Yes — two days are enough to feel the atmosphere of the Old Town, see the Barbican and parts of the Defensive Walls, visit a few museums and still have time for a good lunch with your dog — provided you plan the route well and choose pet-friendly places.
Start with a simple plan: morning sightseeing of monuments (fewer crowds), lunch in a pet-friendly place or with an outdoor area, and an afternoon museum visit or a walk in green areas (Planty, Błonia, Vistula boulevards). If you bring a ventilated backpack, water for your dog and waste bags, the trip will be pleasant for everyone.
Below you’ll find a detailed two-day plan, practical information about the Barbican and the Defensive Walls, and a list of recommended dog-friendly places.
Morning: start at the Planty — a convenient green belt surrounding the Old Town, perfect for a morning walk with your dog before entering the tourist crowds. Then head along Floriańska Street and the Royal Route toward the Barbican.
The Barbican and the Defensive Walls (branches of the Museum of Kraków) are a great spot if you’re interested in the city’s medieval history. The Barbican is near Basztowa Street and the Defensive Walls near Pijarska Street. In the season (usually from April to the end of October) these sites are open to visitors; check opening hours before you go because times can change seasonally.
It’s useful to know that the Museum of Kraków sells a combined ticket for the Defensive Route (Barbican + Defensive Walls) and sometimes tickets are dated for a specific day and time — so plan your visit to arrive on time. The last entry is usually about 30 minutes before closing.
After visiting the walls a good idea is lunch — choose a dog-friendly spot (see the list further down). If needed, sit outside with your dog or pick a place that provides a water bowl; always have a leash and bags with you.
Morning: Wawel — a walk around the courtyards and the castle surroundings is a must. Remember that animals are usually not allowed inside some interiors and chapels (for example the cathedral) — check rules for each site in advance. If you plan to enter interiors, consider alternating between a person who visits inside and someone who stays outside with the dog.
An alternative for visitors with dogs: instead of queuing for interiors, choose an open-air museum, the Vistula boulevards or Błonia — the space and views will make up for some missed indoor attractions. If you want to visit indoor museums, save the afternoon for places that accept animals or arrange a short lunch break at a pet-friendly venue.
Evening: Kazimierz — atmospheric streets, many cafés and restaurants with outdoor seating, an excellent place for dinner and a walk. It’s also a good opportunity to visit a place where your dog is welcome and can relax by your table.
The Barbican (Basztowa Street) and the Defensive Walls (Pijarska Street) are part of the Museum of Kraków — they often operate as a single Defensive Route. In season the sites have regular opening hours and tickets are sometimes combined, so it’s best to check availability ahead of time.
Ticket prices are usually modest — at times a normal ticket has been around 20 PLN — but prices and concessions can change, so check current information before your visit.
Very important: the Museum of Kraków states that assistance dogs are allowed into branches. This means that if your dog is an assistance dog, they are permitted entry. In other situations rules about animals in museum buildings vary — so it’s best to ask the museum by phone or check the regulations before you visit.
Practical tip: the Defensive Route runs partly along narrow, historic stairs and galleries — if your dog is large or easily stressed by crowds, it’s better to leave them outside with a companion or plan a shorter visit.
Kraków has more and more places that happily welcome four-legged guests — some provide water bowls, treats and even dog menus. Here are a few places worth considering (based on reviews and lists of pet-friendly venues):
Veganic (Karmelicka 34) — a well-rated vegan restaurant often visited by dog owners; welcoming atmosphere and outdoor seating.
Hevre (Meiselsa 18) — a charming spot in Kazimierz, a restaurant/café/bar in a historic interior; outdoors and at tables you’ll often see people with dogs.
Pauza In Garden — a central place with a garden — a good option for lunch with your dog.
Charlotte, Marmolada, Bierhalle — examples of places frequently recommended as pet-friendly (especially outdoor sections or terraces). There are also local initiatives like “Psiadania” — morning events where venues serve special dog treats or offer extra amenities.
Practical rule: ask staff before you sit — even if there’s an outdoor area, the staff will confirm where you can sit with your dog and whether they provide a water bowl. This reduces misunderstandings and lowers your pet’s stress.
Planty — a large green belt directly adjacent to the Old Town; perfect for short breaks between sights.
Błonia — wide meadows near the center, great for longer runs and relaxation. It’s a good place to let your dog run with fewer tourists around.
Vistula boulevards — pleasant walking routes with views of the Vistula; evenings here are very pleasant.
Błonia and Jordan Park are also popular choices for visitors with pets — lots of space, benches and natural areas for rest.
Assuming you can take your dog everywhere — many museums and historic sites have restrictions on animals. Always check the rules of the site before visiting.
Leaving a dog unattended outside a museum or restaurant — this is risky and stressful for the animal; better choose a pet-friendly place or arrange a short swap between companions.
Not having supplies: water, bowl, bags and a short lead. Even short city trips require basic equipment.
Not preparing for heat or heavy crowds — if you plan a lot of walking, schedule more breaks and bring extra water for your dog.
Can I bring my dog into the Barbican and the Defensive Walls? The Museum of Kraków states that people with disabilities can enter with an assistance dog. In other cases the policy on animals in museums varies — it’s best to confirm by phone before visiting.
Where is best to eat with a dog near the Market Square? Choose restaurants with outdoor seating or those that explicitly welcome animals — many well-rated central restaurants offer these options.
Should I reserve a table if I go with a dog? It’s a good idea — on weekends and in season outdoor spots fill up fast, and a reservation makes arranging conditions for your pet easier.
Are there parks in Kraków where I can let my dog off leash? In the city center you’ll mostly find urban areas with municipal rules; Błonia is a large open space, but always check current regulations about off-leash areas and possible restrictions.
The Barbican and fragments of the Defensive Walls are often offered as a single route — you usually buy one combined ticket for both sites. This helps plan your visit and lets you see more in less time.
Not all historic sites have toilets or amenities — especially old wall fragments. When planning a walk with your dog, remember this and use breaks at the Planty or nearby cafés.
In high season it’s worth starting the day early — mornings are cooler for your dog and simultaneously less crowded for sightseeing.
Bring your dog’s vaccination record and a vet’s contact in case of emergency — it’s better to be prepared.
Avoid heavy feeding right before intense walking or long sightseeing — it can cause discomfort. Plan small snack breaks instead.
If you plan to enter museum interiors, check in advance which sites accept assistance dogs and which do not — sometimes this information is in the venue regulations.
If you found this guide useful — share it with friends or on social media so others can plan a dog-friendly weekend in Kraków.
If you want to explore Kraków with a guide, note that information about private guiding services by Małgorzata Kasprowicz is available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com; if you need a tailored plan for traveling with a dog, contact her through the site to discuss details and availability. Good luck on your trip — may it be a calm and pleasant weekend for you and your pet!
