European Castles Roll Out The Red Carpet For Dogs

A new national survey, commissioned by Trusted Housesitters, finds 61% of Americans worry more about the well-being of the pets they leave behind than their own vacation adventures. Sixteen percent will happily spend more to bring their animals with them on vacation, if they can find pet-friendly accommodations. The good news is several castles and other vacation venues in Europe are even friendlier to dogs than hotels in the States.

It wasn't that long ago that the only way you could take your four-legged family members with you on vacation was to use an RV or road trip and camp out. But as more and more pet owners drive changes in the tourism industry, additional doors and even quite a few portcullises are opening for dogs.

The Trusted Housesitters survey notes 56% of pet owners travel less since getting a pet. And during COVID, a lot of people got pets. When borders opened up, the spike in revenge travel came with a caveat.

One in five of those surveyed still choose road trips over flights so their animals can come along. But that's not adventurous enough for many. They want to see the world, and remarkably, castles that have stood for centuries are welcoming the challenge.

That's good news for pet owners who are also getting into the castlecore travel trend. Not surprising as one of the chief drivers of castlecore is the Netflix show "Bridgerton," where Queen Charlotte's pomeranians are part of her entourage, and we often see heroine Kate Sharma with her beloved corgi, Newton.

A poll conducted in the British Isles confirms 52% of pet owners will only stay at pet-friendly properties. Thankfully, there are more and more of these every day.

The hardest part of traveling to Europe with your dog is getting there. Check with your airline, as they all have slightly different rules. Many will limit the number of pets on a flight and require they fit in a closed pet travel bag or kennel with a maximum of 18 x 11 x 9 inches and fit underneath the seat in front of you.

You'll need an Animal Health Certificate issued within 10 days of your travel date, and at least 21 days after your dog's most recent rabies vaccination date. For Ireland specifically, dogs must be treated for tapeworms by an Accredited Veterinarian one to five days before they arrive.

Forty-five minutes from the Dublin Airport, Kilkea Castle treats pets like royalty, offering canine travel companions all-natural doggy treats, comfortable dog beds and silver bowls from which to drink and eat. The award-winning hotel resort and golf club has a variety of options for those who want to kick back with their dogs, including a Deluxe or Superior Lodge Bedroom or a Three-Bedroom Self-Catering Lodge.

The 180-acre estate also offers plenty of outdoor dog-friendly destinations and activities, like Oak Park Forest Park, Milford Weir and Emo Park. In the nearby town of Castledermot, people and their pets can explore the medieval walled town, the Franciscan friary, priory and St. James Church and graveyard. Spooky.

Kim Fitzsimons visited the castle with her pooch Milo. She points out, "He loved taking long walks on the grounds of Kilkea, from the main castle through to the local Mullaghreelan Woods, which you can access via our Woodland walk. He really enjoyed discovering the Motte and Bailey, the oldest part of the castle grounds, from 1180. It was like we had the place entirely to ourselves, so quiet and peaceful, perfect for spending time with your dog."

Dogs on a lead are allowed in the atmospheric ruins of Ludlow Castle. The location also boasts dog-friendly tearooms and pet watering stations around the castle. Dogs are not only welcomed into Eastnor Castle, but it also includes a dedicated Dogs-Off-Leads area.

The 4,000-year-old Beeston Castle has incredible views across miles of landscape, a 40-acre woodland park, and the castle well is thought to be the place where Richard II hid his wealth of gold coins prior to leaving England for Ireland. They've never been found.

Powderham Castle has been transformed into a family home. Dogs are allowed to accompany their humans on a guided tour of the centuries-old, stunning interior, the picturesque Rose Garden and the American Garden.

Climb to the top of Totnes Castle and drink in the beautiful views of the town. Dogs are always welcome at Castle Sween, thought to be the oldest on the Scottish mainland.

The ruins of Dunnottar Castle are open to dogs, wild and haunting, and surrounded on three sides by the sea. It's been featured in several Hollywood movies: "Victor Frankenstein" in 2015, Mel Gibson's "Hamlet" in 1990 and "Mary Queen of Scots" in 2013.

The French are very dog friendly. Canine companions are welcome in many public spaces, whether shopping or dining, and at several historical locations throughout the country. Just be sure to observe any warnings to avoid an unfortunate incident. Be on the lookout for signs that read "Buvette pour Toutou," as these indicate pet-friendly watering spots. Be aware certain breeds of dogs must wear a muzzle and be on a leash in public places in France.

Located in the heart of the Loire Valley, Château de Candes is classified as one of the 156 most beautiful villages of France. It has several buildings of historical note and features an art park that ends at the next village, Montsoreau, which boasts a large antique fair. The chateau garden and park offer a beautiful view of the confluence where the Loire and Vienne rivers meet.

Allegra Peardon, owner of Mercuria Charms, brought her dog Badger on a recent trip and shares, "There were so many things that made the trip to Château de Candes especially nice for Badger. One of the real perks was that it is completely fenced in, so we didn't have to worry about him getting out onto the road … (he) was able to explore not only the yards and courtyard, but also the gardens and art park, which is huge. He especially liked the ancient arena, which no one really knows what it was used for, but it is beautiful and hidden in the middle of the wooded area."

Château de Chissay, in Chissay-en-Touraine, also welcomes dogs, for a fee of €15 per day. However, they may not join their owners in the restaurant.

Jennifer Dombrowski, publisher of Luxe Adventure Traveler, is an American expat who's lived in Europe with her dogs since 2009. "Exploring Europe with your dog is a special experience as many attractions like castles, some small museums and a lot of other experiences welcome dogs, unlike in the U.S.," she explains. She has visited a number of dog-friendly castles with her dogs, but highlights her favorite.

"We loved staying in such a beautiful castle with views of the Rhine and two other castles on the opposite bank of the Rhine River. There are also the ruins of Burg Rheinfels, a mighty fortress that is the largest and most imposing on the Rhine." Dombrowski adds, "Both you and your dog are welcome to explore the ruins."

The Romantik Hotel Schloss Rheinfels sits on the Rhine River, in the heart of the UNESCO Middle Rhine Valley, and directly across from the legendary "Loreleyfelsen," or rock of Loreley. A beautiful four-star hotel, it was restored and brought up to date, with exquisite antiques, stylish paintings, noble materials and details kept to preserve the medieval setting. Dogs are welcome everywhere except the spa and restaurant.

Many of the castle and ruins sites in Germany permit dogs to explore the grounds with their humans, as long as they're kept on a leash. Notably, Burgfeste Dilsberg, Burg Hirschhorn and Schloss Heinsheim allow dogs in the buildings. The latter two have been converted to dog-friendly hotels.

In 2022, travel and dog influencers who post under the name HelloItsJasper on Instagram shared their list of Castles that allow dogs inside, on a leash. They include Burg Rheinstein, Reichsburg Castle, Burg Satzvey, Schloss Lichtenstein and the Linderhof Palace. Several others allow dogs on the grounds, but not inside, including some of the most famous castles in Germany, Hohenschwangau, Mespelbrunn, Neuschwanstein and Heidelberg Castle.

With a leash, your dog can tour the Prague Castle courtyards. Animals are restricted from entering St. Vitus Cathedral, but you can see much of the historical building from the courtyards.

El Castillo de Buen Amor in Salamanca, Spain, is not completely pet friendly, but the rooms on the outside walls are open to travellers with pets. For an extra €30 per day, dogs can stay at Castel Monastero in Tuscany, Italy. They just cannot enter the Spa and restaurants.

Jasper's owners also recommend Jaunpils Castle in Latvia. They boast dog-friendly rooms, live music, traditional Latvian meals and family-oriented excursions and tours.

While it might take some work and paperwork to get your pooch overseas, once you arrive, there is plenty for them to do and see. Just remember, as exciting as sniffing new places and looking at ruins can be, they need to exercise too. Plan a little extra time to do doggy things with your pets while on holiday. The appreciation they'll show is beyond words.

Bella Bucchiotti is a freelance writer with a passion for adventure, delicious recipes and authentic storytelling. Through xoxoBella and social media, she shares vibrant travel experiences, mouthwatering dishes and everyday moments that inspire connection.