Before you plan a guided walk along the Royal Route and Wawel — an important question: will your dog be allowed inside all the places you want to see? Short answer: most indoor museum spaces, cathedrals and exhibition rooms do not admit animals (the exception is assistance dogs and other official service animals). This means that when visiting Wawel Cathedral, royal chambers or many indoor exhibition areas, you will usually need to leave your dog outside the building.
Outdoors, along the walking route, you can of course walk with your dog on a leash, but it’s worth planning your route with the places that do not admit animals in mind.
If you are traveling with a class (a school trip) or another larger group, arrange in advance with the trip organizer who will look after the dog during indoor visits — this keeps the tour running smoothly and reduces stress for pupils and the pet.
1) Petsitter / care at the owner’s home - if you prefer your dog to stay in familiar surroundings, book a petsitter who will come to your accommodation: walk the dog, feed and play with them. This is a great solution for dogs that don’t cope well in strange places.
2) Petsitter in the caregiver’s home (home hotel) - your pet stays at a verified caregiver’s house; a good option for social dogs that adapt well to a new home.
3) Dog daycare / doggie day center - leave your dog in a place where they spend a few hours playing with others under staff supervision; ideal if you plan a longer walk through museums.
4) Traditional dog hotel - some facilities will accept short stays or day rates; dog hotels usually provide care, runs and walks.
5) Someone from the group waits with the pet - for school trips it’s practical to arrange a rotation: part of the group visits indoor sites with the guide while the rest stay with the dog (parents, teachers). This is the cheapest option but requires coordination.
Platforms and local petsitting companies: you’ll find individual sitters as well as firms offering home-visit, day-care or 24/7 services. Check reviews, ask for references and arrange a short meet-and-greet before the day of sightseeing.
Dog daycares and centers: pay attention to the staff-to-dog ratio, fenced play areas and intake procedures (vaccinations, socialization checks). A good daycare will accept a dog for a few hours and explain the daily routine.
Dog hotels: in some cases day rates can be negotiated for shorter stays; check sanitary conditions, access to walks and nighttime supervision.
Quick tip when choosing: make sure the place requires up-to-date vaccinations and has clear intake procedures; ask for photos of the play area, know the daily schedule and get the caregiver’s phone number.
In Kraków you’ll find several forms of dog care — from home-based hotels to day centers and platforms that connect sitters with owners. Look for local offers described as home hotel, dog daycare or petsitting platforms that allow booking for a few hours.
If you prefer to wait with your dog in a café, the center has dog-friendly spots such as Forum Przestrzenie along the river — many places have outdoor seating and welcome dogs. Combining a dog-friendly coffee break with someone from your group watching the pet is a practical option.
Note: when choosing a specific business, check opening hours, whether short-term bookings are possible and the rules for admitting a new dog — during the tourist season popular places fill up fast, so booking in advance is essential.
Do not leave your dog alone tied to a tree, bench or post at the entrance to a museum or restaurant — this risks theft, attacks by other animals or severe stress from crowds.
Do not leave a dog locked in a car, even for a few minutes — in hot weather temperatures rise quickly and can be deadly.
Do not rely on a random passerby to look after your dog without prior arrangement — leaving the dog to the care of strangers can end badly.
Do not plan indoor visits without first deciding who will hold the dog; otherwise you waste time and put stress on the pet.
Communication before departure: inform parents, the teacher and the guide that you are traveling with a dog. Decide who among the adults will be responsible for the dog during indoor visits.
Rotation of caretakers: plan a simple rotation — for example, swap the "dog patrol" every 30–45 minutes so nobody gets overloaded.
Plan B: keep a short list of care options (petsitter, dog daycare, hotel) in case a designated adult falls ill or cannot stay with the dog on the day.
Safety and comfort: remember that school groups create many stimuli; if your dog is noise-sensitive, it’s better to arrange external care away from the main route.
Documentation: bring the dog’s health book and the local vet’s phone number — the school and the guide should have a contact in case of emergency.
Health book and proof of vaccinations.
ID tag with a phone number, and ideally an up-to-date microchip.
Enough food for a few meals and a collapsible bowl.
A toy or blanket from home so your dog has a familiar scent.
Leash and, if needed, a muzzle (if your dog tends to bite or the facility requires one).
Information about allergies, medications and routines (daily schedule, favorite calming methods).
By the Vistula: the river boulevards and areas near Forum Przestrzenie are convenient outdoor spots for a short rest — many venues have outdoor seating and tolerate dogs outside.
Dog-friendly cafés: Kraków has cafés welcoming dogs where you can often find water bowls and small treats — a good choice when someone from the group wants to wait with the pet.
Parks and Błonia: for a short stop, Błonia and nearby squares offer space to stretch legs and a quick walk.
Rule of thumb: if you plan to wait near the entrance to a historic site, choose a visible and safe spot and agree on a clear time window with your group.
Up-to-date vaccinations and deworming are usually the minimum required by daycares and dog hotels.
Save the number of the local emergency vet and the address of the nearest clinic — this calms nerves and speeds up help if something happens.
If your dog takes medication, prepare a supply and written instructions; inform the caregiver about doses and times.
Remember tick prevention and insect repellent — a quick patch of grass can bring unwanted visitors even in the city center.
Q: Can I leave my dog in a cloakroom or locker at a museum? - A: Generally no — cloakrooms and lockers are for coats and luggage; they are not intended to hold animals. It’s better to use external care.
Q: Can I leave my dog tied at the entrance to a church or museum? - A: We do not recommend this. It’s a risk for theft, attack by another animal or escape, and it causes great stress for the dog in a crowd.
Q: How long can a dog stay in dog daycare? - A: Good daycares offer daytime care and are prepared for several hours of play; if you plan a longer stay ask about overnight options or flexible packages.
Q: What if my dog doesn’t handle separation well? - A: Consider a petsitter who visits your accommodation or a home hotel where one person looks after the dog — these options are usually less stressful than large groups of unfamiliar dogs.
Q: Will the guide help organize dog care? - A: A guide can advise and help coordinate the sightseeing schedule (for example, suggest the order of visits), but arranging care is usually the owner’s or group organizer’s responsibility.
Scenario A – school trip: a parent brings a dog. They agree with the teacher that two adults remain with the dog on a bench near Wawel while the rest of the class visits the Cathedral and some chambers with the guide. Rotation every 45 minutes.
Scenario B – a couple of tourists: they book a dog daycare for 4 hours, walk the Royal Route and visit the museum rooms; after sightseeing they pick up a rested and exercised dog.
Scenario C – solo traveler with a small dog: the owner arranges a local petsitter to visit the apartment and walk and feed the dog twice during the tour. This suits anxious dogs best.
Plan the dog-care scenario before your trip — good organization is irreplaceable.
Take care of your pet’s comfort: short separations, familiar items and clear instructions for the caregiver are the recipe for a calm visit.
If you travel with a school group — warn everyone in advance, assign responsible people and leave the vet contact.
Use local, verified services (petsitter, dog daycare, dog hotel) — this is the safest way to sightsee with courtesy and peace of mind.
Wishing you a wonderful walk along the Royal Route and a lovely time at Wawel — with well-organized care your dog and you can enjoy Kraków worry-free!
