Planty form a green ring around the Old Town — a perfect place for an evening walk with your dog, and from there you can easily step out on a small culinary adventure: coffee, a zapiekanka, a snack or a late dinner on a terrace. This guide will help you plan the route, recommend dog-friendly spots and offer practical tips to make the evening enjoyable for both you and your pet.
Planty are more than pretty alleys and benches — they act as a natural “bridge” between many of the city centre’s best dining corners. Walking Planty in the evening helps you avoid the daytime crowds on the Market Square and gives easy access to Kazimierz, the Vistula Boulevards and Plac Nowy — areas with many food options, from food trucks to cosy restaurants with terraces.
For a dog, an evening walk on Planty offers a calmer setting, shorter distances between stopping points and more benches to rest on. For the owner, it’s a chance to combine exercise with tasting local flavours without needing a car.
Start: Barbakan / St. Florian’s Gate area — enter Planty and begin walking northwest or south depending on which part of the Old Town you want to visit.
Planty (the ring around the Old Town) — follow the comfortable paths, pause by fountains and monuments, and use benches for short breaks. Planty circle is about 4 km long, so you can adjust the walk length freely.
Food stop 1: Plac Szczepański area — here you’ll find cafes and bakeries for a quick espresso and something sweet (think well-known artisan cafes and bakeries). Try to pick an outside table if you’re with your dog.
Next: head toward Kazimierz (cross via the bridge over the Vistula or through Grodzka Street and continue down) — this area has many small restaurants and dog-friendly terraces.
Food stop 2: Plac Nowy / Kazimierz — a classic stop: zapiekanki at the Okrąglak, evening food trucks, and nearby bistros and pizzerias often with outdoor seating.
Vistula Boulevards — if you want to extend the walk, go down to the boulevards for lovely river views, benches and a few riverside venues with terraces that are often dog-friendly.
Return: you can complete the loop back through Planty or use public transport — remember the local rules for carrying dogs.
Riverside terraces and gardens along the Vistula are often the most dog-friendly options — your dog has some space and you can dine outdoors.
Kazimierz: small bistros, cafes and pizzerias around Plac Nowy usually welcome guests with dogs at outdoor tables. In the evening you’ll also find food trucks and late-night options — perfect if your walk runs late.
Old Town / city centre: some cafes on Plac Szczepański and nearby streets offer outdoor seating where a dog can wait quietly. In season more places provide simple “dog menus” or water bowls — don’t hesitate to ask the staff.
Places to remember as starting points (check terrace availability and the venue’s rules before you go): Charlotte (central bakery-cafe), the classic zapiekanki stalls at Plac Nowy’s Okrąglak, several spots along the Vistula Boulevards and selected bistros and restaurants in Kazimierz.
Leash and cleaning up after your dog: in the city centre and parks you should keep your dog on a leash where required; always carry waste bags and clean up after your pet.
Bowl and water: bring a collapsible bowl and a bottle of water — many places will gladly top it up, but having your own bowl is more comfortable for your dog.
Behaviour in restaurants: not everyone likes dogs — choose outdoor tables, avoid placing your dog in walkways and make sure it doesn’t bark. If your dog gets anxious or overwhelmed by crowds, postpone the restaurant visit for another time.
Transport rules: local public transport has rules — small dogs in carriers often travel without a ticket, larger dogs may need a ticket and a muzzle. Check the current rules of MPK before travelling.
Mistake: entering a cramped, crowded restaurant with your dog without asking. Fix: always ask the staff if you can sit with a dog — most places will point you to an outdoor table.
Mistake: not having water for your dog after a long walk. Fix: carry a bottle and a bowl; if needed, politely ask a venue for tap water.
Mistake: walking Planty at the busiest tourist hour and letting your dog off-leash. Fix: choose later evening hours or early evening (after dusk when crowds subside); always keep your dog on a leash and under control.
Planty were created on the site of the old city walls and defensive moats — instead of a stone fortification there is now a green belt that forms a natural walking ring around the Old Town.
In the evenings many parts of Planty are softly lit and quiet — a perfect time for a calm walk with your pet when the daytime buzz has faded.
Not everyone realises that some benches along Planty date back to the 19th-century redesign — a nice historical detail to notice while strolling.
Can I bring my dog onto Wawel Hill? A dog may be walked on Wawel Hill on a leash, but taking pets into the castle’s interiors and most museum rooms is usually prohibited. If you plan to visit the museums, consider leaving your dog at your accommodation or using pet-care services.
Do restaurants definitely allow dogs? Many venues that cater to tourists allow dogs at outdoor tables; indoor policies vary — it’s best to ask before entering.
How long does a walk around Planty take with stops? The Planty circuit is about 4 km (a relaxed walk takes 45–60 minutes). With breaks and culinary stops, plan for 1.5–3 hours depending on pace and how many stops you make.
Waste bags, collapsible bowl and water, a sturdy leash, reflective leash/collar or vest if it will be dark, a small towel, up-to-date contact details (phone), cash/card for quick snacks.
Check the weather and opening hours of the places you plan to visit — some bistros stay open late, but not all kitchens serve late-night food.
If your dog is uneasy in crowds, plan a route with fewer busy spots and choose outdoor tables.
An evening walk on Planty with short culinary stops is a great way to see Krakow from a calmer perspective while keeping your pet’s comfort in mind. A little planning and choosing the right spots will make the evening enjoyable.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media to help others plan the perfect evening in Krakow with their dog. For a tailor-made tour of the city that can include your dog-friendly needs, consider booking a private guided walk with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
