We continue our tour of the best pet-friendly beaches in Spain, and today we're making a very dog-friendly stop in Catalonia. In this region, there are quite a few beaches where you can enjoy a day of sun and saltwater with your ARISTOPET, without any concerns or problems. Ready?
Dog-friendly beaches in Girona:
1. Playa de la Rubina, in Empuriabrava. It was the first dog-friendly beach in Catalonia and a pioneer in Spain, an example of coexistence that has become a kind of pilgrimage site. A must-visit. It's a wild beach with fine sand, dunes, preserved from urban development, and kitesurfing is also permitted there.
2. Playa del Rec del Molí, in l’Escala. This dog-friendly beach has recently been habilitated. The dog area occupies half of the beach. Its surroundings are quiet and it has many services nearby.
3. Dog-friendly area of Els Griells beach, in Estartit. This is a small stretch that has been made dog-friendly since last year. Perhaps to compensate for the prohibition of dogs on La Platera beach since 2016.
Dog-friendly beaches in Barcelona:
1. Playa de Llevant, in Barcelona. It opened successfully last year (a total of 13,241 dogs enjoyed it, according to the City Council) and is consolidating this year. Thanks to the work of the City Council, which has installed a fountain adapted for all types of dogs, whose water comes out with more pressure —instead of being vaporized, as last year. The base of the urinals is now made of filtering plastic, instead of metal, to reduce the surface temperature.
This area has a space of 1,250 square meters and will be open until September 25th. It is physically separated from the rest of the beach for bathers, which helps everyone feel more relaxed. It has a limited capacity of 100 dogs, who can only access if they are microchipped.
2. Cala Vallcarca, located in Sitges, is one of the most visited dog-friendly beaches in the province of Barcelona. It is a beach 65 meters long and 20 meters wide, with fine sand and a gradual entry into the sea. It is relatively isolated, although next to a cement factory —which undoubtedly detracts from the environment. It has parking and a beach bar. If you want to see it, click here.
3. Playa de les Salines, in the town of Cubelles. It is located next to a thermal power plant —which is also not ideal—, but despite this, it is a small beach that has been very well received by ARISTOPARENTS and ARISTOPETS since it opened. Now it can be enjoyed not only from October to May, but throughout the entire year —provided that animals remain in the designated area.
4. Playa La Picòrdia, in Arenys de Mar. The City Council has decided to enable a stretch of beach for dogs this summer. It will be open from June 1st to September 16th, from eight in the morning to eight in the evening, and only dogs registered in the town can access it. It is worth keeping this in mind.
5. Dog-friendly area of Pineda de Mar. This area of fine sand and calm, clear waters is available for enjoyment with dogs 365 days a year with no time restrictions. It's worth discovering.
Dog-friendly beaches in Tarragona:
1. Playa de la Riera d’Alforja, in Cambrils. A pebble and sand beach that the Cambrils City Council enabled last year. Fortunately, it is gradually improving, and this year the bathing area has been delimited with buoys and the access to the beach, with a wooden fence —which replaces last year's stakes and ropes. In addition, seventeen sanitary cabins have been installed, also made of wood, and six of them have been adapted for people with reduced mobility.
2. Playa de la Bassa de l’Arena, in Riumar. One of the best dog-friendly beaches in all of Catalonia, thanks to its spaciousness, its golden and fine sand, and the wonderful environment where it is located: the Ebro Delta.
3. Cala Cementiri, in Ametlla de Mar. Lots of rock and little sand. And only 20 meters long by 15 wide. Although easily accessible, both on foot and by car, making it not a bad option for an escape with your furry friend.
4. Playa de Bon Caponet, also in Ametlla de Mar. It is a semi-urban and quiet environment, 50 meters long by 14 meters wide. Due to the stony ground and the frequent presence of algae, it is not a very crowded place for bathers, which is why the City Council decided to give it another use.
5. Playa de Platjola, in Alcanar. Ideal for a summer dip, due to its easy access —right next to the road. It is a narrow beach formed by small pebbles. It holds the title of "virgin beach," as it is part of the collection of beaches and coves of Les Timbes, which have high environmental and ecological value. A spot that, without a doubt, both of you will enjoy.
We hope this post has been of interest to you. If you want to discover other dog-friendly beaches in Galicia, click here. And if you want to know about others in the rest of Spain, stay tuned for our publications!