Top 10 destinations to discover with your dog in Europe
Looking for a dog-friendly destination in Europe for your next holiday with your dog? Discover the 10 most welcoming countries for your holiday with your dog, from France to Sweden via the Netherlands and Italy.
In Europe, the level of acceptance for dogs varies considerably from one country to another. Between those that are developing real infrastructure for dogs, those that welcome them in restaurants or on public transport, and those where dogs are unwelcome, it's best to know where you're going with your dog in Europe.
While preparing this article, I came across the 2026 ranking published by the travel agency TUI, which analyzes the European countries most suitable for road trips with a dog.
So, drawing inspiration from this study, along with my travels with Musher and your many comments, I've put together a list of the best European destinations for traveling with your dog . From Italian dog-friendly beaches to Danish forests perfect for running free, and including particularly welcoming Dutch cities, let me take you on a journey to discover our favorite dog-friendly spots across Europe!
Table of contents
🇫🇷 Discover France with your dog
You don't need to go far to discover wonders. France remains one of the most accessible destinations for traveling with your dog in Europe, while exploring an exceptional diversity of landscapes.
Between the red rocks of the Colorado Provençale, the vertiginous cliffs of Étretat, the vast salt marshes of the Camargue, and the turquoise waters of the Verdon, you're sure to discover hidden gems with your dog without traveling too far. And that's not even mentioning the diverse mountain ranges: the Alps, the Pyrenees, or the volcanoes of the Auvergne.
👉 If you want to discover France with your dog, you can consult our articles for travelling in the South of France , the North of France or the Centre of France with your dog.
To explore one of these beautiful French regions with your dog, I recommend choosing accommodation with the QUALIDOG label 🎖️. It's currently the only label in Europe that certifies genuine dog-friendly accommodations thanks to precise selection criteria. If, like me, you enjoy traveling with peace of mind, you can find all the QUALIDOG-certified dog-friendly accommodations on EmmèneTonChien.com.
Traveling locally means less hassle with travel, administrative procedures (dog vaccinations and such), and a reduced carbon footprint, without compromising on the quality of the landscapes and experiences shared with your dog.
If you prefer to continue your adventure abroad, remember to check the travel regulations before you leave to ensure a smooth trip with your dog in Europe. 👉 To learn about the rules for traveling in Europe with your dog, feel free to consult our article on traveling in Europe with a dog.
🇳🇱 Visiting the Netherlands with your dog
The Netherlands' biggest strength is how easily dogs are integrated everywhere.
They travel free on public transport when carried in a bag and can also travel on trains with a specific low-cost day ticket when kept on a leash.
Cafes, breweries and restaurants generally welcome them with pleasure, while hotels are particularly accessible.
A must-do activity with your dog in spring: a visit to Keukenhof Gardens , considered the most beautiful tulip park in the country. The surrounding tulip fields offer spectacular scenery.
To discover the Dutch soul, I recommend iconic cities like Amsterdam , Delft, Haarlem, Zaanse Schans, Marken, and Volendam. Each of these cities possesses its own unique identity, with historic canals, windmills, and distinctive architecture.
Nature lovers will appreciate the De Hoge Veluwe National Park , while Zeeland charms visitors with its vast beaches (most of which are dog-friendly, such as Veerse Meer Beach or Nieuwvliet-Bad Beach) and its maritime atmosphere. For a more unusual activity, the Pantropica greenhouse offers the chance to explore a vast indoor tropical world.
Be aware, however, that wild camping and even simply spending the night in a campervan are strictly prohibited throughout the country. If you are traveling by van in the Netherlands, you cannot spend the night just anywhere. The ideal solution is to stay in campsites, designated areas (camperplaatsen), or any other location where regulations expressly permit overnight parking.
👉 Want to discover the Netherlands with your dog? Check out our article on Visiting the Netherlands and Amsterdam with your dog.
🇩🇪 Staying in Germany with your dog
Dogs are also very well integrated into daily life in Germany.
They are welcome in most restaurants, often right inside, where a bowl of water frequently arrives even before you ask for it. The Falstaff restaurant guide lists more than 2,300 establishments that officially accept pets. Nearly 70% of hotels also welcome them, usually for an extra charge.
Transport is just as convenient since Deutsche Bahn allows small dogs free of charge in a transport crate and larger ones with a reduced fare ticket.
As for destinations, the Black Forest remains a sure bet for hiking enthusiasts. In Bavaria, Lake Eibsee offers spectacular turquoise waters at the foot of the Zugspitze peak, while the Partnachklamm Gorge provides an impressive hike through a canyon. Berchtesgaden National Park and Lake Königssee are among the most beautiful alpine landscapes in the country.
I also like to recommend Munich for its relaxed atmosphere and the villages of Oberammergau and Mittenwald, famous for their magnificent painted facades.
In Germany, legislation regarding wild camping is determined by the 16 federal states (Länder). Therefore, the rules vary from region to region, although the practice remains prohibited in the vast majority of the country. These rules exclude motorhomes and campervans. Overnight parking of these vehicles is strictly prohibited in German natural areas.
👉 Want to discover Germany with your dog? Don't hesitate to consult our article on travelling in Germany with your dog.
👋 Musher's great deal
Dog food, supplies, grooming, vacations… the cost of a dog can quickly add up. So, with Musher, we created the Advantage Card : the very first card that brings together useful discounts to save you money all year round, on everyday expenses or vacations. 💸 See the 34 available discounts
🇦🇹 Spend your next vacation in Austria with your dog
Austria is an ideal destination for travelers who enjoy alternating between hiking, swimming, and heritage.
Dogs are very welcome here. They are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and on ÖBB national railway trains when they travel on a leash or in a carrier.
Tyrol, south of the Alps, boasts memorable mountain landscapes, while Salzburg, both the region and the city, is distinguished by the perfect blend of a baroque and musical urban gem, inextricably linked to Mozart, and a spectacular Alpine region shaped by its majestic lakes and rich salt-related history. Vienna is a grand imperial capital that merges the splendor of the Habsburgs and grand waltz balls with the artistic effervescence of Klimt and the legendary charm of its traditional coffee houses.
But the real gem, in my opinion, remains the Salzkammergut region. This lake district is particularly appealing for a holiday with your dog thanks to its numerous opportunities for swimming and hiking in idyllic landscapes. The tourist office even lists several official dog-friendly beaches.
In Austria, wild camping and bivouacking are illegal. Only emergency alpine bivouacking is tolerated, meaning an unintentional emergency setup caused by nightfall, an accident, or bad weather.
🇮🇹 Traveling in Italy with your dog
Italy is one of the most attractive destinations in Europe for travelling with your dog, thanks to the diversity of its landscapes, from mountains to sea, but also to its rich culture and gastronomy.
Contrary to popular belief, dogs are generally prohibited from public beaches from May 1st to September 30th. However, the country more than compensates with numerous beaches specifically designed for dogs, known as Bau Beaches.
Tuscany is the most advanced region in this area. The famous Dog Beach di San Vincenzo allows dogs to run and swim freely off-leash in a designated area. In Emilia-Romagna, Rimini offers numerous Bagni (private beach clubs) equipped with agility courses, shaded areas, and sometimes even menus specially designed for dogs.
To legally access these spaces, you must have your dog's up-to-date European passport, respect a leash of 1,50 m maximum (officially) and keep a muzzle within reach.
In restaurants, dogs are generally welcome on the terrace and often accepted inside. Hotels are among the most pet-friendly in Europe.
Ferry crossings on Lake Como or Lake Maggiore are particularly beautiful, as are the landscapes of the Via Francigena and the Val d'Orcia, hikes and visits to the villages of the Cinque Terre , or the discovery of iconic cities like Rome , Venice and Naples.
One particularly interesting point: the archaeological sites of Pompeii and, under certain conditions, Herculaneum accept dogs, which remains rare for major historical sites.
In Italy, legislation distinguishes between camping and simply parking. Sleeping in a properly parked vehicle is generally permitted as long as no camping equipment is set up outside. However, many tourist municipalities, particularly along the coast, may prohibit this practice locally.
👉 Want to visit Italy with your dog? Follow Cynthia and Romain's road trip from Brittany to Italy with a dog and a baby , with 3 episodes through Northern Italy.
🇩🇰 Explore Denmark with your dog
Denmark's most distinctive feature is its Hundeskove, literally "dog forests." Unlike what you find in most countries, these aren't small fenced-in areas in cities, but rather large, wooded plots of several hectares where dogs can run free, under the supervision of their owners. The country boasts over 250 of them!
Furthermore, pet-friendly accommodations are excellent. Hotels readily accept dogs, while restaurants generally allow them on their terraces. However, they are almost always prohibited inside restaurants for hygiene reasons.
Before leaving, however, check that your dog does not belong to one of the 13 breeds banned from entering the country by the Hundeloven. Crossbreeds are also affected, and it is recommended to travel with official documents proving your dog's origin.
Among the must-see attractions, I recommend the Viking Centre in Ribe, the oldest town in Denmark, as well as Lindholm Høje, an impressive Viking cemetery overlooking the Limfjord. Nature lovers will appreciate the Lille Vildmose nature reserve, one of the largest wilderness areas in the country.
In Copenhagen , Frederiksberg Park and Amager Strandpark offer lovely walks. Dyrehaven is also a must-see, with 1,000 hectares of royal forest and a healthy deer population.
On the island of Bornholm, the cliffs of Hammeren and the coastal paths offer some of the most beautiful panoramas in the country.
Wild camping is prohibited in most of Denmark (forests, beaches, protected areas, and private land). However, the law allows for one night's rest in a campervan in public parking lots, provided it is a simple overnight stop without setting up camp outside.
🇭🇷 Take a trip to Croatia with your dog
Croatia stands out as one of the most attractive destinations in the Balkans for travelling with your dog.
The country has successfully developed a truly dog-friendly tourism sector, particularly along its coastline where there is a wide range of dog-friendly infrastructure. Restaurants and coastal terraces readily welcome dogs, while hotels and campsites are overwhelmingly pet-friendly.
Croatia also boasts another highly desirable feature: dogs are welcome in all of the country's national parks. However, in iconic locations such as Plitvice Lakes National Park, they must be kept on a leash at all times, including on electric boats and scenic trains. Swimming in the lakes is strictly prohibited to protect this exceptional ecosystem.
One of the most famous places in the country remains Monty's Dog Beach & Bar , located in Crikvenica and on the island of Rab. On Podvorska beach , where dogs can roam off-leash, the bar even offers unusual specialties such as dog beer made with broth, adapted pizzas, and ice cream specially designed for them.
Exploring the Croatian islands is also a must. Hvar, Brač, Krk, and Korčula are easily accessible thanks to the national airline Jadrolinija.
On conventional car ferries, dogs travel free on the outer decks. Large breeds must wear a muzzle, and animals are not allowed in the air-conditioned interior lounges. On fast catamarans, only small dogs carried in a bag are generally accepted.
I also recommend a visit to the Roman amphitheater of Pula (where dogs are allowed), one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in the entire Mediterranean.
In Croatia, wild camping in a campervan is strictly prohibited by law. However, some tolerance exists in remote rural areas.
👉 Are you heading to Croatia soon with your dog? Check out our article on going on holiday to Croatia with your dog!
🇸🇪 Traveling across Sweden with your dog
Sweden appeals to travelers who dream of nature, freedom and outdoor activities to share with their dog.
Welcoming dogs relies on a balance between respecting the environment and providing suitable infrastructure. Hotels are generally very well equipped, and dogs are increasingly accepted inside dog-friendly cafes and restaurants, as well as on their terraces.
In transport, the SJ railway company and the local Waxholmsbolaget ferries offer dedicated spaces for dogs, often free or at a reduced rate.
Before your arrival, don't forget an important formality: the mandatory entry declaration for your dog to Swedish customs via the Tullverket website.
One of the most beautiful routes in the country: the Kungsleden, the famous Royal Route that crosses the magnificent landscapes of Lapland. Stockholm is distinguished by its 20th-century "Nordic Classicism" architectural style focused on social well-being, while its gastronomy pulsates to the rhythm of the daily Fika (coffee break) and Husmanskost, the traditional comfort food of Swedish countryside.
The principle of Allemansrätt (the right of access to nature) allows very easy access to nature, but it comes with an essential rule: from March 1st to August 20th, dogs must be kept on a leash in natural areas in order to protect wildlife during the breeding season.
Among my favorites, I would also mention the Drottningholm Royal Estate . Dogs can roam freely through the gardens, canals, and green spaces of the estate. A small island in the park even has a large, secure area where they can play freely.
Water sports enthusiasts will appreciate the many canoeing and kayaking opportunities in Bohuslän or around Lake Vänern.
For a truly unique experience, the city of Gothenburg regularly organizes Hundbio screenings. Hundbio refers to specially adapted Swedish cinema screenings where viewers can watch a film accompanied by their dog. The sound is turned down, the lights are dimmed, and each dog has its own space with a mat and treats.
The well-known right of access to nature (Allemansrätt) does not apply to motorized vehicles. However, it is still possible to park and sleep for up to 24 hours in certain public roadside parking areas, provided that no local prohibitions apply.
🇧🇪 Discover Belgium with your dog
Belgium is one of the easiest destinations to discover with your dog thanks to its particularly smooth welcome.
Dogs travel free on SNCB trains when transported in a carrier. Larger dogs can also travel for an additional fee.
In everyday life, they are accepted by default in a large majority of restaurants, brasseries and hotels.
The Belgian Ardennes are an ideal playground for hiking enthusiasts, with their forests, valleys and numerous rivers.
The High Fens Nature Park offers unique landscapes of peat bogs and wild heathland. To protect the local wildlife, dogs must be kept strictly on a leash. In some sensitive areas of the reserve, dogs are even prohibited on certain elevated wooden walkways. I therefore advise you to stick to the marked trails identified by a green dog pictogram.
The Domaine des Grottes de Han is also worth a visit. Unlike many European tourist caves, dogs are allowed on the standard tour provided they are kept on a leash.
For a city break, Bruges and Brussels are among the most pleasant cities in the country. A canal cruise in Bruges offers a different perspective of the city, while the Bois de la Cambre and the Sonian Forest provide beautiful green spaces just outside Brussels.
Wild camping is prohibited in Belgium. Spending the night in a vehicle may sometimes be tolerated in certain public car parks to rest before continuing the journey, but this tolerance often disappears in tourist or coastal areas.
👉 Want to discover Belgium with your dog? Don't hesitate to read our article on Discovering Belgium with your dog!
🇨🇭 Going to visit Switzerland with your dog
Switzerland boasts spectacular alpine scenery in every season. It's clearly one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe to explore with your dog.
Dogs are welcome in most hotels, restaurants, and on public transport. Swiss Federal Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) offers a Dog Day Pass, which allows use of the entire national rail network.
Note: the OSAV strictly prohibits dogs with cropped ears or tails from entering the territory.
The Jungfrau and Grindelwald region is among the most beautiful mountain destinations in Europe. Dogs are welcome on many cable cars and cogwheel trains, providing easy access to the high-altitude trails.
In Zermatt, they can accompany you on hiking trails facing the Matterhorn and travel on board the famous Gornergrat train.
The Aare Gorge offers a spectacular walk between towering cliffs, while the Rhine Falls impress with their power. Dogs can access the viewing platforms free of charge and board certain tourist boats, including those of Rheinfall Schifffahrt Mändli, provided they remain calm during the crossing.
Regulations vary entirely between cantons and municipalities. Wild camping is generally prohibited in nature reserves, protected parks, and major tourist resorts. However, some cantons tolerate discreet bivouacking or overnight rest under very specific conditions.
👉 Are you going to Switzerland soon with your dog? Check out our article on holidays in Switzerland with a dog!
🇪🇸 Going on holiday to Spain with your dog
Spain is among the destinations that have made the most progress in recent years in terms of welcoming dogs.
Long more restrictive than its northern European neighbors, it now benefits from the Ley de Bienestar Animal (Law for the Protection of Animal Rights and Welfare) which has greatly improved the place given to animals in society.
Dogs are now allowed on terraces and can also enter the vast majority of bars and restaurants.
The availability of pet-friendly accommodation has also increased significantly, particularly in Catalonia and Galicia. Many hotels provide dog-friendly amenities in their rooms, even without prior request.
Hiking enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy in the Aragonese Pyrenees, Catalonia, or the Picos de Europa. However, in national parks, dogs must be kept on a leash to protect wildlife.
For an urban stay, Gijón, Barcelona and Valencia regularly feature among the most welcoming cities for dog owners.
The Balearic Islands are also an excellent destination. I recommend taking the ferry with Corsica Ferries: special pet cabins, dedicated dog areas, and dogs are welcome everywhere, including in the restaurants.
Be careful on the beaches. From May 1st to September 30th, dogs are prohibited on the vast majority of beaches in the archipelago. In Mallorca, however, several beaches are specifically reserved for them, including Na Patana , Es Carnatge , Cala de Gats , Llenaire , Cala Blanca and Punta Marroig.
I also recommend the villages of Valldemossa, Fornalutx, and Sóller, whose shaded alleyways are perfect for strolling. The historic train in Sóller also accepts dogs under certain conditions.
👉 If you would like to know more about the Balearic Islands with your dog, feel free to check out The Balearic Islands: your dog will love his holiday!
National legislation generally permits sleeping in a properly parked vehicle as long as no camping equipment is visible. However, regions, municipalities, and coastal areas frequently impose additional restrictions, particularly near beaches and nature parks.
I hope I've helped you choose your next trip to Europe with your dog! Or maybe you're like me and now want to explore everything 😂 Anyway, Europe is full of beautiful destinations. In any case, I think you won't be disappointed!
If you are interested in the ranking that inspired this article, here is the link to TUI's study on the most welcoming countries for a road trip with your dog.
And you, what's your favorite European destination with your dog? 👇 Feel free to share your experiences, favorite spots, and tips in the comments to inspire other travelers!
