Travelling to Spain with your dog? The best places to visit
Dog owners love travelling with their furry friends but it is challenging to plan a trip along with a dog simply because we are not always aware of the pet-friendly options available, let alone when you are traveling to a different country altogether. This means our dogs often end up staying at home.
The good news is that Spain is a perfect destination for this. It is pet friendly and also a trending place to visit with your dog. Many establishments are welcoming families who travel with their dogs, with an increased number of pet friendly accommodations and other eatery options that can help make the travel experience more pleasant.
Look for hotels that are pet friendly and have a conversation with them regarding the same over a call. Confirm your booking with the pet inclusion policy in writing and also confirm if they charge extra to accommodate the pet. It might be tough to carry your pet’s food all the way, hence call the hotel and get the dog’s meal included in the payment.
You should also figure out if the climate of Spain is suitable for your dog as you will not want it to get hot. There are breeds like Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, and even the Australian Labradoodle with genes of Spaniels, which mainly originated in Spain.
Before travelling to Spain with your dog:
Even before the start of your travel, it is important to ensure a few things so that your dog is not restricted anywhere during the travel. You have to check on the regulations in advance. To enter Spain with your dog, the animal must be accompanied by their owner and duly micro-chipped. Their health certificates must be up to date and translated into Spanish.
If you are taking an airline to arrive in Spain, check if the airline allows pets on their craft. You can also look for rules if the pet is allowed inside the cabin. You should also enquire about the reputation of the airline with handling pets as some are better than others in such a scenario. You should prepare for the trip much in advance so that all the necessary documentation is in place.
Meanwhile, prepare your dog to get used to the pet carrier so that they are comfortable during the journey. The pet carrier you choose should be suitable for the dog. Do not forget to add a blanket and remember to speak to your vet. They may recommend that you give the dog some kind of medication to relax while travelling.
Now let us look for pet friendly places so you can enjoy travelling to Spain with your dog.
- Mallorca:
It is the largest island in the Balearic Islands and the seventh largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. This place is welcoming to visitors, and, and the island is an extremely popular holiday destination, particularly for tourists from the Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom. As it is an island, it is welcoming to pet parents and their pets too. In fact, dogs are being permitted to travel on public transport as well which makes it easier to get around the island. This way you also save on the transport costs and get to explore hidden corners of the island with your pooch. In fact, the capital of Mallorca which is Palma de Mallorca is the city where most people own a dog so it comes as no surprise that your four-legged friend will be welcomed almost everywhere. In fact, the City Council has promoted the idea of expanding national and international pet tourism by increasing pet friendly accommodations and arranging for necessary entertainment that can attract tourists. Here you can take your dog to explore most beaches without any restrictions. - Gijón:
It is a city in north-western Spain and is the largest city by population in the autonomous community of Asturias that is located on the coast of the Cantabrian Sea in the Bay of Biscay. This is a naturally pet friendly city in Spain with multiple pet friendly accommodation options along with restaurants and several establishments that warmly welcome pets. Its popular San Lorenzo Beach is a great public place to enjoy with your dog. If you want to do something out of the box, then you can even take a trip in a hot-air balloon with your dog. - Bilbao:
This largest city in northern Spain also is one of the best locations to visit if you love the outdoors. It gives you interesting options when planning your itinerary with your pet. You can walk with your dog in the most crowded areas of the city without any worries. You can enjoy a walk by the river and check out the best tourist spots in the place like the city’s old quarter and Guggenheim Museum. - Valencia:
The perfect traveller paradise for you and your dog in Spain is Valencia, which was awarded the ‘pet friendly city’ stamp in 2019, which it very much deserves. It has so many gardens and outdoor spaces open for your dogs that you will not miss out on visiting any popular places because you are travelling with your pet. You can take a walk along the old course of the Turia River, relax on a cafe terrace or swim together on the Pinedo beach. The climate is so comfortable that you can enjoy this
city year-round without getting too hot or too cold. - Granada:
Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of four rivers, the Darro, the Genil, the Monachil, and the Beiro which adds that additional charm to the city which your pet can enjoy. Taking a hike in the Sierra Nevada mountains during the day should be included in your itinerary and you can be back by evening to take a stroll in the city’s historic streets and take a sip of coffee at a pet friendly cafe. If you get tired, you can always jump into a pet friendly taxi that can get you around the city.
The Bottom Line
Spain is a country filled with beautiful landscapes, incredible history, and amazing locales. With so many activities and adventures to offer, It is a perfect destination to travel with your pooch.
Elle, along with Alan, is the owner of Spain Buddy and the busy web design business – Spain Web Design by Gandy-Draper.
Born a “Norverner”, she then spent most of her life “Dann Saff” before moving to Spain in 2006. Elle’s loves are Alan, the internet, dogs, good food, and dry white wine – although not necessarily in that order.
