travel with dog for Spain is not an easy task. To begin with, because generally, our pets are not allowed to enter -practically- anywhere, and to continue, because each municipality of the State has its own rules in this regard.
That's why it's so useful Spain with a dog: 200 plans with your best friend (Planeta, 2022), a very complete guide in which the journalist Paul Munoz shell the attractions and transportation in which we can enjoy together with our dogs (and how to do it in the most comfortable and safe way possible!).
Spain cover with dog.
The best? Muñoz has been trying them all since 2018 together with Pipper, a Parson Russell Terrier who is “the first tourist dog to go around Spain”, According to the owner's words. In the web Piper on Tour break down his adventures, which include, in addition to many travel tips, milestones such as starring in two children's comics and of the official guide of Donostia dog-friendly . Of course, all his companies -including talks in schools- fulfill the same objective: promote the integration of educated pets in public spaces.
WHERE CAN YOU TRAVEL WITH DOGS IN SPAIN?
As we said, the general situation is not too rosy for those of us who move around Spain with dogs. An example? Barely 3% of the beaches they admit them (and, in many cases, these are sandy areas where bathing is not even allowed); on medium and long distance trains Dogs weighing more than ten kilos cannot travel. and only in seven municipalities with more than 500,000 people (Alcoi, Donostia, Fuengirola, Irun, Ourense, Palma de Mallorca and San Cugat del Vallès) they can get on the city bus without a carrier.
In the case of accommodation and restaurants, the situation is not much better: there are entire communities, such as Aragón, that do not allow dogs in them, although it is also true that more and more establishments do. To keep up to date with which ones are and which ones are not, Muñoz's book directs you directly to the Pipper on tour website through different QR codes.
But let's go to what can be done, selecting an interesting sample of the 200 plans included in the book. They can serve you inspiration to choose your next destination!
- ANTEQUERA, CITY PET-FRIENDLY
An entire municipality where dogs can walk freely? That's how it is Antequera ! thanks to the badge “pets welcome” , you will easily know which establishments allow dogs to enter. Also, the museum of this city of Malaga and the citadel they also allow them, just like the legendary natural space of the Torcal of Antequera.
But there is still one more surprise! Antequera dedicates a park for the “illustrious dogs”, among which are icons such as Snoopy, Laika, Lassie... and now Piper too.
2. KAYAK, RAFTING AND CANYONING IN HUESCA
The magnificent natural landscape of Huesca is a paradise for humans and dogs, which can be explored both on foot... and on the water. Thus, the Aragonese Association of Canine Activities CanyonCan organizes all kinds of mountain activities with pets, including rafting, water hiking or kayaking.
3. THE BEST BEACHES FOR DOGS IN CANTABRIA
Neither difficult to access, nor full of stone, nor impossible for the bathroom: the Somo Dog Beach, in Cantabria, it is a joy. It is a waveless shore -it is next to an estuary- where the dogs can go loose. In addition, in this place, dogs can also run around the main beaches in summer (Somo and El Puntal) between eight in the evening and nine in the morning.
Beyond this corner, Cantabria has other eight canine beaches , among which the Jortin sandbank (very pretty, but with the presence of algae normally), that of Mace (with dog fountain, but quite small) and the Helgueras , precious… but where the dogs must be tied.
4. BY BOAT THROUGH THE 'FIORDS' OF LEON
The exceptional beauty of the area of the Riaño reservoir and its high mountains has earned it the nickname "fjord". It can be sailed aboard the ship of the same name together with our best friend, for only two euros.
Boat route through the Riaño reservoir, in León.
5. INSIDE THE CHURCH OF THE STARS IN PALENCIA
A Old Romanesque church from the 12th century converted into a cultural center. That's the Church of the Stars , which dedicates its permanent collection to the study of the universe. In addition, in the historic space they take place concerts, parades, shows … and you can enter everyone with your dog!
6. ALBA DE TORMES, DOG-FRIENDLY HISTORIC VILLA
Dawn of Tormes It is a medieval Salamancan town that hides many stories within its walls, among them, the origin of the House of Alba. There, as in Antequera, dogs are more than welcome in many of the establishments, but also in attractions and exhibition spaces such as the Homage Tower, the Pottery Museum, the convent of San Juan de la Cruz, the Archaeological Museum...
7. THE ENCHANTED CASTLE, MAGIC FOR HUMANS AND ANIMALS
Dragons in the dungeons, fantastic creatures in the library, unicorns in the dining room... Valley Trigueros (Valladolid) hides an enchanted castle ideal for a visit with your pet. There, in a 15th Century Fortress, a work of craftsmanship, special effects and imagination has been carried out that has brought to life what is today the Enchanted castle.
8. A BOUTIQUE HOTEL FOR DOGS AND HUMANS BETWEEN PINE FORESTS
In Cuenca there are no attractions that we can enter with a dog , but the establishments are very kind to our canine friends. Proof of this is the Boutique Hotel El Pinar , in Jábaga (less than ten minutes from the city by car), rated as exceptional by Munoz and Piper.
El Pinar Boutique Hotel.
“It is located in a pine forest. Each room is actually an independent house with its corresponding private garden and pool . They want to stay with you fireplace and not get out of there. Breakfast ( all homemade , even the confectionery) arrives at the room at the time you indicate”. Relaxing holidays for everyone!
9. TO THE CINEMA WITH DOG
The Madrid drive-in cinema and the one of Valencia They allow the entry of dogs all year round, at no additional cost. But, in addition, in the capital, on Thursdays they celebrate the Dog Afternoon : if you go with your best friend, they offer you a 2 for 1 in popcorn!
10. WINERIES PET-FRIENDLY
In both Rioja Alavesa and Ribeira Sacra there are wineries where it is possible to practice wine tourism with your best friend . In the first, the place to go is Lozano Wineries, At the moment, the only one that admits polite dogs on its visits. In the second there are two most interesting possibilities: Soul of Donuts Y Abbey of Coba.