Yes — it is possible if you plan the logistics well and choose an "off the beaten path" program. The May long weekend attracts crowds, but Zakopane offers several easily accessible, less crowded places: the reglowe valleys, villa-style Zakopane walking paths, intimate clearings and nearby thermal baths. Below you’ll find ready-made day proposals for a large group departing from the Main Market, practical transport tips and a list of places to reserve in advance. Prepared for zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Be friendly, help tourists!
In practice, the key points are: a good departure time from Kraków, a clear meeting plan (meeting point at the Market), reservations for group places in Zakopane (restaurants, coach parking, thermal baths or a shepherd’s hut) and alternative walking routes that let you avoid the busiest parts of Krupówki. Below are tested ideas and checklists that make organization easier.
Option A — easy and pleasant (for groups with mixed paces): depart the Market around 6:00–7:00, arrive in Zakopane 9:30–10:00, coach parking near Aleja 3 Maja or the train station, walk to Strążyska Valley (easy 1–2 hours), short break at the Strążyska clearing, lunch in a regional inn (reservation), afternoon: visit villa-style houses (Villa Koliba, Villa Atma) or stroll less touristy streets of Kościeliska. Return to Kraków around 18:00–20:00.
Option B — nature and light hiking (for active groups): early morning departure, arrival and luggage/coach drop-off, hike through Kościeliska Valley (possible bus/coach transfer to the valley entrance), short visit to Mroźna Cave (if open and available), mountain shelter/lunch, afternoon: Kalatówki or Rusinowa Polana (scenic views, fewer crowds than Gubałówka). Evening relaxation at the thermal baths (Bukovina or Chochołowskie) — great for group bonding.
Option C — culture and relaxation (for groups preferring comfort): morning visit to Równia Krupowa with a short intro to the Zakopane style (without going down to Krupówki), walk among the villas (Koliba, Atma, Harenda), lunch at a chosen restaurant with a group menu, afternoon at Chochołowskie or Bukovina thermal baths (group booking), return in the late afternoon. This option works well if some participants want to rest after travel.
Krupówki is the heart of Zakopane, but on long weekends it’s crowded — queues for oscypek stalls, noise and congestion. If your goal is a comfortable May long weekend for a large group, consider:
- Reglowe valleys: Strążyska Valley and Kościeliska Valley — wide, green trails easy to walk even for people of different ages, plenty of space to rest and take group photos.
- Trails above the Regls and Kalatówki — shorter, picturesque sections with Tatra panoramas and no steep climbs.
- Zakopane-style architecture and museums: Villa Koliba, Villa Atma, Harenda, the chapel on Jaszczurówka — great for groups interested in culture and architecture.
- Shepherd’s huts and culinary experiences: oscypek tastings, meeting a baca (shepherd), highlander feasts — authentic and engaging, and possible to organize for groups with prior reservation.
Coach from the Main Market — choose a clear meeting point on the Market (for example in front of St. Mary’s Basilica) and inform participants of the meeting time well in advance. Leaving very early (e.g. 6:00–7:00) reduces the risk of traffic jams and makes it easier to find parking in Zakopane.
In Zakopane coaches usually park in designated zones — Aleja 3 Maja (a stopping bay near Równia Krupowa), spots along Bronisława Czecha Street and parking near Gubałówka. During high season the city regulates coach parking and may introduce paid zones for buses — confirm parking arrangements or contact the parking operator before the trip.
Consider transfers to smaller minibuses if you plan to enter narrow valleys — some sections (for example the road into Kościeliska) have restrictions for large vehicles or narrow lanes. Early parking reservations or permission from the landowner (shelter, shepherd’s hut) are often necessary for large groups.
Group size: for easy valley walks you can safely plan for 30–60 people, but on more difficult (rocky, high-mountain) routes most guides recommend smaller numbers or splitting into subgroups. Always have a plan B in case of bad weather.
Medical care: bring a first-aid kit, a list of participants with contact numbers, and inform the group about meeting points and return times. For large groups it’s worth appointing 1–2 people with a phone to contact local services or hiring a group leader.
TPN tickets and fees: entrances to valleys located within the Tatra National Park (for example Strążyska, Kościeliska) require TPN entry tickets — there’s usually a kiosk at the entrance. For large groups allow extra time for ticket purchase or check whether advance group booking is possible.
Pace: with a mixed group choose routes with low elevation gain and frequent rest points. Set a "slow group" and a "faster group" pace, and assign people to close the group and keep track of time.
Karczma U Wnuka (ul. Kościeliska) — an authentic, historic inn with traditional Podhale cuisine; often serves groups and offers group menus. Reservation in advance recommended.
Góralska Tradycja — a restaurant with a typically regional menu, spacious rooms and group meal options. A good choice if you want classic local food in comfortable conditions.
Sabała — another well-known restaurant in Zakopane (if you still want to avoid Krupówki crowds, choose off-peak hours or reserve a separate room).
Thermal baths and venues with catering — Chochołowskie and Bukovina thermal complexes offer group services; this is an excellent solution if part of the program includes relaxation after a walk — check group offers and minimum participant numbers before booking.
Coach parking — spaces are scarce during long weekends, so confirm coach parking before departure.
Restaurant / lunch venue — restaurants often have ready group menus; reserve date, menu and dietary options (vegetarian, gluten-free) at least a week in advance, and much earlier for the May long weekend.
Thermal baths and attractions (for example a shepherd’s hut or regional workshops) — thermal complexes usually offer group bookings (often from a dozen people); shepherd’s huts or craft demonstrations also require advance arrangements.
Local guide / group leader — on some routes (especially if you plan to go off the marked paths) hiring a local guide is a good and safe solution; they know conditions and can manage a large group.
Documents and contacts: participant list with phone numbers, a copy of the group insurance policy, information about allergies and health conditions.
Equipment: first-aid kit, painkillers, plasters, waterproof jackets, spare water and snacks, hats and sunscreen (May weather can be changeable).
Organizer gear: whistle, portable megaphone (useful for groups over 30 people), identification bands or ribbons (makes participants easier to spot), offline maps and power banks.
Reservations: printed and electronic confirmations for parking, restaurants, thermal baths and any booked attractions.
Can a coach drive the group right to the entrance of every valley? Not always — some valley roads are narrow or have vehicle restrictions. Usually the coach leaves the group at a designated spot and the rest of the way is covered by local transport or a short walk. Ask about parking and shelter arrangements when booking.
Do you need to buy TPN tickets for the whole group? Yes — entrances to Tatra National Park areas are paid and handled at kiosks or gates at the entrances. For large groups allow time for ticket purchase or ask about pre-booking.
What if the weather worsens? Have a contingency plan: a shorter, sheltered walk or a visit to thermal baths, a museum or an inn; always carry jackets and a dry spare set of clothes if the outing includes mountain terrain.
Is a guide necessary? For easy walks a guide is not required, but for higher sections or mixed groups a guide significantly increases safety and comfort. A local guide can also enrich the trip with regional stories and history.
Communication with participants: send reminders the day before the trip (meeting point, what to bring, approximate schedule). Clear information reduces stress and lateness.
Mind the pace and group bonding: large groups enjoy shared moments — short icebreakers on the coach, a group photo at the Strążyska clearing or an oscypek tasting with a local story will boost the atmosphere.
Book with margin: the May long weekend is peak season — booking food, parking and attractions weeks in advance is the best way to avoid disappointment.
Be flexible: plan alternatives (for example change the valley, visit a different shelter, choose thermal baths instead of a longer walk) — in the mountains the weather often sets the terms.
