Good Bye Lenin

If you follow me on IG, you’ll be well aware of my love for Zakopane. This mountain town nestled at the base of Poland’s Tatra mountains is famous for its skiing in Winter and incredible year-round hikes. I’ve been there 5 times in 4 years now, and the main reason I come back (apart from the incredible scenery and fresh mountain air) is due to a hostel that holds a special place in my heart. Good Bye Lenin is owned by Marzena and Pawel, a wonderful couple who have created an incredibly wholesome environment for everyone who stays there. That said, the volunteers who run the hostel are what really makes it stand out. I visited GBL as a guest in Summer 2019 and Winter 2020, but was determined to come back as a volunteer next time. So that’s exactly what I did in 2023 year; not once, but twice! There’s so much to do on a trip to Zakopane that it would be impossible to list it all, but I’ve rounded up my top recommendations below.