Zakopane & Tatra Mountains: Thermal Baths Day Trip from Krakow

Summary

Mountain village walks, cable car views and hot springs near Krakow

You’ll wander timber-lined villages near Zakopane, ride a cable car for sweeping Tatra views, taste salty oscypek cheese at a shepherd’s hut, and float in steaming thermal baths as mountains fill your view. With hotel pickup and a local guide making every stop easy (and fun), this day trip leaves you with more than photos—it leaves you lighter somehow.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what fresh mountain air actually smells like? I didn’t think much about it until we left Krakow behind and the landscape started shifting — the city noise faded, replaced by these rolling green hills and sharp peaks of the Tatra Mountains. Our driver, Piotr, kept pointing out little things I’d have missed: wooden houses with smoke curling up (he said that’s how you spot a real highlander’s home), sheep grazing right by the road. I tried to snap a photo but honestly, my phone couldn’t catch that feeling of space. We stopped in Chochołów first — tiny village, old timber houses so close you could touch both sides if you stretched your arms. The wood smelled faintly sweet and smoky, maybe from all those years of fires inside.

Krupówki Street in Zakopane was busy but not in a bad way — there’s this energy to it, people selling wool socks and smoked cheese (oscypek). I tried one at a bacówka hut; salty, chewy, nothing like cheese back home. The lady who served us laughed when I tried to pronounce “oscypek” properly — still not sure I got it right. Then came the cable car up Gubałówka Mountain. It’s quick but when you get out at the top… well, I just stood there for a minute. The Tatras look unreal from up there. Wind colder than expected for June.

After all that walking (and eating), the thermal baths were almost too good to be true. Hot water, steam rising everywhere, kids daring each other down water slides while older folks just floated quietly looking at the mountains through glass walls. My skin still felt warm hours later on the drive back to Krakow. If you’re thinking about a day trip to Zakopane & Tatra Mountains — especially with that soak at the end — just do it. There’s something about stepping into hot water after mountain air that makes your head go quiet for a bit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tatra Mountains and Zakopane exploration

• Pickup from Krakow hotel
• Drive to Tatra Mountains
• Visit Krupowki Street in Zakopane
• Ride cable car for mountain views
• Explore Chochołów village
• See old wooden houses
• Visit Bacówka and taste oscypek cheese
• Lunch at traditional restaurant (optional)
• Visit folk sculpture studio
• Enjoy thermal baths and water slide

Top questions

How long does the Zakopane & Tatra Mountains day trip from Krakow take?

The full day tour typically lasts around 10-12 hours including travel time between Krakow and Zakopane.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, free hotel or apartment pickup and drop off in Krakow is included.

What should I bring for the thermal baths?

You should bring your towel and ID or passport for entry into the thermal baths.

Are meals included on this tour?

No set meal is included but you can buy lunch at a traditional restaurant during the tour.

Can children join this Zakopane day trip?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available if requested in advance; let them know if your child is under 150cm tall.

Is there an English-speaking guide or driver?

The tour includes an English-speaking driver who provides local insights along the way.

What’s special about oscypek cheese tasting?

You’ll visit a shepherd’s hut (bacówka) to try traditional salty oscypek cheese made locally in the Tatra region.

Does this tour include entry fees for attractions?

Your entry fee for the thermal baths and roundtrip cable car ticket are included in the price.

What’s included

Your day includes door-to-door hotel pickup and drop off from Krakow, entry to mountain-view thermal baths (bring your own towel!), roundtrip cable car tickets up Gubałówka Mountain, an English-speaking driver who knows all those little stories behind each stop, plus tasting traditional oscypek cheese fresh from a shepherd’s hut before heading back home again.