In Liguria, dogs are banned from beaches almost everywhere during the summer: in many municipalities, from May 1 to September 30. However, a regional law requires municipalities to designate areas for pets, so there are several dog-friendly beaches along the coast: the best-organized ones are in Pietra Ligure, Sanremo, Bordighera, Arenzano, Chiavari, and Sestri Levante. Here you’ll find the beaches confirmed by the municipalities, along with the main rules. Regulations change every year: always check the current ones before you go.
- Prohibition period: usually from May 1 to September 30, except in dog-friendly areas
- West Coast: Bordighera, Sanremo, Diano Marina, Albenga, Pietra Ligure
- Genoa and the surrounding area: Arenzano, Genoa (Vesima and Sturla), Recco
- Eastern Coast: Santa Margherita, Chiavari, Sestri Levante, Moneglia, Lerici (in the evening)
- Items to bring almost every time: a short leash, a muzzle, a health record or certificate, poop bags, water, and shade
Rules You Need to Know
The rules vary from beach to beach, but some are the same almost everywhere:
- The dog must be registered with the dog registry and have a microchip;
- You often need your pet’s health record or a recent veterinary certificate (in Chiavari and Sestri Levante, no older than 15 days; in Pietra Ligure, no older than 30 days);
- a leash no longer than 1.5 meters and a muzzle to carry with you;
- maximum number of dogs at one time, and sometimes even in the water;
- Females in heat and aggressive dogs are not allowed;
- Mandatory cleanup of pet waste; water and shade are usually the owner’s responsibility.
Dog-Friendly Beaches in the Ponente Area
- Bordighera: A free, fenced-in dog beach on the western side, bordering Vallecrosia. Dogs are allowed to run free both on land and in the water; the beach can accommodate about twenty dogs at a time.
- Sanremo: three pet-friendly public beaches in Tre Ponti–Banchette, Bussana Ponente, and Pian di Poma Levante.
- Diano Marina: a 30-meter stretch of the public beach at Borgo Paradiso. In addition, dogs are allowed on all public beaches before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
- Albenga: a municipal “Dog Beach” with rules (leash required, muzzle to be carried, no female dogs in heat).
- Pietra Ligure: two public beaches equipped for dogs—RinTin Beach to the west and Ex Leonessa to the east—on the Falcone Borsellino Promenade. A maximum of 5 dogs are allowed in the water at a time.
In Finale Ligure, there are no public beaches where dogs are allowed, and in Alassio, they are prohibited even at night during the season; however, some beach clubs in both towns do allow them: in Alassio, for example, Baba Beach states on its website that it accepts dogs of all sizes. In Albissola Marina, there’s the Bau Bau Village, a beach club dedicated to dogs.
Genoa and the surrounding area
- Arenzano: the “dog beach,” located 50 meters in front of the former Colonia Figoli on Lungomare Olanda, is open from May 1 through September 30, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. It has no amenities: bring your own water and beach umbrella.
- Genoa: Dog-friendly beaches in Vesima (to the west) and Sturla (to the east), which are fenced and equipped with drinking water.
- Recco: Bau Bau Beach on the eastern side of the Lungomare Bettolo, with a maximum number of dogs allowed and access restricted to microchipped dogs.
In Camogli, however, there are no public beaches for dogs, and they are prohibited during the season.
Levante and the Gulf of the Poets
- Santa Margherita Ligure: Bau Bau Beach, located along the road to Portofino, toward Paraggi, is open to dogs of all sizes, and swimming is allowed.
- Chiavari: “Lido di Fido,” a free, fenced-in public beach in Piazza dell’Umanità, with showers and running water; maximum 10 dogs, 5 in the water.
- Sestri Levante: two areas, one in Pietracalante in the Baia delle Favole (35 meters, maximum 15 dogs) and one in Riva Trigoso, open during the season from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Moneglia: a public beach equipped for dogs, located between Bagni Cinque and the former railroad station.
- Lerici: The rules are different here. From April 16 to September 30, dogs are allowed on all public beaches and cliffs from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.; from October through mid-April, there are no time restrictions.
Tips for a Beach Vacation with Your Dog
- Check this year’s ordinance: schedules, available spots, and rules change frequently; municipalities publish them in the spring.
- Go early: many areas have a limit on the number of dogs, and they fill up in the summer.
- Heat: During the middle of the day, the sand gets very hot and there’s little shade—it’s best to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
- Off-season: From October through April, many towns have more relaxed rules and the beaches are empty.
- Accommodations: Choose a pet-friendly hotel near a dog beach.
Dog-Friendly Beachfront Hotels on Booking
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are dogs allowed on the beach in Liguria?
During the season—usually from May 1 to September 30—dogs are allowed only in areas designated by local municipalities and at establishments that accept them. Outside the season, the rules are often more lenient.
Where are the dog-friendly beaches in Liguria?
Among others, in Bordighera, Sanremo, Diano Marina, Albenga, Pietra Ligure, Arenzano, Genoa (Vesima and Sturla), Recco, Santa Margherita Ligure, Chiavari, Sestri Levante, and Moneglia. In Lerici, dogs are allowed on all public beaches in the evening and at night.
What do you need to enter a dog-friendly beach?
Almost always: a microchip and registration with the dog registry, a health record or recent veterinary certificate, a short leash, a muzzle (to be carried), and poop bags.
Are dog-friendly beaches free?
Public beach areas, such as those in Bordighera, Arenzano, and Chiavari, are free. At beach establishments that allow dogs, you usually have to pay for the dog as well.
Are there dog-friendly beaches in the Cinque Terre?
We haven’t found any confirmed by the municipalities. The closest one on the eastern coast is in Moneglia; in the Gulf of the Poets, in Lerici, dogs are allowed in the evening.