Krakow: Zakopane Tour, Cable Car, Local Spirits and Thermal Baths
Description
Discover the Charm of Zakopane – The Heart of the Polish Highlands Experience the unique atmosphere of Zakopane, the capital of the Polish highlands, where breathtaking Tatra Mountain landscapes blend with rich highlander culture. Stroll through streets lined with traditional wooden houses, explore local craft markets, and taste authentic regional specialties. Learn about the Górale people, their traditions, and their unique lifestyle. A relaxing visit to the Chochołowskie Thermal Pools, the largest thermal baths in Poland. Soak in warm, mineral-rich waters while admiring spectacular mountain views. Led by an experienced local guide, this tour ensures a comfortable journey in an air-conditioned minivan, making your trip stress-free. Whether you seek culture, nature, or relaxation, Zakopane promises an unforgettable experience in one of Poland’s most beautiful regions.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The tour begins with a transfer from Krakow to Zakopane. You will be picked up by your guide and, along the way, immerse you in the unique culture, traditions, and stories of the Podhale region. A scenic journey from Krakow to Zakopane, where breathtaking mountain views unfold with every mile will take around 2 hours.
On the way to Zakopane, you’ll pass through the traditional wooden village of Chochołów, known for its nearly identical wooden houses. The settlers follow a long-standing tradition of washing the wooden walls with soapy water twice a year, before Christmas and Easter, which keeps even the oldest buildings looking new. The village lies just 500 meters from our southern neighbor – Slovakia.
Near Chochołów, in the mountain meadows, locals produce a traditional Polish sheep’s cheese called "Oscypek." As an optional part of your trip, you can choose to visit this place to learn about the production process, taste Oscypek cheese, and sample local fruit-based spirits.
Welcome in Zakopane, the winter capital of Poland and one of the country’s most charming mountain resorts. Located at the foot of the spectacular Tatra Mountains, Zakopane is famous for its unique Highlander culture, wooden architecture, lively atmosphere, and stunning views. APPLIES TO GUIDED TOUR WITH HOST OPTION. A cable car ride will take you to the summit of Gubałówka Mountain, 1,126 meters above sea level, where you can admire breathtaking panoramas of the Polish Tatras. At the top, you will find restaurants, cafes, and local attractions, perfect for relaxing with a cup of mulled wine while enjoying the scenery. Guests will also have free time on Krupówki Street, Zakopane’s famous promenade filled with shops, restaurants, and souvenir stalls, as well as at the local market under Gubałówka, known for regional cheeses, handmade crafts, and traditional Highlander products.
Your guide will take you to the thermal springs, where you can rest and experience the healing benefits of the thermal waters. The admission ticket to the Thermal Pools grants access to themed sections for both children and adults, ensuring everyone has a great time. The largest thermal complex in the Podhale region, featuring indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, and jacuzzis, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Tatra Mountains. Perfect for those seeking ultimate relaxation.
Exhausting day is over. After another 2 hours of travel, you will be taken to a designated address in Krakow.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- EQUIPMENT: AS part of your day will be at the thermal pools, please bring a towel, swimsuit, and flip-flops.
Reviews(451)
Booked with our hotel . Great tour guide Maks he was friendly and a good driver and answered our questions best he could if we had any. 😀
Domino was our guide for this excursion, he was by far the best and most organised guide we had throughout our trip. From start to finish, he was incredibly informative, friendly, and always happy to offer advice or answer any questions. The WhatsApp group he created made it so easy for everyone to find each other throughout the day , and even letting us choose the music for the journey made the long drive much more enjoyable. He genuinely went above and beyond to make sure everyone had a great experience and is such a kind, caring, and professional guide. The Zakopane tour itself was absolutely beautiful and unlike anywhere else we’ve visited. The traditional wooden architecture and stunning mountain scenery made it a truly memorable day. I’d highly recommend trying the smoked sheep’s milk cheese and the traditional local liqueur—they’re both part of the authentic experience. The thermal baths were the perfect way to end the day, offering a relaxing and enjoyable finish after exploring Zakopane. Overall, this was one of the highlights of our trip, and I couldn’t recommend it more. Thank you, Domino, for making the experience so special!
We had a fantastic day around Zakopane the thermal spa and the cable car at Gubalowka Our host Michael was very informative helpful and very polite would highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A thoroughly enjoyable day. Mariusz was an excellent guide, explaining all about the history, culture of the areas etc. along the way. The mini bus was very clean and comfortable. Thank you, Mariusz.
Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you had a thoroughly enjoyable day and that Mariusz was an excellent guide, sharing his knowledge about the history and culture of the areas along the way. It’s also wonderful to know that you found the minibus clean and comfortable throughout the journey. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and will be sure to pass your kind words on to Mariusz. We hope to welcome you back to Krakow in the future!
We had an amazing day trip to Zakopane with Krakow Direct! A special thanks to our tour leader Mariusz, who was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the journey enjoyable from start to finsh. I highly recommend Krakow Direct to anyone visiting Krakow and looking for a well-planned, enjoyable day trip to Zakopane. It was a fantastic experience!
Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you had an amazing day trip to Zakopane and that everything was well organised from start to finish. It’s especially wonderful to know that Mariusz was friendly, knowledgeable, and helped make the journey so enjoyable throughout the day. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and your recommendation. We will be sure to pass your kind words on to Mariusz, and we hope to welcome you back to Krakow in the future!
The experience was incredible We were picked up by bus near our place and we had an incredible day We went quad biking in the mountains with breathtaking views, followed by a barbecue with local meat and cheese, then several hours in thermal baths A big thank you for this great day and a big thank you to Bart our driver who was exceptional He let us play music and play games on the way back!
Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you had such an incredible day and enjoyed every part of the experience, from quad biking in the mountains and the beautiful views, to the barbecue and relaxing time in the thermal baths. It’s also wonderful to know that Bart made the journey even more enjoyable and helped create a fun and relaxed atmosphere on the way back. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and will be sure to pass your kind words on to him. We hope to welcome you back to Krakow in the future!
We had a great time visiting Zakopane with Krystian as our guide! Our only negative would be the price for the day. Thank you for a positive experience, Krystian!
Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you had a great time visiting Zakopane and that Krystian made the experience enjoyable as your guide. It’s also appreciated that you shared your thoughts regarding the pricing for the day, as feedback like this helps us review and improve our services. We really value you taking the time to write to us and will be sure to pass your kind words on to Krystian. We hope to welcome you back to Krakow in the future!
We had very nice day today in Zakopane and thermal baths .The driver was on time ,smooth driving with humor all were very happy
Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you had a wonderful day in Zakopane and at the thermal baths. It’s great to know that your driver was punctual, provided a smooth journey, and added a touch of humour that made the day even more enjoyable for everyone. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and will be sure to pass your kind words on to the driver. We hope to welcome you back to Krakow in the future!
BART was very good he was professional I really enjoyed the trip.
Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear that Bart was professional and helped make your trip an enjoyable experience. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and will be sure to pass your kind words on to him. We hope to welcome you back to Krakow in the future!
BART and PETER were very professional. They told us the history of the region and guided us throughout Zakopane and Welitchka. Definitely book with them 👍
Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear that Bart and Peter were professional and made your experience so enjoyable while sharing the history of the region and guiding you through Zakopane and Wieliczka. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and your recommendation, and we will be sure to pass your kind words on to them. We hope to welcome you back to Krakow in the future!
