Dogs on the streets of Prague seem as commonplace as people. Yet it is not often cited in the lists of top dog-friendly cities in the world.
Possibly because it has not always had a tradition of being overly animal friendly. However, the city that I now call my home, has an incredible affinity for four-legged companions.
Prague is one of the most dog-friendly cities in Europe. Well-behaved dogs walk off-leash in the parks, but also streets – amazingly stopping at the traffic lights until it is time to cross.
They are welcome in the majority of cafes, bars and restaurants and doggie behaviours that are often frowned upon do not draw attention from the staff or patrons (unless very unruly). Dogs even have a huge selection of hotels, salons and playgroups across the city.
Best Parks To Take Your Dog In Prague
While visiting different European cities on my travels with my greyhound Tipps, the one thing that many lacked was green space. Prague, I am happy to say, has an abundance of parks spread out across the city.
They have handily marked areas dedicated to off-leash dog antics and some include dog agility sections or enclosed areas.
Stromovka, Prague 7
Probably the prettiest of all the parks in Prague, Stromovka is a peaceful and relaxing oasis. Meaning “place of trees”, Stromovka is a large park split into two sections.
One section is home to several ponds and their inhabitants. Sand-scattered walking paths skirt around them and across the open green plains allowing you to zig-zag your way around.
Crossing over the quiet thoroughfares or under the small archways will take you into woodlands where you can follow the mala rička or “little river” until it meets the Vltava kanál. Dogs are allowed off-leash in almost all areas of this park but if your rover becomes excited around ducks they should be kept on-leash and not allowed to terrorise the poor things.
Riegrovy Sady, Prague 2
Riegrovy Sady or Rieger Gardens is a large park between the districts of Vinohrady and Zizkov. This luscious park offers green landscape as far as the eye can see, with unique views of both Prague Castle and Petrin Castle.
It is an ideal park for walking your dog and there is a dog-dedicated area for owners that have dogs wanting to socialise and play. You can grab a coffee and sit on one of the many benches lining this outdoor playpen and watch your dog get stuck in with all the others.
Dog-Friendly Cafes To Take Your Dog In Prague
It is difficult to pick out just a few cafes that are dog-friendly and offer a great menu as almost all the cafes in Prague offer this. When it comes to the best of them, the trick, as with most cities, is to find the gems away from the tourist traps and known only to the locals.
You know the ones I mean; they are not much to look at from the outside. But inside they are cosy and comforting and serve up little delights.
Coffee Park, Prague 2
A walk around Riegrovy Sady can be topped off with a visit to the Coffee Park cafe. An uber dog-friendly cafe, situated along one of the streets that border the park.
This cafe is extremely welcoming for dogs with toys, treats and staff that love a nuzzle. The menu is mostly vegetarian and gluten-free but do not let this put you off.
I have sampled the sweet treats, soups and sandwiches and all have been immensely delicious. For those that cannot go without a little meat, the cafe also does cheese and ham toasties and a prosciutto salad.
IF Cafe, Prague 1 & 2
There are four IF Cafes across Prague 1 & 2 and they are all delightful. Each location is dog-friendly and has bowls of water positioned on the doorsteps to the entrances.
My only reservation for these cafes is that space can be a little tight if you have a large dog. With window seats and long sofa seating, your dogs are allowed to sit on the floor as long as you have a clean blanket for them and of course, they are not disturbing other patrons.
The menu is divine with a good mix for both meat-eaters and vegetarians but the real reason to frequent IF cafe is the unbelievable cakes. I cannot do them justice by trying to describe them. You will just have to visit for yourself.
Can You Take Your Dog On Public Transport In Prague?
The very quick and simple answer to this is Yes! All public transport is dog-friendly. The trams, buses and metros all let dogs onboard but ask that they are either carried in a holder or wearing a muzzle.
However, most of the time, if the dog is well-behaved and quiet, those conditions are not enforced. You must have the required carry case or muzzle with you in case a driver asks you to adhere to the conditions. You can be removed from the vehicle if you then do not produce one.
On almost all city public transport, dogs travel for free. The exception is the Airport Express which was 30 CZK last time I looked. Outside of the city, some charges may apply.
The trains that travel across the Czech Republic and most of Europe are also usually dog-friendly. You can check if your carriage allows a dog when making the booking. There will be a dog sign that indicates this in a similar way to when you see a food indicator.
Just be aware of the practicalities inside a train carriage. During busy times it might not be much fun for your dog if they are in the aisle and being walked over and constantly on the lookout for big clumsy feet coming their way.
Opt for the less busy trains, opt for seats with extra room or tables for a dog to fit under and out of the way.
The Best Dog-Friendly Accommodation In Prague
Prague has a wide range of dog-friendly hotels, B&Bs, and apartments from the cheap and cheerful to the super luxurious. As many Europeans travel with their dogs, there is a lot of competition out there with great offers to entice you and your furry friends through the door.
Extra doggy-focussed features include dog sitting, dog grooming, pampered paws and delicious meals. Some places do charge extra for dogs to stay. However, there are plenty of options that allow dogs to stay for free to keep the cost down.
An extra fee applied each night can soon add up if you are spending a week there. It depends on what you are looking for. After all, you need something to suit both the dog and the owner’s needs, right?
Pawlansky Apartments, Prague 1
It says it in the name! Super dog-friendly and stylish apartments located close to Petrínské Sady. The ideal place to take your dog for a long walk with awesome views from the top of Petrin Hill. The apartments are in Lesser Town, a great spot in walking distance to all the major Prague attractions.
With the choice of two different apartments, you won’t be disappointed with either. One is split across two levels and has a small yard and BBQ.
The other is a larger place with 2 bedrooms but no private outdoor space. Dog bowls and beds are provided and I’ve heard there are usually some tasty treats lying around.
Buddha-Bar Hotel, Old Town Square
If you are looking for luxury (and the price-tag that comes with luxury), this world-famous Parisian hotel will not fail to impress. With incredible decor throughout, this boutique hotel is a unique resort experience.
For an additional charge of 40 EUR per night, your dog (or cat) can enjoy their own luxurious bed and specially created menu. They can also organise for pet-sitting, grooming at a beauty salon and well, pretty much anything you ask for.
While your dog is off getting pampered, you can too in their spa with indulgent packages that will take you to another realm. You might end up seeing more of the inside of the hotel than the beautiful sights of Prague.