7 Best Day Trips to Tatra Mountains and Thermal Waters from Krakow

If you're still wondering what there is to see and do in Krakow, I have the answer. Krakow, that small city in Poland, is relatively close to the Tatra Mountains. For both locals and tourists, travelling there is synonymous with physical and spiritual relaxation.

In addition to eating, enjoying the view and playing, in the mountains you can enjoy relaxing thermal baths. I invite you to take a trip that includes all services and forget about your problems in the mountains, so that you can be alone in connection with nature while getting to know the heart of Europe.

If you are going to Krakow, I suggest you don't miss the opportunity to visit Zakopane. This city is known as the winter capital of Poland and is located at the foot of the Tatra Mountains.

On a day trip, you can appreciate its beauty and learn about the area from a professional guide. The experience lasts around 8 hours and costs an average of £70.

On this excursion, you don't have to worry about taking public transport as the transfer from your hotel in Krakow is included. The vehicle is private, equipped for mountain weather and designed to transport small groups of people.

After picking you up at your hotel, the vehicle will set off for its first stop at Wielka Krokiew, where you can see the Ski Jumping Hill, Zakopane's ski jumping area.

You will also drive along the main street, Krupówki Street, to see the picturesque shops and restaurants in the area. These excursions are undoubtedly some of the best things to do in the surroundings of Krakow.

As you stroll around the area, your guide will tell you interesting facts about Zakopane and its mountains. From this street, you can admire the Tatra Mountains. If you wish, you can take the funicular to Gubałówka Hill.

From there, you will have a better view of the mountains. However, this trip is not included in the excursion and costs an average of £5.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £70.
• Duration: around 8 hours.
• Means of transport: private vehicle.

If you want to take a dip in the thermal waters hidden in the Tatra Mountains, this excursion is for you. Embark on a journey of approximately 12 hours from Krakow to these famous mountains.

The trip costs an average of £70 and includes transport and an excursion with stops at the hot springs.

After being picked up from your hotel by a private vehicle, you will head to the Bukowina Tatrzańska spa. This site is located about 16 kilometres from Zakopane.

When you arrive, take your time and relax here for at least 2 hours. This place is one of the most renowned for relaxation and rest in the entire Tatra Mountains.

Afterwards, you will head back to Zakopane in the same vehicle to continue enjoying the excursion. Once there, you can take the funicular up Mount Gubalowka and stroll along Krupówki Street, the main street in this area of Zakopane.

There you will find restaurants serving typical dishes and you can try the region's smoked cheese and vodka. If you are interested in local food, I invite you to discover the best restaurants in Krakow, but you can also try this food in Zakopane.

At each stop and activity, you will have a few hours to enjoy each experience, combining rest and activity. You won't get lost at any point, as the vehicle has WiFi enabled so that your smartphone will always have a signal.

Take the opportunity to take a few photos and post them in real time on your social media. The idea of this tour is to combine relaxation with sightseeing and shopping.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £70.
• Duration: around 12 hours.
• Means of transport: private vehicle.

Disadvantages of this option*: you must dedicate a full day to this excursion as it lasts around 12 hours.

If you want to get in touch with nature in the Tatra Mountains, this is the trip for you. You will travel in an air-conditioned bus to the Pieniny National Park, where you will be impressed by a tour full of fun activities. The trip lasts an average of 12 hours and costs approximately £150.

As you travel by bus, you will pass through the Polish countryside on your way to the Bachlekda Valley in Slovakia. The first stop on the tour is the Bachlekda Treetop Trail. This famous tourist trail is located 24 metres above the ground. Would you dare to cross it? I advise you not to look down!

At the end of the trail, you will find an observation tower over 30 metres high. From there, you can contemplate the magnitude of the forests of Pieniny National Park. I recommend including this excursion among your summer activities in Krakow, as the weather is warmer and you will enjoy the tour more.

Afterwards, your tour guide will take you to the Belianske Tatras, a mountain range in the eastern Tatras located in north-central Slovakia. These mountains are also part of the Tatra National Park, which is also located in Slovakia.

In this area, you will learn about the fauna and flora, and you can buy lunch at a restaurant on Krupówki Street. Finally, end the day as you should by taking a dip in the thermal waters of the Chochołow Thermal Spa.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately £130.
• Duration: around 12 hours.
• Transport: private, air-conditioned bus.

If you love discovering little villages, then I recommend one of the best excursions from Krakow. On this day trip, you can travel to Tatra National Park and explore the villages and valleys in the surrounding area. The trip takes around 5 hours and costs an average of £60.

During the excursion, you will pass through the Valley of Five Lakes to Morskie Oko Lake. All along the way, you'll be dazzled by the breathtaking views of this majestic site.

The route to Morskie Oko Lake takes approximately 2 hours. It's a peaceful trail that you can walk with your guide.

Afterwards, you can enjoy around 5 hours of free time in the Tatra National Park. This excursion is one of the things you can do with children in Krakow. I recommend preparing some fun games or bringing a ball for them to play with.

On your way back to Krakow, your driver and guide will pass through Chochołów. This is a small medieval village in the area that is still inhabited. You can explore it for an hour to take some photos and then continue on your way back to Krakow.

Interesting details

• Price: around £60.
• Duration: around 5 hours.
• Transport: bus.

If you want to experience the heights, I recommend choosing an excursion that includes a cable car ride. Travel by private transport from Krakow to Zakopane on a 5-hour trip for approximately £60 so you can spend a totally different day in the Tatra Mountains.

The first stop will be the cable car ride to Kasprowy Wierch peak, the highest and most central point in the Tatra Mountains. From there, you can admire the beauty of the mountains and nearby villages. At this point, you can walk around for at least an hour before heading back.

After getting off the cable car, you will visit Krupówki Street. There you will have at least 2 hours to explore, eat and drink whatever you want. The last stop will be the relaxing thermal baths near the area.

Afterwards, transport will take you back to your hotel in Krakow. As this is a short excursion, you can include it in your list of things to do in Krakow in 2 days.

Details of interest

• Price: around £60.
• Duration: around 5 hours.
• Means of transport: bus.

One of the things you can do in Krakow during the winter is take a trip to the Tatra Mountains to go skiing. This fun excursion for the whole family also includes a visit to the thermal pools located at the foot of the slopes.

The excursion begins when the bus driver picks you and the rest of the group up and takes you to the ski centre in Zakopane. The driver will give you a ski pass and a ticket for the thermal baths. The whole experience usually lasts around 12 hours and costs an average of £75.

Both beginners and experts will find the perfect slope for them. In any case, I recommend reading a ski guide for beginners before you go.

In addition, it is not necessary to bring your own equipment, as everything you need to practise this sport can be rented near the slopes. At the end of the activity, you can relax in the hot springs.

The thermal pool centre has jacuzzis, saunas, artificial waves, indoor and outdoor pools. After relaxing at the location of your choice, you can enjoy a meal and a hot drink at one of the cafés, restaurants or taverns in the area. At the end of your time, the driver will take you back to your hotel.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £75.
• Duration: approximately 12 hours.
• Means of transport: bus.

Want to enjoy a truly relaxing experience? Then don't miss out on a trip to the hot springs in the Tatra Mountains, specifically the Chochołów spa. Here you'll find one of the most beautiful thermal baths in the world.

On this trip, your guide will take you to the Chochołów spa, which I'm sure you'll enjoy for its size and space. To get there, you will have to travel for at least two hours in private transport provided by the company you hire. Remember that although these are hot springs, the outside temperature can be very cold in winter.

Here you will find indoor and outdoor pools with water temperatures between 30°C and 38°C. You can choose to immerse yourself in these waters or take a steam bath, go to the sauna or enjoy a hydromassage. Enjoy 8 to 11 hours at this spa before returning to your hotel in Krakow.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £35.
• Duration: approximately 8 to 11 hours.
• Transport: bus.

As you may have noticed, the Tatra Mountains are an ideal place to go on holiday, especially if you go in winter. If you go during this season, make sure you take clothes that will keep you warm. Remember that many of the attractions require a lot of walking.

In this regard, it is best to wear comfortable shoes. This will allow you to walk comfortably. If you want to practise any snow sports, it is best to bring gloves and other personal items. Some places offer the necessary equipment for practising sports, but it is better to be prepared.

If you are going to spend the day at the hot springs, I recommend bringing swimwear. Also bring some towels to dry yourself off when you finish your bath. I recommend that you bring a large towel, so you can use it to wrap yourself up when you get out of the water, as the cold air can be a bit chilly.

Finally, be very punctual when the bus or private vehicle picks you up at the hotel. If you don't like to stick to a specific schedule, I recommend renting a car in Krakow. The rental can cost around €20 per day. However, you will have to find a place to park yourself.

Travelling to the Tatra Mountains on your own requires a lot of planning and investment. One of the options available to you is to rent a car or order a taxi using an app. If it is high season, it may be difficult to get a taxi unless you book in advance.

In addition, when you arrive at the mountains, you will need to use Google Maps or a physical map to find your way around. This can be tricky if you don't have an internet connection, which can be unreliable in some areas. It can be even more complicated if you don't speak Polish. Furthermore, all activities must be paid for separately. This can lead to additional expenses.

On the other hand, when you book an organised tour, everything is included in a single price. You usually also pay for transport from your hotel in Krakow.

It is worth noting that the tours are organised according to the season. If you want to travel on your own, you should research the best time to travel to Krakow.