Yes — but it requires a simple plan and a few sensible compromises. Energylandia is a large amusement park in Zator that usually takes a whole day to explore if you want to visit all zones. Families with small children often prefer a shorter, less tiring visit and combine it with a short but meaningful walk around Zakopane. In practice, a well-planned half-day in Zakopane plus half a day in Energylandia is doable, provided you choose the key attractions and allow time for travel, rest and meals.
A few words about priorities: for little ones quality time matters — carousels, playgrounds and safe attractions. For parents logistics and comfort are important — long queues and tired children can ruin the day. Below you’ll find practical routes, hidden spots in Zakopane worth a half-day visit and tips on stitching everything together with a trip to Energylandia.
I won’t start with long formal lists — instead I suggest short scenarios and then step-by-step practical tips.
Scenario A - younger children (2–6 years): Zakopane in the morning — a short walk along Krupówki and a ride on the Gubałówka funicular, then rest and lunch. In the afternoon go to Energylandia — choose the Family Zone and the Water Zone, where there are carousels and small slides. This plan minimizes walking and focuses on attractions suitable for younger children.
Scenario B - older children (7–12 years): a short morning trip to Kościeliska Valley or a walk to Polana Szymoszkowa — something that gives a bit of movement. In the afternoon head to Energylandia — you can aim for the extreme section for older kids or stick to family zones depending on their courage.
Scenario C - very short trip (when you only have half a day): reserve 3 hours in Zakopane in the morning — Krupówki, the market under Gubałówka and a small playground or a mini museum (for example a regional house). In the afternoon go to Energylandia for only 3–4 hours — pick the attractions that interest your children most and use the park map to optimize your route. Remember — a shorter park visit means focus, not racing to see everything.
Cyrhla and the surrounding area — a less crowded part of Zakopane with charming streets and small cafés, perfect for a calm morning. Kids will appreciate the space to run and local pastries.
Dolina Białego (White Valley) — a short easy trail with pretty rock formations and peace away from the crowds. A nice family walk if you want mountain atmosphere without strenuous climbs.
Polana Strążyska and Siklawica waterfall — a short route that gives even the youngest a taste of the mountains. With a little luck it’s quieter here than on more famous trails.
Tatra Museum — a small museum with interesting exhibits about the nature and culture of the Podhale region; a good alternative on bad-weather days.
Thermal baths near Zakopane (for example Termy Bukovina, Termy Szaflary) — great for families who want to relax and warm up after a day outdoors. They usually have paddling pools and areas for the youngest children.
Playground by the open-air museum at Budzowy — if you want to combine a bit of culture with outdoor play, this spot is worth considering.
Choose a zone and three main attractions you want to visit — this is the best method for a half-day visit. The park is large, so without a plan you’ll spend time walking from place to place.
Check before you go — online tickets often allow you to skip parts of queues and guarantee entry. For parents it’s useful to know height limits and safety rules for attractions in advance.
Family Zone and the zones for the youngest — if you travel with little ones, these areas have the most attractions without height limits and with friendly staff. It’s also worth checking whether parent-swap options exist or if there are places to feed and change the child.
Plan breaks — schedule a pause for ice cream or a warm meal during the visit. Children cope much better when they have regular breaks and aren’t overtired.
If time is limited, skip the big queues and go straight to smaller but interesting attractions — often those are the moments children remember most.
Travel time Zakopane — Energylandia (Zator): plan on roughly 1.5–2 hours by car depending on road conditions. This gives comfortable transfer time between locations, but account for traffic in season and on weekends.
Parking: in Zakopane parking is divided into zones — it’s best to find a parking spot in advance near the places you plan to visit (for example near Gubałówka or Kuźnice). Energylandia has large parking areas by the park — pay attention to signage about fees and directions when entering.
Public transport: there are bus connections and seasonal trains in the region, but with small children a car gives the most flexibility — especially when you pack a stroller, rain covers and snacks.
Timing — start early if you want to fit a half-day in Zakopane and then go to Energylandia. That way you avoid afternoon crowds and have more time to rest before the next stage of the day.
If you return the same day to Kraków or another city, optimize your route and meal stops — tired children and a long evening drive are the least pleasant part of the trip.
A small backpack with snacks and spare clothes — kids often get dirty or feel cold after spending time outdoors.
Sunscreen and hats — mountain sun can be strong even outside of summer. In Energylandia sunscreen and swimwear are useful if you plan to use the water zones.
A stroller or carrier — both can be handy in Zakopane depending on your plan. In Energylandia a stroller helps move between paths, but remember you’ll need to walk to some rides.
Documents, medicines and a favourite toy — nothing replaces a child’s sense of security in a new place.
A small first-aid kit — plasters, insect repellent, basic fever medicine. Better to have it than regret it later.
Don’t try to “do everything” — instead choose 2–3 attractions and do them well. This approach works better than chasing a long checklist.
Be flexible — children can change plans on the fly. A shorter, joyful visit is better than a day of tears and exhaustion.
Book in advance where possible — tickets or extra activities. This helps avoid unpleasant surprises on site.
Divide tasks — if you travel as a pair, agree who handles tickets, who takes care of food and who follows the map. With simple roles things run smoothly.
Take pictures, but not at the cost of the moment — a few good photos are enough to preserve memories; spend the rest of the day with your children without phones in hand.
08:00 - depart from your accommodation toward Zakopane.
09:30 - arrive in Zakopane, short walk along Krupówki, snack at the local market.
10:30 - take the funicular to Gubałówka and enjoy a short play on the small viewing plateau — time for ice cream and photos.
11:30 - return to the car, short stop to warm up or change clothes.
12:00 - drive toward Energylandia (Zator).
14:00 - arrive at Energylandia, quickly locate the Family Zone and plan your attractions.
14:30–17:30 - half a day in the park — three selected attractions, a meal break and some relaxation time.
17:30 - depart for the return trip; depending on children’s energy you can stop for dinner on the way or go straight back to base.
Seasonality at the mountains and amusement parks affects crowds — if you can, choose weekdays outside the hottest summer months. In practice it’s much easier to move around with children outside weekends and school holidays.
Weather in the Tatra Mountains can be changeable — keep rain ponchos and warmer clothes in the car even if the morning is sunny.
Book park tickets and attraction entries online when possible — it saves time and nerves. In some months Energylandia runs family promotions, so it’s worth checking prices ahead of time.
If you have questions about specific routes or tailoring the program to your kids’ ages, I’m happy to help create a personalized plan — tell me how much time you have and how old your children are.
Combining Zakopane and Energylandia in one day is realistic and can be very satisfying for the whole family if you focus on quality rather than quantity of attractions. Choose short, characteristic experiences in Zakopane and plan the afternoon in Energylandia around zones suited to your children’s ages.
Mind logistics, breaks and flexibility. With this strategy even half a day in the mountains and half a day at a theme park can create memories for years — without exhaustion and with smiles on the children’s faces.
If you like, I can prepare a detailed itinerary tailored to your arrival date, the children’s ages and your preferences. Send a few details and I’ll compose a ready schedule. Have a great trip and lots of fun discovering Malopolska with your kids!
