Zakopane Day Tour from Krakow
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Zakopane's unique wooden architecture
- Enjoy panoramic views from Gubałówka Hill
- Taste traditional highlander cheese
- Discover the charm of Krupówki Street
- Experience the Tatra Mountains' natural beauty
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Funicular ride to Gubałówka Hill
- Traditional Polish highlander cheese tasting
- Lunch and personal expenses
Itinerary
The driver will pick you up from the place in Krakow that you chose when making your reservation. Wait for him in front of the hotel / apartment main entrance at the agreed time (or better a few minutes earlier).
Transportation Krakow -> Zakopane
On your way to Zakopane, you will visit the place where one of the most unique cheeses in the world is made. Highlanders - local settlers, famous for their manual production of "oscypek". It is a type of smoked cheese made from sheep's milk. The wooden houses where this cheese is produced are called "Bacówki". In such a small wooden hut you will be able to try different types of this cheese with different degrees of smoking, as well as learn how it is made.
Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Break time, Shopping, Sightseeing, Walk.
Being in Zakopane, it is absolutely necessary to take the cable car to the top of Gubałówka (1123 m asl). A modern car with a glass roof allows the railway to climb upwards, wonderfully admiring the evident multi-storey arrangement of the Tatra vegetation with the peaks of high mountains in Poland. There are many attractions at the top, most of all, a wonderful panorama of the Tatra Mountains, an uninterrupted view of the mountain Zakopane located at the foot of the mountain and the possibility of relaxing in the sunshine. On 06.10 - 10.10 the Gubałówka cable car will be closed due to maintenance work. Instead, our tour will travel as high as possible by car and take a short walk to the viewpoint. As a compensation, our guests will receive a lunchbox of their choice, at our expense and in addition there will be a mulled wine tasting. We will contact you via WhatsApp or email before the tour to discuss your preferred lunchbox.
It is believed that Zakopane is the heart of the Tatra Mountains, then Kropówki is the heart of Zakopane. You will visit this most popular walking street, which is at the same time a specific city square and its focal point. At any time of the year, Krupówki Street is crowded with tourists who visit shops and go to regional restaurants located along the street. In this street, you can find many traditional highlander items to buy, such as clothes and souvenirs. You will have free time to get to know Zakopane on your own. Start from Krupówki and take your time to find other points of interest in the city.
Transportation Zakopane -> Krakow
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour operates in English; ensure you understand the language.
- Confirm your hotel pickup details at least 24 hours in advance.
- Be prepared for a full-day excursion with moderate walking.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning mountain views.
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Infants Required On Laps
Good to know
- The guided tour is provided in English, but if you choose another available language, (Spanish, Italian, French, German, Russian, Norwegian and more) our guide will provide you with unique booklets of tour instructions along with all the details. You can be sure that no essential information will be missed. See you on board!
- The time given in your reservation is approximate. Our driver will contact you one day before the tour around 8PM to confirm the exact pick up time which you can expect at 07:30 AM - 09:00 AM.
- NOTE: Your pick up point may change due to pedestrian-only zones and limited parking space in the city center. Our driver will contact you to arrange the convenient spot. Thank you for your understanding.
- On 06.10 - 10.10 the Gubałówka cable car will be closed due to maintenance work. Instead, our tour will travel as high as possible by car and take a short walk to the viewpoint. As a compensation, our guests will receive a lunchbox of their choice, at our expense and in addition there will be a mulled wine tasting. We will contact you via WhatsApp or email before the tour to discuss your preferred lunchbox.
Traveler reviews
A must do trip
Absolutely lovely full day out. Mirek our tour guide was wonderful, so knowledgeable and explained in very clear english the history surrounding our trip, from visiting the wooden village to the vodka and cheese tasting to the wooden church and then onto Zakopane. A big special thank you to him.
MEMORABLE!! a beautiful town and experience and a great tour and company to go with 🙂
AMAZING EXPERIENCE – WOULD 100% RECOMMEND 💗 Our tour guide Fabian and driver Michael were both absolutely lovely – nothing was too much trouble. They contacted us the night before the trip with our pick-up location, time, and a description of the vehicle, which was incredibly helpful. Our stop was extremely busy that morning, but knowing exactly who and what to expect meant we felt calm and organised. The vehicle was a smaller bus rather than a large coach, which made the experience feel much more personal. It was also ideal for anyone who suffers from travel sickness. After booking, the company contacted us via WhatsApp, where I shared our hotel details. They were brilliant at picking everyone up right outside their accommodation. They even rang people to make sure no one missed the tour and were happy to wait if needed – something you definitely wouldn’t get with a large coach. Little touches, like a great music playlist, really helped us relax and enjoy the journey. When the music changed to local Zakopane-style tracks, it added even more to the experience. The tour itself was unreal, and I would absolutely recommend it – Zakopane is stunning 😍 We were aware beforehand that Zakopane would be busy, especially after seeing posts online and knowing December is the busiest time of the year. However, despite this, everything was very well managed. The cable car queue moved surprisingly quickly, as did the shops and market stalls. Fabian was really helpful in explaining things along the way, including advising us that as tourists, if items don’t have a visible price, prices can change each time – so it’s best to only buy from stalls with clear pricing. Restaurants were understandably very busy, so if possible it’s worth booking a table in advance. That said, we were still able to find food after a short wait and a walk around. The bus journey included three well-timed stops, including a toilet break, exploring the town and its architecture, and a visit to a shepherd’s hut where we enjoyed vodka and cheese tasting. Fabian and Michael ensured everything ran smoothly and that everyone got to enjoy these experiences without any stress. Fabian shared helpful information about the culture and expectations, delivered in a way that was informative without being overwhelming. At each stop, he walked us off the bus, clearly explained directions, and set clear return times. Once we arrived at our destination, he also sent messages with recommendations for places to eat and useful tips, along with reminders of when to return to the bus. He did the same when we arrived back in Krakow. There were also multiple buskers around Zakopane, which added to the atmosphere and gave the place a real Hallmark movie vibe – such a beautiful way to end our trip. Overall, it was an incredible experience that we genuinely can’t stop talking about 😊
Well worth spending a day with the team!
Brilliant day trip and well looked after by Paweł and the team. Loved the visit to Zakopane and the cheese & vodka were nice surprises!
Avoid Avoid
We booked to be picked up at our apartments, we had to walk to the bus with 3 registered disabled people. When we got to Zakopane we stayed for 5.5 hours as we didn't go the thermal baths. We went up the funicular and gave plenty of time to get down (1 hour 10 minutes before departure) The queues were horrendous and after 25 minutes of not moving we decided we would have to walk down (with 3 disabled people) We asked the staff at the top for disabled access they bawled at us to get in the queue! We started to walk down the 3km walk and found it lethal underfoot, so slippery, even young people were falling. No lights whatsoever and the only thing to hang onto was a piece of rope. My husband fell along with 2 others and we suspected he'd badly damaged his leg. No where to get help so I phoned the guide and told her how bad it was and that we couldn't make it down in time that my husband was badly injured and we were having to carry him down between us. She told us a mini bus would come. The driver, Marek, came skidding in the car park and we explained what had happened, we were all covered in mud and upset. He said we had kept 40 people waiting and that he was tired as he had worked all day and to hurry up and get in. His attitude was disgusting so we got out. He demanded payment, I said we would pay half as he wasn't taking us back. He then shouted polish obscenity to us. We then were bombarded with messages from the company telling us we had to pay by 9pm or polish law states we would be arrested. Never did I say I wouldn't pay the half. Avoid this company because of the worse happens, they only care about the money.
Zakopane tour
Pawel did a great job driving, showing us around and providing touring suggestions!! The thermal baths 🛁 was excellent along walking 🚶♂️ around the town and views from the top....
