Krakow to Zakopane: Thermal Springs, Cable Car & Highland Cheese

Zakopane’s wooden houses, mountain views and warm springs: slow moments from Krakow

You’ll wander through Chochołów village’s wooden houses, taste real Oscypek cheese with a local twist, ride up Gubałówka Mountain for wild Tatra views, then unwind in Chocholow Thermal Springs before heading back to Krakow: all with pickup included. Expect small surprises and slow moments that stick with you long after.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Zakrzowek2h
2. Chocholow20m
3. Mount Gubalówka1h · entry included
4. Tatra Mountains10m
5. Krupowki Street1h 30m
6. Main Market Square2h

Zakopane tour with thermal springs

• Pickup from Krakow hotel
• Travel to Zakopane (1.5-2 hours)
• Visit Chochołów Village and walk
• Taste smoked sheep's cheese and vodka
• Take funicular to Gubałówka mountain
• Enjoy panoramic Tatra Mountains view
• Descend and walk Krupówki street
• Relax at Chocholow Thermal Springs (2.5 hours)
• Return to Krakow hotel

The experience

You know when you step off the minivan and the air just smells different? That’s how it started for us: leaving Krakow behind, rolling into Chochołów where every house looks like it belongs in a fairy tale. Our guide Marek grinned at my surprise (“it’s all spruce, always spruce!”), and I kept running my hand along the wood railings just to feel that rough polish. There was this faint scent of smoke in the air, maybe from someone’s breakfast fire, and I caught myself wishing we could linger longer. But then someone pointed out a stork’s nest perched on a chimney and we all stopped to stare for a minute.

The next bit was honestly my favorite: we ducked into a shepherd’s hut for Oscypek (that’s the smoked sheep’s cheese, try saying it right, I dare you). It was salty and chewy, nothing like what I expected, and washed down with a tiny glass of vodka that made me cough so hard Marek laughed out loud. He told us how his grandfather used to make cheese by hand up in the hills. There was something about standing there with strangers, all of us grinning with cold fingers wrapped around little glasses. It felt oddly intimate.

Zakopane itself is busy but not in an annoying way: Krupówki Street has this jumble of voices and bright wool hats everywhere you look. We took the funicular up Gubałówka Mountain (the cable car rattles more than you’d think) and suddenly the Tatras just opened up below us: snow still clinging to the peaks even though it was spring. I bought a carved spoon from an old woman who barely looked up from her knitting. She nodded once when I said “dziękuję” (probably butchered it). After wandering back down, we squeezed into a café for pierogi before heading out again.

The last stop: Chocholow Thermal Springs. Honestly, I didn’t expect much, I’m not really a spa person, but sinking into that hot water after hours outside? My legs practically sighed. You could hear kids splashing somewhere nearby but mostly it was quiet except for our own laughter echoing off the tiles. The drive back to Krakow felt slower somehow. Everyone half asleep or just watching fields blur past in the dusk light. I still think about that first bite of cheese and how warm my hands finally felt at the end.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Krakow, round-trip transport by minivan or car, entry tickets for both Chocholow Thermal Springs (with access to pools and slides) and Gubałówka Mountain funicular railway, plus a tasting of traditional Oscypek cheese paired with Polish vodka at a local shepherd's hut before returning home relaxed in the evening.

Options for this experience

3 options

Transfer only, without entrance ticketGuide in English or Polish · Available from 21 Dec · 08:20Pickup is included

Full package: Zakopane and Thermal BathsGuide in English or Polish · 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00Complete package including all tickets and transportation from an address of your choice in Krakow. Standard group tour: the vehicle is shared with other travelers. Pickup is from your hotel, or from the nearest spot within 5 minutes when entry is prohibited. Pickup is included.

Exclusive Private Tour in LuxuryGuide in English or Polish · 7 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 10:00Reserved only for your booking. VIP private and luxury tour option, with pickup included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 10:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Child (3 to 15 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and Polish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Cracow Top Tours

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Polish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 15 years); Infant (under 3).

How long does it take to get from Krakow to Zakopane?

It usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours by car or minivan, depending on road and weather conditions.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, hotel or apartment pickup from Krakow is included unless your location isn’t accessible by vehicle.

What food is included on this tour?

You’ll get to taste traditional smoked sheep's cheese (Oscypek) and have a shot of Polish vodka during the visit to the shepherd's hut.

How much free time do you get in Zakopane?

You have about 2.5 hours of free time in Zakopane town center to explore or eat lunch on your own.

Are entry tickets for Gubałówka Mountain cable car included?

Yes, your funicular ticket up Gubałówka Mountain is included in the tour price.

How long can you stay at Chocholow Thermal Springs?

The entry ticket gives you 2.5 hours at Chocholow Thermal Baths.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No traditional lunch is included. Only cheese tasting and vodka are provided. You can buy lunch during your free time in Zakopane.