A New Study Just Ranked the Most Dog-Friendly Travel Destinations in the World – and 7 Are in the U.S.

Researchers scored 65 cities across 22 countries on dog parks, vets, pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, and weather. Three European cities made the cut.

Not every city makes it easy to travel with a dog. Some welcome them into restaurants, hotels, and parks. Others, not so much.

Compare the Market analyzed 65 cities across 22 countries, scoring each one on five factors: dog parks per capita, vets per capita, pet-friendly hotels, pet-friendly cafes and restaurants, and average rainy days per year. Seven of the top ten spots went to American cities.

10. Nice, France

Score: 7.09/10

Nice is one of three European cities in the top ten. Nice scored well for pet-friendly hotels (third-highest on the entire list), but dog-friendly restaurants are harder to come by. The Mediterranean climate and walkable waterfront promenade make it a strong pick for dog owners who spend most of their time outdoors.

9. Phoenix, USA

Score: 7.18/10

The fewest rainy days of any city in the top ten (just 24 a year) went to Phoenix. Pet-friendly hotels and restaurants are solid throughout the city, too. If your dog runs warm, though, plan around the summer months. Phoenix heat is no joke for humans or animals.

8. Florence, Italy

Score: 7.19/10

Florence recorded the highest concentration of pet-friendly hotels of any city in the entire study – nearly double the next closest entry. Dogs are genuinely welcome in Italian hotels in a way that surprises most first-time visitors. Dog-friendly dining options are limited, but the cobblestone streets, piazzas, and riverside walks more than fill a day with your dog.

7. San Antonio, USA

Score: 7.28/10

Pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, and vet access are all solid in San Antonio. The River Walk is partially dog-friendly, and the city’s parks and outdoor dining culture make it easy to bring your dog along without constantly checking if they’re allowed.

6. Boston, USA

Score: 7.47/10

Boston has the highest concentration of vets in the top ten, which matters when you’re traveling with a pet and something goes wrong. Boston’s compact, walkable layout also works well for dogs – the Esplanade along the Charles River and Boston Common are both popular with dog owners. Rain is the tradeoff with 88 days a year on average.

5. Lisbon, Portugal

Score: 7.84/10

Lisbon is increasingly geared toward dog owners, with more outdoor dining and green spaces opening up in recent years. The mild year-round climate and hilly, walkable neighborhoods make it easy to explore with a dog.

4. San Diego, USA

Score: 8.03/10 (tied for 3rd)

Tied with Washington, D.C., San Diego posted the second-highest number of pet-friendly hotels on the list and one of the highest restaurant counts. Add in just 28 rainy days a year and some of the best dog beaches in California (including the off-leash stretch at Coronado) and it’s one of the most complete dog-travel cities in the country.

3. Washington, D.C., USA

Score: 8.03/10 (tied for 3rd)

D.C. has more pet-friendly restaurants and cafes per capita than any other city in the study. The National Mall, Rock Creek Park, and dozens of outdoor patios across the city make it easy to keep your dog with you all day. Vet access is strong too. The 88 rainy days a year is the main drawback.

2. Austin, USA

Score: 8.37/10

Austin has the second-highest concentration of pet-friendly hotels globally (behind Florence) and one of the highest restaurant scores in the study. The city’s dog culture is embedded in the way businesses operate – breweries, coffee shops, and even many retail stores are dog-welcoming by default. Zilker Park and the off-leash area at Auditorium Shores are both go-to spots.

1. San Francisco, USA

Score: 8.56/10

San Francisco scored the highest concentration of dog parks of any city in the top ten. Pet-friendly restaurants, vet access, and hotels all ranked well, and the city averages just 42 rainy days a year. Crissy Field, Fort Funston, and Ocean Beach all allow off-leash time in designated areas. It’s a city where dogs are part of the streetscape, not an exception to it.

Read more: The 10 Most Dog-Friendly Cities in the U.S., According to a Recent Study

Related: More Americans Are Traveling With Their Pets This Holiday Season — But It’s Causing Major Stress