Planning a trip to Krakow, want to see the new exhibitions at Wawel and are considering a visit to Auschwitz — and you want to bring your dog? That’s completely understandable. Many people can’t imagine travelling without their four-legged friend. In this article I gather the most important information, practical tips and ideas so you can plan your visit respectfully toward the memorial site and comfortably for your pet. (The article is based on official institution rules and practical advice.)
Before you set off: remember that Auschwitz is a memorial site of a special nature, requiring reflection and appropriate behaviour; Wawel is an active museum complex with temporary exhibitions and cultural events. From the point of view of caring for your dog, the most important things are the rules regarding assistance dogs and the regulations in force at the castle and the museum. Read on — you’ll find checklists, an FAQ and a practical day plan.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum allows entry with an assistance dog. That means a dog with the status of an assistance or guide dog may accompany its owner provided appropriate documentation and up-to-date vaccinations are shown. Such a dog should be on a lead and clearly marked (a harness with an inscription or another visible identifier) in accordance with assistance dog rules.
If your dog does not have assistance dog status, unfortunately it cannot be taken on the exhibition route. This follows from the nature of the site — we must remember to treat the memorial spaces with dignity and respect and consider the comfort of other visitors.
Practical tips before visiting Auschwitz: - check and have with you the assistance dog training certificate and vaccination documents, - arrive earlier — the museum asks visitors to show up about 30 minutes before the scheduled visit because of security checks, - reserve an entry card or a guided visit with an educator in advance; places can be limited, - if possible, notify the museum in advance about visiting with an assistance dog to avoid misunderstandings.
What to keep in mind when planning a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum: - reservations and tickets: time slots and entry cards should be booked ahead, - behaviour: the site is a place of remembrance — conversations and conduct should be subdued and respectful, - baggage: there are size limits for bags taken into the exhibition area (leave larger bags in your car or trunk), - visit length: main routes usually take about 2.5–3.5 hours; plan for a half day, - travel time: from Krakow to Oświęcim it takes about 1–1.5 hours by car (around 69 km); by train or bus it is about 1.5–2 hours depending on connections and transfers, - clothing: avoid flashy or inappropriate outfits; treat the visit as an educational and reflective experience.
If you plan to travel by car with an assistance dog, think about a place where you can comfortably leave the animal while you visit (if the dog does not enter with you). Provide water and shade during stops.
Wawel presents temporary exhibitions and events that connect history with contemporary art. In the latest season it’s worth paying attention to projects showcasing contemporary painting and artistic interventions within the castle’s spaces. Example events and exhibitions: - the exhibition “How about something different? Contemporary Art at Wawel” presenting selected works by Polish artists from the 20th and 21st centuries, - the interpretive festival “Wawel is Yours!” combining artistic activities with presentations of the monument and temporary exhibitions.
Wawel offers a rich program: temporary exhibitions have specific dates, and some shows may open or close according to the cultural calendar. If you’re visiting for art, check in advance which exhibitions will be available on your chosen date and what the visiting rules are.
Important practical information about Wawel: - tickets: many exhibitions require a ticket and reservation; tickets can be bought online in advance, - regulations: food and drink are usually prohibited in exhibition rooms and large bags and backpacks must be left in the cloakroom, - photography: some rooms allow photos without flash; check the rules for each exhibition, - opening hours: routes have set visiting hours; plan with a time margin.
The castle regulations and rules on Wawel Hill generally do not allow animals inside permanent exhibition rooms, except in the case of assistance dogs. In practice this means: - an assistance dog (for a person with a disability) should have proper documentation and visible marking, - other dogs are usually not permitted inside exhibition interiors; rules for courtyards or outdoor areas on the hill are often more relaxed but depend on current guidelines and events.
Practical recommendation: if you plan to enter the interiors of Wawel with your dog, contact the reservation office in advance — that is the fastest way to confirm the rules and obtain any permissions or guidance. If your dog does not have assistance dog status, consider alternatives: leaving the pet at the hotel or using local pet care services.
Pro tip: many people take their dog for a morning walk along the Vistula boulevards or to the Błonia meadow, and then visit Wawel without the pet. This is convenient and avoids stress for a dog from long periods away from home.
Option 1 - a day in Krakow with a dog: - morning: walk around the Planty or the Błonia, outdoor café with a terrace, - late morning: visit the exterior areas of Wawel and stroll the hill (if you are not taking your dog inside), - afternoon: Vistula Boulevards, Kazimierz area for dinner in a dog-friendly restaurant or garden.
Option 2 - a trip to Auschwitz (without a dog or with an assistance dog): - morning: depart Krakow for Oświęcim (by car about 1–1.5 hours; by train/bus about 1.5–2 hours), - middle of the day: visit the Museum (2.5–3.5 hours plus time for travel and check-in), - evening: return to Krakow.
Practical note: combining Wawel and a trip to Auschwitz in one day is possible but tight. If you value calm sightseeing and you travel with a dog (which cannot enter the sites), it’s better to split these activities into two days.
For a person with an assistance dog going to Auschwitz: - assistance dog certificate and training documentation, - current vaccination booklet, - visible harness/identification “assistance dog”, - lead and possibly a muzzle if required during transport, - water and a collapsible bowl, - bags for waste and a plan for where to leave the dog if it cannot enter at some point.
For visitors to Wawel: - buy a ticket online or have a plan to purchase at the ticket office, - a small backpack (matching cloakroom dimensions), - comfortable shoes and a time plan, - if you travel with a dog, arrange in advance where to leave it or confirm rules for assistance dogs.
Additionally: always carry the contact number of your accommodation, the vet’s details nearby and an emergency plan (who can look after your dog if needed).
If your dog does not have assistance status and you cannot leave it at the hotel, consider: - short-term care from local pet-sitting services or dog day-care spots (book in advance), - asking your hotel reception if you may leave the dog for a few hours, - asking a friend or a trusted caregiver in Krakow for help, - using restaurants and cafés with terraces that accept dogs while the other person visits an attraction.
Plan so your dog is not left for long hours in a car. This is especially important on warm days. Provide water and proper temperature conditions.
If you must leave a dog outside near an entrance, do so only in exceptional situations and make sure the place is safe and the stay is brief.
Can I enter with a dog trained for recreation? - No. Only a dog with proper assistance status usually has the right to enter interior museum routes. Do I need to reserve a ticket for Wawel? - For many routes and temporary exhibitions yes; it’s worth buying tickets online in advance. Does an assistance dog need a harness? - Yes, the dog should be clearly marked; also carry training documentation and vaccination records. Can I visit Auschwitz individually? - Yes, but at some times/days visits may be organised in groups or require a guide — check available times and reserve an entry card. How to get from Krakow to Auschwitz? - By car about 1–1.5 hours; by train or bus about 1.5–2 hours depending on connections.
If you have a question about a specific situation (for example an unusual assistance dog certificate or particular restrictions), write to us — we’ll try to help.
1) Respect the place and its memory — Auschwitz is not a tourist attraction in the usual sense. Prepare mentally for a serious and demanding educational experience. 2) Plan time realistically — allow at least half a day for Auschwitz including travel; allow several hours for Wawel if you want to visit interiors. 3) If you travel with a dog, notify institutions and book care in advance — this will save stress for you and your pet. 4) When visiting Krakow try the local cuisine — after sightseeing relax in one of the many cafés with terraces or on the Vistula Boulevards. 5) Ask questions — don’t be afraid to ask museum or castle staff about accessibility and rules. Better communication makes for a calmer visit.
I wish you a pleasant and safe journey — may the visit be a meaningful experience for you and, if possible, for your dog. If you’d like, I can help make a specific visit plan for a chosen day or check current opening hours for exhibitions on particular dates.
