A recent survey by Iglu Cruise reveals that when going on vacation, travelers often think about their pets first, sometimes more than their friends. With an explosion of searches for “holidays with animals”, some European cities stand out as ideal destinations to combine escapades, comfort and pet-friendly activities.
A recent survey conducted by Iglu Cruise’s travel experts reveals a surprising trend: when they go on vacation, more people miss their pets than their friends. Of the 1,000 participants surveyed, 63% cite family as what they miss most, while 27% admit that it is their four-legged companions. Friends come far behind (18%), as well as the comfort of home (19%).
To better understand the needs of travelers who are accompanied by their pets, Iglu Cruise analyzed Google trends, noting a 325% increase in searches for ‘pet holidays” over five years. In addition, the platform studied the European cities offering the most restaurants, hotels and parks accessible to animals to establish a ranking of ideal destinations.
London: the city of animals
London dominates the ranking with 1,127 restaurants, 37 hotels and 240 animal-friendly parks. The city combines urbanity and green spaces, since 20% of its surface consists of public parks. It is ideal for those who wish to combine city life and walks with their dog. Tower Bridge allows well-behaved dogs to walk the glass walkways and even explore the engine room alongside their owners. Film lovers can enjoy the Rooftop Film Club in Peckham, an open-air cinema where dogs are welcome without a ticket. Finally, a cruise on the Thames offers a unique perspective on emblematic monuments such as Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye, while remaining accessible to animals.
Paris ranks second in the ranking. The City of Light attracts with 1,075 restaurants, 130 hotels and 211 parks welcoming animals. The French capital combines urban elegance and large green spaces, offering a multitude of options for walks and coffee breaks. The Luxembourg Garden, a 25-hectare historical park, allows dogs to walk on a leash among statues and the Medici fountain. The photos of your pet with the Eiffel Tower will be perfect from the Champ de Mars, while a stroll along the Seine is an essential walk, dotted with cafes and restaurants where to take a well-deserved break.
Rome stands out for its culinary offer, with more than 1,100 pet-friendly restaurants, even though there are fewer adapted hotels (21). The Trevi Fountain remains a must, dogs must be on a leash and well-manned, preferably early in the morning or late at night to avoid the crowd. Villa Borghese offers a unique blend of 17th century gardens and works of art, perfect for an adventure with your pet. As for the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, they allow dogs to access outdoor areas and, depending on their size, certain parts of the Forum, ensuring memorable experiences.
Barcelona and Berlin
For its part, Barcelona offers 607 restaurants, 24 hotels and 87 parks adapted to animals. The neighbourhoods of Gràcia and Poblenou are particularly welcoming for four-legged friends. Park Güell, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed masterpiece by Gaudí, allows dogs on leash. Casa Batlló, another architectural marvel by Gaudí, can be visited with your pet inside or outside, as long as it is on a leash. And of course, a visit to the beach of Bogatell is unmissable: dogs are accepted there all year round, with mandatory leash in summer.
Berlin combines, it, 455 restaurants, 61 hotels and 154 animal-friendly parks. The city, rich in history and culture, is ideally discovered on foot with your companion. A cruise on the Spree allows you to enjoy a walk on the river with your dog. The Brandenburg Gate and the Tiergarten offer ample space for walking in the heart of the capital, while the iconic sites of the Berlin Wall, such as the East Side Gallery and the Wall Memorial, are easily accessible for a historical experience to share with your pet.
Choose your destination according to the animal reception
Considered as full-fledged family members, pets increasingly integrate travel plans. On one hand, to share a vacation with everyone, without forgetting his or her four-legged companion. On the other hand, for convenience when few relatives are available to keep it and kennel solutions are either too expensive or of poor quality.
According to a study by Booking.com published in 2025, 34% of the French travelers surveyed admit choosing their destinations based on their dog-friendly character, and 33% only book their holidays if their companion can accompany them. “For many, a stay is simply not complete without their dog. Whether it is a question of choosing the destination, the accommodation or even the budget that travelers are ready to spend, animals now occupy a central place in the decision process” says Vanessa Heydorff, General Manager of Booking.com in France.
According to the booking platform, the number of address searches in the pet-friendly world has exploded in recent years, making even this query filter the third most used on Booking.
Faced with this trend, the hotel industry continues to deepen its animal offer in order to receive the four-legged companions under good conditions, just like town halls and private institutions that need to improve their proposal in order to increase visitor traffic in the future.
Read also : What are the best destinations to travel to in 2026?
Featured photo : Unsplash
