Thermal baths below the Tatras: which to choose from Witów

In Podhale, hot water is the answer to three different situations: it has been raining since morning, the children have had enough of walking in the mountains, or your legs give out after a day on the slope. There is plenty of choice, but from Witów one option wins on distance.

Four options in brief

The Chochołowskie Thermal Baths: our suggestion

They are in neighbouring Chochołów, so from Kojsówka it is a few minutes' drive and — more importantly — with no need to go into Zakopane. With winter queues on the main road, that difference can amount to an hour each way.

It is our guests' most common plan for an afternoon after skiing, and for a day when the weather rules out the mountains. Over a hundred and sixty thousand people a month type “termy chochołowskie” into a search engine, which gives a good sense of the level of interest — and of the queues at the height of the season.

The Zakopane Thermal Baths

A municipal pool complex in Zakopane itself, running since 2007. From Witów it is a little over a quarter of an hour, depending on traffic — and traffic is the main problem here, because the route goes through Zakopane.

It makes sense when you are planning a day in town anyway: museums, Krupówki, shopping, and the pools at the end. As a destination in its own right from Witów it comes off worse than Chochołów, simply because of the journey.

Gorący Potok in Szaflary

Szaflary lies towards Nowy Targ, so from Witów allow about half an hour. That is further than Chochołów, but the direction is the opposite of the one most visitors take, which can be an advantage at the height of the season.

People usually choose it on longer stays, once Chochołów has been ticked off, or when they want to combine the pools with a trip towards Nowy Targ. Szaflary has more than one thermal facility, so it is worth checking which one suits you.

The new baths at the Kasprowy hotel: what is known

The largest thermal complex in the town's history is being built in Zakopane. The Bachleda family's investment is going up right beside the Bachleda Kasprowy hotel and the slope on Polana Szymoszkowa.

• Area: over 47,000 m²; the complex is to be among the largest of its kind in Poland.
• Financing: a banking consortium provided 523 million zł, of which 215 million came from Bank Pekao S.A.
• Construction began in January 2026.
• Planned opening date: 6 December 2028.
• The design sets the pools into the hillside, on terraces stepping down towards the town.

In other words: not an option for your next holiday, but worth knowing about when planning a stay in future seasons. The figures above describe the position as of August 2026. With investments on this scale the dates can move, so check the latest announcements before travelling in 2028.

With children: what to bear in mind

• Check the rules for the children's areas, as some attractions have age or height limits.
• Bring flip-flops, a swimming cap if one is required, and something to drink; everything costs more on site.
• Plan for less time than you think: two or three hours in hot water is plenty, especially after a day on the slope.
• Do not plan a walk in the mountains after the baths — warm water is thoroughly relaxing.

Thermal water on site, or the hot tub

If all you want is hot water and to warm up after a day in the cold, you do not always have to go anywhere. In the garden at Kojsówka stands a wood-fired hot tub, available for a surcharge of 300 zł.

It will not replace the slides or the sauna area, but it has two advantages no complex can offer: there is nobody there but you, and you do not have to get into the car. The water only has to be heated in advance, so mention in the morning that you would like to use it.