Berlin with a dog

See Berlin together with your dog – Germany’s capital welcomes dogs as much as their owners. From dog exercising areas to dog hostels to sightseeing tours with dogs, the city has a lot to offer.

Important information for dog owners

Berlin is one of the most dog-friendly cities and has been voted the most dog-friendly city in Germany by a dog magazine on several occasions. According to official statistics, there are more dogs living in Berlin every year - and that only means the four-legged friends that are officially registered by their owners. Your dog will therefore be able to make plenty of four-legged friends to romp around with during a visit to Berlin. To make socialising in the capital as pleasant as possible, a few rules must be observed in public.

Keep your dog on a leash

In pedestrian zones and on streets with heavy pedestrian traffic as well as in public buildings or on public transport, dogs must be kept on a lead no longer than 1 metre. Dangerous breeds are required to wear a muzzle. In public parks and woodland, the lead may be up to 2 metres long. The above does not apply for designated dog exercise areas. In such areas, dogs do not need to wear a muzzle either.

Areas prohibited for dogs

Some public parks, all playgrounds and some public buildings (e.g. some tourist attractions, museums, concert venues and churches) and shops and restaurants generally prohibit dogs (signs may say “Hundeverbot” or “Hunde verboten”). Before visiting a public place, please check their respective website or consult our Service Centre or Tourist Info points to find out whether dogs are allowed.

Removing dog poo

In Berlin, dog owners are obliged by law to pick up their dogs’ poo and dispose of it in a public litter bin. Failure to do so may incur a penalty fee. Please help keep the city tidy!

Dogs on local public transport

Dogs must be kept leashed in S-Bahn and underground trains, buses and trams as well as at railway stations. In addition, they must always wear a suitable muzzle. If you are travelling with a single ticket, you will need a separate discount ticket for the dog. If you have a day ticket or a season ticket, you can take your dog with you free of charge.

Small dogs may also be carried free of charge in an appropriate transport box. Guide dogs are of course free of charge.

Sightseeing with dogs

With our digital city guides, the free apps Going Local and ABOUT BERLIN, you can discover Berlin and Berlin history on the spot and individually and with dog companions. You can even explore the city with your dog on water: The river cruise company Stern und Kreisschiffahrt expressly welcomes your dogs on board its steamer trips along the River Spree and, on the boats run by Reederei Riedel, you can also have your animal companion serve as honorary captain.

If you’d prefer to keep your four-legged companion with you when exploring the city, why not take the city tour with Melanie Knies. The professional tour guide takes people and their dogs on exciting tours through Kreuzberg, Schöneberg and Charlottenburg, and finishes off her tours with an adventure walk through Tegel. You can also see the city by boat with your dog. Stern und Kreisschiffahrt shipping operators expressly welcome dogs aboard their steam-boat Spree tours and Reederei Riedel shipping also allows dogs aboard.

Dog hotels and dog sitters

If you are unable to take your dog with you on a sightseeing trip, there are many options for professional dog care in Berlin. The staff at the 4-star dog hotel Four Dogs in Berlin-Köpenick, for example, look after four-legged friends day and night. The Amicanis in Berlin-Wilmersdorf and the Hundemotel Ludwig also offer comprehensive care. You can simply book a dog sitter for a few hours, who will walk the animals in Berlin and look after them lovingly while their owners explore the capital. Belloberlini  offers flexible dog care not far from the Kulturforum and Potsdamer Platz. Small four-legged friends feel at home at Dogsfun - Little dogs only.

Dog exercise areas

If your dog has had enough of the city noise and needs a break, treat it to a run around one of Berlin’s many dog exercise areas. Some of the parks officially allowing dogs:

• Dog exercise area in Humboldthain in Mitte
• Dog exercise area on the Tempelhofer Feld
• Dog exercise area in the Mauerpark
• Dog exercise area in the Volkspark in Friedrichshain
• Dog exercise area in Grunewald

There is even a dog beach at Grunewaldsee. Here your four-legged friend can let off steam to his heart's content in the forest and in the water. You can find nice walks around the Schlachtensee lake, the Lietzensee lake or around the Soviet memorial in Treptow. Here you can find more dog walking areas sorted by district. Click here to see more dog  exercise areas in Berlin.

Shops for animal food and accessories

Berlin is home to a multitude of shops catering to Man’s best friend, for example the shop Hauptstadthund. From dog food to accessories to professional dog photoshoots, dog owners will find everything they could wish for. Ally & Dotty shop in the Wilmersdorf district sell homemade dog biscuits in the shape of Berlin’s iconic traffic-lights man or of the TV tower – a great gift to bring back for a dog lover! The shop Second Hound emphasises sustainability. Check it out to buy unique handmade items. At Kiezhund in Mitte and Friedrichshain you will find everything to do with dogs, from high-quality food (including barf) to stylish collars. If you want to outfit your four-legged friend in a particularly stylish way, Society Dog  in Charlottenburg or Dogstyler are the right places for you. And for a particularly relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can book your dog a massage at Pfötchenfit.