Our daughter’s psychiatric service dog Mango travels everywhere with us. The Amalfi Coast was a leap of faith — Italy has a complex relationship with animals in public spaces. Here’s what actually happened.
Documentation That Worked
We carried: a veterinary health certificate translated into Italian, our daughter’s letter from her psychiatrist (also translated), Mango’s vaccination records, and a laminated ID card with his service role explained in Italian. We were asked for documentation four times in eight days. Every time, presenting the Italian translation resolved the situation immediately and graciously.
Getting Around
We hired a private driver with a large estate car for the coastal driving sections. The Amalfi Coast road is genuinely not manageable in a normal rental car with a dog and luggage. Our driver knew every dog-friendly stop and became our informal local guide.
Ravello: The Calm Above the Chaos
Ravello sits 350 metres above the main coast road and receives far fewer visitors than Positano or Amalfi town. The gardens of Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone are dog-friendly, quiet, and extraordinarily beautiful. Our daughter described it as “the most peaceful place she had ever been.”
Restaurants
Every restaurant with outdoor terrace seating welcomed Mango without issue. Two indoor restaurants in Positano initially hesitated and immediately accommodated us when shown the Italian-language service dog documentation.
