The top 5 destinations to holiday with your dog

Is your dog coming with you on holiday? Then let’s go! There are a couple of things to keep in mind when booking your holiday with your pet to ensure nothing goes wrong. Your favourites, as well as those of your pet, are very important and play a role in what and how you can plan and enjoy your time away.

You might be asking yourself, ‘how do I find the right destination?’ and answering the following questions may help you:

• To the mountains or the sea? The sound of chirping birds in the green or breaking waves on the shore? Both landscapes offer great opportunities for peace and quiet.
• Is the climate appropriate for your dog? Heavily furry dogs should probably be kept away from the Mediterranean summer heat.
• Is it a dog-friendly region? Will your dog get enough exercise? Are there any dog beaches or parks nearby?
• How would you like to travel? A car is probably the most comfortable for your dog. But, if you’d rather hop on a plane or train, then you should consider how that may affect them.

To ensure you have the best time away with your doggo, we’ve selected five of the best holiday spots in Europe for you and them.

1. Germany

Why travel far when great holiday moments can be a short train journey or a car ride away? It’s no wonder Germany’s made the list, from the North Sea to the Alps; there’s a vast selection of destinations you and your dog will love! Let us take you through from north to south:

More sea, please!

Swimming, relaxing on the beach or going for a walk are all options available to you on the German North Sea or Baltic Sea. There are many dog-friendly bathing spots that don’t require a leash. Your four-legged friend can let off steam to their heart’s content. On the Baltic Sea, for example, you will find what you are looking for in Grömitz, Trassenheide, Travemünde, Kühlungsborn and Damp; on the North Sea, Noordwijk, Norddeich, Dornum-Neßmersiel (including Agility Fun Park) or the islands of Juist and Norderney are particularly recommended.

What rhymes with Adventure? Nature!

You can experience beautiful landscapes in Lüneburger Heide (tip: check out the heather blossom in August!), in Eifel, Sauerland, Moseltal, and the Harz mountains, to name just a few. Lovely cities and lots of nature offer plenty of exercise and ideal conditions for your dog to enjoy the most.

There’s a lot of variety in the German middle mountain range and nature parks – castles, palaces, ruins, forests, rocks, and rivers: an unfiltered panorama picture book! Add a few romantic villages and towns, and you’ll feel just like in a fairy tale.

You can also enjoy idyllic nature in the south: in the Black Forest and in the Bavarian Forest there are great lakes, streams and ponds, green meadows and exciting gorges that make dog life really nice.

Mountain calling

Spectacular and exciting every day: the Alps. A stay in the Allgäu is particularly recommended. Explore forests, meadows and valleys with your four-legged friend to your heart’s content, and breathe in the healthy mountain air on picturesque peaks. Well-developed hiking trails invite you to discover and work out.

To relax, simply refresh yourself in one of the numerous clear mountain lakes. And you can also take your dog with you to the restaurant: In many places, there is even a dog bar where your four-legged friend can refresh themselves.

2. Austria

Want even more mountains? No problem! The Austrian Alps are particularly good for active holidays providing more exercise. You’ll also find many dog-friendly accommodation options here, e.g. Tyrol or Styria.

3. Holland and Belgium

Not too far from home yet loads of great places to experience in the two neighbouring countries. In southern Holland, we recommend the dog beach between Noordwijk and Katwijk: take a dip and stroll along the four kilometres of coastal glory! Texel is good for island fans, and dogs are welcome almost everywhere.

Belgium is also very dog-friendly, and you can usually take your dog to their great restaurants. You can enjoy picturesque coastal towns and beaches that stretch ahead as far as the eyes can see. Between De Panne and Knokke-Heist alone, there are 19 dog beaches stretching along 60 kilometres of coastline.

And for those who aren’t as enthusiastic about a beach holiday, the inland has a lot of great offers in store. The Ardennes is a hiker’s dream: forests and mountains, untouched nature, fairytale castles, and quaint villages, all ready and waiting for you to explore.

4. France

Our neighbour to the west offers everything you need to spend a relaxing holiday with your dog: majestic mountains, crystal-clear lakes and rivers or beautiful beaches. The locals are usually very dog-friendly – four-legged friends are also usually allowed in holiday homes and restaurants.

The regions of Brittany and Normandy are particularly suitable for your summer holidays. It doesn’t get too hot there and you can take long walks with your furry friend along the wild coastline or on the heathland. You will also find mediaeval fortresses, lighthouses and pretty half-timbered houses here en masse. In Normandy, don’t miss the white chalk cliffs of Étretat, Mont Saint-Michel and Le Havre, the birthplace of Impressionism.

5. Sweden

Breathtaking landscapes full of forests and lakes and plenty of space for all adventures and hiking tours that you want to do with your dog – the Scandinavian country warmly welcomes guests with two or four legs. However, leashes are compulsory; between March and the end of August, also outdoors.

However, your four-legged friend can run freely on the designated dog beaches. There are great beaches in Malmö, Kristianstad, Landskrona, Båstad and Mariestad. In dog parks, your dog can enjoy and master obstacle courses – for example, in Gothenburg.

And don’t forget: Dog Liability Insurance for your holiday!

Your Getsafe Dog Liability Insurance protects you worldwide. Just like home, you won’t ever have to worry about your buddy being naughty and wrong-footing you. In six German federal states, dog liability insurance is compulsory for all breeds – and in nine other states, insurance is compulsory for dogs deemed dangerous. Irrespectively, dog liability insurance is the way to go because it covers any harm or damage your dog may cause to people, animals, or belongings – including subsequent costs.

In hotels, holiday homes and suchlike, your Getsafe dog liability insurance covers the costs if, for example, furniture, walls and furnishings are damaged by your dog. And if he hurts other dogs or people while playing on the beach, the insurance covers it, too. With Dog Liability Insurance, you and your furry friend can spend an even more relaxing holiday.