Honest Review: Best Zakopane Tour From Krakow + All to Know (2024)
Staying in Krakow and Want to Tour Zakopane? You have come to the right place as I have done a Zakopane tour from Krakow, and it was one of the best experiences! In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about Zakopane, what you can expect while touring, and important information to ensure your day trip to Zakopane is as amazing as mine was!
🚨 Disclaimer: I was not paid, sponsored, or asked to write this article! These are my complete and honest opinions about the Zakopane tour from Krakow that I took!
The Zakopane Tour From Krakow I Took
To begin, Zakopane is famous for being a mountain resort town that provides visitors with a wonderful retreat from Krakow’s bustling city center. The region offers guests an opportunity to explore stunning nature, ski or hike down picturesque mountains, and discover a truly unique culture. And after spending the day taking in these spectacular landscapes, I fully believe it’s worth visiting at least once!
Below are details for the tour to Zakopane from Krakow by Hello Cracow that I opted to take, absolutely loved, and highly recommend.
⭐️ RATING: 4.9 out of 5 | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 11 hours
The From Krakow: Zakopane, Tatra Mountains & Thermal Baths Tour includes:
- Round-trip transportation directly from your hotel
- Personable English-speaking guide
- Seeing the magnificent Tatra Mountains
- Trying two types of traditional sheep cheese called oscypek
- Touring the inside of a small wooden chalet
- Admiring local art at a folk sculpture studio
- Exploring the main street in downtown Zakopane, Krupowki Street
- Admission ticket to ride the cable car up Gubałówka mountain
- 3-hours of pure relaxation at the Chochołów thermal baths
“The most amazing trip. Our guide Patryk messaged the day before to confirm the pick-up time. He tailored the trip to suit us and was very friendly and knowledgeable answering my numerous questions. Enjoyed our free time in Zakopane and had the most amazing time in the thermal baths. Would highly recommend this trip. Thank you Patryk for making our day so memorable“
– Ashley (See More Reviews)
✅ Check rates & availability for this ultimate Zakopane Tour!
Honest Review of Zakopane Day Trip
At this point, you likely have a solid sense of what the tour includes and may be convinced to book this tour. If that’s you, heck yah — you won’t regret it! 🤠 But, if you’re someone like me who is always looking for more than just 100-word reviews and wants a full debrief of a tour to know whether or not it’s worth my time and money…then keep reading! I’ll be discussing every aspect of the trip so that you can decide whether or not this sounds like a good fit for you!
🏔 NOTE: And just so you know what to expect if and when you take this tour, I reviewed each part of the trip in chronological order!
The Journey from Krakow to Zakopane
Initially, my friend and I were staying in Krakow for a week and wanted a change in scenery since we were running out of things to do in the city center. As a result, we decided to day-trip to Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mine as well as book a day trip to Zakopane.
Since it was a last-minute decision, we booked the Zakopane tour from Krakow only two days before the tour would take place. Luckily, within 24 hours of booking, we received a WhatsApp text confirming our pick-up time, location, and some reminders of things to bring.
On the day of the tour, we waited in front of our hotel. Our driver ended up being about 15 minutes late but communicated that he was running a few minutes behind schedule, so all was good. We were picked up in a sleek Mercedes mini-van that could comfortably fit 8 people along with the driver. And in my specific tour group, we had my friend and me, a couple from Scotland, and another couple from the UK.
From Krakow, we made the hour and 20-ish minute journey to Zakopane. It was a very comfortable and chill ride. The only downside was that it was pretty cloudy and even started pouring rain. Even so, we were all still excited for what was to come, and the surrounding landscape of the Tatra Mountains looked so gorgeous and peaceful with the changing leaves!
The Shepard’s Hut or Bacówka
The first stop we made was the Shepard’s Hut or Bacówka. This is where we sampled two types of oscypek cheese – one cold and one hot off the coals! For those who don’t know, oscypek is smoked cheese made from salted sheep’s milk. It’s exclusive to the Tatra Mountain region and you’ll see LOTS of fun cheese stalls throughout the tour.
One bit I thoroughly enjoyed was that the guide roasted the cheese in front of us while we were gathered around this fire in the back room of the little shepherd’s hut. He also told us how this type of cheese is produced locally and its cultural significance.
When the cheese was done smoking, our guide added some cranberry sauce and gave each of us a little serving plate. I’ll be honest. I don’t remember exactly what it tasted like, but it had a completely different texture from what I was used to. You could also tell it was very fresh.
And as a lactose-intolerant person, there were no adverse side effects, so it was a definite win in my books! Oh! And you also get to drink a shot (or two or three) of Polish Vodka! No better way to start the morning than with some vodka! Am I right!? But in all seriousness, it was way more palatable than American Vodka. 😅
Krupowki Street
For the second stop of the Zakopane Tour, we drove to a wooden chalet and folk sculpture studio. However, the sculptor who owns the home wasn’t there yet. Thus, Jakob (our guide) improvised, and we visited the main street in Zakopane, Krupowki Street, in the meantime. The main street is 1km long and filled with hundreds of local stalls! People were selling homemade cheeses with unique designs, small souvenirs, clothes, and everything in between!
Gubałówka Mountain
As we looked around the main street area, Jakob slowly walked us over to the base of Gubałówka Mountain for our third stop. This is where he gave us our tickets to ride the funicular (cable car) to the top and left us to explore both the mountain and downtown area on our own.
The cable car ride was quite pleasant, surprisingly fast, and lasted about 3 minutes. At the top, we were greeted with sweeping panoramic views of the stunning landscape. You could see the tiny houses and buildings dotting the opposing mountainside as well as smoke billowing toward the clouds. It just looked so picturesque and there were hardly any crowds. Although, this was likely due to the less-than-ideal weather and the fact it was a weekday.
Also on top of Gubałówka Mountain is a giant restaurant that’s great for trying traditional Polish food if you get hungry. But, if you venture behind the restaurant, you’ll find a long street that’s very reminiscent of a carnival. Both sides of the street have hundreds of stalls with games, souvenirs, and even high ropes courses! And if you walk far enough, you’ll find more lookout points as well as trailheads for some hikes.
I spent most of my time on the huge observation deck admiring the views as I can only imagine how beautiful everything would’ve been if we had gone on a day with clear blue skies.
Review of Krupowki Street & Gubałówka Mountain
Originally, we were supposed to spend 3 hours exploring the downtown area and Gubałówka Mountain. However, since it was still raining outside, Jakob let us decide if we wanted to spend less time here and more time at the Zakopane thermal pools.
Ultimately, we decided to spend 2 hours wandering around on our own and have an extra hour at the Zakopane thermal pools. That said, with 20/20 hindsight… I wish we had more time in the downtown area. There’s so much to see and some fun museums I would’ve liked to go inside. Then again, I was also the only one with an umbrella, so I wasn’t in the majority. 😂
Wooden Chalet and Folk Sculpture Studio
After leaving Krupowki Street and Gubałówka Mountain, we made our way to the wooden chalet and folk sculpture studio. There, we walked around this small wooden chalet that was akin to a time capsule from the 16th century. The house wasn’t insulated and almost everything was handmade out of wood. I will say that the house has electricity, but aside from that, everything else is likely hundreds of years old! It was truly fascinating to walk around and imagine the life of people living here centuries ago.
Within the house, another room contained the owner’s sculpture studio where there were hundreds, if not thousands, of different wood carvings, figurines, and sculptures. The owner is one of the very last people practicing this particular style of carving that I, unfortunately, don’t remember the name of. However, I will say that everyone can appreciate his masterful skill and great craftsmanship.
You can even purchase some of his work if you feel inclined. I didn’t because I had no space and was traveling through Europe for 7 weeks out of only my carry-on suitcase. But if you have the space and means, I would highly recommend supporting his work!
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this part of the tour because it gave us an authentic look into Zakopane’s history and how locals used to live. Plus, we got to admire the owner’s incredible sculpting skills! And it’s worth noting that this portion of the tour is not found on most, if not all, of the other Zakopane tours from Krakow.
Thermal Pools Zakopane
For the final stop of the tour, we went to the thermal pools in Zakopane, which are locally called the Chochołowska Baths. This was the part of the tour that everyone was most excited about, especially with the cold weather. Even the outside of the building looked so warm and inviting!
There’s so much to say, and I cover it all in my full review of just the Chocholow Thermal Baths…but to sum it up — the thermal pools in Zakopane are nothing short of heaven. There are 30 pools, many of which are kept at different temperatures so you can find one that best suits you. My favorite area was the massive panoramic pool outside that faces the Tatra Mountains and surrounding forest area.
Around the property, you’ll also find lots of bars. That’s right, you can relax in the revitalizing thermal waters AND enjoy a drink (or 6) like one of the other tour guests! And if you get hungry, they have plenty of food options — a full-scale restaurant, a dessert shop, and a serving buffet. The best part is that it’s also very affordable!
Oh! And instead of carrying your phone or credit card around to pay, you simply use a wristband that you’re initially given. This wristband is the key to everything. As soon as you pass through the turnstiles, the watch begins a countdown — you can’t see the countdown though, it’s all internal software. But, it’s like an Apple watch in that you’re charged for any purchase you make through the wristband. Upon leaving, you’ll turn in your wristband and use cash, your phone, or a card to settle your account.
Mini Review of Thermal Pools Zakopane
Without a doubt, the thermal pools were the best part of the tour for me. They were so rejuvenating and just removed all the stress and tension of solo traveling through Europe. Everything was very clean, organized, and efficient. There are even free hot showers and blowdryers available after your swim.
The main downside to thermal pools is that they can be extremely crowded. But, considering this is one of the town’s main attractions, it’s understandable. And quite honestly, even with the crowds, there are so many pools that you’re sure to find a spot that works for you.
I’ll also say that we spent 4 hours at the thermal pools in Zakopane, which isn’t a problem…it just felt a bit long. As mentioned earlier, I would’ve preferred to spend more time downtown. But, in the normal Zakopane tour package, only 3 hours at the thermal pools are included, so that’s something to be aware of.
Was My Tour to Zakopane From Krakow Worth It
I alluded to this earlier, but doing a Zakopane tour from Krakow was well worth it for me as it came with so many benefits. It removed all the stress of navigating, allowed me to enjoy the incredible scenery while ascending into the mountains, and gave me the space to fully enjoy my limited time in the area.
Not to mention, unlike other tours, I appreciated the fact this tour was quite comprehensive and went all around Zakopane. This meant I got to learn about the local history and lifestyle as well as relax in the soothing thermal baths. Add in the excellent communication, organization, and friendliness of my tour guide, and I was super satisfied. I even asked a bunch of questions that he was happy to answer.
Thus, if you’re looking to get a great holistic overview of Zakopane AND spend time at the thermal pools, then I cannot recommend this tour enough. The value of the Zakopane day trip was well worth the price, and I hope to do it again…but during the summer! 😉☀️
✅ Check rates & availability for this ultimate Zakopane tour!
But, if you still aren’t convinced or want to explore other Zakopane tours from Krakow, you can view other tours here. Or, if you want, it’s entirely possible to visit Zakopane with a car. That said, it’s only worth it if you already have access to a car, plan on getting a rental car for a road trip, or want to stay in the mountains for a few days!
What to Bring With You
To make your tour as smooth as possible, here are a few extra items you’ll want to make sure you have in tow.
- 🌬 Light Jacket: I highly recommend bringing at least a light jacket if you’re visiting during the summer and a thick heavy jacket if you go between October and May. For reference, I visited in early October and brought both my Patagonia Nano puff jacket as well as a waterproof jacket. This ended up being the perfect combination to keep me toasty.
- ☔️ Umbrella: The weather in Zakopane can be a bit fickle, and even during the summertime, it’s very prone to rain. Therefore, to avoid having your parade quite literally rained on, I recommend packing a small umbrella…unless frolicking in the rain is your kind of thing!
- 👙 Swimsuit: Just as a friendly reminder, don’t forget to pack swimwear. Truly, you don’t want to miss out on relaxing in the fabulous Zakopane thermal pools because it’s such a delightful experience.
- 🧖♀️ Towel: To avoid paying added fees not included in the tour price, bring your own towel. I brought my Rainleaf microfiber towel that I always travel with and it was perfect since it doesn’t take up a lot of space and is extremely efficient at drying me off.
- 🩴 Flip Flops: Try your best to bring sandals or shower flip-flops. Guests are asked and expected to wear flip-flops in the locker room/changing area to keep everything clean!
- 🍎 Snacks & Water: Aside from the traditional cheese tasting and Polish Vodka, no food is provided on the tour. Thus, you may want to bring your own small snacks. Alternatively, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase food authentic Polish food at several stops along the tour!
Best Time To Visit Zakopane
Like most places, the best time to visit Zakopane depends entirely on what you want to see and do. For example, if you want the best chances of seeing bright clear skies or having warm weather that’s ideal for hiking, I recommend going anytime between June and early September. Meanwhile, if you love reveling in snow-capped mountains and can bear the cold, Zakopane is quite the winter wonderland from mid-October until late April.
What is Zakopane Like During the Summer?
In the summertime, Zakopane experiences average highs of around 65-70°F and average lows of about 50°F. These aren’t hot temperatures, but they make for a perfect day wandering through the gorgeous mountainside!
Just know that the weather can turn on a dime…The area experiences about 10 days of rain during the summer months. So, while you have the greatest chance of experiencing warmer temperatures and clear skies during summer, there’s also a decent chance of rain!
What Is Zakopane Like During the Winter?
During the winter months, the highlander villages experience an average high and low of 35°F and 20°F, respectively. There are about 5 days of rain per month and a good amount of snowfall. Specifically, January is when Zakopane receives the most amount of snow — approximately 8.5 inches. All of this said, Zakopane is relatively sunny during the winter compared to the rest of Poland, which I think is pretty neat!
Where to Stay in Krakow
Here are a few recommendations if you’re looking for housing options in Krakow. They are based on where I stayed and the research I did when visiting Krakow 🙂 Also, they’re centrally located in and near Krakow’s Old Town, which is the place to be!
🇵🇱 NOTE: Krakow is much cheaper to visit than other places in Western Europe, such as Monaco, Nice, or Stockholm… so if you’ve been dreaming of that luxury stay for much more affordable prices, now’s the time to spend a little extra! 😉
Low-Cost Stay
- Greg & Tom Beer House Hostel — Fun nightly pub crawls! | ⭐️ 9.5 / 10
- Leonardo Boutique Hotel Krakow Old Town — 3-star hotel | ⭐️ 9.1 / 10
Mid-Range Stay
- Sky Hotel Kraków — 4-star hotel with airport shuttle | ⭐️ 9.3 / 10
- Metropolitan Boutique Hotel — 4 star hotel with restaurant | ⭐️ 9.8 / 10
Fancy Stays
- Hotel Stary — 5-star hotel with spa service & pool | ⭐️ 9.2 / 10
- Hotel Unicus Palace — 5-star hotel under $200 per night! | ⭐️ 9.3 / 10
Feel free to use these buttons to head to your favorite booking platform and see other housing options.
Alternatively, you can use the interactive map below to explore all the different hotels! Prices are up-to-date and you can get even more accurate information by inputting your travel dates if you know them 🙂
Zakopane Tour from Krakow: FAQs
Zakopane is known as a popular ski resort destination from December to March. So much so that the town is referred to as the “Winter capital of Poland.” Thus, if you want to avoid the large winter crowds, I suggest going in the spring or fall instead. Just be prepared for the cold temperatures!
Zakopane is pronouced, “Zak-o-pahn-nay”. There are four distinct syllables in the word.
Zakopane has an elevation of about 800m – 1000m or 2625 ft – 3281ft. It’s more than 600m higher in altitude than Krakow, which is why the climate in Zakopane is about 5.4°F colder in comparison.
The ski resort mountain town is about 32.53 mi². For comparison, Krakow is 126.3mi².
Depending on the amount of traffic and season, it takes about an hour and 15 minutes – 1.5 hours to go from the Krakow city center to the first stop on the tour. In total though, the tour is about 11 hours, and you spend around 3.5 hours in the car transiting from place to place.
This all depends on your budget and background but compared to places like Paris, Stockholm, and Barcelona… Zakopane is very affordable. You can easily purchase a hefty meal that will fill you up for at least half the day for about USD 10.
Zakopane is located in the southern part of Poland near the border of Slovakia. More specifically, it’s ~68 miles or 109km from Krakow and situated at the base of the Tatra Mountains, making it one of the most beautiful places in Poland!
Wrap-Up: Review of My Zakopane Day Trip (2024)
Zakopane is a hidden gem destination that should not be missed. With its stunning views, cozy thermal pools, and delicious food and drinks, it’s a wonderful place to escape the chaotic city life, explore, and indulge in a little self-care.
And by far the easiest way to do a Zakopane day trip is by doing a tour. With an expert guide, you’ll see Zakopane’s most noteworthy attractions, gain insight into the local culture and history, and be able to make the most of your precious time. Thus, for anyone looking for a relaxing day of exploration and indulgence, I highly recommend this Zakopane tour from Krakow!
