The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in Spain: Complete Guide to Enjoy with Your Pet 2024

Dog-friendly beaches in Spain: a paradise for your pet

Dog-friendly beaches in Spain have become popular destinations for those who want to enjoy a day at the beach with their pets. These spaces not only allow dogs, but are also equipped with specific facilities to ensure a pleasant experience for all visitors, both human and canine.

 

Importance of Dog Beaches

Benefits for Pets

Dog beaches offer dogs a safe space to run, play and socialize . Access to water and sand provides a natural and stimulating environment that contributes to the physical and mental well-being of pets.

 

Benefits for Owners

For pet owners, these beaches represent an opportunity to spend quality time with their dogs in a relaxed and friendly environment. Plus, the interaction with other owners and their pets can be an enriching social experience .

Dog Beach Legislation

The Coastal Law establishes the rules for the use of the almost 6,000 km of beaches in Spain. However, this legislation does not specifically mention dogs, either positively or negatively. According to the law, responsibility for the use of beaches falls on each regional government, which, in turn, usually delegates this task to local councils. It is the latter that are responsible for creating and managing dog beaches. These special areas for dogs must be adequately signposted and kept in good condition.

On some beaches, the presence of dogs is prohibited due to hygienic, environmental protection and other reasons. It is advisable to avoid these beaches in order to avoid fines that can reach up to 3000 euros. This restriction is more common during the high season, from May to September, when the coast receives many families with small children. However, this does not mean that dog owners are turned away. On the contrary, designated dog areas are on the rise during the summer months. In these areas, your dog can enjoy the beach without worries, playing in the sand and swimming without the disapproving glances of other visitors. In many places, even the obligation to keep dogs on a leash has been removed, thus allowing your pet to fully enjoy its time on the beach.

Top Dog Beaches in Spain - Updated List 2024

Valencian Community

Although dog beaches in Valencia are in high demand, Alicante currently leads the list in Spain, with almost a dozen beaches suitable for dogs. In Castellón we can also find a total of 6 dog beaches.

Dog-friendly beaches in Valencia

Valencia is a good destination to enjoy the beach with your dog. The 3 dog beaches it has are of fine sand and are properly fenced and signposted:

• Pinedo Beach, in Valencia: one of the most visited, open only from June 1 to September 15.
• Playa de la Torreta-Santa Elvira, in El Puig: a quiet area in the northern part that has bags and waste bins, among other things. It is a sandy and pebble beach, rarely frequented by bathers.
• Alboraya Beach: small dog beach in the north of the province, not suitable for swimming.

Dog-friendly beaches in Alicante

If your holiday destination is Calpe, Dénia, Torrevieja or Santa Pola, you're in luck, because among the 10 dog-friendly beaches in this province, you're sure to find your favourite and your furry friend's! One notable aspect is that all of them can be used all year round.

• Caleta els Gossets, in Santa Pola: this beach of fine sand and rock is a favourite among users.
• Cala del Rocío, in Torrevieja: opened in 2020.
• If you are looking for a quiet beach, then the beaches of Barranc D'Aigües and Punta del Riu, in Campello, as well as the Mar y Montaña beach, in Altea, are the ones for you. However, all three are made of stones.
• Agua Amarga Beach, between Alicante and Urbanova: a beautiful beach with litter bins, parasols and dog harnesses, as well as a beach bar. However, the cleaning services and the beach bar are only available during the bathing season.
• Other dog-friendly beaches in Alicante are Playa Vilera del Xarco, a rocky beach with difficult access, in Villajoyosa, Cala Les Urques in Calpe, as well as Cala Cabo Peñas (Cala Mosca II) in Orihuela, the latter recently opened.

Dog-friendly beaches in Castellón

This province already has 7 dog beaches, not very wide and mostly rocky.

• El Barranquet Beach, in Benicarló: it is the only sandy beach in Castellón.
• Playa la Renegá, in Oropesa del Mar: this is the most recent and occupies a natural area of ​​about 300 metres of sand.
• Other dog-friendly beaches in Castellón are the beaches of Les Llanetes, Boca del Rui and Aiguaoliva, all three in Vinarós, Belcaire beach, in Moncófar, and the quiet L'Estany beach in Punta Capicorb, in Alcossebre.

Dog-friendly beaches in Catalonia

On the Costa Brava, specifically in Empuriabrava, the first official dog beach in Spain was opened in 2010. In Catalonia you can find up to 25 beaches where you can enjoy yourself with your dog.

Dog-friendly beaches in Barcelona

In Barcelona there are 7 official dog beaches:

• Les Salines Beach , in Cubelles, and Cala Vallcarca , between Sitges and Castelldefels: two fine sand beaches that are among Barcelona's favorites.
• Playa Canina in Pineda de Mar and dog beach in El Masnou-Montgat : two beautiful beaches with fine sand and crystal-clear waters. Both can be accessed at any time of day throughout the year.
• Llevant Beach , in Barcelona: fine sand perfect for enjoying with your dog, only during the bathing season.
• Playa la Picòrdia , in Arenys del Mar: the town council has opened up a section of this beach of fine golden sand for dogs from 15 June to 16 September, but dogs that use it must be registered with the town council. Dogs can go to the other beaches in this town from 8 pm to 8 am.
• Dog beach in Malgrat de Mar , on Playa de la Conca: this is the most recent, has a maximum capacity of 150 people and has an area delimited by wooden fences of 1200 square meters.
• In Badalona there is the Playa Patins de Vela , with a stretch of 900 square meters.
• The beaches of Poniente (Mataró) , Calella and Gavá have been added in 2022. The last one is open only during the bathing season, until September 11.

Dog-friendly beaches in Girona

Girona was a pioneer in Spain and opened the first dog beach. Here we find up to 7 beaches to enjoy with our dogs:

• La Rubina Beach , in Castelló D'Empúries (Empuriabrava): as we have already mentioned, it is the pioneer in our country and is very successful thanks to its fine, golden sand and clear waters, as well as being open 365 days a year.
• Playa de las Barcas , in Colera, and Els Griells dog beach , in L'Estartit: they are small, but just as good for taking a dip with your furry friend.
• Rec del Molí Beach , in L'Escala: the beach is 370 metres long, half of which is dog-friendly. It has fine, golden sand.
• Sant Jordi Beach , in Llançà: it is a small cove of gravel rock and sand.
• Beaches of Port de la Vall and La Ribera , in Port de la Selva: these beaches have well-defined and signposted dog areas.

Dog-friendly beaches in Tarragona

On the Costa Dorada, 7 spaces have also been created for our dogs to accompany us to the beach:

• La Balsa de la Arena Beach , in the Ebro Delta: tops the list of favourites in this province for being unspoilt and with fine sand, and for being open all year round.
• Punta del Riu Beach , in Mont-Roig del Camp: family beach with calm water and fine sand.
• Other dog-friendly pebble beaches: the unspoilt Platjola beach in Alcanar, the well-fenced Riera d'Alforja beach in Cambrils, and the two small coves of Bon Caponet and Cementiri in L'Ametlla de Mar.
• Cala de la Torrota , in Roda de Berá: a small sandy and rocky beach, with difficult access.

Dog-friendly beaches in Andalusia

If you are looking for dog-friendly beaches in Andalusia, you should know that there is a regional regulation that prohibits dogs from accessing the Andalusian coast during the bathing season. Despite this, there are dog-friendly beaches in the south of the peninsula, but only dogs can swim there due to the water conditions.

Dog-friendly beaches in Malaga

Malaga not only tops the list of dog-friendly beaches in Andalusia, but it is also the most popular among users. Let's take a look at the 8 dog-friendly beaches in Malaga:

• Playa Canina de Torre del Mar : This is the most recommended beach in Andalusia, as it has a dog park and is open all year round. It has fine sand.
• El Castillo Beach , in Fuengirola: a fine sand beach that is second among Malaga's favourites.
• El Pinillo Beach and Ventura de Mar dog beach , both in Marbella: both are sandy.
• Other beaches with sand and stones or pebbles: Arroyo Totalán beach (sand and stones), in Málaga, Piedra Paloma beach (sand and stones), in Casares, Torrox beach (pebbles), in Málaga next to the lighthouse.

Dog-friendly beaches in Cadiz

• Dog area at Camposoto beach in San Fernando: this unspoilt sandy beach is only open in summer and is not one of the most recommended because it is far from the car park and has difficult access.
• Playa de la Concha , in Algeciras: fine sand and calm waters. It has a large grassy area ideal for playing sports.

Dog-friendly beaches in Huelva

• Dog area at El Espigón beach in Huelva: a fine sandy beach that dogs can access all year round. It extends from walkway 6 to the breakwater.
• Playa de la Gola , in Isla Cristina: fine, golden sand and water in worse condition than at El Espigón beach.
• Punta Umbria Estuary Beach .

Dog-friendly beaches in Granada

• PlayaCan in Playa El Cable , in Motril: it has a combination of sand and pebbles and there are usually fishermen.
• La Veintiuna dog beach (Almuñécar): small rocky cove measuring just over 200 square metres.

Dog-friendly beaches in Almeria

• Playa de la Rana , in Adra: a pebble beach, fenced off and not very visited, which can be easily accessed.
• El Bobar Beach , in the city of Almeria.

Dog-friendly beaches in Cordoba

• Valdearenas Beach , in Iznájar: although Córdoba is not a coastal province, 2 dog areas have been set up in the Iznájar Reservoir.

Dog-friendly beaches in Murcia

There are no less than 7 dog beaches in Murcia:

• Playa de Las Moreras , in Mazarrón: this municipality has 3 beaches, and this could be considered the best of them. It is made of sand and small stones.
• Cobaticas Beach and Gachero Beach , also in Mazarrón: in the first one it is very likely that we will find fishermen.
• La Calera Beach , in Cartagena: with coarse sand and rocky ground.
• La Cañada del Negro Beach and Cala de Mijo , in Águilas: users are not very happy with the La Cañada del Negro beach, which is made of sand and gravel, but now they can also enjoy the recently opened Cala de Mijo.
• Las Salinas dog beach , in Los Alcázares: the first dog beach in the Mar Menor, open since 2022.

Dog-friendly beaches in Galicia

Dog-friendly beaches in northern Spain are concentrated mainly in Galicia (13) and Cantabria (9), so you will have no problem enjoying the Galician coast with your furry friend.

Dog-friendly beaches in Pontevedra

• A Foz beach and A Calzoa beach , in Vigo: the most recommended is A Foz, for its sandy floor.
• Cesantes Beach and Cala de Chapela , in Redondela: Cesantes beach has fine sand and pebbles and has been very well received. As for the cove, keep in mind that it can only be visited at low tide.
• Cunchiña Beach , in Gangas: this sandy beach can be visited with dogs during the summer.
• O Espiño Beach and O Portiño Beach , in O Grove: these are two beaches with fine, white sand that are not very busy.
• O Castelete Beach , in Vilagarcía de Arousa: the least recommended beach in Pontevedra because it is located next to the road. It is not known for its cleanliness either.

Dog-friendly beaches in A Coruña

• Arenal Beach , in Pobra do Caramiñal: when the tide goes out, it reveals a beach of fine sand. Be especially careful with broken shells.
• Ares Beach : in the area designated for dogs you can enjoy the fine white sand with your furry friend.
• Magdalena Beach , in Cabanas: opened in June 2020, it covers 150 linear meters, with clean, calm waters and fine sand.
• Ferrolterra is planning to open an area of ​​its beaches for dogs in the summer of 2023, and in A Coruña, Cala de Bens may be opened in 2023.

Dog-friendly beaches in Lugo

• Punta Corveira , in Barreiros: small and beautiful beach of rock and sand, with difficult access.

Dog-friendly beaches in Asturias

The Principality of Asturias has 4 dog beaches:

• Playón del Sablón , in Bayas (Castrillón): a demarcated area with toilets, fountains and showers. This heavenly beach of fine sand is among the best rated in the country.
• El Rinconín Beach (Gijón): ideal to visit at low tide due to its rocky ground.
• Cala Saliencia , in Cudillero: virgin beach with difficult access that is not very popular with users.
• Cambaredo Beach , in Franco: small and rocky with few visitors. Access consists of a descent of 130 steps. The waves are moderate.

Dog-friendly beaches in Cantabria

In this northern area we find no less than 8 beaches suitable for dogs:

• La Maza Beach , in San Vicente de la Barquera: sandy beach equipped with a fountain for dogs and waste bins.
• La Riberuca Beach , in Suances: a beach with little traffic to visit at high tide.
• El Puntal Beach , in Somo: enclosed section next to the pier, with a sandy floor.
• Arenal del Jortín , in Soto de la Marina (Bezana): small cove of fine, golden sand in the heart of nature.
• Helgueras Beach , in Noja: flat beach with fine sand and rocks.
• Other dog-friendly beaches in Cantabria: Playa Arcisero , Muelle de Oriñón and Cala Cargadero Mioño , all in Castro Urdiales.

Dog-friendly beaches in the Basque Country

Officially, there are no dog-friendly beaches in the Basque Country, although it is true that people with dogs gather on some beaches. Therefore, if you decide to take your dog to the beach in Vizcaya or Guipúzcoa, it is your responsibility.

Dog-friendly beaches in the Balearic Islands

On these islands we can also enjoy with our dogs on their 11 dog-friendly beaches:

Dog-friendly beaches in Mallorca

• Llenaire Beach , in Port de Pollensa: the dog area can be used in summer. It is a rocky and pebble beach that is quite popular.
• Es Carnatge beach , in Palma de Mallorca: rocky beach.
• Na Patana Beach , in Santa Margarita: with sandy and rocky ground.
• Other dog beaches in Mallorca: Cala Blanca , in Andratx, Cala dels Gats , in Costa de la Calma (Calviá), and Punta des Marroig , in Palmanova (Calviá).

Dog-friendly beaches in Menorca

• Cala Binigaus and Cala Fustam , in Es Migjorn Gran: although the first is the easiest to get to, dogs can only go there from 7pm to 9am and must be on a leash. On the other hand, dogs can go to the second at any time, but getting to them is quite difficult. On both paradisiacal beaches you will find fine sand and crystal-clear waters.

Dog-friendly beaches in Ibiza

• Es Faralló Beach , in Santa Eulària del Riu: easy access, it is a small cove of 20 linear meters.
• Right side of the river mouth, in Santa Eulalia del Río: a 10-metre area and a small virgin coastal front have been made available and marked for access with dogs.
• Es Viver Beach , in the Es Viver neighborhood: rocky and criticized for its dirtiness.

Dog-friendly beaches in the Canary Islands

There are a total of 10 dog beaches in the Canary Islands:

Dog-friendly beaches in Gran Canaria

• Bocabarranco Beach , in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: it was the pioneer in the Canary Islands and has dark sand.
• Los Cuervitos Beach and Tres Peos Beach , in Agüimes: both with sand and stones and no services.

Dog-friendly beaches in Tenerife

• El Puertito Beach , in Güímar: urban beach with a delimited dog area.
• El Callao/Las Bajas Beach , in Arona: rocky beach.
• El Horno/El Confital Beach , in Granadilla de Abona: with adapted services and a beach bar.

Dog-friendly beaches in Lanzarote

• Guacimeta Beach , in Playa Honda (San Bartolomé): this sandy dog ​​beach is open all year round.
• Las Coloradas / El Afre Beach, in Playa Blanca (Yaiza).

Services and Facilities at Dog Beaches

• Showers and Drinking Fountains

  Most dog beaches in Spain are equipped with dog showers and water fountains, ensuring that pets stay clean and hydrated.

  Shadow Zones

  These areas are essential to protect dogs from the sun, especially during hot summer days.

  Play Areas

  Many dog ​​beaches have specific areas where dogs can play and socialize with other dogs.

  Standards and Recommendations

  General rules

  It is important to follow the rules established by each beach, such as keeping dogs under control, picking up after them and respecting designated dog areas.

  Practical tips

  - Always carry fresh water and a portable bowl for your dog .
  - Belt .
  - Breathable collar or harness.
  - Protect your dog from the sun with pet sunscreen.
  - Supervise your dog at all times, especially when in the water.

• Conclusion

  Dog-friendly beaches in Spain are a great option for those who want to enjoy the sea and sand with their pets . With a wide variety of beaches available, each with its own features and amenities, there is a perfect option for every type of owner and pet.

  Don't wait any longer and plan your next visit to a dog-friendly beach in Spain!