Zakopane Private Tour: Tatra Mountains & Thermal Baths Day Trip

Summary

Explore Zakopane, Gubałówka Funicular & Highlander Traditions

If you want a real taste of Poland’s mountain culture—wooden villages, highlander cheese, sweeping views from Gubałówka—and then finish with a soak in natural thermal pools, this private tour covers it all without any hassle.

What’s the experience like?

We left Krakow early with our driver—he spoke great English and knew all the back roads. The ride took about an hour and a half, passing rolling fields and little roadside fruit stands. First stop: Chochołów. This village is something else. All those old wooden houses lined up, each one scrubbed so clean you can smell the pine when you walk by. Our guide explained how the Goral people have lived here for centuries, keeping their traditions alive even as tourists like us wander through snapping photos.

Couldn’t skip trying oscypek—smoky sheep’s cheese that’s everywhere around here. We grabbed some from a lady selling it right out of her window; it was still warm from the fire. Then we headed to Zakopane proper and hopped on the funicular up to Gubałówka. The ride’s quick but steep, and at the top you get this wide-open view of the Tatras—sometimes there’s a chill wind even in summer, so bring a jacket just in case. There are little cafés up there (I had hot tea at one called “Taras Widokowy”) and souvenir stalls with carved wood trinkets.

Krupówki Street is where everyone seems to end up—locals mixing with visitors, buskers playing accordion tunes, smells of grilled sausage drifting out from food stalls. It’s busy but not overwhelming; I found a hand-knitted wool hat at a market stand that I still wear back home. After wandering around, we drove over to Gorący Potok Thermal Baths in Szaflary. Twenty-one pools, all different temperatures—some almost too hot to handle! The sulfur smell takes getting used to but your skin feels soft after soaking awhile. Entry was included in our tour price (85 PLN if you go solo). By late afternoon I felt like I’d been on holiday for days.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Zakopane and Tatra Mountains Tour

• Pick-up from Krakow
• Visit Chochołów village
• Taste Oscypek cheese
• Funicular to Gubałówka summit
• Explore Krupówki street
• Relax at Gorący Potok Thermal Baths

Top questions

How long does the whole trip take?

The full experience usually lasts about 8–10 hours including travel time from Krakow.

Is this tour suitable for kids or older travelers?

Yes—it’s family-friendly and works for most fitness levels. There are infant seats available if needed.

Do I need to bring swimwear for the thermal baths?

Yes, bring your own swimsuit and towel for the pools at Gorący Potok.

Are entry tickets included in the price?

Yes—all entry fees (funicular railway and thermal baths) are covered in your booking.

What’s included

You’ll get private transportation with WiFi onboard, air conditioning, entry tickets for both Gubałówka funicular and Gorący Potok thermal baths—all sorted ahead of time so you can just enjoy the day.