If you are spending the Christmas season in Krakow, consider a day trip to Zakopane. It is nestled right in the Tatra Mountains and is without doubt one of the festive jewels of Poland. You’ll find some lovely markets, but also some of the classic Christmas activities you’ve dreamt of all year.
Here is your quick guide to everything you need to know about a Christmas day trip to Zakopane from Krakow. Enjoy!
A Christmas Day Trip to Zakopane from Krakow | Your Quick Guide
Why Visit Zakopane at Christmas?
In case you didn’t know, Zakopane has a strong Christmas pedigree. It is often referred to as the Winter Capital of Poland, and for good reason. In the distance you’ll see snow-capped mountains, you’ll hear festive songs, and smell mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. That’s without mentioning the classic European architecture or wooden chalets.
Either way, if you’re after the classic wintery oasis, Zakopane is for you. Plus, it’s relatively unheard of to the rest of the world. This means that it’s relatively quiet and you can avoid the crowds that you’d find in Christmas hotspots like Munich.
Getting to Zakopane from Krakow
There are a fair few ways of getting from Krakow to Zakopane and these vary in time. However, expect to spend a good few hours travelling either way you go. Here are the top suggestions:
1. By Bus
The most affordable way to reach Zakopane is by bus. Buses run frequently (every half hour) from Krakow’s main bus station and the journey time is around 2 hours. Tickets can be purchased on the day or before and will cost around £13.00.
2. By Train
Trains also connect Krakow to Zakopane and the journey can take the same amount of time. However, these are not as frequent as the bus and can cost double the price. I should also say that they vary in terms of length of time and price, so check ahead of time for the best deals.
Personally, I would opt for the bus over the train. However, if this is part of an Interrail trip and you can count it as one of your train journeys, then do that.
3. By Car
If you have booked a car for your time in Krakow, then this is probably the easiest way of getting to Zakopane. The journey takes around 2 hours, but make sure you plan ahead. During the winter the roads can get very icy. Another thing to watch out for is parking. If you arrive in Zakopane late then it will be a struggle during the Christmas season.
4. By Private Tour
Lastly, you can opt for a private tour. Whilst I’ve never done one here, my experiences with these for larger day trips are usually positive. It means that you don’t need to worry about anything other than when to get back on the bus. Plus, there are little nuggets of information that you wouldn’t get otherwise. However, it does mean that you aren’t as flexible as you otherwise would be.
What to Do in Zakopane at Christmas
On your Christmas day trip to Zakopane from Krakow, you’ll want to do as many festive experiences as possible. Fortunately, the town acts as a miniature winter wonderland. From my past trips here, these are the best things to do.
1. Explore the Christmas Markets
Being half-Polish, I can confidently say that the Polish Christmas Markets are criminally underrated. They are fantastic. Zakopane has easily one of the best of these, rivalling top European destinations. First up, you have the classic wooden chalets where you can find Polish food. My favourite food has to be zapiekanka, the Polish answer to pizza. I also really enjoy grilled oscypek (smoked cheese) with cranberry sauce!
As well as the delicious food, you’ll find plenty of good drinks in these markets. If you are also looking for gifts for friends and family, this is the place too. The markets are filled with handmade ornaments as well as cozy winter accessories.
2. Ride the Gubałówka Funicular
For the best views in Zakopane, you need to get high up. Fortunately, the Gubałówka funicular runs regularly and gives you panoramic views of Zakopane and the surrounding Tatra Mountains. A return trip costs on £6.00 or so.
3. Enjoy a Sleigh Ride
Zakopane might just be the best place to experience a horse-drawn sleigh ride. These run through the nearby mountains and snowy landscapes, making it feel like a truly Christmassy experience. The cost varies depending on where you go, however, from experience Poland is a lot cheaper than Germany or Austria.
4. Visit the Tatra Museum
If you are interested in the history of Zakopane and the highlander traditions, consider going to the Tatra Museum. There are loads of exhibits about the local people of this region and how they have lived over the years.
5. Experience Winter Sports
As you might have guessed, Zakopane is the ultimate Polish destination for people wanting to try out winter sports.
If you are a skiing and snowboarding enthusiast, then you’ll be spoiled for choice. The nearby region has skiing locations for people who are both experienced and new to the sport. There are also day trips which run to prime locations from the heart of Zakopane which you can book through Klook or GetYourGuide.
Lastly, if you aren’t too interested in skiing and want something more tame, Zakopane is perfect for sledging too. You can give this a go at Nosal Hill, or try out snow tubing (yes, that’s a thing!) near the ski jumping hall. Alternatively, you’ll also find many unofficial sledging hills around the city.
6. Relax in the Hot Pools
Yes, you read that correctly! There are six major thermal pools dotted in and around Zakopane. These are open all year round, but I think that they are perfect for Christmas time. The pools range in depth and go from shall to deep, and can vary in temperatures between 27°C to 37°C. The waters here are incredibly mineral-rich and are perfect for relaxing. One great example of where to do this is at Termy Zakopianskie (formally known as Aquapark).
7. Visit Snowlandia
For theme parks at Christmas time, you’d be hard-pushed to find anywhere as good as Snowlandia. Playing on the excellent location of Zakopane, Snowlandia features giant igloos, ice sculptures, snow-tubing, ski-jumping and even a massive maze. It is the ultimate place for winter fun. Tickets cost around £15 for adults and £13 for juniors/seniors.
Where to Eat in Zakopane
The main places to eat on your day trip to Zakopane are the Christmas Markets. I’ve covered this in my blog post on what to eat in Poland – you’ll find much of these foods here. Zakopane is known most for its highlander cuisine, which focusses on warm, hearty meals. You’ll mostly find lots of pierogi, cheeses and soups (like kwaśnica; sauerkraut soup with pork).
If you fancy a sit down meal, then I would suggest some of the local wooden taverns. These always serve the most traditional dishes and the prices are generally cheap. Some options include Karczma Przy Młynie or Góralska Tradycja. Both of these are excellent and give you a great selection of Polish food.
Final Thoughts | A Christmas Day Trip to Zakopane from Krakow
A Christmas day trip to Zakopane from Krakow is the ultimate way to spend the festive season in Poland. You’ll feel like you have been transported to Lapland; it just feels so Christmassy and is perfect for getting yourself ready for the season. Of course, there are loads of other Christmas activities to do in Poland. Check out my post on The Best Christmas Markets to Visit in Poland | 2025 for more information.
*cover image: artofit.org
