Ever wanted to spend summer in Europe but are wary of how doggy-friendly your ideal destination might be? We have listed five European cities that welcome cute, waggy- tailed holidaymakers of the four-legged kind!
Europe’s dog-friendly vacation locations Amsterdam This diverse metropolis, affectionately known as ‘Venice from the North’ boasts beautiful landmarks, café culture and a rich history. Holland itself is incredibly pet friendly, being one of the first countries in the world to have a political party primarily focused on the health and wellbeing of animals. Dogs of any size and breed are allowed to travel on trams, the metro and buses for free. Well, as long as their owners behave! The Rederij Paping canal boat, powered by electricity and solar panels, allows dog passengers on a pet-friendly tour along the Amstel river. Gliding through Amsterdam’s most picturesque canals, it gives your pooch a perfect chance for some sightseeing. Amsterdam’s wealth of parks, (Beatrixpark, Vondelpark and Ooasterpark to name a few), all offer large outside spaces with dog friendly zones where they can swim in the lakes or play ball. Berlin The German capital, rich with unique architecture and culture, offers a relaxing and varied vacation spot not just for German Shepherds, but for all breeds. Dogs are allowed on most forms of transport as long as they are on a lead and have paid a discounted fare. Berlin has a restaurant that caters for hungry dogs. Pets Deli offers gourmet food which has been tailored with its canine customer’s healthy diet in mind. After such tasty treats, several of the city’s parks offer specially approved dog friendly areas, full of lush greenery and undergrowth for you and your best friend to play in. Grunewaldsee, (don’t worry – we have trouble pronouncing it to) is an open, unfenced and off-leash area with scenic forests to explore and beautiful lakes to splash in.
Eiffel Tower, Paris Paris Fancy taking Fido to France? The City of Light is very hospitable for les chiens (that’s dogs to you and I) and is known to be rated as one of the most pet friendly cities in Europe. Roughly 200,000 pooches populate Paris, and they are allowed to accompany their human friends to restaurants, shops, hotels and public transport. The bustling Paris Metro allows small dogs to be carried, or snuggled into a basket, whilst you ride the underground. The RER train service allows bigger dogs, provided they are leashed. Many of the Parisian cafés also allow your furry friend to feel welcome, with some eateries even offering a free seat for such special guests. Prague Prague has a distinctly old world feel, and rivals Paris in terms of beauty. With cobbled streets, picturesque spires and a peaceful, inviting atmosphere, dogs will love to explore this city. Located in the heart of the Czech Republic, this location is brimming with canine inhabitants, with almost 40% of Czechs owning a dog. Many restaurants, pubs, parks and pet stores invite them to stay. In fact, you can even take your pooch to the pictures if you visit Prague’s Aero Cinema. The organisers have held the Aero Dog Film Festival at the venue several times, which offers short movies for mutts and documentaries for owners, as well as activities including dog dancing and agility training. Oslo Norway’s nature and scenery is both incredible and extensive. There are hundreds of miles of cross-country trails within the city boundaries, with little restrictions on where you can walk your dog. For cultured canines, who enjoyed the thought of Prague’s Aero Cinema, Olso offers their own screenings for lucky customers. The Ringen Cinema plays movies in a dynamic environment which is designed to accommodate their hearing and sight, whilst also serving up animal friendly popcorn. Many of the tasty restaurants in the capital – such as the Poke Bowl, the Loving Hut and the Engebret Café – allow pets inside with their owners. Olso is also home to the Thief Hotel, which welcomes both cats and canines to rest their paws and claws. Pets are greeted at reception with a special hamper of goodies which include toys, treats and clean-up bags. The hotel also offers birthday events and a specialised pet menu, as well as sitting and walking services to make your stay as paw-fect as possible. Which cities have you and your dog found welcoming and fun? Let us know by commenting on this blog – we would love to hear from you!
(I wrote this blog entry in 2017 to promote a pet accessories business - Bored Paws - to engage their audience)
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