Exploring Kraków with a dog

A month ago, on August 26th, we celebrated International Dog Day. Many of us have a four-legged companion at home. And while traveling with a cat usually means isolating it in a carrier, with a dog you can confidently explore the world together. Flying with a dog is a separate topic—today, let’s focus on where you can go with your pup in Kraków.

Kraków tour with a dog – The Old Town: Practical Tips

Let’s start with the most popular tour in Kraków: the Old Town. Most of the sightseeing takes place outdoors, so bringing your dog along is no problem. Naturally, dogs aren’t allowed inside churches, but you can admire and discuss them from the outside. The same rule applies to Kraków’s museums and the Wawel Hill area. The courtyard of Collegium Maius—the oldest building of the Jagiellonian University—also doesn’t allow dogs. However, you can still enjoy the Barbican with its preserved city walls, Floriańska Street, the stunning Main Market Square, the University District, and the Wawel Castle from the outside—with your dog and a guide—making the experience as enriching as possible.

See also: Krakow in two days

Kraków tour with a dog – Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter: Practical Tips

There’s an old Jewish saying: “A Jew with a dog is either not a Jew or a dog,” rooted in the fact that orthodox Jews traditionally weren’t allowed to keep dogs. Still, Kazimierz—with its dozens of standing synagogues—can be explored with a dog, and ideally with both a dog and a guide. Just like churches, active synagogues don’t allow dogs inside. During my tours, we usually enter a former synagogue, where I explain what a synagogue is and how it’s structured. The staff at the bookstore located in the former synagogue are always happy to welcome dogs. This applies to other parts of Kraków too—there are minor restrictions, but you can see the vast majority of the city with your dog.

Dog? Don’t Buy—Adopt!

To wrap up, let me introduce you to Zamek, with whom I’ve shared a bachelor’s life for nearly six years. At the start of the pandemic in April 2020, I decided it was time to get a dog. For me, there was no other option than adopting from a shelter. You couldn’t choose in person—maybe for the best—so I picked a small Jack Russell-type mix from a catalog, then 2.5 years old, named Zamek. A bundle of energy, stubborn but obedient, incredibly smart. In the photos—alongside dogs from my tours—you’ll also see a white female dog named Mafia, also rescued, in her case saved from a chain in a mountain resort. Don’t buy a dog—adopt one. See you in Kraków!