The wow factor: the best tips for your perfect holiday in Sardinia with your dog
Dog owners know the dilemma: you don't want to go on holiday without your beloved four-legged family member, but unfortunately Fido or Bella are not welcome everywhere. This is especially true when your dream destination is by the sea. Sardinia attracts visitors with its famous fine sandy beaches, warm turquoise waters and unspoilt mountain landscape. But are only two-legged visitors allowed to enjoy these advantages of the island, or are four-legged guests also welcome on the beach and in the hinterland? The answer is a definite ‘it depends’. Here you can find out what you need to know if you are planning a holiday in Sardinia with your dog.
Preparing for a carefree holiday in Sardinia with your dog
Every dog owner is well advised to have their four-legged friend examined by a vet before travelling together. This is especially true if you are planning a summer beach holiday with your dog. The age, general condition and breed of the dog are important factors in deciding whether such a holiday is suitable for your best friend. The journey also needs to be considered: is your dog allowed in the aircraft cabin, or is it too big for this? Can it cope with the long journey by car and ferry? Once all these questions have been satisfactorily answered and there are no obstacles to the trip from this point of view, the vet should check your dog's vaccination status. Are all vaccinations up to date? Are any additional vaccinations required for entry into Italy? Your four-legged companion must have a dog passport listing their vaccinations in order to enter the country. They must also be microchipped. If all of this is in order, then your Sardinian adventure with your dog can begin!
Beach holidays with dogs in Sardinia
As in the UK, many beaches in Italy are off-limits to dogs. From April to the end of October, they are only allowed on official dog beaches; outside this period, this restriction does not apply. Dogs are allowed on all beaches from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. all year round, from 7 p.m. in September and from 6 p.m. in October. Outside the main summer season, four-legged friends are generally tolerated even on beaches not explicitly designated for dogs, provided that the general rules for dog owners on the beach are followed: be considerate of other beachgoers, keep your dog on a leash and pick up after your pet. When holidaying in Sardinia with your dog, you should also avoid taking your four-legged companion to the busiest parts of regular beaches. Fortunately, many beaches in Sardinia are so spacious that dogs and their owners are guaranteed to find a secluded spot where they won't get in the way of other bathers.
During peak season, however, dog lovers should stick to the specially designated dog beaches. Fortunately, there are around 35 such dog paradises along the Sardinian coast, so nothing stands in the way of dogs and humans enjoying the beach together. Some of these dog beaches, such as Tiliguerta Dog Beach north of the seaside resort of Costa Rei, even offer a full range of amenities including water bowls, dog toys, dog showers, dog care and a veterinary service. This dog beach belongs to a campsite but is also open to external guests; in high season, the daily fee including two sun loungers and parasols is 44€. However, there are also a large number of freely accessible dog beaches. One particularly recommendable example is the ‘Fido Beach’ on the endless sandy beach of Budoni. Important: Especially in midsummer, when holidaying in Sardinia with your dog, you should make sure you have enough water for your four-legged companion in your beach bag when visiting the unmanaged sections of the beach. A parasol is also part of the basic equipment so that your dog can always find a shady spot. This will guarantee that your beach holiday in Sardinia is an unforgettable experience for your faithful companion too!
Sardinia with your dog outside the peak season
Sardinia is a worthwhile destination at any time of year. This is especially true for holidaymakers visiting Sardinia with their dogs. If you enjoy spending time on the beach without basking in the sun all day, you don't necessarily have to limit yourself to the designated dog beaches with your four-legged friend during the off-season. With a little consideration and sensitivity, beach walkers with dogs can coexist peacefully with other beachgoers, and in the off-season it is much easier to find (almost) deserted beach sections where four-legged friends can romp around to their heart's content. From November to March, you can even legally stay on all the island's beaches with your four-legged friend.
But even away from the coast, Sardinia has a lot to offer dogs and their owners outside the hot summer months, as the Sardinian hinterland is perfect for dogs. Hikes through Sardinia's magnificent mountain landscapes are true discovery tours for furry noses, and many a stressed city dog can get a glimpse of how their ancestors might have felt when they roamed similar landscapes in ancient times. Whatever you decide, pure relaxation is guaranteed for you and your dog in Sardinia all year round!