6 Best Day Trips to Zakopane from Krakow

A few hours from Krakow is Zakopane, a town with stunning mountain scenery, hot springs, ski slopes and delicious traditional food. It is a very popular destination, considered a must-see by many tourists.

So, if you don't know what to see and do in Krakow, a good option is to join an excursion that takes you to Zakopane. You can walk along a kilometre-long pedestrian street, visit the region's museum and national cemetery, climb to the top of Gubalowka Mountain by funicular or on a trekking route, among other activities.

If you are a fan of outdoor hiking and mountain landscapes, then during your visit to Krakow you should take a short two-hour bus trip to the Zakopane region. There, accompanied by a specialist guide, you can go trekking on Gubalowka Mountain and then stroll along the town's main street.

To start this activity, you will meet your guide at a pre-arranged location in the centre of Krakow. Then, the whole group will board a comfortable bus and, while the driver takes you to Zakopane, the guide will tell you a little about the history of the region you are visiting.

Once in Zakopane, the first stop will be at the Gubalowka funicular station, located just at the end of Krupówki Street. There, you will find a path to climb the mountain.

This is a route that could take 45 minutes to climb and 30 minutes to descend, depending on your physical condition. It is approximately 2 kilometres long and at least 300 metres high.

In addition to admiring the panoramic view of the city and the Tatra Mountains from the top, you can eat, drink and rest a little in the restaurants in the area. You will also see some small hills that are ideal for skiing.

Afterwards, you will descend to the second stop on the tour, the pedestrian street Krupówki, where you will find shops, restaurants, cafés and bars stretching for a kilometre. You can explore this area at your own pace for approximately two hours before returning to Krakow.

Details of interest

• Price: The average price of this excursion is £80 per person.
• Duration: 10 hours (approx.)
• Transport: The tour is conducted in an air-conditioned bus.

This excursion to the city of Zakopane and the Chocholowskie thermal baths is undoubtedly a great option to add to your itinerary for seeing Krakow in two days.

You will enjoy a comfortable two-hour bus ride, breathtaking mountain scenery and the hottest waters in the region at 82ºC, where you can relax.

Upon arrival in Zakopane, you will make your first stop at the Gubalowka funicular station to climb the mountain of the same name.

This is a fun experience that will offer you views of the city from different angles. Before descending, you will also be able to see the ski slope and some restaurants at the top.

The tour continues with a second stop on Krupowki Street, a pedestrian area approximately one kilometre long, considered the main street of Zakopane.

There, you will find numerous shops to buy souvenirs and mountain clothing. You will also find restaurants and food stalls where you can sample traditional food , as well as bars and cafés where you can enjoy hot drinks or a snack.

Afterwards, you will board the bus again to return to Krakow, but on the way, the driver will make a final stop at the Chocholowskie thermal baths, located 23 minutes away from Zakopane.

At this resort, you will have three hours to immerse yourself in waters rich in microelements (magnesium, sulphur, sodium). You can choose between sports pools, children's pools or pools with massage jets. Definitely an experience to add to your list of things to do in Krakow with children.

Useful information

• Price: The average price of this excursion is £179.
• Duration: 10 hours (approx.)
• Transport: The tour is conducted in a luxury coach and includes pick-up and return to your hotel.

Hala Gąsienicowa, Szlak pieszy niebieski, Zakopane, Poland

If you still don't know what to see and do around Krakow, then this excursion to Zakopane is a great option.

It is a tourist town located approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes from the city, where beautiful mountain scenery and many historical sites await you.

Once in Zakopane, you will get off the bus to follow the itinerary with the guide. It begins with a funicular ride up Gubałówka Mountain, from where you will get a pleasant panoramic view of the mountain range and the city in general.

Similarly, once at the summit, you will enjoy a privileged view and can visit the restaurants and food stalls located there. There is also a ski hill, which will be of interest to enthusiasts of this sport.

After descending, it is time to visit the historic centre of Zakopane. You will see:

• The Pęksowy Brzyzek National Cemetery, which dates back to the 19th century.
• The Trata Museum, notable for its imposing façade and large collections.
• The Jaszczurówka Chapel, with sculptures, stained glass windows and a wooden structure characteristic of the town's architecture.

Before returning to Krakow, you will have free time to explore the famous pedestrian street Krupówki. You can buy souvenirs, sample the local cuisine (smoked cheese, beef steak, trout, duck, soups), have a drink in a bar or sit in a café and relax.

Details of interest

• Price: The average price of this excursion is £64.
• Duration: 8 hours and 30 minutes (approx.)
• Transport: You will be transferred in a spacious, comfortable, air-conditioned bus.

This half-day excursion to Zakopane is ideal for those who have two days to spend in Krakow but don't want to miss out on the most attractive tourist destinations.

Join this adventure and enjoy an amazing view from the top of Gubalowka Mountain. You can also try local foods, buy some souvenirs and return to Krakow to hop on a tourist bus, join the best food tours or do any other activity planned in your itinerary.

Once you are picked up at your hotel, you will embark on a 2-hour and 20-minute journey to the town of Zakopane. During the transfer, you can enjoy the scenery through the bus window and listen to the driver's commentary on the history of the city you are travelling to.

Upon arrival in Zakopane, you will have approximately two hours to explore the area and enjoy the scenery. You can:

• Walk along the famous Krupowki Street. This is a one-kilometre-long pedestrian street where you will find a wide range of shops selling souvenirs, clothing, shoes and mountain accessories. There are also restaurants, bars, cafés and much more.
• Take the funicular up Gubalowka Mountain. This is a short ride that will take you a few minutes, but it will give you a spectacular view of Zakopane. Once at the top, you can spend some time admiring the scenery and taking amazing photos before heading back down.

After this short but unforgettable adventure in Zakopane, all tour participants will board the bus again. The driver will then set off for Krakow.

Details of interest

• Price: The average price of this excursion is £123 per person.
• Duration: The tour of Zakopane lasts approximately 2 hours.
• Transport: Return transfer from your hotel door in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach.

Among the best tours and excursions from Krakow, this tour stands out, taking you to Morskie Oko Lake and then to the town of Zakopane, right at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. You will discover beautiful natural scenery and a peaceful atmosphere in which to relax.

This excursion usually lasts a maximum of 12 hours. From Krakow, you will travel in a comfortable coach with a professional driver. Depending on traffic, you will reach the Zakopane area in approximately two hours.

Along the way, the driver will tell you some stories about the magical destinations you are about to visit.

Upon arrival at the car park, you will get off the bus and start walking towards Lake Morski Oko. It is a two-hour walk through a dense forest.

You will enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery and the calm blue waters of the lagoon. You will also have the opportunity to take some photos or, as I did, see some impressive deer.

After admiring the lake, the bus will take you to the town of Zakopane. Depending on the tour, you may have the opportunity to take a funicular railway to the top of Gubalowka Mountain and enjoy a spectacular view of the Tatra Mountains.

Afterwards, you will descend and, before returning to Krakow, you will walk along the kilometre-long pedestrian shopping street Krupowki, where you will find a large number of souvenir shops, restaurants, cafés and bars.

Interesting details

• Price: The average price of this excursion is £95 per person.
• Duration: 11 to 12 hours from the time of pick-up at the hotel.
• Transport: Air-conditioned bus.

This excursion to Zakopane from Krakow is designed for people who enjoy exploring new places at their own pace without a guide or a large group of people. You will discover the city, beautiful landscapes, taste traditional food, observe the local architecture, relax in hot springs and much more.

The adventure begins at your hotel in Krakow, where you will board a minivan to be transferred to the tourist town of Zakopane. There, you will have plenty of time to explore the streets of the city and stop at shops to browse, have breakfast or lunch at one of the restaurants, sit in a café and enjoy a hot drink, among other things.

Generally, these types of free excursions offer tickets for some additional visits in Zakopane, so if you want to discover more of this popular winter destination, don't miss out on these activities:

• Climb aboard a funicular railway that will take you up Gubalowka Mountain. This will give you a privileged view of Zakopane.
• Immerse yourself in a thermal pool in Chocholow for approximately three hours and enjoy the benefits of these waters for your skin while you relax.
• Visit the Tatra National Museum and learn interesting facts about the region's unique wooden architecture.
• Go to Wielka Krokiew Hill, a famous ski slope used for world-renowned competitions.

Finally, you will meet the minivan driver at the previously agreed place and time. You will then be taken back to your hotel in Krakow and continue with the activities planned in your itinerary to see Krakow in one day.

Details of interest

• Price: The average price of this excursion is £48 per person.
• Duration: Up to a maximum of 24 hours.
• Transport: The excursion offers an air-conditioned minivan with comfortable seats.

Morskie Oko, Zakopane, Poland

If you are planning a trip to Zakopane from Krakow, it is a good idea to follow some basic tips to help you enjoy your trip to the fullest:

• Wear warm clothes. Keep in mind that the temperature in Zakopane is lower than in Krakow, especially at the top of the mountain.
• Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be walking a considerable distance during the trip and you don't want to get tired.
• Bring the right accessories for each activity. For trekking, don't forget your walking stick, hiking boots and water, while for the thermal baths you'll need a swimsuit and towels.
• If you are doing the tour on your own, you should plan a short itinerary of the attractions you want to visit in advance and make sure you know the opening hours and how to purchase tickets.

Opting for a guided tour to visit Zakopane from Krakow allows you to save time and money. For example:

• You will have round-trip transportation to your hotel or a meeting point in Krakow.
• During the tour, you will have an experienced guide at your side who will take you directly to the places of interest and tell you about the history of the area.
• You won't have to worry about tickets for certain attractions selling out at the last minute, as these tours usually include them.

The opposite is true when visiting Zakopane on your own, as you will have to travel by public bus or taxi, which increases travel time and costs. Furthermore, when you arrive in the village, you may feel a little disoriented about where to start your tour.