Four-legged travel: Helsinki launches the world's first dog-friendly tourist tour

The Finnish capital, already crowned the happiest city in the world several times, has just written a new page in tourism history: last weekend, “The Doggy Route to Happiness” was inaugurated in Helsinki , the world's first tourist tour designed entirely for dogs . Not just a simple pet-friendly attraction, but a true itinerary that puts four-legged friends at the center of the experience, with stops, installations, and locations created specifically for them.

The launch event, coinciding with the World Dog Show 2025 , transformed the city into a paw-friendly stage: more than a thousand dogs, accompanied by their owners, filled parks and streets, eager to discover every corner of this new route. With monumental sticks, dedicated islands, and "pup-up" cafes, Helsinki demonstrated once again that here the concept of happiness is inclusive : it extends from people to the animals that accompany them in everyday life.

Doggy Route: an itinerary of art, nature, and treats

The beating heart of Helsinki 's whimsical tour is undoubtedly the Stickelius Monument , a smaller-scale, canine version of Eila Hiltunen's famous Sibelius Monument . This reinterpretation, constructed entirely of sticks, is the work of Neris the dog , a true local star known for her "Stick Gallery," a collection of sticks transformed into art installations. Here, creativity meets culture, and the homage to one of Helsinki's symbols takes on wagging tail proportions.

The route continues to Café Dogatta , a pop-up café designed to welcome both two- and four-legged guests. Located next to the famous Café Regatta, overlooking the sea, this stop combines the pleasure of a sea-view break with snacks and drinks designed for dogs.

But the real gem of the Doggy Route is Rajasaari Island , a dog-only island open 24/7, 365 days a year, accessible on foot and completely free of charge. Here, among forest trails, beaches to run on, and crystal-clear waters to dive into, dogs can enjoy an adventure in complete freedom. There's no shortage of interesting facts: across the sea are the residences of the President and Prime Minister of Finland , both dog lovers, who are often spotted jogging in the area.

Some elements of this route, such as Rajasaari and Dogatta, will remain permanent, becoming an integral part of the city's tourist and daily life.

Helsinki, happiness is also a matter of paws

In Finland , out of a population of 5.6 million, there are approximately 800,000 dogs , and an estimated 40,000 in Helsinki alone. These numbers demonstrate how integral pets are to social and cultural life. It's not uncommon to see dogs in cafes, restaurants, and shops, greeted with bowls of water, special menus, and knowing smiles. There are over 90 fenced dog parks , several beaches where they can swim freely, and even a 50-hectare forest reserved exclusively for them.

The city has made the coexistence of people and animals a distinctive element of its urban lifestyle: dogs travel free on all public transport, enter the library as "listeners" for children learning to read, and are as much a part of the daily life of those who live here as morning coffee or an evening bike ride along the seafront.

With “The Doggy Route to Happiness”, Helsinki not only strengthens its reputation as an inclusive and innovative city, but also sends a message that goes beyond borders: happiness is an experience that is built together , step by step – or paw by paw.