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Bologna is one of Italy's best cities for dog travel — the legal framework explicitly includes dogs in public spaces, the city is compact and walkable, and the food culture rewards slow lunches that suit well-settled dogs perfectly. The key friction point is summer heat: from June to September, Bologna regularly records temperatures over 35°C, and the medieval street layout provides less breeze than coastal cities. Plan walks in the early morning or evening, and use the portico network for shade.
Dogs must be on a lead (max 1.5 metres) in all public areas outside designated off-leash zones. Fouling must be picked up — fines apply. Bologna's Urban Fauna Regulations explicitly permit dogs and cats in restaurants, shops, and other public premises (individual businesses retain the right to refuse). Potentially dangerous breeds under Italian law (Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, American Pit Bull Terrier, and others) must wear a muzzle and be on a lead in all public spaces at all times.
Bologna's civic museums offer a dog-sitting service allowing visitors to leave their dogs safely while they explore the collections. Museums participating include MAMbo (Museum of Modern Art), Museo Civico Medievale, Museo Civico Archeologico, and several others. The service runs on specific days — check with each museum in advance. This is a genuinely useful and rare feature that makes Bologna stand out for dog-travelling art enthusiasts.
Our top-rated pet-friendly hotels, handpicked and verified.
Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni
★★★★★ · 9.2/10
€310/night
Art Hotel Commercianti
★★★★ · 9/10
€185/night
Zanhotel Regina
★★★★ · 8.7/10
€145/night