The safest options are: - book a pet sitter / day hotel (drop-in or care at the sitter’s), - use a short-term “day nanny” for your dog, - leave your pet in a trusted, dog-friendly café/restaurant only if someone from your group can stay with them while you visit, or if the venue explicitly offers that service. I strongly discourage leaving a dog alone in a car or in a crowded place without supervision.
If you are a group of 2–6 people, a practical solution is to rotate: some of the group go into the Cloth Hall while the rest stay with the dog nearby (café, park, short walk), then swap. This is often the fastest and cheapest option, especially for a short, one-day visit.
Pet sitter / petsitting (at the sitter’s or at the owner’s) - pros: one-on-one care, regular walks, photo/video updates; cons: you need to book in advance and prices often range from about 30–100 PLN for short visits or walks, higher for full-day care.
Home-style dog hotel / day-care - pros: group play, socialisation with other dogs, secure conditions; cons: you usually must reserve ahead and not every place accepts dogs for just a few hours.
Dog-friendly café or restaurant - pros: many central venues provide water bowls, are welcoming to dogs and are near the Market Square; cons: not all places allow leaving a dog unattended — an owner must stay or staff must explicitly agree, and this is not professional care.
Group rotation - pros: no extra cost, instant solution; cons: slows down sightseeing and requires discipline and good organisation.
Dog-friendly cafés and restaurants near the Market Square - in Krakow you’ll find specialty cafés and several venues with terraces around Planty and Mały Rynek that offer water bowls and a calm atmosphere. These are good options if part of the group stays with the dog for 20–60 minutes.
Pet sitters and platforms - there are platforms and local sitters in Krakow offering short “day nanny” visits (the sitter comes to the apartment or takes the dog for a few hours), hourly walks, and full-day care at the sitter’s. Booking via an app or phone gives quick contact and security — most sitters will do a check-in with photos.
Home-style dog hotels near the centre - smaller, home-run “hotels” accept dogs for short stays; this is convenient if you want to leave your pet for a few hours and be sure they will spend that time in a calm, supervised place.
Call and book - even for a 2–3 hour drop-off, call ahead to confirm availability and that the service or venue accepts short stays.
Bring documents and essentials - carry the health booklet with up-to-date vaccinations, the dog’s favourite blanket or toy, food and diet instructions, leash and collar, and calming toys or treats if your dog gets stressed.
Meet-and-greet - if it’s the dog’s first time with a particular sitter or at a hotel, arrange a short introductory meeting so the sitter can learn the dog’s habits and the dog isn’t surprised by a new place.
Medical safety - give the sitter instructions about medications, allergies and the vet’s contact number; ask for regular photos or brief updates.
Leaving a dog alone in a hot car - even for a short time this is very dangerous and, in many places, punishable.
Leaving a pet unattended in a crowded spot - the Main Square is full of people and noise, which can be stressful; don’t leave your pet without an adult.
No last-minute booking - in high season sitters and day-care spots can be booked up; plan ahead or have a plan B.
Not telling the sitter about special needs - failing to inform about medicines, routines or fears can make the situation worse and create risks.
Not everything outside the museum is “off-limits” for dogs - many outdoor spaces near the Cloth Hall and Planty are dog-friendly, so a well-timed short walk before leaving your dog will help them relax.
Some venues offer a small “dog menu” or treats for owners — a few central restaurants and cafés provide bowls or little extras, which can make leaving your pet more comfortable.
Sending a photo or short video to the sitter helps them react faster and calms you — simple photo-updates a few times during care are very reassuring.
Can I leave my dog in a café by the Cloth Hall for 30–60 minutes? - It depends on the venue. Some cafés are dog-friendly and will allow a dog to stay with one person from your group; others prohibit leaving an animal alone. Always ask staff and don’t leave your pet unattended.
How much does a pet sitter cost for a few hours? - Rates vary: short visits and walks can start at around 30–60 PLN per hour, day care at a sitter’s from roughly 90 PLN and up; prices depend on platform, location and extra services.
How quickly can I find a sitter “today”? - The fastest way is via apps that connect clients with sitters or through local groups, but in high season it’s best to book in advance.
Can I take my dog into the Cloth Hall? - Many museums and galleries restrict animals; generally dogs are not allowed inside exhibition spaces. If you plan to enter a museum, arrange care outside.
- 09:00 – arrive at the Market Square, take a short walk with the dog around Planty and let them take care of their needs. - 09:30 – one person calls the reserved pet sitter (if that’s the chosen option), two people go into the Cloth Hall for a quick visit (30–45 min), the rest stay with the pet at a nearby café or on a bench by the Planty. - 10:15 – rotation: the next part of the group visits the Cloth Hall, those who were inside stay with the dog or go for coffee. - 11:00 – joint walk to Wawel / Kazimierz or continue sightseeing.
Make sure your dog is identified - a collar with your phone number and the owner’s details is essential.
Vaccinations and prevention - ensure the vaccination booklet is up to date, especially if leaving the dog in a hotel or with a sitter who looks after multiple animals.
Hydration and rest - on hot days plan shorter outings and keep water handy for your dog; never leave the animal in a heated place.
Assuming every venue around the Market allows dogs - always ask in advance.
Relying on only one person in the group to stay with the pet - if only one person can stay, plan shorter visits inside attractions or hire a sitter.
Not disclosing fears or aggression - inform the sitter about any behavioural issues to avoid unpleasant situations.
If you plan a short break with your dog, consider cafés and places with terraces near Planty or around Mały Rynek — many of them regularly welcome dogs and keep water and treats handy.
If you need a room for the dog for a few hours, look for local pet-sitting services or home-style hotels; many offer short daytime services and flexible hours.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media — it will help others plan a stress-free stay in Krakow.
If you would like to explore Krakow with a guide, I invite you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details and more information are available on the ZwiedzanieKrakowa website.
