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Day Tour from Kraków

The Tatras are waiting.
Zakopane awaits.

Three ways to spend an unforgettable day in the heart of the Polish mountains — from steaming thermal baths to panoramic funicular rides and highland cheese tastings under open skies.

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2h
from Kraków
3
tour options
5★
rated tours
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About the Tour

Poland's mountain capital, one full day

Zakopane is Poland's most beloved mountain town — a place where jagged Tatra peaks meet a living folk culture that has barely changed in centuries. The wooden architecture, the smoky shepherd huts, the smell of oscypek cheese fresh from the grill: it's a world apart, just two hours south of Kraków.

We offer three carefully designed full-day tours, each with hotel pick-up, an English-speaking driver, and a visit to a traditional highland hut with cheese tasting and regional vodka. Choose the experience that suits your group — whether you want to soak in thermal baths, catch the views from Gubalówka, or explore the town at your own pace.

🏔️
Tatra MountainsBest scenery in Central Europe
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Hotel Pick-upDoor-to-door from Kraków
🧀
Highland TastingOscypek cheese & regional vodka
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6 LanguagesGuides & reading material
Tatra Mountains panoramic view from Zakopane Highland sheep grazing near Zakopane with Tatra peaks in background
11h full day experience
Choose Your Tour

Three ways to discover Zakopane

Every option includes hotel pick-up, an English-speaking driver, and a highland hut tasting. Pick the day that fits your pace.

Chochołów Thermal Baths steaming outdoor pool in winter
Most Popular
Option 01

Funicular & Thermal Baths

The full mountain day. Panoramic views from Gubalówka, highland village charm, and three hours of relaxation in the legendary Chochołów Thermal Baths — over 30 warm mineral pools, slides, and pool bars.

🚡 Funicular ♨️ Thermal Baths 🧀 Tasting
from 390 PLN/person
Gubalówka funicular train climbing through pine forest with Tatra mountains
Option 02

Funicular & Mountain Day

All the highland highlights — the Gubalówka funicular ride, the shepherd hut tasting, and Krupówki Street — plus generous free time to wander Zakopane's wooden architecture at your own pace.

🚡 Funicular 🧀 Tasting 📷 Sightseeing
from 290 PLN/person
Krupówki Street in Zakopane with horse carriage and souvenir stalls
Option 03

Cheese Tasting & Free Time

The most relaxed option. Arrive, taste, explore. Spend the day exactly as you please — lunch at a regional restaurant, browsing the stalls on Krupówki, or simply sitting with a coffee and watching the mountains.

🧀 Tasting 🛍️ Krupówki 🧘 Flexible
from 290 PLN/person
What to Expect

Your day, step by step

1
Hotel Pick-up in Kraków

Your driver confirms the exact time and meeting point the evening before. No stress, no guessing — just show up and enjoy.

2
Scenic Drive to Zakopane (~2h)

Watch the landscape shift from city to foothills to dramatic mountain valleys as you wind south into Podhale.

3
Highland Shepherd's Hut

Step inside an authentic bacówka for a tasting of smoked oscypek cheese and regional highland vodka, served by a local highlander.

4
Gubalówka Funicular (Options 1 & 2)

Ride to the summit for sweeping panoramas of the entire Tatra range — the best view of the day, with zero hiking required.

5
Free Time on Krupówki Street

The heart of Zakopane — eat, shop, people-watch, or explore the surrounding wooden streets. Entirely at your own pace.

6
Chochołów Thermal Baths (Option 1)

Three hours of mineral pools, water slides, and pool bars at one of Poland's largest thermal complexes. Don't forget your swimsuit.

7
Return to Kraków

Drop-off at your hotel. Approximately 11–11.5 hours total — a full, memorable day from start to finish.

Tatra mountains aerial view in autumn showing Zakopane valley
What's Included

Everything covered in every option

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Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off

Door-to-door transfers from your Kraków hotel, both ways

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English-speaking Driver

Knowledgeable local guide — also available in ES, IT, FR, DE, RU, NO

🏚️

Highland Hut Visit

Authentic shepherd's hut experience with local hospitality

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Oscypek & Vodka Tasting

Traditional smoked cheese and regional spirits, served fresh

🛍️

Free Time on Krupówki

Explore Zakopane's famous pedestrian promenade at leisure

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Funicular Ticket (Options 1 & 2)

Return ticket to the top of Mount Gubalówka

♨️

Thermal Baths (Option 1)

3-hour ticket to all pool zones at Chochołów Thermal Baths

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Reading Material

Available in Spanish, Italian, French, German, Russian & Norwegian

Zakopane valley and Tatra mountains panoramic view in autumn
Why Choose Us

We've been doing this a long time

01

Flexible Options, Zero Compromise

Three distinct tour formats — not generic packages. Each is built around how real travellers actually want to spend their day in the mountains.

02

Genuine Highland Culture

The shepherd hut visit isn't a tourist prop — it's a real stop at a working bacówka, with proper oscypek and authentic hospitality.

03

Hotel Pick-up, Every Time

No meeting points, no city-centre scrambles. Your driver picks you up and drops you off at your door. Simple.

04

Multilingual & Family-Friendly

Reading material in six languages, infant seats on request, and tours that work as well for families as they do for solo travellers or couples.

05

Thousands of Happy Travellers

Our most popular tour — Option 1 with thermal baths — has been trusted by thousands of visitors from across Europe and beyond.

Traveller Reviews

What our guests say

★★★★★

"Absolutely brilliant day out. The thermal baths were the highlight — we stayed in the pools until the last possible minute. The cheese tasting beforehand was a lovely surprise too. Already recommended to three friends."

SL
Sarah L.
United Kingdom · Option 1
★★★★★

"We took Option 2 and had a spectacular day. The funicular ride gave us views we still talk about months later. The driver was fantastic — full of knowledge and very easy-going. Picked us up on the dot."

MK
Marcus K.
Germany · Option 2
★★★★★

"We chose the relaxed option because we had older parents with us. Perfect decision. No rush, no packed schedule — just a lovely day wandering Zakopane. The shepherd hut was charming and the vodka very welcome!"

AP
Anna P.
Poland · Option 3
★★★★★

"I wasn't sure what to expect from a group tour but this felt personal. Small group, genuine stops, and the thermal baths at the end were next-level after a long walk around Zakopane. Would do it again tomorrow."

JR
James R.
Australia · Option 1
★★★★★

"The drive alone is worth it — the scenery coming into the Tatras is just stunning. Add in the cheese tasting and the funicular and you have a proper full day. Nothing was rushed. Highly recommended."

CE
Claire E.
France · Option 2
★★★★★

"Booked last minute and it was seamless. The driver texted the evening before with the exact pick-up details. Oscypek cheese was something I'd never tried before — genuinely delicious. A great day all round."

TR
Tomás R.
Spain · Option 1
5.0 ★
Average rating across all tours · Trusted by thousands of travellers
Questions & Answers

Everything you need to know

Where does the tour depart from?
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All tours include hotel pick-up from your Kraków accommodation. Your driver will contact you the evening before the tour to confirm the exact time and meeting point. Drop-off is also at your hotel.
Do I need to bring a swimsuit for Option 1?
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Yes — if you book the tour with thermal baths, bring your swimsuit, a towel, and flip flops. The 3-hour ticket covers all pool zones at the Chochołów Thermal Baths except the sauna area.
What languages are available?
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The driver/guide communicates in English. Reading materials are available in Spanish, Italian, French, German, Russian, and Norwegian. If you have a specific language requirement, please mention it at the time of booking.
Is the tour suitable for children and families?
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Yes — the thermal baths option in particular is a great hit with kids of all ages. Infant seats are available on request when booking. Note that none of the options are wheelchair or stroller accessible.
What should I wear?
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Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Mountain temperatures can be a few degrees cooler than Kraków, so bring a warm layer regardless of season. For Option 1, don't forget your swimwear.
How long does the tour last?
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Options 1 and 2 last approximately 11 hours. Option 3 (free time and cheese tasting) lasts approximately 11.5 hours due to more flexible pacing. All durations are approximate and may vary slightly.
Can I book for a private group?
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Pricing varies by group size. The booking widget will show you exact pricing for your party. For larger groups or special requests, feel free to contact us directly at info@magiczakopane.com before booking.
What is the oscypek cheese tasting like?
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Oscypek is a traditional smoked sheep's milk cheese — slightly salty, grilled to order, and served at a real shepherd's hut. It's paired with regional vodka. It's one of the most memorable parts of the day for most guests.
Ready to Go?

Book your Zakopane day trip

Choose your option, pick your date, and we'll take care of everything else. Hotel pick-up included. Instant confirmation.

Get in Touch

Questions? We're here.

Contact us directly

If you have questions before booking, want to arrange something special for a group, or need help choosing between options — just drop us a line. We reply fast.

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info@magiczakopane.com
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We typically reply within a few hours
Your driver will contact you the evening before the tour to confirm exact pick-up time and location. No need to call — it's all handled.

Languages we communicate in:

🇬🇧 English 🇪🇸 Spanish 🇮🇹 Italian 🇫🇷 French 🇩🇪 German 🇷🇺 Russian 🇳🇴 Norwegian

Quick trip summary

Tour Duration From
Option 1 — Funicular + Baths ~11h 390 PLN
Option 2 — Funicular Day ~11h 290 PLN
Option 3 — Cheese & Free Time ~11.5h 290 PLN

*Prices per person and vary by group size. All options include hotel pick-up, driver, and highland hut tasting.

from 290 PLN / person