Chochołów was founded in the 16th century by Bartłomiej Chochołowski, who was appointed hereditary sołtys by Polish King Stephen Báthory for his war merits.

It became known as the place of the Chochołów Uprising of 1846 (Powstanie chochołowskie) against the foreign oppression in the Austrian Partition of Poland.

Its economy is closely associated with tourism and the popular Polish-Slovak border crossing to Suchá Hora in the Orava region.

Prominent heritage sights include the Chochołów Uprising Museum and the Saint Hyacinth church.

A thermal spa area[4] was opened here in 2016 using hot mineral springs from the Dolina Chocholowska valley which is located in some distance to the south in the Tatra Mountains National Park.