If you can’t live without your pet, you’ll probably want to travel with him or her, too! Enjoy a fun, pet-friendly holiday on the Costa del Sol, one with dog beaches, dog parks, dog trails, pet-friendly hotels and more. Find out how the province of Malaga caters to animal lovers below.
Dog Beaches in Malaga
The Costa del Sol is filled with dog beaches where you can play with and bathe your furry friends. One of the best is Playa del Castillo, in Fuengirola, which is right next to Castillo Sohail. Torre del Mar, in Vélez Málaga, also has a fantastic dog beach. This one sits close to the mouth of the Vélez River, is nearly 4,000 metres in length and has fine sand and all the amenities your pet could need—including a play area and a special dog fountain! There is also a small dog beach in Torrox, a rocky beach located at the mouth of the Torrox River, a few metres from the lighthouse.
Marbella also has two dog beaches, El Pinillo Beach and Ventura de Mar Beach. The first sits on the outskirts of the city, is 1.5 kilometres long and has a 250 square-metre, furnished area where dogs can play and their owners can relax.
In Benalmádena, Benalcán (also known as "Tajo de la Soga Beach") is a dog beach with wild coves and rocks. Other options include: Arroyo Totalán Beach, which is tucked between Malaga capital and Cala del Moral, and Piedra Paloma Beach, in Casares.
Dog parks
You will find dog parks all over the province of Malaga. These parks are free to enter, allow dogs to run around unleashed and include vast green spaces and dog fountains.
Head to Malaga capital and you’ll find pet-friendly parks like El Morlaco Park, North Park, Huelin Park, San Miguel Park, La Barriguilla Park and the Botanical Garden of La Concepción, where plant lovers will be able to walk their dogs through more than 150,000 plants. In Marbella, the 12,000 square-metre Nagüeles Park has a large recreation area, a space for small dogs and even a special area for dog training. Mijas has two dog parks, one on José Orbaneja Street and the other on Ciprés Street, while Fuengirola has the 5,400 square-metre “Guau Guau” Park and the 6,000 square-metre Guau Guau 2. The latter has a designated dog training area, and all give pet owners plenty of space to enjoy a peaceful walk with their dog(s).
Dog trails in Costa del Sol
One of the best activities for dog owners to do is to take their dogs on a hike through the countryside or the mountains! Costa del Sol is packed with trails that go right through the heart of Mother Nature. El Chorro Natural Park, tucked between the municipalities of Ardales and Álora, offers visitors reservoirs, fresh air, towering mountains and dreamy views. The Senda Litoral trail, on the other hand, runs for over 160 kilometres and follows the coast of Malaga province.
Pet-friendly hotels in Malaga
If you want to see charming Costa del Sol with your pet(s), you’ll be glad to know that the province is packed with many hotels, apartments, campsites, country houses and more that welcome animals just as much as their owners. In the heart of Malaga capital, the four-star Petit Palace Plaza Málaga Hotel promises to make you and your pet's stay as comfortable as possible. In Torremolinos, the adults-only Hotel Ritual Torremolinos is pet friendly, and in Ronda, so is the Catalonia Ronda Hotel. If you’re in glamorous Marbella, the famous Fuerte Hotel welcomes dogs. Going camping? Most campsites in Costa del Sol allow pets—top options include El Pino (Torrox), Camping Torremolinos and Camping Presa de La Viñuela Rural.
Have the time of your life when you travel with “man’s best friend!” Costa del Sol is a very pet-friendly destination, and more and more hotels and businesses are joining the trend.
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