The Small Dog’s Guide to Slovenia

Slovenia.

Beautiful, natural, clean, surprising Slovenia.

This is the place that Luna and I spent the high summer months, trying to endure the heat wave in pretty, surprisingly culinary Ljubljana (the capitol), walking happily around the lakes at Lake Bled and then Bohinj, and alternately working and hiking in the magnificent Soca Valley.

And the really good news? Slovenia might just be the most dog-friendly country in Europe (which is really saying something, since Europe is dog-friendly in general).

Dog-Friendly Places to Stay

In Ljubljana, as usual, Luna and I stayed in an Airbnb place. My secret, in case you’re new around here, is not using the pet-friendly filter, finding the place I’m interested in, and then asking if they’ll make an exception for a small, well-behaved, non-shedding therapy dog with references. Many times (all over the world) the answer is yes.

In Lake Bled, Luna and I bunked down at Camping Bled—a dog-friendly campsite with excellent glamping huts.

In Bohinj, we stayed in the camp-like pet-friendly Hostel Pod Voglom

And in Kobarid, we asked for an exception at a hostel that doesn’t normally allow dogs and they were kind enough to say yes.

Buses, Trains, & Transport with a Dog

As with much of Europe, in Slovenia small dogs in carriers or in your lap ride free on most trains. Larger dogs must be muzzled and lay at your feet and they pay half price on in-country travel and 2nd class fare for international trains. As for buses, technically dogs aren’t allowed on many of them, but nobody seems to care. I took Luna on several buses in a carrier and no one batted an eyelash and when I carried her on my lap twice, the bus driver scolded me a little and then let me board.

Dogs in Restaurants, Shops, & Public Spaces

So, here’s where Slovenia takes the pet-friendly cake: it’s the only European country I’ve been to that has allowed me to carry Luna into a church. Like much of Europe, pets are also welcome in most restaurants, shops, cafes, public spaces, and parks.

Vets & Health

Luna and I didn’t have to use the vet in Bled or Ljubljana, but we loved our vet in the Soca Valley. They’re located in Tolmin, about 20 minutes from Kobarid by bus, the vets speak perfect English, and the place is wildly affordable. For a consultation, some allergy cream, and two heartworm pills, I paid less than $15.

Here’s the address and details:

Trg Tigrovcev 1, 5220 Tolmin
+386 (05) 388 4800
Hours: 7 – 4; also available for emergencies outside normal business hours

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Looking for more dog travel posts? Here they all are.