When Joe came to our family, I instantly felt he will be a great companion. Not only at home, but mostly on the roads. He became a valuable member of my little travel family. Joe is 2,5 year old pup and he has visited already 5 countries. He has traveled by car, cable car, bus, train, ship and plane. I believe he loves traveling, mostly when he can look from the window and watch what is happening outside. So, we’ve decided to take him for a little trip to Budapest. It is not only a beautiful city, but also very pet friendly. If you wish to visit Hungary’s capital with your dog, here are my thoughts on how to best explore Budapest with your puppy. 

We have decided to stay in an Airbnb apartment. It was spacious, clean and fancy looking. Dogs were allowed and the owner didn’t ask for any additional fees. However, not everyone will allow your pup stay in their Airbnb apartment. Make sure you filter only those who specifically allow dogs and check their conditions. Sometimes day ask daily rate for your puppy. If there is a place you like but says nothing about pets, contact the owner. There is a chance they will be OK with that 😉 I didn’t stay at any hotel in Budapest, but I believe there are many that will accommodate you and your dog. Just check first, so you are not surprised in a bad way.

I tried to google a list of dog-friendly restaurants and cafés in Budapest before our trip. However, I couldn’t find anything really helpful. I imagined it will show you on the google maps where you can take your pup and where not. Apparently, there is no such thing, yet 🙂 I found couple articles with dog-friendly restaurants and bars, but that wasn’t helpful. I planned to go eat somewhere around where we were staying or close to sightseeing that day or time. I didn’t want to travel across the town. So, we came to Budapest and had no idea where we will be able to eat with our pup. Our strategy was to ask when entering the restaurant. Unbelievable as it sounds, we were allowed to every restaurant with Joe.

Some places have a green sticker on the front door so you know they are dog-friendly. I wasn’t particularly looking for those and I don’t remember seeing one. Instead, I always asked if Joe can come in. Everyone was so nice. Some looked maybe a bit confused, but didn’t refuse us. They always brought a bowl with water and Joe could sit even on my lap or next to me on a bench. I think it might be easier to take a small pup with you, rather than a big one. In that case I would recommend googling some places prior to your trip. Or, eat on the terrace if possible. On the other hand, your pup can also wait at the hotel room or Airbnb apartment while you eat. At least they can rest a bit after an exhausting day of exploring the city 🙂

You can use public transport to travel around the city with your pup. There are certain rules for that, of course. You have little advantage when your pup is small and fits into a bag or carrier. In this case they don’t need to wear muzzle and you don’t have to buy them ticket. They are considered to be your hand luggage.

However, if your dog is bigger, he needs to be on leash and wear muzzle all the time. You have to buy them valid full-priced ticket as well. I had very nice experience traveling by metro. At the entrance they were checking the valid tickets. They checked everyone except for my boyfriend. Instead they just pet Joe 🙂 We didn’t carry him in the bag either and he didn’t wear a muzzle and it seemed fine. Although, we were holding him in our arms all the time. Maybe that counts as a carrier 😀 or we were just lucky. Anyway, there are rules, better be ready for them.

Always when there is an opportunity to take Joe with us, we do so. Also, in Budapest he accompanied us on our daily strolls across the town and enjoyed the sightseeing. You can see the whole city with your pup, just be prepared, that they can’t go inside in most cases.

You can start your sightseeing at the Fisherman’s Bastion located in Buda side. It lies on top of the Buda Castle Hill and offers magnificent views of the city. You can walk around freely with your pup. Additionally, you can buy the ticket for little “viewpoint promenade” where you can take your dog as well. It is worth to also visit picturesque Matthias Church situated right next to the Bastion. However, dogs are not allowed inside.

From the Fisherman’s Bastion, continue in the direction of the Buda Castle and enjoy the city views all the way. There are many magnificent angles to take a photo of the Parliament House. You can walk with your pup around the castle premises, but only outside. Again, dogs are not allowed in the castle building. We didn’t mind, because there is so much to see outside.

We climbed down the castle hill and enjoyed the walk along Danube. Then we crossed the Széchenyi Chain Bridge that led us to the Pest side. There we visited St. Stephen’s Basilica and Budapest Eye (Ferris wheel of Budapest). Dogs are not allowed neither inside of Basilica, nor on the ferris wheel. If you want to go inside or have a ride on the wheel, someone has to wait with your pup in the meantime.

We headed back to Danube and continued in the direction of the Parliament House. On the way you can stop by the Shoes on the Danube Promenade. It is a monument that honours the Jews killed in Budapest during the World War II.

At the Parliament House (Kossuth Lajos ter) you can take the public transport boat and continue your sightseeing on the river. Dogs are allowed on the boat. Joe was in our arms all the time and we didn’t have to buy him a travel ticket. These boats have their routes and connect opposite banks of the river. You can decide where to get of the boat and continue on your feet again. We got off at Margit Sziget (Margaret Island), popular island-park on the Danube. You can have a little rest in the park and enjoy the silence, or you can grab a meal or coffee. You can spend the whole day on the island, there is so much to see – Musical fountain, Japanese Garden, swimming pools and thermal springs. And, your pup can enjoy finally some freedom too 🙂

I don’t recommend to stress this whole program into one day. It took us three days to see it all, plus wander some more around the city. It looks like a nice walk, but Budapest is big, so it will take a lot of time. Mostly when you don’t want to rush, want to enjoy all the sights and atmosphere and allocate time for lunch and dinner. Also your pup need to rest a bit too 🙂

Joe is a Chocolate Yorkie, thus a small breed. Most of the dogs we have met during our stay in Budapest were middle and big breeds. As an owner of a little dog, I have respect of bigger and heavier dogs. Mostly in the case when they are not on leash or under much control from their owner. Joe is also very friendly and doesn’t seem to understand when another dog growls at him. Luckily, we met only well-behaved pups and their owners were very nice and eager to chat.

Make sure you pack everything necessary for your pup. Prepare the packing list couple days ahead so you can add items you forgot and remembered when using them 🙂 Items for the journey as well as for stay itself should be on list. Passport is a must whenever you travel with your dog abroad, even if it is just another country in the EU. When traveling across the ocean, some vaccinations are required too.

Pack for your pup everything that will make the trip most comfortable and enjoyable for them. This includes pet carrier, dog bed, toys, food, treats, bowls, water bottle, medicine, leash, muzzle and clothes (when traveling in colder months).

If you plan to take your pup for a distant trip and you’ll travel by plane, make sure to read my article on All you need to know about flying with dog in-cabin. You will find there all the necessary tips starting from how to prepare your pup for the flight, buying them flight ticket, to what to expect at the airport and during the flight. 

Love & happy travels,
RLT