Is Sicily Dog Friendly? Relocating to Sicily With Mailo
Relocating with a dog always sounds harder than it actually is. At least that has been our experience. And yes, I say this now, confidently, from Sicily, after we’ve already done the stressful versions of moving with a dog before.
So here is the honest version. No drama. No sugarcoating. Just what it’s actually like to move to Sicily with a dog like Mailo.
The road here was the hardest part
Our move to Sicily itself was surprisingly easy. The hardest part was simply… the road.
We drove from the Czech Republic and decided to stretch the journey over five days so it wouldn’t be too much for Mailo. Shorter drives, proper breaks, no rushing. That decision alone made everything calmer.
Accommodation on the way was also easier than expected. We usually paid between 50 and 70 euros per night, dog included, which honestly felt like a small miracle after some of our past experiences.
Once we arrived in Sicily, everything else felt light.
Paperwork. Or rather, the lack of drama
Mailo has an EU passport and all his vaccinations, so documentation was straightforward. No surprises. No last-minute panic.
But I really want to emphasise this part. It felt easy because we had already made all the mistakes before.
Our move to and from Ireland was… Not smooth. We underestimated costs. We underestimated vet bills. We underestimated local customs. Mailo needed a vet literally on the first day after relocating to Ireland. That visit alone cost us €1000. Day one.
So when we came to Sicily, we were over prepared and mentally ready for chaos.
And instead, nothing happened. I have to say that the vets here are significantly cheaper (10 times cheaper than Ireland according to our calculations), so, naturally, Mailo has been perfectly healthy the whole time. The only thing he needs here are the routine check ups. And I am, of course, grateful for it, but this dog does have a talent for expensive issues :D.
Move to Sicily for us was one of those rare moments where your anxiety prepares you for a disaster that never comes.
Dog culture in Sicily (this surprised me the most)
Sicily is incredibly dog friendly. More than that, it has a dog culture based on respect.
People here read situations. If they see you’re uncomfortable with their off-lead dog, they will call their dog back. Sometimes they even apologise. Which, after Ireland, still feels surreal to me.
There is none of that “he just wants to play” energy. Dogs are treated as dogs. Not fluffy toys. Not humans in fur coats.
People ask before petting Mailo. They respect it if you don’t want dogs to socialise.
And when dogs do play, it happens after a small, silent agreement between owners.
One thing we did notice though. We seem to be the only people cleaning up after our dog. So yes, just be a little careful where you step on Sicilian streets. But honestly, that’s a small price to pay.
Heat, swims, and lifestyle changes
Heat was one of our biggest concerns before moving.
And yes, it does require a lifestyle adjustment. Midday walks are not really a thing in summer. You adapt. Early mornings. Late evenings. Shade. Slower pace.
But Mailo loves water. And that changed everything.
If a walk is needed during the day, we just go to the beach. Swimming replaces long walks, and he is genuinely happier for it. Tourist season makes finding quiet beaches harder, but if you’re willing to drive a bit, it’s still possible.
And winter? Winter in Sicily is a dog paradise.
Hiking season. Cooler air. Endless places to explore. Sicily doesn’t always have marked trails, which we learned the hard way while attempting the highest peak in Western Sicily (that story is coming soon), but the access to nature here is incredible.
Mailo is at his happiest in winter. I can say that with absolute certainty.
One thing to be careful about: hunting season
There is one thing I really want to mention because it caught us off guard.
Late December, January and February seem to be hunting season. And hunting areas are not clearly marked.
We have heard gunshots in places that were official picnic spots. Mailo is terrified of shots and fireworks, so this was… Intense.
We have literally run out of forests. For kilometres. Because he was panicking and trying to escape the sound.
So if your dog runs off-lead, or has a tendency to bolt when scared, this is something to be very mindful of during these months.
The apartment hunt (the only real challenge)
If there was one thing that actually felt difficult when moving to Sicily with a dog, it was finding an apartment.
But here’s the honest part. It would have been difficult even without Mailo.
The rental market here is not easy in general. Add a dog, especially a larger one, and the options narrow fast. What surprised me most was that small dogs are often accepted, while bigger dogs are treated as a problem. Which still makes me smile, because in my experience, small dogs can be louder and far more chaotic. But that’s a debate for another day.
At first, we tried to handle it ourselves. Big mistake. After almost a month of stress, endless messages, and zero progress, we finally contacted a real estate agent. And that changed everything.
Even with an agent, the options were limited. But suddenly, things started moving. We found a place close to the beach, with small green areas nearby. One of our biggest worries was solved, just not in the way we originally imagined.
So if you’re moving to Sicily with a dog, this is my biggest piece of advice. Contact a real estate agent. The market is complicated even without a dog, and trying to do it alone can easily turn into unnecessary panic. Trust me, we learned this lesson the hard way.
Having a dog absolutely adds a layer of difficulty to apartment hunting here. But it’s not impossible. And once it’s solved, the rest of life in Sicily with a dog feels surprisingly easy.
So… is Sicily dog friendly?
Yes. Absolutely.
Honestly, I struggle to think of many places in Europe that feel more dog friendly than Sicily. The respect. The space. The acceptance of dogs as part of daily life.
Looking back at all of Mailo’s adventures, I’m incredibly grateful we took the leap.
And now, living together on this island, it really does feel like paradise. For all of us.
If you’re planning to relocate to Sicily with a dog and have questions, don’t hesitate to ask. We’ve moved more than once. We know how stressful and scary it can feel.
But I promise you. It’s worth it.
If you are interested in Mailo's every day adventures, you can find him on Instagram @mailo_mailissimo or TikTok @Mailo_mailissimo.
A video about our move is also on our Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/wNnkgHjdzFk?si=EMzlLjkQ6qrXuxwR
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Thank you for reading and see you in the next one.
Ciao!
