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Every winter, millions of people come to the Tatra Mountains to enjoy their holidays in various ways, embracing the magical wonderland this region is during this part of the year. Zakopane is considered the Winter Capital of Poland and not without a reason. This resort city and its surroundings are crowded with various activities for its visitors. Some say Tatra National Park is a good combo of the nature reserve and human engineering. As a result, almost anyone will find a thing of their interest in this area, whether it is skiing, hiking, hut-hopping, tobogganing, relaxing in Spas and Thermal baths or even ice-climbing.
In this article, you’ll find the best and the most popular day trip offers from Krakow to Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains. If you want a guide for a longer duration, read my 4-day Zakopane travel itinerary.
Among all the activities and trails in the Polish Tatra Mountains, there is one that clearly stands out above the other. Morskie Oko is the King and Queen of all trips to the Polish side of Tatra National Park. Following the steps of the famous Pope John Paul II, many locals set to reach the majestic lake every year. It is a very popular destination even during the harsh winter conditions most likely because Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains are winter-travel-destination-first. Fortunately, at this time of the year, Morskie Oko is even more beautiful and reaching it becomes somewhat an almost religious challenge. The lake also has another name – “The Eye of the Sea”, the reason behind that lies in the old legends and has been foretold for centuries. You can read more about these ancient tales in my Morskie Oko Guide.
The Tatra Mountains and Morskie Oko hike tour from Krakow will not only bring you to this legendary hiking trail to Morskie Oko but will offer an opportunity to visit Zakopane and take a glimpse of the other gems, the Tatra Mountains has to offer. As lovely, as Krakow is, it is a city after all. This one day trip to Zakopane will let you escape the ever-busy streets of Krakow in exchange for the fresh air of the mountains and breathtaking vistas. It will bring straight to the heart of Tatra National Park – Morskie Oko.
The most suitable tour for those who want to enjoy and relax in the Tatra Mountains region without taking any challenging hardships. During the 10-hour guided tour from Krakow, you’ll get to experience one of the most spectacular views in Zakopane after taking a cable car to Gubałówka; Visit Krupówki, the central street of the city, where the ambience of the old and cosy mountain resort is felt the best; Relax and recover your strength in natural thermal baths, so typical for the region. This is a perfect one-day getaway from the noisy city crowds to the refreshing mountainous nature.
The tour is also great for families. Enjoy the beauty of the nature surrounding Zakopane without worrying about the organizational details.
Kasprowy Wierch cable car is one of the most popular activities in Polish Tatras and due to its limited capacities, not everyone gets to grab what offers. Otherwise, it is something that only tenacious mountain climbers and hikers get to see. The High Tatras towering the sky from above is nothing that you see from below. Surprisingly, this amazing piece of terrain made open to the wide public since the dawn of the park because the Kasprowy Wierch cable car is one of the oldest operating ropeways in Europe. You can learn more about its history in my climbing Kasprowy Wierch guide.
To this day thousands of people travel to Zakopane for this exceptional opportunity to experience the Tatra Mountains from above. Naturally, the lines for the cable car gets very long. These queues might take as much time as hiking to the top yourself. The good thing is that you book in advance, you can skip the lines. This tour from Krakow to Kasprowy Wierch doesn’t require standing in the queues, you’ll be able to spend the saved time either taking some of the numerous trails from the peak of Kasprowy Wierch or exploring the idyllic Zakopane afterwards.
Where are mountains, there is skiing. Tatras is no exception and yes, it is possible to do it as a day trip without taking long vacations. Even more, if you take this tour, you won’t have to worry about skiing gear, tickets and the best tracks. All will be prepared for you by experienced guides.
Once, you get tired, the driver will take you to the nearby natural thermal baths to relax and regenerate. From my own experience, I can tell that there is nothing better than a hot tub in subzero temperatures after a tough day. Zakopane area is perfect for that. As a result, just in one day, you get to refresh both your mind and your body. This tour is perfect for all skiing enthusiasts and those who want to experience more than just majestic nature.
Treetop Walk Bachledka is located beyond the border with neighbouring Slovakia but not outside the reach of Krakow. The 1,234 m / 0.76 mi long treetop trail is located near an old folk village Ždiar, right next to Belianske Tatras – arguably the most beautiful part of the whole mountain range. The unique hiking route, situated 18 – 24 m / 59 – 79 ft above the treeline, offers a unique perspective into the ever beautiful nature of the Tatra Mountains. After a 30 – 40 min walk, your tour guide will bring you to the luxurious Chocholowska Baths – the largest thermal pools complex in the Podhale region. This tour is great for families, nature and mountains lovers alike.
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