Zakopane Day Trip from Krakow with Tatra Mountains & Thermal Baths

Ride a scenic mountain cable car and sample regional cheese with included round-trip hotel transfers

Travel Flexibly
· 11h · Krakow, Poland

Highlander culture and alpine scenery come together on this full day adventure through the Tatra Mountains. Begin with hotel pick up, then visit the historic timber houses of Chochołów followed by a tasting of oscypek cheese at a traditional shepherd's hut. Witness local woodcarving traditions in a folk studio then head to Zakopane for a bit of resort life. The tour continues up the mountain by cable car for breathtaking vistas and concludes with a soak in the Chochołów thermal baths.

What You Get With This Tour

  • Summit the Highlands & soak in the springs
  • Expert English-speaking guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop off
  • Round-trip transport from Krakow
  • Guided tour of Chochołów’s wooden village
  • Gubałówka cable car tickets
  • 3-hour Chochołów thermal baths entry ticket
  • Oscypek cheese tasting at a Bacówka shepherd’s hut
  • Guide tips
  • Food and drink

Tour Itinerary

  • 1

    Your tour begins at your Krakow hotel or apartment

    Meet your guide during pick up at your accommodation and depart by comfortable transport into southern Poland. As the city fades, the Podhale region, or “Polish Highlands” begins and the Tatra Mountains start to frame the horizon.
  • 2

    Walk Chochołów’s preserved wooden village

    Arrive into Chochołów, stroll past the timber houses and learn how highlander families built and maintained this distinctive architecture. Along the way, your guide points out details that make the village feel unchanged by time.
  • 3

    Taste oscypek at a Bacówka shepherd’s hut

    Stop at a traditional rustic shepherd’s hut, a Bacówka, to sample smoked oscypek, the region’s salty sheep-cheese specialty. Your guide explains how it’s made and what sets traditional mountain cheese apart before you continue toward Zakopane.
  • 4

    Browse Podhale folk art at a sculpture studio

    Step inside a local folk sculpture studio to see woodcarving up close. Learn how mountain motifs and everyday life become detailed figures, then take time to look over handmade pieces before moving on.
  • 5

    Explore Krupówki Street in Zakopane

    Next, arrive in Zakopane, known as “the winter capital of Poland” and head to Krupówki Street, the town’s main promenade of stalls and restaurants. Use free time to shop for souvenirs, grab a bite, and enjoy the alpine resort atmosphere.
  • 6

    Ride the cable car up Gubałówka

    Continue with a cable car ride to Gubałówka mountain ridge for panoramic views over Zakopane and the Tatra range. From the top, your guide helps you spot key peaks and the best photo angles before heading down.
  • 7

    Soak at Chochołów Thermal Baths

    Lastly, change into swimwear and use your 3-hour entrance ticket at the Chochołów thermal baths. Alternate warm pools and cooler dips, unwind with mountain scenery, and reset after a full day of stops and walking.
  • 8

    Your tour ends at your Krakow hotel or apartment

    Relax on the return drive to Krakow and get dropped off at your accommodation. You finish the day with Zakopane views, a taste of regional cheese, and a calmer pace after the soothing thermal baths of Chochołów.

Additional Information

Discover what to expect, what’s included, and everything you need to know before booking.

Good to know:

  • Accessibility: Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible.

  • Weather Advisory: This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

  • Children and Infants: Infant seats are available. If your child is less than 150 cm or 4’11” tall, please inform the supplier so a child seat can be arranged.

  • Please Note: You will be informed of the exact start time at least one or two days before the tour.

  • Hotel pickup & drop off: Hotel pick up and drop off is included on this tour. Please contact us immediately after booking your hotel information, so we can make the proper arrangements with our partners. You can also include this information in the "Additional Notes" section of your booking. Hotel pick up and drop off cannot be included if the proper information is not provided.

  • Check in: Please be ready at your accommodation at least 10 minutes in advance so the group can depart on time.

Your 11-hour tour includes:

  • Expert English-speaking guide

  • Hotel pickup and drop off

  • Door-to-door transportation from Krakow

  • Guided tour of Chochołów’s wooden village

  • Oscypek cheese tasting at a Bacówka shepherd’s hut

  • Folk sculpture studio visit

  • Free time in Zakopane

  • Round-trip cable car ticket to Gubałówka Mountain

  • Chochołów thermal baths entry ticket (3 hours)

  • Maximum group size of 15

What to bring:

  • Government-issued ID or passport

  • Comfortable walking shoes

  • Comfortable clothes

  • Swimwear

  • Towel

You might also like...

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Guided Tour

Trastevere Local Food Tour in Rome

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Private Boat Private Tour

Murano & Burano Private Boat Tour from Venice

Free Cancellation
Up to 10% off
Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Skip the Line

Private Siena Walking Tour

Private Tour
Exclusive Access
Free Cancellation
Free Cancellation
Free Cancellation
Free Cancellation
Free Cancellation
Free Cancellation
Private Tour
Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Guided Tour

Venice Evening Food Tour in Cannaregio with Authentic Sit-Down Dinner

Likely to Sell Out
Free Cancellation
Up to 10% off

Free Cancellation Skip the Line

Venice in a Day Tour with Gondola Ride

Guided Tour
Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Skip the Line

Private Borghese Gallery Tour

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Private Tour

Private Pompeii & Sorrento Day Trip from Rome

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation Skip the Line

Accademia Gallery Express with Statue of David

Customer Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour family friendly?

Yes. Kids can join, and infant seats are available. If your child is under 150 cm, or 4’11” tall, share that after booking so the proper child seat can be arranged.

What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?

Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible. If you have mobility concerns, please contact us before booking so you can confirm what to expect.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch and drinks aren’t included, but you’ll have time to buy food during the day.

Does this tour run in bad weather?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Start From: $119.79

Available days Discounted days

Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance!