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Private Zakopane & Tatra Mountains Exploration: Full-Day Guided Tour from Krakow
Nowy Targ County
Embark on a full-day guided tour from Krakow to Zakopane and explore the charming town at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. Discover traditional wooden architecture, stroll along Krupowki Street, and enjoy panoramic views from Gubalowka Hill.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Podhale - Podhale is a true haven for nature enthusiasts and a prime destination for mountain hiking aficionados. The area is split into “Rocky Podhale” (with Zakopane marking its southern boundary) and “Nizne Podhale”. The Tatra Mountains, protected within the Tatra National Park, run along the Polish border. Nowy Targ is the historical capital of the region, while Zakopane, known as the “winter capital of Poland,” is the most significant and frequented town by tourists. Podhale is deeply rooted in tradition, with its residents showing a strong emotional connection to folk elements and folklore, evident at almost every turn.
- Tatra National Park - The Tatra Mountains are a renowned destination, offering stunning views, outdoor activities, and rich local traditions. The rocky peaks range from 2,000 to 5,000 feet, with the highest peak, Rysy, standing over 8,000 feet tall. Tatra National Park encompasses and safeguards the entire Tatra massif, including Mount Rysy (2,499 meters above sea level), the only Alpine-like region in Poland. The park’s jagged granite ridges, forested slopes, glacial valleys, mountain lakes, numerous caves, and scenic valleys with rushing streams create one of Poland’s most picturesque landscapes. It is listed as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Visitors can explore the Tatra landscape via mountain trails or take the funicular to Gubalowka, the cable car to Kasprowy Wierch, and the chairlift to Butorowy Wierch.
- Zakopane - Zakopane, the cradle of Polish mountain tourism, is nestled in a beautiful valley at the base of the Tatra Mountains. Known as the winter capital of Poland, it is also a summer attraction. The town boasts over a century of history, breathtaking mountain views, unique folklore, delicious regional cuisine, and hospitable locals. Zakopane is an excellent place to purchase traditional Polish cheese, local crafts, leather goods, and sheepskin rugs. Most shops are located near the main street, Krupowki, and the main railway station.
- Muzeum Stylu Zakopiańskiego im. S. Witkiewicza - The Zakopane style, a symbol of Zakopane, harmonizes perfectly with the Tatra landscape. This style emerged at the end of the 19th century, primarily developed by Stanisław Witkiewicz, father of the famous Witkacy. The oldest building in this style is the Koliba villa, constructed from wood in 1892–93, now housing the Stanisław Witkiewicz Museum of Zakopane Style. The architectural beauty is evident in the Pod Jedlami villa, built with a high stone foundation, numerous eaves, and sculptural ornaments on the facades. A classic example of the Zakopane style is the small chapel in Jaszczurowka. Many buildings in this style can be found along Krupowki street.
- Krupowki Street - Krupowki is one of Poland’s most famous streets and Zakopane’s main shopping avenue. This promenade is the city’s heart, featuring numerous souvenir shops, restaurants offering local delicacies, stands selling mountain cheese (including the popular oscypek), as well as cafes, pubs, and nightclubs. One of the best brick buildings in the Zakopane style, the Tatra Museum, is located here. The museum’s collections focus on the nature of the Tatras, the history of tourism in the Tatras, and the folklore of the highlanders from Podhale.
- Bacówka Zakopiańczyk - Oscypek is a hard smoked cheese made from sheep’s milk, a hallmark of the Podhale region. This Polish regional product, with a tradition dating back to the 15th century, is protected under the EU’s “Protected Designation of Origin” category. Oscypek has a spindle shape, a light golden, shiny skin, and a distinctive smoked, slightly salty taste. This gourmet specialty acquires its unique flavor and color while smoking in a shepherd’s hut. It is truly a treat for connoisseurs!
- Chocholow - Chocholow is a popular tourist destination year-round, known for its unique landscape, fauna, flora, and architecture. The central part of Chocholow, called the “pearl of Podhale,” is a living museum with over a hundred historical cottages, often over 100 years old, arranged in a characteristic “street house” layout. Noteworthy is the “Cottage from one fir,” built over a century ago from a single fir trunk. The houses are washed and scrubbed with soap and water every year before Easter, giving them a distinctive bright color. Chocholow is the best-preserved complex of Podhale buildings, with its wooden houses being archaic and minimally decorated.
- Wooden Churches of Southern Little Poland - The region’s inhabitants are known for their religiosity, reflected in the numerous wooden churches and chapels. Starting in Nowy Targ, visitors can see the church of St. Catherine, dating back to 1346, and the wooden church of St. Anna from the 15th century. Nowy Targ is an excellent base for exploring other architectural treasures, such as the Shrine of Our Lady of Ludzmierz, located 10 km west in Ludzmierz, featuring a beautiful rosary garden and a monument of Pope John Paul II. Visitors can also explore the Gothic church of St. Michael the Archangel in Debno Podhalanskie, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and other valuable wooden buildings along the Wooden Architecture Route, including the church in Harklowa and the church of the Holy Trinity and St. Antony the Abbot in Lopuszna.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Professional local guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
What's Not Included
- Entry or admission fee (optional)
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Your tour/driver will meet you at your accommodation, welcoming you to the exclusive tour to Zakopane. Take a comfortable journey from Krakow to Zakopane, a delightful community located below the Tatra Mountains (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve). Experience the unique wooden architecture as you pass through a classic village. The tour begins with a relaxed walk down Krupowki Street - a famed Polish promenade bustling with shops, stalls selling souvenirs, and displays of regional artwork. You will also have the opportunity to take a funicular ride up the Gubalowka Hill, where you can soak in the amazing views of the Tatra National Park’s lofty mountains. Following a peaceful exploration around the summit, we will head to Zakopane’s oldest regions, passing the charming wooden house of Villa Atma, which is recognized for its quintessential Zakopane style architecture and is presently serving as a museum. Then, we will also visit the renowned ‘Na Peksowym Brzysku’ cemetery. Enjoy the scenic beauty of the Polish countryside as we make our way back to your Krakow hotel.
Location
Podhale
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
