I love my four-legged friend more than anything. He goes everywhere with me. When I decided to move to Central Europe, I did a lot of research. I wanted to know which are the Best Dog Friendly Cities in the Czech Republic.
Let me tell you right now that this place is a dream for pet owners. You might be surprised to learn that almost 41 per cent of households here have at least one dog. This makes the country the third most populated by dogs in Europe, just behind Romania and Poland. A dog lover’s heaven? Absolutely.
First of all, I noticed that people here just really take kindly to dogs. It is a great way to meet your neighbours and talk to strangers. Even the most serious people will smile when they see a sweet pup. Additionally, Czech dogs are often very well-mannered and socialized.
This creates a cycle where dogs are trained well, so they go out in public more, and they become even better behaved. Plus, there is no better feeling than sitting in a cafe with your best friend at your feet.
However, you must know the rules before you pack your bags. This long guide will cover everything from the busy streets of Prague to the quiet trails of Bohemian Switzerland.
I will share my personal stories and all the data I found along the way. Therefore, keep reading to plan your perfect trip. Is this the best dog friendly country watch till end to find out.
Is Prague the Top Choice?
Is prague dog friendly? I get this question all the time from other travellers. The answer is a giant yes. Prague reportedly has more pet dogs than any other city in the entire world. I visited the capital to celebrate my birthday and I took my Chihuahua, Ruby, with me.
She felt right at home immediately. Similarly, a Golden Retriever named Luna recently tested the city and gave it a high score for affordability and parks.
When you walk around the Old Town, you will see dogs everywhere. I love that dogs are welcome on a leash in the historic streets. You can even take your dog to the Prague Castle grounds for free, though they cannot go inside the buildings.
On top of that, there are so many green spaces. Letna Park has a huge off-leash area where my dog ran for an hour with local Czech Shepherds. The view over the Vltava River from there is stunning.
First of all, let us look at some of the best parks in Prague for your dog:
- Vítkov Park: Dogs can run off-leash here.
- Petřín Hill: This spot offers expansive green areas and great views.
- Kampa Island: This is perfect for a quiet walk by the water.
- Chotkovy Sady: This public urban park was founded in 1832 and is perfect for walks.
Later, you might want to try a river cruise. Some boat operators like Paroplavba allow small and medium dogs on board. Prague Boats also lets dogs join sightseeing cruises. Just imagine the wind in your dog’s fur as you float past the Charles Bridge. It is truly magical.
Dining and Transport in the Capital
You will never go hungry in Prague with a dog. Most restaurants are very welcoming. I visited Cathedral Café, which has a beautiful little patio.
Another great spot is Certovka Restaurant, which has a big terrace with views of the bridge. Additionally, Vegan’s Prague allows dogs inside, but you have to climb a lot of stairs to get there.
However, you should be aware of a few things. Some places in the Old Town Square might deny you entry if it is too crowded. I always look for a pictograph sticker on the door. If a shop or cafe does not allow dogs, they will have a clear sign.
Most of the time, the staff will even bring a bowl of water for your dog without you asking. I call these “dog bars”.
Public transport in Prague is also a huge win. Your dog can ride the metro, trams, and city buses at no extra cost if you have a valid ticket for yourself. Though, there are rules you must follow. Your dog should technically be on a leash and wear a muzzle. While people do not always enforce this, you risk a fine of up to 1,000 CZK if you break the rules. Plus, do not let your dog sit on the seats.
If you use the metro, be careful on the escalators. It is better to carry your dog or practice in a quiet area first. Additionally, only one dog can be on a tram or bus at a time unless they belong to the same person or are service dogs. Therefore, you should always signal the driver by raising your arm if you want to board with a dog.
Exploring Brno: The Heart of Moravia
Brno is the second largest city and it is a hidden gem. I found it to be very dog friendly. The city has a vibrant dog culture that reflects how much locals love their pets. There are over 29 dog-friendly parks in Brno. The average rating for these parks is 4.5 stars.
First of all, you should visit Lužánky Park or Denis Gardens. These places are full of lush greenery. I took a long walk up the Spilberk Castle hill. Many cafes there have water bowls ready for your pup. Henry, my dog, really enjoyed the shade of the trees there.
See more about : Best Dog Friendly Cities in the Czech Republic
Later, we went to some great pubs. Stopkova Plzeňská Pivnice has a big sign at the door that says dogs are welcome. They serve hearty Czech food, and the portions are massive. Similarly, Lokál U Caipla is a great place for beer where many people bring their dogs inside. If you prefer a coffee, Podnik café bar is another tried-and-tested spot.
Brno also makes it easy to find supplies. I went to DM Drogerie Market to find specific food for sensitive dogs. There are also many independent pet shops in the city. Therefore, you do not have to worry if you run out of treats.
One interesting thing about Brno is the local dog tax. If you stay in the city for more than 90 days, you have to register your dog and pay a yearly fee. The cost is about 1,500 CZK for an apartment or 1,000 CZK for a house in some districts. You will get a dog tag that your pet should wear on their collar. The police sometimes do random checks for these tags.
Relaxing in Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary is a famous spa town. You might think a fancy place like this would not like dogs. On the contrary, I found it very easy to enjoy with a pet. Most of the attractions are outdoors. You can walk down the river colonnades or hike in the hills.
About 75 per cent of hotels in Karlovy Vary accept dogs. I was amazed that even the high-end Grandhotel Pupp is welcoming to pets. Our dog was even allowed in Becher’s Bar there. Additionally, there are over 53 hotels with spas in the area that allow dogs, like the Carlsbad Plaza Medical Spa.
However, dogs cannot go inside the covered walkways of the hot spring colonnades. This is not a big problem because you are only a few feet away from the springs. You can see the Vřídlo geyser through the glass pavilion even if your dog stays outside.
What I loved most were the hiking trails. The city is near the Slavkov Forest. I took the funicular up to Diana Tower. Dogs can ride the funicular if you buy them a ticket. At the top, there is a dog-friendly restaurant and a mini zoo. If you have a big dog that needs more exercise, try the trail to Goethe’s Lookout Tower. It is less crowded and very peaceful.
Industrial and Green Ostrava
Ostrava is another city that surprised me. It has over 12 dog-friendly parks. The community there gives these parks an average rating of 5 stars. It is a great place for an ideal off-leash spot or a family-friendly weekend outing.
I used an app called DogPack to find the best spots there. It is very easy to find parks suited for big or small dogs by using filters. Gradually, Ostrava is becoming one of the best cities for dogs 2026 as it continues to improve its green spaces. Therefore, do not skip it if you are in the Moravia-Silesian region.
Hiking in Bohemian Switzerland
If you want a two-day break in nature, you must go to Bohemian Switzerland. It is just a two-hour drive from Prague. This area became a National Park in the year 2000. Because of this, you must stay on the official trails.
I arrived in Mezní Louka and did the “Little Arch Trail”. It is about 15 kilometres and takes roughly 3 hours. The landscape is full of sandstone rocks and soft white sand. Later, I walked to the Pravčický brána, which is the biggest natural sandstone arch in Europe. It is truly breath-taking.
First of all, you should know that dogs should be on a leash here to protect the wildlife. The forests have deer, wild boar, and even the Eurasian lynx. I stayed at U Fořta’s haylofts in Mezní Louka. The rooms were spacious enough for a dog bed and a blanket. They charge a small cleaning fee of 4 Euro for a dog.
However, some parts of the park are hard for dogs. I tried to go up to Saunstein, but the only way up is a ladder. That is impossible with a dog. Similarly, the Narrow Steps are too steep for human-sized paws. Luckily, there are always alternative routes that go around these steep parts. Plus, the winter weather can make the stones very slippery, so be careful. Best Dog Friendly Cities in the Czech Republic.
Logistics and Import Rules
You cannot just bring a dog across the border without paperwork. If you are coming from an EU country, you need three things:
- Animal Identification: A microchip that meets ISO standards.
- Rabies Vaccination: This is required from 12 weeks of age. You must wait 21 days after the first shot before you can travel.
- Pet Passport: A uniform document valid in all EU states.
If you come from a non-EU country, the rules are stricter. You might need a rabies titer test three months before you arrive. Additionally, you need a health certificate endorsed by a government veterinarian. There is no quarantine if you meet all these rules.
When I think about global travel, I wonder about other regions. I often see people asking about the best dog breeds for eu. While that is far from the Czech Republic, it shows that people everywhere want to travel with their pets. Though the climate in Bangladesh is very hot, some breeds handle it better than others. In the Czech Republic, the mild weather is perfect for almost any breed.
Travel by Train and Car
I prefer the train when I travel with my dog. Dogs are well-connected by train in this country. Small dogs in a carrier often travel for free on Deutsche Bahn or for a small fee on local lines. I used the Muy Vlak app to buy my tickets. You can even book a dog ticket right in the app.
Additionally, the U28 “national park train” connects the German and Czech parts of the mountains. You can buy tickets in Euro inside the train. This makes it very convenient for a day trip.
If you drive a car, parking can be expensive. In Prague, it can cost 30 EUR per day. In smaller towns like Hřensko, I paid about 30 CZK per hour to park near the trails. Therefore, plan your budget ahead of time.
Your Legal Rights as a Dog Owner
I was happy to find out that the law is on your side if you live here. A landlord cannot forbid you from keeping a dog in your apartment. Even if the lease says no pets, that rule has no legal effect. The Civil Code protects your right to use the apartment in a normal way. Best Dog Friendly Cities in the Czech Republic.
However, you must not cause a nuisance to your neighbours. If your dog is very loud or smells bad, the landlord can ask you to remove the animal. Similarly, you must pay for any extra maintenance if your dog makes the common areas dirty. Plus, some landlords might try to raise the rent, so be careful during your search.
Why This is the Best Dog Friendly Country
Finally, I want to summarize why I love this place. It is not just about the parks or the cafes. It is the whole atmosphere. I saw dogs on the river in rafts and canoes. I even took my dog to the Prague Zoo. They have special dog admission prices and water stations all over the park. He was in absolute dog heaven watching the elephants.
You can find paper poo bags for free in many city dispensers. These bags even come with a little cardboard shovel. This makes cleaning up after your dog very easy. Gradually, you will see that every part of life here includes your pet.
From the Best Dog Friendly Cities in the Czech Republic like Prague and Brno to the hiking trails of the north, you will always feel welcome. Whether you are looking for the Best Dog Friendly Cities in the Czech Republic or just a quiet spot for a beer, this country has it all.
Therefore, do not leave your best friend at home. Pack a bag, grab a leash, and come see why this is a haven for dog lovers. I promise you will have a fantastic time. Plus, you might even make some new human friends along the way. Safe travels to you and your pup!
FAQ
Can dogs visit the interiors of famous Czech castles?
Generally, dogs are not permitted inside castle buildings or historical interiors. However, they are often welcome to walk through the castle grounds on a leash and with a muzzle, such as at Prague Castle and Karlštejn Castle.
Are there specialized bakeries for dogs in these cities?
Yes, Liberec is home to a dedicated dog bakery called Bone Apetit. This shop offers 100% natural treats, cakes, and granules made from quality meat and vegetables for your pet.
Is it mandatory to pay for a dog on all city public transport?
Fees vary by city. In Liberec, dogs travel for free on local transport if they are muzzled and leashed. In Prague, they can also travel for free within city limits if the owner has a 24-hour or longer pass. However, in cities like Brno and Olomouc, a reduced fare ticket is typically required.
Concluding Words
The Czech Republic is a premier destination for pet owners, with cities like Prague, Olomouc, Ostrava, and Liberec offering exceptional dog-friendly amenities. Visitors can enjoy extensive off-leash parks in Prague, scenic riverside walks in Olomouc, and vast mountain trails near Liberec.
While travelers must follow local etiquette—such as muzzling pets on public transport and picking up waste—the country’s welcoming cafes, affordable train travel, and pet-friendly accommodations make it a top choice for a vacation with your dog.
