Zakopane & Gubalowka Hill Day Trip from Krakow with Lunch

Summary

Mountain villages, cable cars and Polish flavors in Zakopane

You’ll ride out from Krakow with hotel pickup, tasting oscypek cheese in Chocholow before climbing Gubalowka Hill by cable car for sweeping Tatra views. Free time lets you explore Krupowki Street’s lively markets and sample local vodka with your guide. By day’s end you’ll carry mountain air—and maybe some wool socks—back with you.

What’s the experience like?

“You ever tried oscypek?” our driver Marek asked as we rolled out of Krakow, his hand already reaching for a bag of that smoky sheep cheese. I’d never even heard of it. The drive to Zakopane was longer than I expected—maybe two hours?—but the windows kept fogging up from everyone’s chatter and the cold outside. Somewhere near Chocholow, the houses started looking like something out of a fairy tale: all wood, steep roofs, smoke curling up. We stopped to stretch our legs and taste that cheese (salty, chewy, a bit nutty—honestly better than I thought). There was this old woman selling it by her gate, wrapped in a scarf so thick only her eyes showed. She smiled at my terrible “dziękuję.”

The cable car up Gubalowka Hill felt like being lifted into another world. It was colder up there—windy too—and I kept pulling my hat down over my ears. The view just sort of hits you: Tatra Mountains sharp against the sky, clouds snagged on the peaks. Some kids were sledding nearby; I could smell grilled sausage from one of those little stands. We had free time to wander (I bought a pair of wool socks with dancing sheep on them), and I just stood there for a while watching the light change on the snow. Kind of quiet up there despite all the people.

Krupowki Street is chaos in the best way—bazaars selling everything from smoked cheese to wooden toys, people ducking into cafés to warm up their hands around mugs of tea or vodka (we got to try some honey-flavored stuff that burned going down but made me laugh). Our guide told us about ski championships here; apparently Zakopane is wild in winter but even now it felt lively. I lost track of time poking through stalls and trying not to buy another hat.

I didn’t expect to feel so at home so far from home. Maybe it was Marek’s stories or just how everyone smiles when you try their food—even if your Polish is hopeless. On the drive back to Krakow, I watched frost creep along the window and thought about that moment on Gubalowka Hill—quiet, cold air filling my lungs—and yeah, I still think about that view sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Zakopane sightseeing and free time

• Visit traditional Polish village Chochołów
• Ride cable car up and down Gubalowka Hill
• Enjoy free time on Gubalowka Hill
• Explore Krupowki Street with bazaars and cafes
• Free time on Krupowki Street
• Pass by Zakopane ski championship site

Top questions

How long does the Zakopane day trip from Krakow take?

The tour typically lasts a full day including travel time between Krakow and Zakopane.

Is lunch included on this Zakopane & Gubalowka Hill tour?

A lunch option is available; check when booking if you want it included.

Are hotel pickups offered for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup in Krakow is included for all guests.

Is this Zakopane tour suitable for families with children?

Yes, infants and small children can join; child seats are available upon request.

Is the transport wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible but only folded wheelchairs are allowed.

What should I wear for a day trip to Zakopane?

Dress warmly—the temperature in Zakopane is usually lower than in Krakow.

What activities are included during free time?

You can explore Krupowki Street’s markets or enjoy views atop Gubalowka Hill during free time.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Krakow, travel by air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver and guide, entry tickets for the Gubalowka cable car both ways, tastings of local cottage cheese (oscypek) and flavored vodka along the route, plus an optional lunch if you choose it when booking before returning comfortably to your hotel.