Goodbye Lenin Hostel: A Place For Keen Hikers In Zakopane, Poland

Goodbye Lenin Hostel: A Place For Keen Hikers In Zakopane, Poland
Katie
Katie 
Updated
| 3 min read

You will find a small slice of paradise nestled in the Polish mountains. They call it Goodbye Lenin Hostel – a place for the keen hikers. Goodbye Lenin can be found on the outskirts of Zakopane, a small town in the extreme south of Poland. It is known as the ‘winter capital’ and this is the perfect accommodation for travellers interested in mountaineering and skiing.

Goodbye Lenin in the autumn

goodbye lenin hostel: a place for keen hikers in zakopane, poland | goodbye lenin in the autumn

Affordable accommodation, free breakfast and a friendly atmosphere make Goodbye Lenin an attractive place to stay, regardless of your age. Goodbye Lenin was named after Vladimir Lenin, a Russian communist who was very fond of Zakopane.

The Tatra National Park is only a 200m walk away and a shuttle service is free for those who wish to reach the Nosal Ski station. Front desk staff at Goodbye Lenin Hostel are available 24 hours a day so guests can feel safe and secure. They are also incredibly knowledgeable on tourist information and may even take you for a night out on the town.

Free breakfast includes toast, cereal, cheese, meats, spreads and fruit. Tea and coffee are also available at any time throughout the day. Guests are welcome to take breakfast ingredients for their lunches if they are spending the day on the mountain. On many occasions (usually in the summer) Goodbye Lenin hostel staff put on a great BBQ for guests to enjoy. Traditional Polish cuisines such as Perogi (polish dumplings), Broche (Beetroot Soup) and Zurek (Polish sausage) are served. You will need to pay a small amount if you would like to join.

Kitchen facilities

goodbye lenin hostel: a place for keen hikers in zakopane, poland | kitchen facilities

You can either cook your own dinner using the kitchen facilities or take a short walk into town to visit the local restaurants. The hostel does not offer complimentary condiments after breakfast, therefore you will need to supply your own. As it is a small kitchen, there is only space for 2 people to cook at the same time. Staff will happily inform you on their favourite places to eat and traditional Polish dishes you must try.

The outside surroundings

goodbye lenin hostel: a place for keen hikers in zakopane, poland | the outside surroundings

If you enjoy socialising with people, this is the place for you. There is a communal room located on the first floor where many guests will gather in the evenings. Hostel activities include card games, movies, guitar sing-alongs, great conversations and the occasional indulgence in a bottle of Polish Vodka. Many guests will also go hiking or skiing together during the day.

With a cabin-like atmosphere, Goodbye Lenin Hostel is incredibly cosy and warm. Settings are simple yet quirky with wooden walls and ceilings. The outside scenery is absolutely magnificent. Surrounded by pine trees and mountains, you can indulge in the serenity of nature.

Overnight cabin in the Tatra Mountains

goodbye lenin hostel: a place for keen hikers in zakopane, poland | overnight cabin in the tatra mountains

Established in 2000, Goodbye Lenin Hostel is an attractive place to stay for Polish visitors as well as well as travellers from all over the world. Zakopane is a very popular destination, therefore this hostel can easily become fully booked. Also, there is limited space as the hostel has only 25 beds for guests. If visiting in the summer, I would recommend booking 2 months in advance.

Zakopane Tour Guide

Eugene Daszewski

Eugene Daszewski

I believe that Kraków is one of the best places to visit and to live. Maybe it's because of Wawel Chakra, which is considered to be one of the place of enourmous power?! Or maybe thanks to its unique mixture of the Old Town, Jewish history and the communist legacy?! Or perhaps the famous polish pierogies and kielbasa?! I believe that everyone will find something for himself. During 8 years of experience as the guide I took care of more than 3000 people from more than 80 countries. It helped me to understand needs of my clients and to develop interpersonal skills. I base my tour on humor, associations and connections in order to make it fun and unforgettable. Book a tour with me and let's discover beauty and secrets of Kraków.

Tours by Eugene

Hiking In the Tatra Mountains

hiking in the tatra mountains

Hiking and skiing are the main reasons for travellers to visit Zakopane. There are fantastic walking tracks that start right outside the hostel door. However, if you would rather start further up on the mountains, there is shuttle that stops right outside the hostel driveway, which can transport you uphill. The shuttle will cost you 10 PLN (3 USD) each way.

Welcome to Lenin!

Goodbye Lenin is a 20-minute walk away from the main town or a 5-minute bus ride. Taxis are recommended if you have a lot of gear and are incredibly cheap. These can be found right outside the main bus station. This station can be found in the centre of the town and offers regular trips to larger cities such as Krakow and Warsaw.

Goodbye Lenin hostel is recommended for travellers who want simple and affordable accommodation. It is perfect for the solo traveller, as its friendly settings make it easy for one to make friends. With options of private and shared rooms that are kept clean at all times, this hostel is perfect for anybody wanting to have a pleasant and enjoyable experience in Zakopane.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Hi! I’m Katie. A Freelance writer, blogger and travel enthusiast from New Zealand. Sharing snippets of my personal experiences as I venture around the world. Currently based in Auckland but moving...Read more

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