About this tour
When Sarah from our team ran this tour, we headed south from Krakow to Zakopane, a proper mountain town nestled at the foot of the Tatras. The 11-hour private trip bundles Gubałówka Hill (via funicular for ridge views), a wander through the bustling Krupówki street lined with regional food spots, a taste of Oscypek (smoked highlander cheese), and a solid 2.5-hour soak in the thermal baths—thermal pools kept between 32–36°C, so warm enough to lounge outside even when it's freezing. You're alone with your driver and guide, which means no coach-loads and the pace stays yours.
Highlights
- Funicular ride up Gubałówka—views of the Tatra ridge actually justify the hype
- Oscypek tasting; salty, smoky, nothing like supermarket cheese
- Krupówki street: packed with locals, not glossy, real mountain-town energy
- Thermal baths with 30+ pools and hot water in subzero weather
- Private group means no rushing between stops or loud tour commentary
- Wheelchair accessible throughout—pools, streets, funicular included
What to expect
You'll be picked up in the morning and driven south for about two hours. The thermal baths come first, so pack your swimmers. Sarah found the pools genuinely relaxing—ranging from calm heated basins to a 'raging river' current pool and water geysers. Even in winter, soaking outdoors in warm mineral water while snow falls is oddly brilliant. After towelling off, you head into Zakopane proper: Krupówki street is the main drag, cafes and restaurants spilling onto the pavement, and you'll get time to grab lunch on your own (food isn't included). The Oscypek tasting happens somewhere in the flow, though it's brief—a quick savoury hit of smoked cheese. Then the funicular takes you up Gubałówka for the panoramic payoff: the Tatra peaks spread out below. The drive back to Krakow winds down the afternoon.
Good to know
This tour is genuinely flexible since you're private—your guide won't herd you. The thermal baths are the standout; locals use them year-round, and there's a real spa vibe rather than a theme-park one. Gubałówka's views are worth the ticket, and Oscypek is a legit taste of highlander culture. It's also fully accessible for wheelchairs, prams, and mixed fitness levels.
Food and drinks aren't included, so budget for lunch and café stops on Krupówki (can add up). The street gets busy, especially weekends. Thermal baths are unisex changing areas—if that matters to you, confirm beforehand. You'll spend 2.5 hours in the pools, which is decent but not endless—some folk wish for longer. It's 11 hours door-to-door, so an early start and late return. Bring a towel or rent one; sunscreen for the funicular; comfortable walking shoes. Peak season (winter, weekends) means more crowds around the pools.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.