Zakopane day tour from Krakow: quad ride & thermal springs

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Free cancellation

1/28

Duration11h

GroupUp to 15

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Ride quads through the Tatras, then soak in hot springs while the mountains frame the view.

A full-day tour from Krakow to Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains combines quad riding, a visit to the preserved wooden village of Chochołów, a tasting of smoked sheep cheese and regional vodka, a ride up Gubałówka funicular, free time on Krupówki Street, and 3 hours in a thermal complex with indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzis and water slides. Hotel pickup in Krakow is included; the driver speaks English and handles all navigation so the day stays on track.

11h

Step-by-step itinerary

Zakopane day tour from Krakow

Pickup from Krakow accommodation
Drive to Chochołów village
Walk and explore Chochołów
Visit shepherd's hut and taste Oscypek cheese
Taste regional Polish vodka
Arrive in Zakopane and ride Gubałówka Funicular
Free time to explore Zakopane and lunch
Relax in thermal springs complex
Return to Krakow in the evening

The Experience

Your day starts with pickup from your Krakow hotel or apartment, then a 90- to 120-minute drive through Lesser Poland countryside toward the Tatra Mountains. The first stop is Chochołów, a village of centuries-old wooden houses built in traditional Highlander style—you walk the streets at your own pace and photograph the timber architecture that has survived centuries. Next is a shepherd's hut where you taste Oscypek, the smoked sheep cheese protected under EU designation of origin, paired with a tasting of regional Polish vodka and a look at how these traditions have been made the same way for generations.

Zakopane itself is the mountain resort most Poles think of first. You ride the historic Gubałówka funicular to the summit for views across the range, then have two and a half hours free on Krupówki Street—the pedestrian heart of town, lined with restaurants serving grilled oscypek and mountain soups, plus shops selling wool products and handcrafted Highlander goods. Lunch is on you here, but the time is yours to spend as you want.

The thermal complex comes next: you get an electronic wristband, changing rooms, a locker, and 3 hours of admission to indoor and outdoor pools filled with naturally heated mineral water, jacuzzis, water slides and recreational zones. The complex has views of the mountains from the pools themselves. A pool bar sells drinks and snacks if you want them. Bring your own towel or rent one for a fee. After soaking, your driver takes you back to Krakow in the evening.

What’s included

Round-trip transportation from your Krakow hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional English-speaking driver.
entry to Gubałówka funicular railway and viewpoint.
a visit to the traditional wooden village of Chochołów with time to walk and photograph.
a tasting of Oscypek smoked sheep cheese and regional Polish vodka at a shepherd's hut.
3 hours of admission to the thermal complex with access to indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzis and water slides.
two and a half hours of free time to explore Zakopane's Krupówki Street and local restaurants.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Cracow Top Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving in Krakow and want a full day in the mountains without arranging your own transport or planning stops—the driver handles the route and timing, so you move from quad riding to village walks to thermal pools without building the day yourself. The 11-hour span works for travelers with a free day and the stamina for a long drive; it's not suited for anyone with spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns, or pregnancy.