From Krakow: Zakopane & Thermal Springs Day Tour

Experience the beauty of the Polish Tatra Mountains on a full-day tour to Zakopane. Explore a traditional wooden village, learn about Highlander culture, and relax in the healing thermal springs.

Duration: 11 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Krakow - Your tour will begin with pickup from your hotel or apartment in Krakow (or from the nearest location if access by vehicle proves impossible or difficult). Transport from Krakow to Zakopane will take about 1,5 - 2 hours depending on atmospheric and road conditions.
  • Zakopane - Zakopane, nestled amidst breathtaking landscapes, this charming town offers a perfect blend of traditional highland architecture, vibrant street life on town center and outdoor adventures. Zakopane is a captivating destination that caters to nature lovers and adventure seekers.

The trip to Zakopane consists of several points. Each subsequent point of the trip is described below. By visiting Zakopane you will experience a unique style of architecture, culture, speech, music and food. You will be able to admire the beautiful views, learn about the history and lifestyle of the Highlanders, local residents of Zakopane Poland. At the end of the trip you will be able to relax in the Thermal Springs. The tour is organized in English, but you can also use written information brochures in French, German, Spanish, or Italian. When booking, just select the appropriate option.

  • Chocholow - Chochołów Village, about 20 minutes from Zakopane.

  • Zywy skansen - Historyczna zabudowa Chocholowa - The first point of the tour is a small village Chocholow. Known for its well-preserved examples of traditional wooden architecture, provides visitors with a glimpse into the region’s rich cultural heritage. The village is famous for its characteristic wooden houses, adorned with intricate carvings and traditional designs. These structures showcase the unique architectural style of the Polish highlanders. According to tradition, settlers wash the wooden walls of buildings with soapy water, which happens twice a year before Christmas and Easter. This process protects old buildings against insects, weather conditions and aging time.

  • Witow - The second stop on the tour is a shepherd’s hut, used to provide shelter while tending to their flock in rural areas and used as a place for the production of dairy products obtained from grazing animals. In this place, you will have the opportunity to taste traditional smoked sheep’s cheese called Oscypek and a shot of Polish vodka.

  • Gubalowka - The next stop will be the city of Zakopane, where you will have 2.5 hours of free time. Once there, you’ll start on the Funicular Railway that will take you to the top of Gubalowka. Viewpoint is renowned for its breathtaking panoramic views of the Tatra Mountains. There you will also find numerous cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops and a gravity slide (open in summer, not included in the tour price).

  • Tatras Mountains (Tatry) - At the top of the Gubałówka mountain, there is a viewpoint from which there is a wonderful view of the entire range of the Polish Tatry Mountains.

  • Gravitational Slide on Gubalowka - One of the tourist attractions that you will find at the top of Gubałówka Mountain is i.a. gravity slide. This attraction is open depending on the season and weather conditions, but it provides a lot of emotions. Admission to it is not included in the tour, it is additionally payable at the ticket office at top.

  • Krupowki Street - After going down, it is worth going for a walk and lunch (not included in the tour price). Krupowki is the main pedestrian street in Zakopane. This lively and vibrant street is the heart of the town, serving as a hub for both locals and visitors. The street is lined with a diverse array of local restaurants, shops, and market stalls. Visitors can find a wide range of goods, including traditional highlander crafts, souvenirs, local food products, and clothing.

  • Chocholowskie Termy - The last point of the journey is the Hot Springs Complex. On site, you will receive a watch giving access to the changing room and locker. The admission ticket for 2,5 hours to the Chocholow Thermal Baths includes themed areas for children and adults so that everyone can enjoy their time well. Visitors have access to outdoor and indoor pools, as well as water slides and jacuzzis (nudity zone is not included). Inside you will also find a pool bar where you can order drinks (drinks and food are not included in the price of the ticket).

  • Krakow’s Rynek Glowny Central Square - After returning to the car park, the driver will take you back to Krakow to your hotel or apartment.

  • Cracow Top Tours - The tour operator is Cracow Top Tours. Don’t forget to add a review after your trip :)

  • Wielka Krokiew - Ski Jumping Hill - The Ski Jumping World Cup takes place in Zakopane every year in winter. It is a very popular winter sport in Poland. Access to the ski jumps is not included in the tour, it is only allowed for professional ski jumpers.

What's Included
  • Free time in the city center of Zakopane
  • Door to door service (Hotel pick up and drop off)
  • Entry ticket to Chocholow Thermal Springs
  • Round-trip transportation from Krakow
  • Funicular ticket on the Gubalowka Mountain
  • Helpful English speaking guide
  • Testing piece of smoked cheese and a shot of Polish vodka
  • Visit to the old wooden village of Chocholow
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
Additional Information

Come to Zakopane. Enjoy the scenic beauty of the Polish Tatra Mountains via the cable car. Understand the intricacies of preparing traditional smoked sheep’s cheese and tour the wooden village. Unwind and benefit from the therapeutic virtues of the thermal waters during your visit to the Hot Springs. Utilize the door-to-door service.

• Convenient round-trip door-to-door transfers to Zakopane are provided
• No need to make on-site ticket purchases - entrance fee is included
• Discover the Highlander Culture and explore the heritage of Poland

Location
Krakow
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(458 Ratings)
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Jen_s
Aug 10, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyable - Great experience from start to finish. The company gave all the information required the night before. We were picked up in an air conditioned bus with our tour guide Matthew. He was super friendly, very informative and attentive. Lots of beautiful scenery, loved the cheese factory and the springs although busy was good fun. Zacopane itself, again beautiful and very busy with tourists. Well worth a visit.
Review provided by Viator
F2858mqjessr
Aug 6, 2024
Chochołow, Cheese and vodka tasting, Zakopane & Thermal spa - This trip is simply stunning!! The guide Joanna was super helpful and provided text message reminders about times and suggestions! The knowledge she has is brilliant. Joanne made this trip! probably the best trip l've been in hands down! Highly highly recommend doing this trip as the views and places are so picturesque and beautiful! All topped off with a trip to the most incredible spa that is HUGE! Cannot recommend doing this trip enough!! THANK YOU JOANNA!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sarahhy7286pb
Aug 5, 2024
Great day your to Zakopane and the thermal spa - Great tour. Janusz was a lovely driver and Joanna was a great guide. She went above and beyond giving recommendations in Zakopane and also for when we got back to Krakow. Cannot fault the day at all! Lots to see and experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maria_o
Aug 2, 2024
Enjoyable trip - It was enjoyable trip about their history, their houses, traditional food and of course the Zakopane mountains and city. Our trip guider Joanna was very helpful and guided to us. We tried to followed what’s she recommended to us.
Review provided by Viator
Lesley_d
Aug 1, 2024
Excellent - Loved the shepherds hut & cheese & the lovely village &our guide Johanna was great & full of information
Review provided by Viator
Ella_m
Jul 24, 2024
AMAZING - Our tour guide Mathew was amazing, very good English and was very lovely great experience and the thermal baths were fantastic
Review provided by Viator
Kim_d
Jul 21, 2024
Good time - A great experience, thank you to John, our driver and Matthew for the informative tour. We didn't get picked up from our accomodation, but the day was fun overall.
Review provided by Viator
Kelly_p
Jul 22, 2024
Fine but can miss it - Tour guide: Max was great but a 3.5/5 because he explained the minimum at each stop and didn’t really make an effort to engage the group by asking where they are from or farewelling us etc. especially considering we were together 9-10 hours. Stops: the Highlander village was interesting to see and it was fun to explore Zakopane but it really is one big strip of shops and cable car (cable car is included). Worst part: the ‘thermal springs’ that is actually just a huge, packed venue with screaming children. It reminded me of a kid’s aquatic center. We were there for 2.5 hours and I was expecting relaxation not chaos. Although I went in July (peak season) it still would be a commercial pool in winter. A few of us were discussing at the end of the day and agreed we wouldn’t recommend this tour. It was great to try the fresh cheese and explore Zakopane but it I wouldn’t do it again or suggest others do this itinerary.
Review provided by Viator
Susan_s
Aug 4, 2024
overpriced poor value - The thermal spa was overcrowded with both adults and children. If there was an adult only section we were not informed of it by our tour guide. We would not have gone on such an excursion (which was expensive) had we known the spa experience was going to be this bad. Most of the group on our tour felt the same as us.
Review provided by Viator
Deepak_s
Jul 15, 2024
Disappointed - First, we weren't picked up at the hotel as we should have been. There was no room in the car for the equipment we needed to bring, the bus was too cramped. And no overhead space for luggage Cheese taste disappointed, we expected an experience with several types of cheese (not just one) Our guide either spoke too fast or not at all. All in all, it was a bad experience and not worth the money.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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