Krakow is a city that combines medieval architecture, royal hills and lively neighborhoods with atmospheric cafés. If your time is limited - start at the Old Town (Main Market Square, Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica), walk to Wawel, and then head down to Kazimierz - the former Jewish quarter, now full of charming streets, synagogues and small eateries.
If you have more time: good additions are Podgórze (including Oskar Schindler’s Factory) and the green areas along the Vistula River - perfect for a rest during a walk. Nowa Huta offers a completely different, contrasting view of the city and can be fascinating for those interested in PRL-era architecture.
If you travel with a dog - plan more frequent stops in parks and along the Vistula. Many city cafés and some restaurants welcome pets outdoors, but you normally cannot take a dog into museum interiors or most sacred spaces. Have a plan B - for example, one person quickly visits the interior while the rest of the group walks nearby.
Kazimierz is a must-see in Krakow: narrow streets, atmospheric squares, synagogues and numerous cafés create a unique mood. Pay attention to Szeroka Street, Plac Nowy with its popular bars and zapiekanka stalls, and the tight courtyards that often hide interesting stories and murals.
A walk through Kazimierz usually takes 1.5–3 hours depending on coffee stops or visits to synagogues and museums. I recommend stopping at a few places - here you can find both traditional Jewish cuisine and modern cafés. If you’re with a dog, choose places with a garden or outdoor seating.
Surprising fact: many corners of Kazimierz still show traces of Krakow’s multicultural 19th–20th century past - ask a local guide for stories you won’t find in every guidebook. It’s a great place for an evening stroll when the streets take on a moody nighttime character.
Wawel is a complex of buildings: the hill with the castle, museum collections and the cathedral. General rules: dogs are not allowed inside museum interiors and most churches (exceptions are guide dogs and some assistance dogs). Dogs are often allowed on Wawel’s courtyards and outdoor areas if kept on a leash and under the owner’s control.
Practical tip: if you plan to visit the royal chambers, the cathedral or museum exhibitions - arrange a rotation within your group or leave the dog at your hotel/guesthouse for the short visit. Krakow also has services like dog-walking and daytime pet boarding that you can use for a few hours of sightseeing.
A polite and safe approach is to ask the institution about their rules in advance. Even if a dog can stay on outdoor grounds, remember to clean up after your pet and keep distance from exhibits, birds and wildlife along the river.
Large groups require advance planning. In short: 1) reserve dates at the places you want to visit (museums, synagogues, some guided routes), 2) consider splitting into smaller subgroups for interiors, 3) hire an additional guide or a headset system so everyone can hear the commentary.
In practice many venues limit the number of people inside at once - a practical or regulatory limit is often 20–30 people. If your group is 30–60 people, plan staggered entries or ask the venue for special conditions for large groups. Booking several weeks ahead is a good standard during the high season.
Transport and logistics: if you travel by coach, make sure the driver has information about parking and drop-off zones. For the group’s comfort schedule short breaks every 45–60 minutes so nobody gets too tired and everyone has time for restroom stops, drinks and stretches.
Practical option for large groups with one or a few dogs: - Arrival and a short walk in the Old Town (whole group) - One part of the group enters Wawel interiors or a chosen exhibition (with a guide), the other part walks the nearby area under the supervision of a designated person - After 30–45 minutes rotate. This way the dog is never left alone and everyone can see the interiors.
Alternative: if there are several dogs in the group, ask for help from local pet-care services for a few hours, or plan mostly outdoor sightseeing (Kazimierz, Vistula boulevards, Planty) and send only a few representatives into interiors.
Keep a contact list: the guide’s phone number, the person responsible for the dog, the hotel reception, and a local pet-care contact. This calms everyone and lets you react quickly in case of an emergency.
Krakow has a growing number of pet-friendly places: many restaurants have outdoor seating and some cafés consciously welcome guests with pets. For a large group it’s best to reserve in advance and ask about outdoor tables where dogs are welcome.
Examples of pet-friendly spots are cafés and restaurants on Kazimierz with gardens, several cafés in the city centre and modern venues along the Vistula Boulevards. Hotels in tourist districts increasingly offer pet amenities (bowls, information, dog-sitting options).
Practical trick: for a big group consider catering or renting a room with an outdoor break area - this gives comfort to both people and pets, and the staff can prepare the space in advance.
Not informing venues about the group size - this leads to lack of space, confusion and last-minute splitting of entries. Solution: book ahead and confirm participant numbers.
Assuming the dog will be allowed everywhere - many museums and sacred interiors do not admit animals. Solution: plan routes so the dog is comfortable (short interior visits, external supervision) and have an alternative for dog care for a few hours.
No plan for weather and breaks - on hot days long walks tire people and pets. Solution: schedule breaks every hour, carry water and a shady spot, and on hot days move intensive sightseeing to morning and evening hours.
Can I bring my dog into Wawel Cathedral? - Usually dogs are not allowed inside sacred interiors; exceptions are guide dogs and assistance dogs. Check the rules of the specific institution before you go.
How many people can a museum group have? - Many museums set limits for the number of people in one group; a practical limit is often 20–30 people in exhibition rooms. Larger groups usually need to be split or have special arrangements with staff.
What if someone in my group has a dog and no one wants to leave it alone? - Consider a rotation system for entries, hiring an extra person to look after the dog for a few hours, or using a local dog-sitting service.
Arrive early in the morning or in the late afternoon - crowds are smaller and temperatures are often friendlier for dogs. Many cafés open early, which gives a chance for a calm group breakfast.
If you plan to photograph a large group with Wawel or the Market Square in the background - set a specific meeting point and take photos at the start of the walk. Later it’s easier to get distracted and lose participants.
If you want to visit interiors just “for a moment” - arrange for one person to go in with a list of questions for the guide while the rest enjoy a café or a walk in the Planty. This is often the best way to make sure everyone sees something without leaving the dog unattended.
Krakow is a city to be explored slowly - Kazimierz and Wawel are places that stay in the memory. If you travel with a dog and a large group, good preparation, advance reservations and a clear rotation plan for interiors are key.
If you want, I can help plan a route tailored to a group of 30-60 people (with options for travelers with pets), or you can contact private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — her contact details are available on the guide’s page. If this article was helpful, share it on social media or send it to friends so they can plan a stress-free visit to Krakow!
