Zakopane & Tatra Mountains Day Trip from Krakow with Thermal Baths

Thermal Baths & Mountain Villages: A Day in Poland's Highest Range

You're picked up at your hotel and driven to Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains, where you ride a cable car to mountain views, walk through a traditional village, taste oscypek cheese at a shepherd's hut, and finish the day soaking in thermal baths with entry included. Hotel drop-off happens in the evening, and your driver speaks English the entire way.

Step-by-step itinerary

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
• Walk among old wooden houses
• Visit Bacówka and taste oscypek cheese
• Lunch at traditional restaurant (optional)
• Browse folk sculpture studio
• Enjoy thermal baths and water slide

The experience

The driver picks you up from your Krakow hotel and heads south toward the Tatra Mountains, the highest mountain range in Poland. The road climbs steadily, and the landscape shifts from city edges to forest to something that feels genuinely remote. It takes a couple of hours to reach Zakopane, but the ride itself is part of it. Your English-speaking driver knows the route and can point out what's worth noticing along the way.

Once in Zakopane, you stop at Krupowki Street, the main commercial strip where locals and visitors mix. There are restaurants serving traditional Polish mountain food, shops selling regional crafts, and the kind of casual energy that comes from a place people actually live in, not just pass through. From there, you take the cable car up to Gubałowka Mountain (a roundtrip ticket is included), and the views open up across the range. After that, the day moves to Chochołów, a village of old wooden houses built in the traditional style, where you visit a Bacówka (a shepherd's hut) to taste oscypek, the salty smoked cheese that comes from this region. You can buy lunch at a local restaurant if you want, or just walk around and absorb the quiet.

The thermal baths come last, and they're the reason to bring a towel and swimwear. The water is warm year-round, fed by hot springs, and there are also cold pools if you want contrast. Some people use the water slide. Others just float and look at the mountains. Entry is included, so you don't have to figure out tickets or pricing on the spot. After you've had enough, the driver takes you back to Krakow, arriving in the evening. The whole day runs 8 to 10 hours depending on how long you linger at each stop.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or apartment pickup and drop-off in Krakow, roundtrip transportation with an English-speaking driver, a cable car ticket to Gubałowka Mountain with views across the Tatra range, a visit to a traditional shepherd's hut where you'll taste oscypek cheese, entry to the thermal baths with access to hot springs, cold pools, and a water slide, plus professional support if any issues arise during the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Hello Cracow

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Tatra Mountains, taste regional food, and soak in thermal water without arranging transport, entry fees, or timing yourself: the fixed itinerary and included driver handle all three, leaving you free to just show up at your hotel.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the drive from Krakow to Zakopane?

Around 2 hours each way. The full day trip runs 8–10 hours including stops.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, English-speaking driver, cable car roundtrip ticket to Gubałowka Mountain, thermal baths entry, and oscypek cheese tasting at a shepherd's hut.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring a towel, swimwear, ID or passport, and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You'll be walking through villages and soaking in thermal water.

Can I buy lunch during the day?

Yes. There are traditional restaurants on Krupowki Street and in the village where you can purchase meals. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

What if I'm not very fit?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. You ride the cable car to the mountain viewpoint rather than hiking, and walking through the village is at a relaxed pace.

When will I know the exact start time?

You'll be informed 1–2 days before the tour date.

Can I skip any of the stops?

The itinerary is set, but you control how long you spend at each location. If thermal baths aren't your priority, you can spend more time in the village or on the mountain.