Travelling Portugal with a Dog: Beaches, Trains and Rules

Our dog Tula comes almost everywhere with us, so we’ve learned a lot about travelling in Portugal with a dog. The good news: Portugal is increasingly dog-friendly, with dog beaches, pet-friendly stays and plenty of café terraces happy to see a well-behaved pooch. There are a few rules worth knowing first.

Quick answer: bring your dog’s microchip, rabies vaccination and pet passport (or animal health certificate), choose pet-friendly accommodation, and remember that most lifeguarded beaches don’t allow dogs in summer, but there are designated dog-friendly beaches. Dogs can travel on trains and the Lisbon metro with a lead and muzzle.

Bringing your dog to Portugal

• From the EU: an EU pet passport, a microchip and an up-to-date rabies vaccination.
• From the UK or outside the EU: an animal health certificate issued by a vet shortly before travel, plus the microchip and rabies vaccination (given at least 21 days before travel). Some countries also need a rabies antibody blood test.
• Restricted breeds: Portugal has extra rules (licence, muzzle and lead) for breeds classed as potentially dangerous.

Rules change, so always check the official requirements for your country before you book.

Dogs on beaches

• During the bathing season (roughly June to September), dogs generally aren’t allowed on supervised beaches with lifeguards and concessions. Look for the signs, as fines apply.
• Dog-friendly beaches exist all along the coast, for example Praia dos Pescadores in Oeiras near Lisbon. Local councils publish lists that change year to year.
• Outside the bathing season, and on unsupervised beaches without signs, dogs are usually fine. Keep yours on a lead where asked and always clean up.

Public transport

• Trains (CP): small pets in a carrier (up to about 60 x 35 x 35cm) travel free. Larger dogs can travel on a lead with a muzzle, with a ticket on long-distance trains (Alfa Pendular and Intercidades) or free on Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra urban trains. Carry the vaccination record and licence.
• Lisbon metro: dogs are allowed if suitably restrained, with a short lead and muzzle, and vaccination records.
• Buses and trams have their own rules. Small dogs in carriers are easiest.
• Uber and Bolt: it’s up to the driver, so message ahead or use a pet-friendly option where available.

Restaurants, cafés and sights

• Many cafés and restaurants welcome dogs on their terraces. Inside, it’s up to each place, so just ask.
• Most museums and palace interiors don’t allow dogs, but many parks and gardens do (on a lead).
• Bring water in summer. Pavements and sand get very hot.

Where to stay

Pet-friendly hotels, guesthouses and rental homes are easy to find. Filter for “pets allowed” when you search, and check for any extra fee. Rural houses in the Alentejo and the Algarve countryside, often with gardens, are ideal. See Évora and the Alentejo.

Dog-friendly days out

• Coastal walks like the Seven Hanging Valleys trail in the Algarve (in cooler months). See Benagil.
• The seafront promenade from Cascais to Estoril. See our Cascais day trip.
• The forests and parks of Sintra. Check each site’s rules.
• Off-season beaches in winter, when you often have the sand to yourselves. See Portugal in winter.

Driving with your dog

Hiring a car makes life much easier. Tell the rental company you’re travelling with a pet, use a crate or seat harness, and never leave a dog in a parked car in the Portuguese sun. See our car rental guide.

Vets and emergencies

Vets (veterinários) are easy to find in every town, and larger cities have 24-hour animal hospitals. Pet shops and supermarkets stock all the usual foods.

Travelling with kids too? See our Portugal with kids guide. We know the feeling!

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.