Ice labyrinth in Zakopane and open-air museum in Tallinn
The ice labyrinth in Zakopane is rebuilt from scratch every winter. It is the only structure of its kind in Poland, and it can only be built when the temperature is below freezing. In Tallinn, a museum operates year-round, with an entire Estonian village assembled outdoors, complete with farmsteads, a church, and a tavern. The two cities are far apart, but both places showcase unusual open-air structures.
These two places work differently. The first exists only in freezing weather and closes with the first thaw. The second welcomes visitors in any weather and works even for a short weekend trip.
Below you will find when to go, how much tickets cost, and what to see so you do not waste a day. We have gathered verified prices, opening hours, and practical tips for both sites.
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What these places are and why they are worth the trip
💡 In short:
- The ice labyrinth in Zakopane opens in late January and operates as long as the frost holds.
- The Estonian open air museum in Tallinn welcomes visitors year-round.
- Prices and opening hours: as of 09/2026, verified on the museum's official website.
Both sites are built or assembled outdoors. In Zakopane, it is a seasonal structure made of artificial snow; in Tallinn, a permanent museum of wooden architecture. Below is a table for quick comparison.
Site | Where | When it operates | Adult ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
Snowlandia, ice labyrinth | Zakopane, Poland | in winter | at the entrance, check the website for the price |
Estonian Open Air Museum | Tallinn, Estonia | year-round, daily in December | see the "Tickets and opening hours" section |
Snowlandia ice labyrinth in Zakopane
Snowlandia sits at the foot of the Wielka Krokiew ski jump, not far from the center of Zakopane. The labyrinth is built entirely from artificial snow. Making the snow and assembling all the corridors takes about two months, so the opening always falls in the middle of winter (snowlandia.pl).
Inside, there is more than just snow walls. The complex includes ice sculptures, an igloo, and a sledding hill. The corridors cover more than 3,000 square meters, making the labyrinth one of the largest in Europe (according to Weranda Weekend).
The 2026 season began on January 28, when the labyrinth itself also opened (Strefa Biznesu). If you are planning a trip in September, keep in mind: the site is closed in summer, as the snow would not survive the heat.
Check tickets right before your trip. The labyrinth publishes prices only during the active season, and you can buy them on site. Bring waterproof gloves and warm footwear: you will spend a long time in the cold inside the corridors.
- How to get there: from the Zakopane bus station to the Wielka Krokiew ski jump is about 2 km, a 25-minute walk or a short taxi ride (according to the map).
- When to go: from late January to early March, in clear, frosty weather.
- The catch: during heavy snowfall and thaw, some corridors are closed for safety reasons.
If you want to stay overnight in Zakopane, check out hotels in Zakopane on Trip.com to choose an option near the ski jump or in the center.
Estonian open air museum in Tallinn
© Bahnfrend · CC BY-SAPhoto: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe Estonian Open Air Museum (Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum) is located in the Rocca al Mare district, a 15-minute drive from central Tallinn (according to Visit Tallinn). It is not an indoor exhibition but a real village: farmsteads, a church, a tavern, and a school from different regions of Estonia have been relocated here.
The exhibition includes 14 farmsteads that show everyday life in Estonian villages from the 18th to the 20th century (according to the Tallinn tourist office). The buildings were brought from different corners of the country: there are Seto farmsteads from the southeast, an Old Believers' house from the shore of Lake Peipus, a Soviet-era collective farm apartment, and a village shop. In a single day, you can see how life differed on the islands and on the mainland.
The museum is considered one of the largest collections of rural architecture in Europe. The grounds are large, so allow several hours for your visit. At the Kolu tavern you can have a traditional country meal, and in summer there are workshops and activity areas for children.
Tickets and opening hours
The schedule depends on the season. In summer (23.04-28.09) the museum is open seven days a week, the park is open from 10:00 to 20:00, and the ticket office from 10:00 to 19:00. In winter (29.09-22.04) the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, with Monday closed (as of 09/2026, evm.ee). An exception is made in December, when the museum is open every day.
Season | Adult | Reduced | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
Summer, 23.04-28.09 | 18 € | 12 € | 38 € |
Winter, 29.09-22.04 | 14 € | 10 € | 30 € |
Prices are for the 2026 season (as of 09/2026, evm.ee). Children under 8 enter free, and entry is free with the Tallinn Card. In winter, part of the exhibition is closed, but the Härjapea and Seto farmsteads, the Old Believers' house, and the Sassi-Jaani granary are open.
If you want to book Tallinn tours in advance, check out the options on GetYourGuide.
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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
When does the ice labyrinth in Zakopane open?
The Snowlandia labyrinth opens in the middle of winter, usually in late January. The 2026 season started on January 28 (according to Strefa Biznesu). It operates only during sustained freezing temperatures and closes when a thaw arrives, so it is best to check the date on the official website before your trip.
How much does a ticket to the Estonian Open Air Museum cost?
An adult ticket costs 14-18 € depending on the season (as of 09/2026, evm.ee). For discounts, family tickets, and Tallinn Card terms, see the "Tickets and opening hours" section.
Can you visit these places in September?
The Estonian Open Air Museum is open year-round, so in September you'll catch the summer schedule from 10:00 to 20:00 (as of 09/2026, museum schedule). The ice labyrinth in Zakopane is closed in September: it exists only in winter and is rebuilt from scratch every season.
How much time do you need for each attraction?
For the ice labyrinth, allow at least an hour, plus time for sledding and photos. The Estonian museum requires several hours: the grounds are large, and the farmsteads are scattered across the park. If you're going with kids, add extra time for workshops and playgrounds.
Where to stay near these places?
In Zakopane, hotels are available both near the Wielka Krokiew ski jump and in the center, close to Krupówki Street. In Tallinn, it's more convenient to stay in the Old Town or in the Rocca al Mare district near the museum: the center is easy to reach by bus.
In short: what's worth booking
The takeaway for these two places is simple. Visit the ice labyrinth in Zakopane in winter. The Estonian Open Air Museum in Tallinn works in any season and fits easily into a city trip.
- If you're taking a winter trip to the Tatras: book a hotel in Zakopane and set aside a day for the Snowlandia labyrinth.
- If you're going to Tallinn for a weekend: plan a few hours for the museum and an evening in the Old Town.
- If you're traveling with kids: in winter the labyrinth entertains with sledding and sculptures, in summer the museum offers workshops.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.