We continue discovering more dog-friendly beaches, and today we are stopping in Andalusia. There, you can enjoy a fantastic beach selection that is fairly evenly distributed among the regions. Dog-friendly beaches in this autonomous community are thriving. Who could have imagined it in 2015, when the regional government issued a statement that required municipalities to close their dog-friendly beaches. But as the saying goes, where there is a law, there is a loophole. Municipal governments, aware that this was necessary for their residents and all the tourists who come to Andalusia, found a legal loophole and took advantage of it. Thanks to this, they began opening dog-friendly beaches in areas where the water was supposedly unsuitable for swimming. Let's take a look at them!
Beach in Almería
La Rana Beach, in Adra, is located on the outskirts of the city and can be used all year round, as it is a designated area outside the urban center, in an area where very few bathers go in summer. That is why it was chosen to become a dog-friendly beach. It stretches for 350 linear meters and its waters are unsuitable for swimming (the main requirement set by the regional government for opening a dog beach in Andalusia). To keep the beach clean and in perfect hygienic and sanitary condition, washing animals on the beach, feeding them, or leaving excrement there is strictly prohibited. In fact, ARISTOPARENTS are required to carry the appropriate poop bags with them.
Beach in Granada
The only dog-friendly beach in the province of Granada is in Motril and opened in 2014, although in 2015 it had to close by order of the regional government. Fortunately, it became available again last year, and this summer of 2017 it will also be open to our doggies. The beach is located at the beginning of Playa Poniente, next to the harbor wall in the city of Motril.
Beaches in Málaga
1. El Castillo Beach, located in Fuengirola, this dog-friendly beach was one of the pioneers in Andalusia. Made up of sand and small pebbles, it is located in the Castillo Sohail area, quite close to the road, so if your dog is restless, keep a close eye on it.
2. Arroyo Totalán Beach. This dog beach is located at the mouth of the Arroyo Totalán, and its waters are unsuitable for swimming. It is not exactly the best dog-friendly beach in Andalusia and has been the subject of several complaints from users. Its surface consists of sand and stones. We hope the situation improves soon.
3. Piedra Paloma Beach, in Casares. This was one of the last dog beaches to be designated in Andalusia. It is located next to another dog-friendly beach (Playa de la Sal), which was closed in 2015. Now, in 2017, residents of Casares can once again enjoy this new dog beach with their dogs, as it has obtained all the permits needed to become an official dog-friendly beach.
4. Torre del Mar dog-friendly beach. This fine-sand beach is one of the best beaches for dogs and stands out for its cleanliness. It was opened last year, and this summer of 2017 it will remain open to our dogs. This dog-friendly beach also has a play area.
5. El Pinillo and Ventura de Mar beaches, in Marbella. On June 24, 2017, two dog-friendly areas were inaugurated on the beaches within the municipality of Marbella. They are two areas of 250 square meters each, where dogs can enter during the summer without time restrictions.
Beach in Cádiz
Camposoto Beach. This dog beach in Cádiz has received a lot of criticism because of its poor access. Not only is it very far from the parking area, but the long walk to the beach is also quite tedious, especially when the heat is intense. Therefore, you need to take care of your dog's paw pads and take extra precautions to prevent heatstroke.
Beach in Huelva
Espigón Beach. This is a 2,500-square-meter area extending from the 5th boardwalk to the breakwater. It is very close to the city, making it ideal for everyone who lives in Huelva or wants to enjoy a city vacation with their dog.
We hope this list of pet-friendly beaches in Andalusia is useful to you. If you would like to continue the itinerary through the best beaches for dogs, we invite you to join us in Catalonia or travel a little farther, to Galicia. Or even leave the mainland, heading to the Balearic Islands.