Dog Walking in Lisbon: what to know
Lisbon walkers plan around hills and heat: flat riverside paths for older dogs, Monsanto for energetic ones. Mention stairs, trams and how your dog handles slippery cobbles.
Where to walk dogs in Lisbon
- Parque Florestal de Monsanto — Lisbon’s large forest park, with trails for long walks.
- Parque das Nações riverside — Flat promenades along the Tagus, easy for senior dogs.
- Jardim da Estrela — A classic garden in Estrela; keep dogs on a lead.
- Parque Eduardo VII — Central sloping park above Marquês de Pombal.
- Belém riverside — Long, open paths along the river.
Weather and seasons in Lisbon
Lisbon has hot, dry summers — often above 30°C, with occasional much hotter days — and mild, rainy winters. The white limestone cobbles (calçada portuguesa) get slippery in the rain and hot in the sun.
Planning around the seasons
In summer, walk early or after sunset, keep to shaded gardens and riverside paths, and avoid sun-baked cobbles at midday.
In the rainy months, take extra care on slippery calçada and steep lanes, especially with older or arthritic dogs.
Before you book
Walkers can offer extras such as photo updates, a report card, pick-up from home or an extra 30 minutes — you see what each walker offers before booking.
Keep your pet's vaccinations and any local registration up to date and carry the records — providers may ask to see them before the first booking.
Dog Walking in Lisbon — FAQ
Is dog walking available in Lisbon?
Yes. OnlyPaw is available worldwide, including Lisbon. Because it's a marketplace, the dog walkers you can book depend on who has been approved near your address — the app shows who's available before you pay.
How much does dog walking cost in Lisbon?
Dog walkers in Lisbon set their own prices, so you see each provider's rate in the app before you book. At checkout OnlyPaw adds a service fee of 10% of the service price, with a minimum of USD 2 and a maximum of USD 20 (or the equivalent in your local currency), shown before you pay. Your payment is held and only released to the provider after the service is completed.
How are providers vetted?
Every provider submits a government ID and a selfie, passes a knowledge test with a 70% pass mark and uploads service-specific documents — home photos for sitting and boarding, driving licence and vehicle registration for pet taxi, certificates for grooming and training — before the OnlyPaw team approves them.
Are Lisbon’s hills hard on older dogs?
They can be. Ask your walker for flatter routes along the river or in Parque das Nações, shorter walks and extra care on wet calçada.
What if I need to cancel?
Each provider uses one of three cancellation policies. Under the default moderate policy you get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start, 50% if you cancel at least 2 hours before, and nothing in the last 2 hours. The flexible policy refunds in full up to 2 hours before the start; the strict policy refunds in full from 48 hours and 50% from 24 hours before.
What happens in an emergency?
Every active booking has an SOS button in the app. It alerts the other party and the OnlyPaw team straight away. If your pet needs urgent medical care, contact a vet or emergency clinic first.
