Europe is generally pet-friendly but varies meaningfully. Here's the honest sort.
Tier 1 — exceptionally dog-friendly
- Vienna: Dogs allowed in most restaurants and metro. Tradition stretches back centuries.
- Berlin: Dogs everywhere — restaurants, cafés, public transport.
- Munich: Bavarian beer-garden tradition includes dogs.
- Copenhagen: Dog-friendly restaurants common; cafés have water bowls outside.
- Amsterdam: Dogs allowed on trams. Most parks dog-friendly.
Tier 2 — strong pet-friendly
- Paris (specifically the Marais): Dogs in restaurants common. Hôtel Le Bristol famously pet-friendly.
- Lisbon, Porto: Atlantic-coast cities with growing pet culture.
- Madrid, Barcelona: Increasingly pet-friendly; outdoor cafés welcome.
- Stockholm, Helsinki: Nordic acceptance.
Tier 3 — workable with planning
- London: Dogs welcome at many pubs. Tube has restrictions; verify.
- Italy (Rome, Florence): Dogs allowed in some restaurants; check before going.
- Most Eastern European cities: Acceptance growing but inconsistent.
Cities where pet travel is harder
- Greek islands beyond Athens: Difficult for pet travel.
- Smaller Mediterranean coast resort towns: Often beach restrictions.
- Most cruise ports: Pet travel by cruise is complicated.
EU pet travel basics
- EU pet passport required for travel between EU countries.
- Microchip + rabies vaccination essential.
- Some countries (UK, Ireland, Malta) require additional checks.
- Verify each airline's pet policies — some allow in-cabin, some only checked.
Strategy
Book pet-friendly accommodation 2-3 months ahead. Some hotels charge €15-€50 pet fees. Restaurants often welcome dogs but verify before going.