Slovenia is literally a paradise on earth for dog walkers. It’s perfectly accessible by car, it’s adjacent to popular destinations like Austria, Italy or Croatia and offers incredible diversity in a relatively small area. In one trip, your furry friend can take a dip in a clear lake, hike under high alpine peaks, explore wild gorges and cool his paws in the sea.
If you’re thinking of going on a roadtrip with your dog this year, Slovenia is the ideal choice. But to make sure your holiday is stress-free, you need to prepare in advance. Here’s an overview of the essentials.
What must your dog meet before traveling?
Slovenia is part of the European Union, so the bureaucracy is fortunately not too complicated. To cross the border smoothly, you need to have these three things in order:
- Microchip: The dog must be marked with a microchip that meets ISO standards.
- EU Pet Passport: issued by your vet. It serves as an official travel document.
- Valid rabies vaccination: the vaccination must be entered in your passport and be valid (note that if you are vaccinating for the first time, it must be at least 21 days after application before you can travel).
Health and safety: what to watch out for around water
The Slovenian countryside is beautiful, but as everywhere in nature, dogs face certain risks. In the summer of 2025, a local viral infection appeared at Lake Bohinj, causing serious digestive and health problems for several dogs, unfortunately with fatal consequences in extreme cases.
We don’t want to scare you – Slovenia is very safe for dogs, but caution is in order. The basic rules of prevention are:
- Don’t let your dog drink stagnant or suspiciously cloudy water from puddles and dead ends.
- During the warm summer months, keep an eye out for cyanobacteria in smaller lakes.
- Clean up after your dog consistently to prevent the spread of any bacteria.
- Keep your dog’s first aid kit with you (including probiotics and anti-diarrhoeal medication) and save the contact details of your nearest vet before you travel.
Where can you (not) take your dog?
Slovenia is generally very “dog-friendly” and most outdoor attractions are dog-friendly, as long as you keep them under control. Here are some tips from our itinerary:
- Vintgar competitionA: Dogs are allowed in this popular place. However, be aware that there are narrow wooden walkways, so your dog needs to be on a leash at all times and should be able to navigate through the crowds.
- Savica WaterfallA: One of Slovenia’s most famous waterfalls near Lake Bohinj is open to dogs. Just be prepared that there are quite a few stone steps leading up to it, but a healthy dog can manage without any problems.
- Lake JasnaDescription : This emerald lake with the backdrop of the Julian Alps near Kranjska Gora is perfect for a walk with your dog. Most dog walkers head here for the beautiful photos and relaxing terrain.
- Triglav National Park: you can take your dog into the mountains, but there is a strict rule: the dog must be on a leash. This protects not only wild animals (chamois, marmots) but also your dog from falling or getting hurt.
- Towns and coast: historic towns like Piran are great for walking your dog, just beware of hot pavement in the summer season.
For lots more great dog-friendly places, beaches and detailed tips for excursions, check out our complete guide to the best of Slovenia.
Accommodation with dog
Finding accommodation that welcomes you and your furry friend is getting easier every year in Slovenia. Most apartments and campsites are pet-friendly (often for a small cleaning fee).
On the outskirts of Kransjke Gora we can recommend the spacious pet-friendly apartments HIÅ A KOSOBRIN, where dogs are really loved. Not far from Lake Bohinj, we were impressed by the Bohinj River House Spa&Sport, which opened in 2025 and offers modern rooms, again with the possibility of accommodation with a dog. And if you’re looking for accommodation on the way to the sea, a good option is to take it via Italy, where near Udine they’ll be happy to welcome you and your dog at Le Fucine Hotel. Again, great, upmarket rooms at a good price.
Set off without worries with our itinerary
It can take a lot of time to plan a trip that works for you and your dog (so that the crossings aren’t too long and there’s somewhere to walk everywhere). We’ve done it for you.
At Retkee , we offer a weekly itinerary to the best of Slovenia that is designed to be fully dog-friendly. You’ll get a precise day-by-day itinerary, a map with shaded parking areas, and tips on places to avoid the biggest crowds so your dog can enjoy plenty of freedom.
And if you’d rather have a tailor-made itinerary, feel free to contact us using the form at Tailor-made Itineraries. We will be happy to help you with your trip to beautiful Slovenia.
