If you are planning a holiday and are looking for a perfect place where your furry friend can fully enjoy the trip, Reggio Emilia is the perfect destination for you!
This charming town, located in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, is renowned for its hospitality and the warmth of its inhabitants, and the same is true for your furry friends, too.
Reggio Emilia is very welcoming for animal lovers: among art, museums, walks in the countryside and relaxation, the town offers several pet-friendly activities and services.
Reggio Emilia is a city rich in history and culture, ideal to discover even in the company of your pet. Many places allow dogs on leashes, allowing the experience to be enjoyable and without sacrifice.
The first stop on the itinerary is the San Pietro Cloisters, a fascinating Renaissance complex attributed to Giulio Romano. We are located in the heart of the historic center, just a few steps from Via Emilia San Pietro, the city's bustling shopping street, among historic buildings and stores.
The complex hosts temporary exhibitions of national importance and can be visited freely or with a guide. Animals are also welcome here: kept on a leash, it is possible to walk quietly through the spaces of the complex.
Tips
For a break, you can stop at Food in Chiostri, perfect for a moment of refreshment in a picturesque setting.
Continuing along Via Emilia we reach Palazzo dei Musei an important exhibition complex recently renovated to a design by Italo Rota.
Inside, historical collections dialogue with contemporary displays, creating an engaging and richly stimulating itinerary. Here, too, access is permitted to pets on leashes, making the visit enjoyable even in the company of one's own dog.
On the upper floors, rearranged showcases tell the story of the city's evolution: from prehistoric times to Roman times, from Este rule to contemporary times, with a focus dedicated to photography and the figure of Luigi Ghirri.
Must-do
A stop that combines history, art and curiosity, in a path capable of engaging visitors of all ages.
Reggio Emilia is also known for its well-kept parks and gardens, many of which are accessible to dogs. Leaving the Palazzo dei Musei, one finds oneself abutting the Public Gardens, a pleasant green space in the heart of the city.
This Italianate garden is ideal for a relaxing break and a stroll in the company of your pet, among neat pathways and large shaded areas.
Filled with mature trees and quiet corners, the park is a perfect refuge on hot days, offering coolness and quiet just a short walk from the historic center.
Tips
Stroll through the tree-lined avenues, stop in the shade for a break and discover statues dedicated to the city's illustrious figures. Inside the park you can also admire the Monument to the Concordi, an important Roman funerary artifact, and a majestic Cedar of Lebanon.
A perfect stop to relax before continuing the itinerary.
The route continues to the Tricolour Flag Museum and the Hall, one of the most representative places in the city. Entrance is free and accessible even to small and medium-sized animals, which are even allowed during civil weddings-a detail that tells well of the welcoming spirit of Reggio Emilia.
Here it traces the history of the Italian flag, which was born in the city itself on January 7, 1797. The museum juxtaposes contemporary exhibits with the historic Sala del Tricolore, which began as an archive of the v and later housed the congress of the Cispadane Republic.
Must-see
The Tricolor Hall, with its theater-like shape and solemn atmosphere, is the heart of the visit: a space steeped in history that still hosts institutional moments and official ceremonies.
Tip
Continue the walk outside, overlooking Piazza Grande and continuing to the Cathedral and Piazza San Prospero: a short stretch that allows you to catch some of the most significant views of the historic center.
A stage that combines history, identity and city life, to be experienced at leisure before continuing the itinerary.
From Piazza Roversi, recognizable by the Church of Christ, continue toward Porta Castello and take Viale Umberto I, an elegant tree-lined promenade of 18th-century origin. The avenue gradually leads out of the historic center, accompanying to a greener and more relaxed setting.
This leads to Crostolo Park, also known as Parco delle Caprette, one of the most beloved places for walking in the open air, also ideal in the company of your pet.
The route can continue to the Rivalta Royal Palace, an ancient Este residence once compared to a small Versailles, and to Villa d'Este, surrounded by greenery and overlooking a charming pond, perfect for a relaxing stop.
Useful info
The route is on a flat and pleasant path, suitable for everyone and easily covered on foot. For the return journey you can use bus line 5, which connects the area with the FS train station. Small pets travel free of charge, while large pets are subject to a surcharge.
Back in the station area, a visit to the Innovation Park built on the structures of the historic Officine Meccaniche Reggiane, is recommended. The redevelopment has retained some of the original industrial charm, integrating new modular buildings and contemporary spaces, decorated with numerous murals.
Along the perimeter and on the facades of Halls 18 and 19 (Tecnopolo) are street art works that make the area lively and striking. Hall 18 is open to the public and invites visitors to explore the large interior spaces.
Curiosity
The Innovation Park gives the feeling of being in a small European city, thanks to its large pavilions and interior pathways. Murals tell local and international stories, making the visit a unique visual experience.
Tip
There is a restaurant in Shed 17 where you can stop for an aperitif or dinner, experiencing the contemporary atmosphere of the complex at the table as well.
