The 11 Best Regions for a Holiday with a Dog in Germany

It's gradually getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and summer is finally around the corner! Now it's time to eagerly plan vacations and start counting the days until departure.

For dog owners, there's always the question of whether to bring their beloved pet along on vacation, and if so, where they can go together. Is the vacation destination also suitable for the dog, are there dog-friendly accommodations, and can the furry friend enjoy experiences and have fun on vacation too?

These questions have been explored by the travel experts at Travelcircus, who set out to find the best vacation regions in Germany for traveling with dogs. We found eleven charming vacation spots where both humans and their four-legged friends can feel completely at home.

When bringing a dog on vacation, the trip needs to be planned a bit differently than usual. It starts with the journey. With a dog, the only feasible transport options are usually by car or train. Some airlines do allow pets, but one must consider if it's fair to subject their fluffy companion to a few days in far-off sunny destinations.

On Deutsche Bahn trains, dogs can simply travel along, but they require their own ticket or a transport box. If the dog is not in a transport box, it must be on a leash and wear a muzzle. Unfortunately, dog tickets cannot be purchased online and can only be acquired at machines or at the counter.

In your own car, the dog doesn't necessarily need a box, leash, or muzzle. Large dogs should travel in a special box in the trunk, medium-sized dogs can use a special dog seatbelt in the back seat, and small dogs can be in a secured small box.

Whether traveling by car or train, breaks should always be taken to allow the dog to drink and relieve itself. It must be remembered that travel can also be stressful for a dog, necessitating frequent breaks.

Additionally, there are a few things you should definitely pack when traveling with your pet:

When choosing a vacation spot, it's advisable to consider whether the location is suitable for dogs. A big city or a shopping-only trip isn't necessarily ideal for dogs. An outing to the beach or mountains, as well as a beautiful hiking vacation, are much better suited. There, the dog can move around freely and discover the world in its own way.

Ultimately, every dog owner should individually decide what they feel comfortable letting their dog do and what could also be relaxing, exciting, and enjoyable for them. This is certainly true when selecting the right accommodation. A vacation rental can offer various advantages for dog owners, such as more space or a garden. However, there are also special dog hotels where the dog is pampered from head to paw.

To find out which German vacation regions are best for holidays with dogs, we examined over 50 regions in detail. All regions that had no Google search volume with 'region name + vacation with dog' were not considered. Ultimately, 41 vacation regions were scrutinized.

The following points were closely examined, resulting in a total of four categories:

In the categories of bathing fun, dog-friendly accommodations, and demand, a maximum of 5 points could be achieved. Additionally, there were a maximum of 6 bonus points. The bonus points consisted of one point each for veterinary clinics, veterinarians, dog salons, and dog boutiques, and up to two points for no leash requirement (0 points for a general leash requirement, 1 point for leash with exceptions, and 2 points for no general leash requirement). In total, a maximum of 21 points could be achieved.

Kicking off our top 11 best vacation regions for a holiday with dogs is Hamburg. This exciting Hanseatic city is an outstanding travel destination not only for people but also for dogs.

This is primarily due to the high density of dog bathing spots. In this category, Hamburg scores an impressive 4.5 out of 5 points with its 19 bathing spots. Additionally, the northern metropolis can secure five bonus points: veterinary clinic, veterinarian, dog salon, dog boutique, and a leash requirement that could be bypassed with a passing obedience test.

For those wanting their dog to run and play with other canines, this can be done in one of the many dog parks in Hamburg's beautiful parks.

In 10th place is the beautiful Lüneburg Heath. It is especially known for its enchanting nature: blooming heath landscapes, deep mystical forests, and endless expanses. What sounds like a fairy-tale landscape is also an ideal vacation region for both dogs and humans.

The Lüneburg Heath stands out particularly in bathing spot density (4.13/5 points) and bonus points. The region has veterinarians, a veterinary clinic, a dog boutique, and an impressive 35 dog salons - a true wellness region for furry family members.

As beautiful as the heath is, it should remain that way. For this reason, dogs are only allowed to run free in designated areas.

Our 9th place goes to Saxon Switzerland. This picturesque hiking region attracts countless vacationers each year, who primarily want to climb up to the Bastei. Right there, it may be a bit too crowded and hectic for a dog, but fortunately, there's more to explore in Saxon Switzerland.

The dense forests invite dreams and strolls. Just like in the Lüneburg Heath, dogs can only accompany their owners on a leash here. They should not frighten or injure other hikers or wildlife. In public transport, a muzzle is also mandatory.

However, the furry friend can cool off in the summer at a beautiful dog bathing spot. With 257 dog-friendly accommodations, Saxon Switzerland shines especially in this category.

With just 0.02 points ahead, the Black Forest earns a well-deserved 8th place. As the only top 11 region for a holiday with dogs, the Black Forest grabs all 6 bonus points, as there is no general leash requirement in the Black Forest!

This allows for extensive walks and playful rounds in the forest. Of course, you should still have the leash with you and keep your dog under control. Unfortunately, there is no official bathing area in the Black Forest.

Nonetheless, a vacation with dogs in the Black Forest is highly sought after. With an average of 720 monthly searches, it receives 4.02 out of 5 points in the demand category. With 1,637 dog-friendly accommodations, everyone can find the perfect vacation spot for themselves and their four-legged friend.

If you think that humans and dogs only love to vacation in the woods, you are greatly mistaken: the sea is also extremely popular for a holiday with dogs. Among German dog owners, the Baltic Sea is notably more popular than the North Sea. With full points in the demand category (with an average monthly Google search volume of 4,400), the dreamlike Baltic Sea secures 7th place in our ranking!

87 official dog-friendly beaches invite you for a relaxing beach vacation. However, the Baltic Sea or the Baltic coast offers much more: picturesque villages, romantic towns like Lübeck or Rostock, and beautiful natural landscapes filled with forests, meadows, and dunes. Sounds dreamy, doesn't it?

Germans love island vacations. One of their favorite islands is certainly Usedom. The breathtaking island is especially popular among wellness enthusiasts and families due to its fine sandy beaches, North German island flair, and delicious fish sandwiches.

Wellness, family vacations, and swimming? That sounds like a fantastic combination to us. And the best part is that this is also possible for and with your beloved furry friend. 14 beach sections are officially open to dogs, and at one of the five dog salons on the island, the dog can get a new hairstyle.

Usedom could be a paradise for dogs if it weren't for the leash requirement. In all beaches and towns there is a strict leash requirement, even partially on the dog-friendly beaches.

Sour cucumbers, canoeing through an enchanted water labyrinth, and plenty of culture and history from the past - welcome to the charming Spreewald. The popular vacation region south of Berlin impressively secures a proud 5th place in our ranking.

The Spreewald takes full points in the bathing spot density category. 24 official dog bathing spots may not seem like much, but considering how relatively small the Spreewald is at 138.8 km², that's actually quite a bit. With both veterinarians and a veterinary clinic, only a conditional leash requirement, and 12 dog salons, the region also receives 4 out of 6 bonus points.

With 12.80 points, the Bavarian Forest lands at 4th place among the most dog-friendly vacation regions in the country. A winter ski paradise and a summer hiking paradise, the Bavarian Forest is incredibly popular with active vacationers and outdoor enthusiasts. It only makes sense that the region is also excellent for vacations with dogs.

Those vacationing in the Bavarian Forest with their four-legged companions can look forward to extensive hikes through deep forests, to impressive waterfalls, or even to the famous Great Arber. The only downside of the region is the leash requirement throughout the national park.

In the category of 'Dog-Friendly Accommodations', the Bavarian Forest can score a solid 4.50 points. In 882 accommodations, humans with four-legged friends are cordially welcome.

In addition to Usedom, another Baltic Sea island has made it into our top 11: Rügen. The dreamlike island with its iconic chalk cliffs takes 3rd place. Compared to Usedom, the largest of the German islands is actually even in higher demand for vacations with dogs. With an average monthly Google search volume of 590, it earns an impressive 3.47 points in the 'Demand' category.

Those traveling to Rügen mainly wish to relax, swim, and enjoy the sweet life - and this can be done wonderfully with their dog. The beaches, the beech forests of the Jasmund National Park, and the impressive chalk cliffs are perfect for long walks with your four-legged friend.

Thanks to its 13 official dog beaches, the island also invites for swimming and playing on the beach. During the winter months, dogs are even allowed on all beaches, although sometimes only on a leash. However, in winter, they likely won't want to swim anyway.

How about a vacation with your dog at beautiful Lake Constance? This question is searched on Google an average of 720 times a month, which earns the southern German vacation region a remarkable 4.02 points in the 'Demand' category. No wonder, as Lake Constance is not only beautiful but offers a lot.

From sunrise on the mountains to swimming in Lake Constance at noon to a romantic evening in a picturesque half-timbered old town like Meersburg - at Lake Constance, you can almost experience three vacations in one day. The best part is that dogs are also very welcome at Lake Constance.

In 716 accommodations in the region, your four-legged companion can stay comfortably, and there are both veterinarians and veterinary clinics. Those who wish can pamper their dog at one of the 28 dog salons or buy a nice new accessory in one of the five dog boutiques, and almost everywhere there is no leash requirement. Dogs only need to be leashed in conservation areas and public places.

If your furry friend wants to swim, there are ten officially designated bathing spots.

With a significant lead, 1st place goes to the enchanting North Sea island of Sylt! It scored an incredible 17.27 out of 21 points in our ranking, which is 2.49 points more than the second-best Lake Constance.

The beautiful island is one of the most popular travel destinations for Germans and apparently the most dog-friendly. Sylt boasts the highest density of dog-friendly accommodations at 13.89 per km², and it also has the second-highest density of official dog beaches with 15.

Additionally, Sylt earned bonus points for veterinarians, seven boutiques, and three dog salons.

Among numerous vacation rentals where dogs are warmly welcomed, many hotels even have special offers for dogs. In their own dog beds, with delicious treats and some toys, even four-legged friends can feel like they're in dog paradise.

Relaxing and playing on the beach, cycling, taking a leisurely island tour, long walks through the beautiful landscapes of the island, a trip to Denmark, or visiting the aquarium - it all sounds fantastic, right? And everywhere, your beloved furry friend is allowed. On daily island tours, extra breaks are even scheduled so that the dog, who can travel for free, can take a bathroom break.

The beautiful North Sea island also has quite moderate leash requirements. In Westerland, at the non-dog beaches, in List, in conservation areas, and everywhere sheep roam freely, dogs must be on a leash. However, they can run and splash around in sufficient locations on the island, and in the off-season (November 1 - March 15), the leash can often be left at home.

We believe Sylt rightly deserves its title as one of the most beautiful and best destinations for a dream vacation with your four-legged companion.