of Poland that encompasses wonderful architectural design in a variety of shops, bars, inn, pubs, and restaurants. Here also the visitor will find street entertainers, folk music, the cheese market, people in local highland dress and many restaurants serving traditional, homemade food – prepared only from local organic ingredients.