Travel is so much better with your four-legged pal in tow, but where to go when you want to be sure of a warm welcome? From bars that welcome pooches to pet-friendly boat trips and thrilling city walks, here’s a look at the best things to do with your fur baby in five fabulous cities — and where to stay that will accept your pup with open arms when you’re visiting.
As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.
Boats and Big Bridges in Pet-Friendly London
Brits are known for their love of animals, so you won’t be surprised to learn that London is one of Europe’s most pet-friendly cities.
Start the day treasure-hunting for vintage goods at Spitalfields, the city’s oldest market, and then whisk your pal to pet-friendly Tower Bridge to enjoy jaw-dropping skyline views from the top of London’s most iconic landmark.
From the 18th-century gardens of Chiswick House to Crystal Palace’s statue-lined alleys, there are plenty of leafy parks for exercise in the U.K.’s hip capital. But if your pet has an adventurous streak, why not rent a self-driving electric GoBoat and together buzz through Regents Canal and up to Camden Locks in style?
With super-comfy rooms and London’s first canine “Dogtails” cocktail list (which includes favorites such as the Poochie Colada), as well as its proximity to the “walkies-friendly” Royal Parks, Sheraton Grand London Park Lane is guaranteed to woo both you and your pet.
Gaudí and Good Food in Barkworthy Barcelona
Spain’s coolest Catalonian city is packed with pet-friendly activities. Start your day in the blissfully shady alleys of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. Then head to the hip El Born district where your pal will love sniffing around La Boqueria, Barcelona’s food market, which has been around since medieval times.
Grab bocadillos (sandwiches) stuffed with succulent slivers of Iberico ham and follow the Barceloneta coastal path to pet-friendly Llevant beach. After a splash in the sea, culture-loving canines should stroll the chic boutique-lined Passeig de Gracia to see Antoni Gaudí’s iconic Casa Batlló.
End the day at The Electricitat, a traditional tapas bar where dogs are welcome and you can feast on black sausage (morcilla frita) and other finger-licking treats.
With an in-room doggie dining menu, cozy canine beds and a designated pet turndown service, your pooch might never want to leave W Barcelona.
Golf and Gourmet Food Trucks in Dog-Loving Dubai
With all its glitz and glam, the City of Gold is super pet-friendly. Start your day with a lazy brunch then head out for a round of golf at Els Club, where dogs are welcome at the golf club restaurant.
If your fido isn’t a fan of bogies and birdies, make a beeline for My Second Home, the world’s largest indoor dog park, where luxurious facilities include a designated pet pool.
End your day on Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz, a trendy district where you and your pet can people watch as you fill up on yummy treats from one of the gourmet food trucks that line the street.
Luxury loving pets will adore the bed treats, turndown toys and designated fur baby menu at W Dubai – The Palm.
Parks and Pierogi in Woof-Loving Warsaw
Thankfully, for travelers with dogs, Poland’s lovely riverside capital is opening up to four-legged tourism.
Leashed and muzzled dogs travel for free on public transportation in Warsaw, so zip over to the city’s UNESCO World Heritage–listed Old Town with your pet. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along cobblestone streets lined with medieval buildings; then grab a terrace seat at Zachcianek in Rynek Starego Miasta, the bustling main square. Here you can share meat-filled or spinach pierogi dumplings with your pal before browsing quirky shops and spectacular street art in boho neighborhood Kazimierz.
End your day at Ogród Krasińskich, a dog park where your pet can let off steam on the agility slalom.
If there’s a paradise for pets, centrally situated The Westin Warsaw — with sweet-sleep-inducing Heavenly Beds for dogs (as well as humans!) — is it.
Burgers and Beautiful Beaches in Canine-Cool Abu Dhabi
The UAE’s glitzy capital and home of the majestic Louvre Abu Dhabi, this art-loving city has plenty for pleasure-loving pooches to enjoy.
The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital’s adventure park — where dogs can test their agility while owners learn more about the royal falcons that are treated in this fascinating animal rescue facility — is the perfect place for fur babies to stretch their (four) legs.
When your hungry pal starts hankering for a treat, head on over to SALT in Umm Al Emarat and share one of their mouthwatering burgers before hitting the beach. Best of the bunch is Yas Island’s immense, golden-sand-strewn Kite Surfing Beach, where happy hounds can run off leash.
Tails are sure to wag when you book a luxurious P.A.W.esome Retreat package at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, the capital’s only pet-friendly hotel.
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