Before you leave: formalities
To enter Italy with a dog from a European Union country, you generally need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and the European pet passport. From a non-EU country, further conditions may apply (a health certificate in particular). They change: check the Italian Ministry of Health website and your own country's before you travel, and ask your vet.
Rules in town
- Lead: compulsory in the city's public spaces. Also carry a muzzle, to be put on if asked or if needed.
- Droppings: picking them up is compulsory and offenders risk a fine; carry bags.
- Heat: in summer, cobblestones and asphalt burn. Walk your dog early in the morning or late in the evening, and never leave it in a car or parked vehicle.
- Water: the street drinking fountains (nasoni) also serve dogs, see drinking water in Rome. Letting a dog bathe in the monumental fountains is, however, forbidden, see the rules in the centre.
Where to stay
Many hotels and rentals accept dogs, sometimes with a supplement and a limit on size or number. Say so when you book and ask for the conditions in writing. Areas with parks nearby (Prati, Monteverde, Flaminio) are handy; see where to stay in Rome.
Bus, metro, tram and taxi
The city's public transport (ATAC) accepts dogs under conditions: generally lead and muzzle, sometimes with limits on size, time of day or number of places, and a ticket may be required. As the rules may change, check the ATAC website before travelling. For train journeys, see the conditions of Trenitalia or Italo. A taxi may take your dog at the driver's discretion: ask when you book. To find your way around the network, read the guide to transport in Rome.
Restaurants and cafés
The rules depend on the establishment: many terraces and bars accept dogs, and some also allow them inside. Ask on arrival, look for "cani ammessi" signs and keep the dog at your feet, not on the seat. Covered markets and food markets are generally closed to animals.
Parks and walks
The big parks are the best outings: Villa Borghese and Villa Doria Pamphilj offer long paths and areas reserved for dogs (check on the city's website where a dog may be let off the lead). In the other parks the lead remains compulsory. See also the parks and gardens of Rome and, for walking outside the centre, the Appian Way, closed to cars on Sundays.
Where dogs are not allowed
Most museums, galleries and monuments refuse dogs (except assistance dogs), and churches, St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums do not admit them. Archaeological sites have their own rules: check each site's official website. If you travel as a pair, plan to visit in turns, or use a day-care for the day.
Going further
For the rest of your planning, read the guide Rome: rules of etiquette and keep the number of an emergency vet clinic to hand.
