Zakopane Day Tour from Krakow with Tasting and Funicular ride

Zakopane is the kind of place that feels both local and touristy at the same time, and this day tour uses that contrast well. You get hotel pickup, then a proper Highlander cheese and alcohol tasting, and finally a funicular ride up Gubałówka for big Tatra views. The main thing to plan for is that the day is long and packed, and weather can affect mountain visibility.

I really like that the schedule is built around very specific stops, not just passing through. Chochołów gives you a focused look at how Oscypek smoked cheese is made, and Krupówki gives you time to wander at your own pace. On the flip side, if you’re hoping for a slow, quiet day, Zakopane can feel crowded, especially in peak seasons.

Guides matter on a trip like this, and the tone can be excellent. Past guides have included people like Mirek, Magda, Lucio, Niko, Marco, Tomek, and Michal, and they tend to keep the energy up while explaining what you’re seeing. Just keep your expectations flexible, because group logistics can tighten your timing.

Key highlights worth circling

• Hotel pickup and drop off in Krakow saves a lot of hassle
• Chochołów Bacówki cheese stop with Oscypek tasting and smoking styles
• Gubałówka funicular up and down plus mountain panoramas from 1123 m
• Krupówki free time to shop, snack, and explore Zakopane at your pace
• Small group limit of 22 helps the day feel more controlled than big coaches

Price and value: what you get for about $102.84

At around $102.84 per person, you’re paying for three big things: door to door pickup, guided day structure, and included mountain transport. The funicular ticket is part of the package (up and down), and the tasting stops are also included, so you’re not piecing the day together yourself.

If you try to recreate this independently, the hard part is not the drive. It’s bundling the experience: getting to Chochołów, timing Zakopane free time, and getting up Gubałówka without wasting half your day on logistics. This tour also caps the group at 22, which usually means less waiting around than you might get with larger day tours.

Your main cost outside the tour is simple: lunch is not included. Plan on either buying something on your own in Zakopane or having a snack ready, especially if you like eating at normal meal times.

The long day from Krakow: timing that matters

This tour typically runs about 11 to 12 hours, starting around 9:00 am. Pickup is offered from your Krakow hotel, and the exact time is confirmed the day before, generally between 7:30 am and 9:00 am. You also might get a changed pickup point because of pedestrian-only zones and limited parking, so watch for the driver’s message close to departure.

That timing matters because you’re not just commuting. The day includes several stops with set durations, plus transfer time between them. If you get motion-sick on long drives, take a motion-sickness remedy before you leave, because the itinerary is tight and you will be sitting for stretches.

Chochołów Bacówki: Oscypek tasting where it’s made

One of the most memorable parts of Zakopane trips is the region’s food culture, and this itinerary leans in. On the way to Zakopane, you stop in Chochołów, at a place tied to the Highlanders and their traditional production of Oscypek.

Here’s what makes the stop special: Oscypek is a smoked cheese made from sheep’s milk, and it’s traditionally produced by people known as highlanders (local settlers). The wooden houses where it happens are called Bacówki. During your short visit, you’ll be able to try different types of Oscypek with different degrees of smoking, and you’ll learn the basics of the manual production.

The value for you is that it’s not just a random cheese shop. You’re getting the connection between craft, smoke levels, and the final flavor. If you like to understand what you’re eating, this stop does that in a compact time window.

Zakopane time: how to use your about 3 hours

In Zakopane, you get a blend of photo stops, sightseeing, and free time. The itinerary includes a visit that’s meant to help you get oriented, then later you’ll also have more time on your own.

The practical advice is simple: use your first chunk to walk with purpose. Zakopane is a ski town with a real center, so it’s easy to waste time. Pick one direction first, then loop back. That keeps you from getting stuck in the busiest pockets.

Then comes the bigger self-guided block on Krupówki Street, which is considered the heart of Zakopane. This is where you’ll find shops and regional restaurants, plus traditional highlander items and souvenirs. If you want a classic Zakopane snapshot, this is the place for it.

One note from real-world experience: the town can be crowded, and in winter you may deal with slush and cold surfaces. Pack for the season. Thick layers and proper boots make a huge difference. If you show up in sneakers, your feet may not thank you by the end of the day.

Gubałówka funicular ride: the view pays off

After enjoying Zakopane’s streets, the tour shifts to the mountain perspective. Gubałówka sits at 1123 m above sea level, and the tour includes the funicular ticket up and down.

What you’re really buying here is time and elevation with less effort. The funicular is modern, with a glass roof, and the ride itself gives you changing views as you climb. Once up top, you get room to breathe and enjoy a panorama over the Tatra Mountains and the town below.

The schedule gives you about 3 hours at Gubałówka. That’s enough time to:

• Get photos when the weather cooperates
• Walk around at your pace
• Find a quiet spot to relax in better light

If you care about photos, check the sky when you arrive. Fog and snow can erase the mountains quickly, so be ready to pivot and enjoy what you can see rather than waiting for the perfect shot.

When Gubałówka is closed for maintenance (06.10 to 10.10)

From 06.10 to 10.10, the Gubałówka cable car is closed for maintenance. On those dates, the tour swaps in a different plan.

Instead of the funicular, the tour travels as high as possible by car and then takes a short walk to a viewpoint. As compensation, you receive a lunchbox of your choice (at the tour company’s expense), plus a mulled wine tasting. You’ll be contacted via WhatsApp or email before the tour to discuss which lunchbox you want.

In real life, guides may also adjust the day to keep momentum, and some have added an extra activity when the funicular was out. The official plan is the lunchbox and mulled wine, so expect that as the consistent fallback.

This is one of those situations where flexibility wins. If your goal is mountain views, go to the viewpoint even when the weather is iffy, because sometimes clouds move and you still catch a break.

Food, alcohol, and how to pace the tasting

A standout feature here is the Highlander cheese and regional alcohol tasting. You’ll experience the traditional mountain hut setting and sample local specialties, including Oscypek and regional alcohol (often vodka in practice).

What I like about this approach is that it’s scheduled before you spend a long chunk of time walking. You get flavor and context early, then you can enjoy Zakopane without feeling like food and drink are just random add-ons.

If you drink alcohol, pace it. You’ll spend later time walking streets and climbing up and down on your mountain stop. Keep water handy and consider saving your energy for the Gubałówka view.

Group size, guide style, and where delays can sneak in

This tour has a maximum of 22 travelers, and that usually helps keep things smoother. The guide experience can be a big part of the day, and in past departures, guides like Mirek, Marco, Tomek, Lucio, and others have been praised for being fun, friendly, and helpful.

Still, here’s the honest trade-off: day trips with add-ons can occasionally get messy. On at least one departure, the timing was affected by combining groups with different extras, which created waiting and reduced comfort for a portion of the group. The lesson for you is not to panic, it’s to buffer your expectations. If you’re someone who hates waiting, bring patience and plan to stay flexible when schedules shift.

Who this tour fits best

This works especially well if you want:

• A structured way to see Zakopane without planning transport
• Real food culture through Oscypek in Chochołów
• A guaranteed mountain ride with views, thanks to the funicular ticket

It’s also a good pick if you like learning while you walk. The guides typically explain culture and what you’re looking at, and that makes even short stops feel meaningful.

If you’re traveling with limited mobility or you hate cold weather walking, tell yourself the day involves multiple outdoor segments and a walk (especially if the funicular is closed). Plan accordingly.

Should you book? My take on the decision

Book this tour if you want one day in the Zakopane area that feels organized, includes real local food, and gives you a mountain viewpoint without extra planning. The combination of pickup, Chochołów craft tasting, Krupówki free time, and the included Gubałówka funicular is a strong value for a single trip.

Skip or rethink it if you’re chasing solitude. Zakopane can be crowded, and the day is long. Also, if you’re booking close to winter weather, pack for slush and cold feet, because the comfort level can change fast once you’re walking in wet conditions.

If you do book, here’s the simple strategy: show up warm, bring sensible footwear, eat before your mountain stop if you can (since lunch is not included), and treat the schedule as a framework rather than a promise. When the weather cooperates, this day delivers the Zakopane hits in a compact, satisfying way.

FAQ

What’s included in the Zakopane day tour from Krakow?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop off, Krakow to Zakopane and back transfers, an English-speaking driver, visiting a traditional mountain hut in Chochołów, a Highlander cheese and regional alcohol tasting, spare time in Krupówki Street, and a Gubałówka funicular up and down ticket (with a maintenance-date alternative plan).

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price. On the dates when Gubałówka is closed for maintenance, you receive a lunchbox as compensation.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 11 to 12 hours, starting at 9:00 am.

Will I be picked up from my hotel in Krakow?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop off are included. Choose your hotel from the list when booking, and note that the pickup point may change due to pedestrian-only areas and limited parking.

What languages are available for the guide?

The guided tour is provided in English. Other languages may be available, and the guide provides instructions booklets for languages such as Spanish, Italian, French, German, Russian, Norwegian, and more.

What happens to the Gubałówka funicular if it is closed from 06.10 to 10.10?

If the funicular is closed due to maintenance from 06.10 to 10.10, the tour goes as high as possible by car and takes a short walk to a viewpoint. You also receive a lunchbox of your choice and a mulled wine tasting, and the team contacts you beforehand to discuss your lunchbox preference.

What if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.