If you like hiking then you’re going to love this Poland & Slovakia itinerary, which is bookended with visits to the beautiful cities of Krakow and Bratislava. Click for Luxury, Mid-range or Budget.
Here’s your Poland & Slovakia itinerary:
| Luxury |  |
||||
| 1 | ✈To Krakow(Book >) | Dep: 08:40 | Arr: 12:05 | 🏨Queen Boutique Hotel (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Explore the Old Town and massive Market Square, don’t miss the Church of the Virgin Mary and Wawel Cathedral. | Book a transfer to your hotel. | ||||
| 2 | Two choices today: experience the fascinating salt mines or visit Auschwitz. Back in Krakow get to know the lively streets of the Jewish District (Kazimierz). | A trumpeter plays every hour on the hour from the highest tower of the Church of the Virgin Mary. | |||
| 3 | 🚌Krakow to Zakopane bus (Book >) | Dep: 15:00 | Arr: 17:15 | 🏨Aries Hotel (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Spend a couple of hours in Krakow’s Royal Castle. In Zakopane soak up the buzz along Krupowki Street and the more sedate Cmentarz Zasluzonych na Peksowym Brzyzku. | The small patterned blocks of smoked sheeps cheese (oscypek) on sale at stalls in Zakopane are perfect for taking on a hike. | ||||
| 4 | 🚌Zakopane to Morskie Oko bus (Times >) | Dep from: 07:40 | 🏨Morskie Oko Hut (Book >) | ||
| Take the bus to Łysa Polana and hike the 10km (uphill!) to Morskie Oko where you can leave your bags at the hut and explore the lakes. | This map gives you an idea of walk times and effort, but buy a 1:150000 map too. | ||||
| 5 | 🚶Morskie Oko to Murowaniec hike | Dep: 08:00 | Arr: 16:00 | 🏨Hala Gąsiennicowa Hut (Book >) | |
| A stupendous hike in the mountains today, through forests, over streams and with magnificent views throughout | Accommodation in mountain huts isn’t luxurious but is popular – book ahead early. | ||||
| 6 | 🚶Murowaniec to Zakopane hike 🚌Zakopane ul. Balzera Nosal to Tatranská Lomnica bus (Times >) 🚄Tatranská Lomnica to Stary Smokovec train 🚄Stary Smokovec to Štrbské Pleso train (Book >) |
Dep: 15:12 Dep: 16:34 Dep: 17:01 |
Arr: 16:27 Arr: 16:48 Arr: 17:42 |
🏨Kempinski Grand Tatras (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Start the day with a lovely hike back to Zakopane. Enjoy a well-earned spa in your hotel. | One of the best hotel spas I’ve seen so spend plenty of time here! | ||||
| 7 | Easy walk along a wide track to Popradske Pleso lake. | You can get lunch at the hotel beside the lake. | |||
| 8 | 🚶Štrbské Pleso to Zamkovského chata hike | Hike takes about 7hrs | 🏨Zamkovského chata (Book >) | ||
| Long day hike. Take the train to Vyšné Hágy and walk up to Sliezsky dom where you can pick up the trail to Zamkovského chata. | Mountain huts offer good value, plentiful meals saving you the effort of carrying too much food. | ||||
| 9 | 🚶Zamkovského chata to Tatranská Lomnica hike 🚄Tatranská Lomnica to Poprad train 🚄Poprad to Spišské Tomášovce train (Book >) |
Dep: 15:35 | Arr: 15:54 | 🏨Kempinski Grand Tatras (Book >) | All hotels > |
| You’ll end this morning’s walk at Stanica lanovky Štart cable car station from where you can get a ride up to Lomnický štít. | |||||
| 10 | Embark on an adventure along the gorges, up the ladders and through the woods and meadows of Slovak Paradise National Park. | It’s a 40 min drive to the national park. | |||
| 11 | 🚄Spišské Tomášovce to Poprad train 🚄Poprad to Bratislava train (Book >) |
Dep: 11:04 Dep: 11:33 |
Arr: 11:26 Arr: 16:07 |
🏨Grand River Park (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Acquaint yourself with the winding streets of the Old Town where you’ll find former palaces and photogenic architecture. | Book ahead to see the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra at the National Theatre. | ||||
| 12 | Take part in a free walking tour which will take in the Blue Church, St Michael’s Tower, Hlavne Namestie, the old town hall and St. Martin’s Cathedral. | Although free walking tours are free, don’t forget to tip at the end if you enjoyed your experience. | |||
| 13 | ✈Bratislava to Home (Book >) | Dep: 21:10 | Arr: 22:25 | Connect this Poland and Slovakia itinerary with the Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria itinerary | |
| Visit Bratislava castle for top views and pretty gardens. If time, take the bus to Hrad castle. Book a transfer to the airport. | |||||
| Mid-range |  |
||||
| 1 | ✈To Krakow(Book >) | Dep: 08:40 | Arr: 12:05 | 🏨Hotel Amadeus (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Explore the Old Town and massive Market Square, don’t miss the Church of the Virgin Mary and Wawel Cathedral. | Trains depart every 30 mins from the airport, arriving at the city train station 20 mins later. | ||||
| 2 | Two choices today: experience the fascinating salt mines or visit Auschwitz. Back in Krakow get to know the lively streets of the Jewish District (Kazimierz). | A trumpeter plays every hour on the hour from the highest tower of the Church of the Virgin Mary. | |||
| 3 | 🚌Krakow to Zakopane bus (Book >) | Dep: 15:00 | Arr: 17:15 | 🏨Aparthotel Bellamonte (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Spend a couple of hours in Krakow’s Royal Castle. In Zakopane soak up the buzz along Krupowki Street and the more sedate Cmentarz Zasluzonych na Peksowym Brzyzku. | The small patterned blocks of smoked sheeps cheese (oscypek) on sale at stalls in Zakopane are perfect for taking on a hike. | ||||
| 4 | 🚌Zakopane to Morskie Oko bus (Times >) | Dep from: 07:40 | 🏨Morskie Oko Hut (Book >) | ||
| Take the bus to Łysa Polana and hike the 10km (uphill!) to Morskie Oko where you can leave your bags at the hut and explore the lakes. | This map gives you an idea of walk times and effort, but buy a 1:150000 map too. | ||||
| 5 | 🚶Morskie Oko to Murowaniec hike | Dep: 08:00 | Arr: 16:00 | 🏨Hala Gąsiennicowa Hut (Book >) | |
| A stupendous hike in the mountains today, through forests, over streams and with magnificent views throughout. | Accommodation in mountain huts isn’t luxurious but is popular – book ahead early. | ||||
| 6 | 🚶Murowaniec to Zakopane hike 🚌Zakopane ul. Balzera Nosal to Tatranská Lomnica bus (Times >) 🚄Tatranská Lomnica to Stary Smokovec train 🚄Stary Smokovec to Štrbské Pleso train (Book >) |
Dep: 15:12 Dep: 16:34 Dep: 17:01 |
Arr: 16:27 Arr: 16:48 Arr: 17:42 |
🏨Hotel Solisko (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Start the day with a lovely hike back to Zakopane. Enjoy a well-earned spa in your hotel. | The hotel is a short walk from the train station. | ||||
| 7 | 🚶Štrbské Pleso to Popradske Pleso hike | Hike takes about 1hr 30 | 🏨Hotel Horsky (Book >) | ||
| Easy walk along a wide track to this basic but well-located lakeside hotel. | Shop for food and drink for the hike in Strbske Pleso. | ||||
| 8 | 🚶Popradske Pleso to Zamkovského chata hike | Hike takes about 7hrs | 🏨Zamkovského chata (Book >) | ||
| Long hike. The direct route is fairly precipitous and so you may wish to take the train to Vyšné Hágy and walk up to Sliezsky dom where you can pick up the trail again to Zamkovského chata. | Mountain huts offer good value, plentiful meals saving you the effort of carrying too much food. | ||||
| 9 | 🚶Zamkovského chata to Tatranská Lomnica hike 🚄Tatranská Lomnica to Poprad train 🚄Poprad to Spišské Tomášovce train (Book >) |
Dep: 15:35 | Arr: 15:54 |
🏨Soludus-Spišský ľudový dom (Book >) | |
| You’ll end this morning’s walk at Stanica lanovky Štart cable car station from where you can get a ride up to Lomnický štít. | It’s a 30 min walk along quiet roads to Čingov. | ||||
| 10 | Embark on an adventure along the gorges, up the ladders and through the woods and meadows of Slovak Paradise National Park. | Get a map of the park from the Ĉingov tourist office before you depart. | |||
| 11 | 🚄Spišské Tomášovce to Poprad train 🚄Poprad to Bratislava train (Book >) |
Dep: 11:04 Dep: 11:33 |
Arr: 11:26 Arr: 16:07 |
🏨Marrol’s Boutique Hotel (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Acquaint yourself with the winding streets of the Old Town where you’ll find former palaces and photogenic architecture. | Before leaving on this Poland & Slovakia itinerary book ahead to see the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra at the National Theatre. | ||||
| 12 | Take part in a free walking tour which will take in the Blue Church, St Michael’s Tower, Hlavne Namestie, the old town hall and St. Martin’s Cathedral. | Although free walking tours are free, don’t forget to tip at the end if you enjoyed your experience. | |||
| 13 | ✈Bratislava to Home (Book >) | Dep: 21:10 | Arr: 22:25 | Connect this Poland and Slovakia itinerary with the Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria itinerary | |
| Visit Bratislava castle for top views and pretty gardens. If time, take the bus to Hrad castle. | |||||
| Budget |  |
||||
| 1 | ✈To Krakow (Book >) | Dep: 08:40 | Arr: 12:05 | 🏨Secret Garden Hostel (Book >) | All hostels > |
| Explore the Old Town and massive Market Square, don’t miss the Church of the Virgin Mary and Wawel Cathedral. | Trains depart every 30 mins from the airport, arriving at the city train station 20 mins later. | ||||
| 2 | Two choices today: experience the fascinating salt mines or visit Auschwitz. Back in Krakow get to know the lively streets of the Jewish District (Kazimierz). | A trumpeter plays every hour on the hour from the highest tower of the Church of the Virgin Mary. | |||
| 3 | 🚌Krakow to Zakopane bus (Book >) | Dep: 15:00 | Arr: 17:15 | 🏨Good Bye Lenin Hostel (Book >) | All hostels > |
| Spend a couple of hours in Krakow’s Royal Castle. In Zakopane soak up the buzz along Krupowki Street and the more sedate Cmentarz Zasluzonych na Peksowym Brzyzku. | The small patterned blocks of smoked sheeps cheese (oscypek) on sale at stalls in Zakopane are perfect for taking on a hike. | ||||
| 4 | 🚌Zakopane to Morskie Oko bus (Times >) | Dep from: 07:40 | 🏨Morskie Oko Hut (Book >) | ||
| Take the bus to Łysa Polana and hike the 10km (uphill!) to Morskie Oko where you can leave your bags at the hut and explore the lakes. | This map gives you an idea of walk times and effort, but buy a 1:150000 map too. | ||||
| 5 | 🚶Morskie Oko to Murowaniec hike | Dep: 08:00 | Arr: 16:00 | 🏨Hala Gąsiennicowa Hut (Book >) | |
| A stupendous hike in the mountains today, through forests, over streams and with magnificent views throughout | Accommodation in mountain huts isn’t luxurious but is popular – book ahead early. | ||||
| 6 | 🚶Murowaniec to Zakopane hike 🚌Zakopane ul. Balzera Nosal to Tatranská Lomnica bus (Times >) 🚄Tatranská Lomnica to Stary Smokovec train 🚄Stary Smokovec to Štrbské Pleso train (Book >) |
Dep: 15:12 Dep: 16:34 Dep: 17:01 |
Arr: 16:27 Arr: 16:48 Arr: 17:42 |
🏨Štrbské Pleso rental (Book >) | All properties > |
| Start the day with a lovely hike back to Zakopane. Enjoy a well-earned spa in your hotel. | The hotel is a short walk from the train station. | ||||
| 7 | 🚶Štrbské Pleso to Popradske Pleso hike | Hike takes about 1hr 30 | 🏨Hotel Horsky (Book >) | ||
| Easy walk along a wide track to this basic but well-located lakeside hotel. | Shop for food and drink for the hike in Strbske Pleso. | ||||
| 8 | 🚶Popradske Pleso to Zamkovského chata hike | Hike takes about 7hrs | 🏨Zamkovského chata (Book >) | ||
| Long hike. The direct route is fairly precipitous and so you may wish to take the train to Vyšné Hágy and walk up to Sliezsky dom where you can pick up the trail again to Zamkovského chata. | Mountain huts offer good value, plentiful meals saving you the effort of carrying too much food. | ||||
| 9 | 🚶Zamkovského chata to Tatranská Lomnica hike 🚄Tatranská Lomnica to Poprad train 🚄Poprad to Spišské Tomášovce train (Book>) |
Dep: 15:35 | Arr: 15:54 |
🏨Soludus-Spišský ľudový dom (Book >) | |
| You’ll end this morning’s walk at Stanica lanovky Štart cable car station from where you can get a ride up to Lomnický štít. | It’s a 30 min walk along quiet roads to Čingov. | ||||
| 10 | Embark on an adventure along the gorges, up the ladders and through the woods and meadows of Slovak Paradise National Park. | Get a map of the park from the Ĉingov tourist office before you depart. | |||
| 11 | 🚄Spišské Tomášovce to Poprad train 🚄Poprad to Bratislava train (Book >) |
Dep: 11:04 Dep: 11:33 |
Arr: 11:26 Arr: 16:07 |
🏨CHORS Like a hotel (Book >) | All hostels > |
| Acquaint yourself with the winding streets of the Old Town where you’ll find former palaces and photogenic architecture. | Book ahead to see the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra at the National Theatre. | ||||
| 12 | Take part in a free walking tour which will take in the Blue Church, St Michael’s Tower, Hlavne Namestie, the old town hall and St. Martin’s Cathedral. | Although free walking tours are free, don’t forget to tip at the end if you enjoyed your experience. | |||
| 13 | ✈Bratislava to Home (Book >) | Dep: 21:10 | Arr: 22:25 | Connect this Poland and Slovakia itinerary with the Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria itinerary | |
| Visit Bratislava castle for top views and pretty gardens. If time, take the bus to Hrad castle. | |||||