People complain, but they come anyway
It is a great, kitschy, sometimes absurd spectacle. Even though everyone complains – the city is still full to capacity, and people have to wait longer in traffic jams than to see a doctor for the National Health Fund. Highlanders and tourists complain, but for some it is the best deal of the year, and for others it is a memory – a receipt from the inn, a photo with Miśek on Krupówki, oscypek cheese from the farmer. Because – you don’t argue with them.
During the Christmas and New Year period, Zakopane turns into an anthill sprinkled with glitter. Crowds flock to Krupówki, parking lots are bursting at the seams, and highlanders are rubbing their hands and counting hoopoes in their minds. – – says Mrs. Halina from Zakopane in an interview with Interia. – Crowd, snow, mulled wine and oscypek cheese! – enthuses Ania, who came to Zakopane from Gdańsk with her whole family. – You only live once. And you save a second time! – he adds. And you have to start saving for New Year’s Eve in Zakopane… in July. . The sooner you think about booking accommodation, the better. – My guests call during the holidays or even earlier – Andrzej, the owner of houses for rent, admits to Interia. – – Karol from Warsaw tells Interia. – It’s a lot, but the house can fit six people, so it’s not a tragedy, it’s New Year’s Eve after all – he adds.
50 thousand for New Year’s Eve in Zakopane
– – Karol Wagner from the Tatra Chamber of Commerce tells Interia and adds – It will not be cheaper, only more expensive. For things that usually cost PLN 300, on New Year’s Eve we will pay PLN 1.5 thousand. PLN or 5 or 10 thousand. PLN – admits an entrepreneur from Zakopane. During New Year’s Eve, accommodation prices are higher than Małysz and Stoch combined. Apartment owners believe in the “Sky is the limit” rule and charge up to PLN 1,000 per day, often with a mandatory stay of at least 3-4 days. – More expensive than a loan installment – admits a tourist from Wrocław. – But at least with a view of Giewont – he adds. According to the Tatra Chamber of Commerce, accommodation prices on New Year’s Eve increased by 10% compared to last year.
New Year’s Eve in Podhale has its own rules. There are also those for whom the price for the magic of the night under Tara does not matter. – It’s great that we have tourists in Poland who can afford it – adds Wagner.
You pay for company and photos with celebrities
New Year’s Eve balls organized in hotels and restaurants are back in fashion. On the outskirts of Zakopane you can find offers for as much as PLN 110 per person. . And all places are already sold out. – At such luxurious parties, you pay for company – notes Karol Wagner from TIG in an interview with Interia. – You pay to take a photo with celebrities. Of course, there is also outstanding food, famous figures playing from the stage or hosting the party, but the most important thing is the so-called “world” – he adds.
The sleigh is moving, the wallet is lighter
One of the most popular attractions in Zakopane and the surrounding area are organized in the Kościeliska and Chochołowska valleys or on the outskirts of the city. A horse-drawn sleigh ride, torches, highlander music, home-made vodka, oscypek cheese and bread with lard. It sounds fantastic until we see the price list. For a New Year’s Eve sleigh ride in the “premium” version
New Year’s Eve on the trail? TPN cools down the enthusiasm of tourists
On New Year’s Eve, some tourists, looking for peace and an alternative to the crowded Krupówki, decide to go to the mountains at night. There were even announcements about organizing this type of trips on social media. Although there is no formal ban on following the trails after dark during this period, the Tatra National Park appeals not to do so. – – says Tomasz Zając from TPN in an interview with Interia. In addition to safety concerns, the park draws attention to the impact of night outings on nature. The presence of people on the trails at night limits the ability of animals to move between feeding and resting places. Night also means a greater risk of coming face to face with a bear. – We still have reports that bears are active and nocturnal – adds the Tatra guide.