Top 25 Dog-Friendly Islands in Europe

The largest Balearic island combines abundant pet-friendly fincas inland with several officially designated dog beaches around the coast, and a year-round mild climate ideal for travelling with a dog.

Year-round mild climate (18-24 °C even in winter), an extensive network of levadas for dog walking, and a pet-friendly hotel inventory that has grown sharply since 2023.

The biggest Greek island offers Anek and Minoan ferries that accept dogs (in cabins or designated pet areas), a deep network of mountain villages and tavernas relaxed about dogs, and quieter shoulder-season beaches.

The largest Mediterranean island. Bau Beach Mondello (near Palermo) is one of Italy's most established dog beaches, Etna offers high-altitude dog walks in summer, and Sicilian agriturismi are widely pet-tolerant.

Beach-heavy and lower-density than Sicily, with pet-friendly agriturismi inland and a coastline dotted with cove beaches where dogs are tolerated off-season.

Cala Bassa and a few northern coves accept dogs out of peak season, the pine-forested interior is much calmer than the south, and shoulder-season Ibiza is genuinely dog-relaxing.

The quieter Balearic, with a designated dog beach near Son Bou and the Camí de Cavalls coastal trail offering 185 km of off-season dog walking with sea views all the way.

Mountains meet beach. Calvi and Bonifacio both have pet-friendly old towns, the GR20 (in its lower sections) accepts dogs, and Corsica Ferries officially welcomes dogs in cabins.

Iceland counts as a (very large) island. The Heiðmörk reserve and dog beaches around Nauthólsvík are well used by locals, but strict import rules (4-week minimum quarantine, expensive paperwork) make this a destination for long stays only.

Boutique pet-friendly stays cluster around Stari Grad and Jelsa, much calmer than Hvar Town. Jadrolinija ferries from Split accept leashed dogs, and pine-shaded coves are walkable with dogs out of peak.

Quiet, walkable and ferry-accessible from Split. The old walled town is small enough to cross with a dog in 20 minutes, and stone beaches around Lumbarda are dog-tolerant outside high season.

Brač is a 50-minute ferry from Split. Zlatni Rat (the famous V-shaped beach) has a seasonal dog zone at its western end, and the island's interior pine forests are open for dog walking year-round.

The medieval Old Town of Rhodes is walkable with a leashed dog, and the cliff paths around Lindos are open year-round. Dog-friendly tavernas are the norm rather than the exception in inland villages.

The caldera-rim walk from Fira to Oia is one of Europe's most scenic dog walks, but summer heat (35 °C+ from June to September) and crowded narrow lanes make Santorini a winter and early-spring choice with a dog.

In high season Mykonos is too hectic for most dogs, but the winter island is a different place: empty white-washed lanes, terrace cafés that welcome dogs and quiet beaches at Agios Sostis.

Year-round mild climate (no real winter), several officially designated dog beaches around Geroskipou and Larnaca, and 24/7 emergency vet coverage in both Limassol and Paphos.

English-speaking, walkable Valletta, mild year-round climate, and a dense network of pet-friendly cafés. Public transport is dog-friendly with carriers, and the limestone coast is walkable with dogs out of high season.

Quieter than Malta and reached by a 25-minute ferry from Ċirkewwa. The Dwejra coast and the Ta' Pinu hinterland offer open dog walks, and farm-stay gîtes are widely pet-tolerant.

Day-trippable from Naples or Sorrento. Anacapri (the quieter upper village) is the dog-friendly base, the Monte Solaro chairlift accepts small dogs on a leash, and the via Krupp clifftop walk is open year-round.

Elba's comune has officially designated seven dog beaches, more than almost any other Italian island. Ferries from Piombino accept leashed dogs free of charge.

The Westerland Hundenstrand is one of northern Europe's best-known dedicated dog beaches. Mild summers (20-23 °C), the Sylt Shuttle train accepts dogs, and dog-friendly cafés are the rule along Friedrichstraße.

Cuillin ridge walks, the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr are all dog-friendly (sheep country, dogs must stay on leash). Since Brexit, EU visitors need an Animal Health Certificate, not a passport.

Year-round dog beaches at Ryde, Sandown and Compton Bay (with seasonal restrictions on parts of each). The Wightlink and Red Funnel ferries from Portsmouth and Southampton both accept dogs at no charge.

Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr are off-the-grid in the best sense: limestone karst, ancient stone forts, no traffic, and dog-tolerant B&Bs. Aran Island Ferries accept dogs in carriers.

Spectacular for the dog-walking traveller, but flag this clearly: dog import requires a special permit from the Faroese authorities, and the process is slower and stricter than the EU pet passport scheme. Plan months ahead.