Dog-Friendly Activities in Vatican City, VA

Villa Ada Savoia is a pet-friendly park in Rome, IT. While not an official dog park, the local canine community has taken over parts of the recreation area to allow pups to play off-leash, as long as they are under voice control and don't bother other park visitors. Afterward, go for a leashed walk with your pooch on trails that lead underneath huge pines and wind around artificial lakes.

Villa Celimontana is a pet-friendly attraction in Rome, IT. Located on the Caelian Hill, this villa features beautiful grounds with gardens, statues and benches where two- and four-legged friends can explore together. Open to the public since 1928 and designated as a public green space, this is a great spot to check out with Fido in tow.

Bau Beach located in Fiumicino is Italy’s first eco-friendly dog beach. As well as being a fun place for pups, their aim is to teach visitors how to look after the planet. The beach has agility equipment and a cool swimming area. There’s even a spa that uses only environmental products to clean Fido up before they head home. Dogs can run and play off-leash from 9 AM until dusk. Dog access to the beach requires registration in the Canine Registry.

Vespa Sidecar Tour is a pet-friendly tour around Rome, IT. This historic city may not have been built in a day, but you can tour some of its highlights in one with Vespa Sidecar Tour. While small pups ride in your lap in the sidecar, bigger dogs are classed as separate passengers and can feel the wind flapping through their ears next to you in another Vespa. This unique tour visits “12 beauties in 12 miles” that include the Fontana di Trevi, St Peter’s Square and The Colosseum.

Villa Borghese is a pet-friendly garden open to the public in Rome, IT. Visiting pups are welcome off-leash in the Valley of Dogs, a beautiful tree-lined pathway through the gorgeous grounds, can join you in a rowing boat rental to get a closer look at the Temple of Asclepius on the pond and dine by your side at La Casina Dell'orologio.

Rome Public Transport, also known as Atac, is a dog-friendly transportation system in Rome, IT. Small and medium-sized dogs with a leash and muzzle can travel on buses. On Metro lines and Regional railways, dogs can travel on a leash with a muzzle in the first and last carriages.

ItaliaRail is a pet-friendly train company operating services in Rome and around Italy. Small pets in carriers travel for free in first and second class on all of their trains. Passengers are only permitted to bring one carrier on board and it must remain on your lap on smaller trains. Dogs who are too large to fit in a carrier can travel on Espressi (Express), IC and ICN trains in both first and second-class. On regional trains, your pooch must sit in the aisles or on the last carriage. If you are traveling during morning rush hour on weekdays, you must purchase a second class ticket for your dog at half the regular fare. Pets who are not traveling in a carrier must be leashed and their owners should have a muzzle on hand if needed.

The Park of the Appian Way is a huge urban park in Rome, IT full of winding pet-friendly pathways that run alongside historic monuments like the Baths of Caracalla, the Tomba di Geta and more. Here, you'll find Park of the Aqueducts, or The Parco degli Acquedotti, that you can explore with your pooch, too. Leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners on the trails in the park.

Villa Doria Pamphili is a pet-friendly public recreation area in Rome, IT. Leashed dogs are welcome to explore the grounds that surround this seventeenth-century villa and the largest landscaped public park in the city.

Villa Paganini is a pretty pet-friendly park in Rome, IT. Leashed dogs are invited to wander the footpaths & bridges that wind around this manicured park with ponds and off-leash areas along the way. Dogs are not allowed inside any buildings and inside the Casina delle Civette. Grab yourself a gellato from Guttilla next to the park, which features dog parking.

The Roman Forum in Rome, IT, is an open-air archaeological site featuring ancient temples, arches and ruins. It's dog friendly, but only for small dogs in carriers. Pets must stay in the carrier for the entire visit and cannot walk on the grounds. Please note that your furry friend is strictly prohibited in enclosed areas like the Colosseum and Domus Aurea.

Teatro Romano di Ostia Antica in Rome, IT, is a pet-friendly historic site where leashed dogs are welcome to join you as you explore the ancient ruins. Enjoy walking through this fascinating archaeological area with your furry companion by your side. Make sure to bring water and clean up after your pet.

Circus Maximus is a pet-friendly off-leash area in Rome, IT. This ancient Roman chariot racing stadium was once the largest in the empire, and is now used by local dog owners to let pups run off steam on the open field inside the ruins, as long as they are under voice command.

Parco delle Valli is a beautiful dog-friendly park in Rome, IT with an off-leash area. Located next to the Conca d'Oro metro stop, this popular recreation area is part of the Aniene Natural Reserve and welcomes pups to play off-leash in certain grassy areas. The park is nearly 50 acres and stretches from the Valli Bridge to Via Prati Fiscali.

Villa Sciarra is a pet-friendly park in Rome, IT. Named for the historic villa at its center, which has been in the same family since the mid-17th century. This public recreation space welcomes pups to go for a walk on the paved trails that wind around fountains, hedges and other manicured features.

Villa Balestra is a pet-friendly park in Rome, IT. Go for a stroll with your leashed pooch around these manicured gardens, which feature colorful floral displays and shady trees next to the pathways. Dogs are also allowed off-leash on the grass left to the entrance gate, as long as they are under voice command.

Palatine Hill, part of the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo in Rome, IT, is one of the city’s most historic areas, preserving Iron Age settlements tied to the origins of Rome. Small dogs are permitted in pet-friendly outdoor areas if carried, but pets are not allowed inside buildings or archaeological sites.