Dog-Friendly Trips in Central Bohemia

Strolling through chateau parks

One of the great classics is Průhonice Park. With its sweeping views of the chateau, stream, ponds and romantic paths, it is made for a longer walk. Dogs are allowed, but they must stay on a lead. The park is an exceptionally valuable natural and cultural site, so free running, stepping into planted areas or disturbing other visitors is not part of the experience here.

Another beautiful option is the chateau park in Veltrusy. This spacious landscape of pavilions, little bridges, avenues and a deer park invites you to spend several hours outdoors. With a dog, stick to the paths, keep them on a lead and respect both the wildlife and the quieter corners of the park. Before visiting, it is worth checking the current visitor rules, especially if you want to combine your walk with an event or programme on site.

In the Brdy and Podbrdsko area, the chateau park in Hořovice is also worth a stop. Pleasant, easy to reach and ideal for a relaxed walk, it works well both as a destination in itself and as a pause on the way to a longer trip. Dogs should be kept on a lead in the park; animals are not allowed inside the chateau interiors.

Dobříš Chateau Park is another lovely choice, but pay attention to the difference between its two sections: dogs are welcome in the English park, while the French park is animal-free.

For a place with a poetic story, head to Vrchotovy Janovice. The chateau and park are closely connected with Sidonie Nádherná, a countess who had a deep affection for nature and animals. Because the site honours her legacy, dogs are allowed even inside the chateau interiors, as long as they are well behaved.

At Křinec Chateau in the Nymburk area, you can take a small dog with you on the tour. Larger breeds are welcome on a lead in the chateau garden.

Castles and romantic ruins

Točník Castle is always a safe bet. Dogs on a lead may enter the castle grounds, with the chapel being the only exception. Točník is also a great choice if you want to combine heritage, views and a walk in nature. In summer, expect more visitors, and remember to bring water and find shade when needed.

The path to Okoř has a charm of its own. Following the valleys of the Buštěhradský and Zákolanský streams, you eventually reach the famous ruins of Okoř Castle. Both smaller and larger dogs are welcome here as part of a guided tour through the grounds.

Křivoklát Castle is also possible with a dog, but plan mainly for the courtyards and the surrounding area. The guided indoor routes are closed to animals, with the exception of assistance dogs. Even so, Křivoklátsko is more than worth the trip: forests, viewpoints and trails along the Berounka River will offer your dog far more joy than waiting by the ticket office. Have you heard of the Paraplíčko viewpoint and nature trail, or the memorial to Prince Karl Egon II of Fürstenberg? Your dog can also accompany you to Nižbor Chateau, home to the Celtic Culture Information Centre.

For more active pairs, the ruins of Týřov Castle make a beautiful destination. This trip is more about nature than sightseeing: expect uneven terrain, forest tracks and the sensitive landscape of Křivoklátsko. Keep your dog on a lead, stay on marked paths and bring enough water on warm days.

Another easy-going tip is the ruins of Zvířetice Castle and Chateau near Bakov nad Jizerou. It is perfect for a shorter outing, gentle exploring and lovely views. You can also add a visit to the information centre or the Hrnčířský dvůr pottery court in Zvířetice.

Folk architecture — and even mines

Open-air museums are ideal for dog-friendly trips for one simple reason: most of the experience happens outside. Still, clear rules apply. At the Polabí Ethnographic Museum in Přerov nad Labem, you can visit with your dog. Dogs must be on a lead, and larger breeds need a muzzle. The museum is perfect for a slower pace, short stops and discovering the folk architecture of the Elbe region.

You can also set out for the Museum of Folk Buildings in Kouřim, where dogs on a lead are welcome. The museum is known for its ethnographic programmes, which bring important traditional holidays to life in a beautifully historic setting.

Dogs are also welcome at another Central Bohemian open-air museum: the Museum of Rural Buildings of the Central Povltaví in Vysoký Chlumec, in the Toulava tourist area. Alongside smaller historic buildings, the site features an apiary with a small beekeeping exhibition and twelve restored beehives. During occasional themed programmes, visitors can even try selected traditional crafts. Your four-legged companion must stay on a lead throughout the grounds. Small dogs may enter the cabins only in your arms, while larger dogs need to wait outside.

Třebíz Open-Air Museum is special because it is not a closed museum site, but a village heritage reserve. Here, you can visit Cífka Farmstead, house no. 1, Šubrt Farmstead, house no. 2, the old general store and other buildings of the Slaný open-air museum with both small and larger dogs.

Planning a visit to the Příbram Mining Museum? If you are only touring the surface exhibitions, you can take a small dog with you in a carrier bag.

Berounsko: a dream area for dogs

We have already mentioned Křivoklát Castle, the ruins of Týřov and Nižbor Chateau, but Berounsko as a whole is practically made for dog-friendly outings. Try the bear enclosure in Beroun or a walk up Městská hora. The lookout tower Máminka near Hudlice is also tempting, although it is better to carry only small breeds all the way to the top.

Dogs are welcome at Dvůr Všerad too. Whether you stop by the restaurant and guesthouse, the gallery or the M. D. Rettigová Museum, your dog will appreciate the bowl of water on offer. They can cool down at the Rückl glassworks as well — and if your dog is calm, used to activity and can handle the buzz of a working production site, they may even join you on the fascinating tour.

Dogs on leads are welcome in Lavender Valley, in the outdoor exhibition of the Museum of the Bohemian Karst in Beroun — the Barrandien Geopark — and in the museum’s main exhibition. Small dogs in travel bags can also visit the Plzeň Gate.

In Karlštejn itself, there is a drinking fountain for dogs right on the pedestrian zone, and many local restaurants will gladly offer your pet a bowl of water. For a freer run, try the meadow by the bridge, the field opposite the railway station or other open spots around the village.

A zoopark with your dog? Yes — with respect for the animals

A trip to a zoopark with a dog can work well if your dog is calm, used to other animals and stays under control. At Zoopark Zelčín, dogs are allowed on a lead. They may not enter enclosures, must not be left tied up unattended and should be kept away from the animals so as not to stress them. If your dog barks at farm animals or gets easily excited, it is better to choose a different type of trip.

The pride of the largest contact zoopark in the Czech Republic is its Fjord horses, whose appearance almost recalls horses from the Ice Age. And there is one more charming detail: besides bringing your own dog, you can also take one of the local animals for a walk. Goats, mini pigs, sheep and rabbits can all be walked on a lead and harness.

You can also plan a visit to Zoopark Zájezd with your dog. The park is known for its outstanding terrarium exhibition featuring reptiles and amphibians, and dog visitors are even included in the admission system. Here too, dogs need to stay under control, and it is a good idea to check the latest rules before your visit, especially if you are heading to an event or a busier section of the park.

Another interesting stop is Zoopark Nehvizdy, just a short distance from Prague, between Čelákovice and Úvaly. Dogs may enter the zoopark only on a lead. Aviaries and indoor areas are reserved for guide dogs only. There are designated, clearly marked places where you can briefly “park” your dog, but your pet must also wear a secure muzzle.

Cooling down by the water and under the trees

On hot summer days, rather than sun-baked courtyards and city streets, we often look for forest shade, cooler valleys and places where both paws and feet can dip into the water. Cinibulkova hiking trail or the Václav Levý Circuit are excellent choices. And while you are in the Mělnicko-Kokořínsko tourist area, you can cool off at the Harasov resort.

Pleasant shade can also be found in the Brdy Protected Landscape Area and along the Brdy ridge route, on the forest trail to the legendary Blaník mountain with its lookout tower, where you can easily combine the walk with a visit to the Blaník House of Nature, or on the route from Rataje nad Sázavou to Sázava, which will also please fans of Kingdom Come: Deliverance.

A trip to Velká Amerika and a walk through the Bohemian Karst landscape is another classic, as is the valley of the Vavřinecký stream, where a relaxed trail leads from Baroque bridges to wild rapids. On warm days, the chance to paddle in the stream will delight both children and four-legged companions. For more refreshment, head to the Skryje Lakes or follow the Vrchlice stream, where a marked hiking trail continues all the way to the Malešov fortress.