Holiday in Italy with a dog – dog-friendly holiday

If you choose to drive to Italy, it is important to remember that long car journeys can be stressful for your dog. Therefore, plan your holiday well.

Checklist for a holiday with a dog in Italy**
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• Always bring an EU passport for your dog (the passport is available from your vet), insurance papers, and vaccination certificate. If you take your dog on holiday to Italy, the dog must be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before departure.
• Your dog must be ID-marked, i.e., have a microchip implanted.
• Your dog must always wear a dog tag with its name and phone number (Remember your country's international dialling code).
• Bring a photo of your dog in case it runs away.
• If necessary, have your dog's health checked by the vet before departure.

Are dogs welcome in Italy?
Read tips for a holiday in Italy with a dog.

Self-drive holiday with a dog to Italy

If you choose to drive to Italy, it is important to remember that long car journeys can be stressful for your dog. Therefore, plan your holiday well. The vet can advise you – also discuss whether you should bring a small travel first-aid kit for the dog.
During your holiday in Italy, never leave your dog in the car – not even with slightly rolled-down windows. It gets very hot during the summer and your dog cannot cope with even a few minutes in a sun-heated car.

It is also not permitted to leave the dog alone in rented holiday homes.

Get more tips on holidaying in Italy – read about nature experiences, gastronomy, and holidays with a pool.

Plenty of water for the dog

Always ensure the dog has free access to water. Should it get too hot, try to lower its temperature with wet towels. Apply total protection sunscreen to the dog's bare spots – dogs can also get sunburned. And remember that dog paws on hot asphalt or scorching hot beach sand are a bad combination. We humans wear sandals or flip-flops and therefore often forget that black asphalt can get very hot. If you want to help your dog have a good holiday, you should check asphalt and beach sand as follows: place the back of your hand on the asphalt or beach sand. If you can hold it there for more than 5 seconds, your dog can easily walk on the surface. If it gets too hot for the back of your hand, you should find another route – e.g., grass or other "cooler" alternatives.

Where is your dog welcome in Italy?

Dogs are generally welcome in most places in Italy if they are well-groomed and well-behaved. They are not allowed in supermarkets, grocery stores, hospitals, cinemas, but otherwise, they are welcome. However, it is good practice to ask upon arrival if you want to bring a dog into a restaurant. The owner has the right not to accept dogs in the restaurant.
You can take wonderful walks in Tuscany's beautiful, romantic hilly landscape with your dog, but there are also very good opportunities to take it to the beach – see below.

Dog-friendly beaches in Italy – Beach visit Italy with a dog

General: For your dog to access the beach, it must have a microchip or a tattoo, and its vaccinations must be up to date. It is not permitted to bring dogs to the beach in Italy unless it is a special dog beach. Remember that it is always the owner's responsibility that the dog does not disturb other guests on the beach. If you visit a dog beach, there will likely be other dogs. Do not let your dog run freely, but keep it on a leash.
A day at the beach can be a hot pleasure for dogs. Ensure access to shade under a parasol and bring plenty of water.
There are quite strict rules for dogs on the beach in Italy. It is a good idea to ask when you arrive if the specific beach has special rules.

The following rules are quite widespread:

• The dog must be kept on a leash no longer than 1.50 meters.
• Only a certain number of dogs may swim at the same time.
• Dogs may only swim at specific times.
• Often, only one dog per family is allowed.
• In some places, the dog must wear a muzzle.

Beaches in Tuscany that accept dogs

Dog beaches around Livorno:

• Bau Beach, Capocavallo, Fosso Nuovo (Cecina)
• Alcuni tratti della spiaggia di Piombino
• Pasha Glam Dog Beach (Piombino)
• Dog Beach (San Vincenzo)
• Dog Beach di Porto Azzurro (Isola d'Elba)

Dog beaches around Lucca:

• Bagno Eugenia (Lido di Camaiore)
• Bagno Flavio (Forte dei Marmi)
• Viale Europa, Bagno Marechiaro (Viareggio)

Dog beaches in southern Tuscany near Grosseto:

• Free beach near Castiglione della Pescaia
• Località le Marze (Castiglione della Pescaia)
• Bau beach (Punta Ala)
• Spiaggia libera i Follonica nord for Pietraia, tæt på Gora broen
• Mamai Beach (Località Puntone -- Scarlino)
• Surfrelax beach (Località Puntone vecchio -- Scarlino)

Note regarding private beaches in Tuscany

That a beach is private means that you pay to rent a parasol with sun loungers and also have access to a bar, toilet, and bathing facilities. You can rent everything from half a day to a full day. The price is usually between EU 20 and EU 45 per day depending on the area.
You are not allowed to be on a private beach without paying – not even on your own towel at the water's edge.

If you would like to bring your dog on holiday to Italy, it is first and foremost important that you ensure that the accommodation you book accepts animals. Many holiday homes prefer not to have animals, as it can be difficult to clean properly or out of consideration for allergies for subsequent guests.

If you would like to book a holiday home with Landfolk where animals are accepted, the easiest way is to contact me with information about the dog's size, breed, and age. Then we will talk to the property owners.

Take wonderful walks in Tuscany's beautiful hilly landscape.

We wish you a wonderful holiday in Italy with your dog.
Man's best friend also deserves a wonderful holiday.