Dog-Friendly Beaches in Galicia
More and more people take their loyal companion on holiday rather than leaving the dog with a neighbour, family member or friend. Still, finding pet-friendly spots isn't always easy. Demand has grown — there are more pet-friendly hotels, flats and campsites — but access for pets is still banned on most Galician beaches. Tough for tourists touring Galicia with dogs and for locals who want to enjoy sun and sand with their four-legged friends.
A few years ago, Galicia had no "pet-friendly" beaches. Now there are growing requests to expand the list, though authorised beaches in Galicia are still few — but the number has grown lately.
Which Galician beaches can we go to with dogs?
Here's a list of dog-friendly beaches in Galicia, by province:
Dog beaches in A Coruña
By municipal bylaw, dogs are not allowed on Galician beaches between 1 June and 30 September; the rest of the year they may walk there. During summer, only two beaches accept dogs in A Coruña province.
In A Pobra do Caramiñal, dogs are tolerated in a small stretch of Playa del Arenal — also known as Playa de las Mariscadoras. The dog area is about 300 m; watch high tides as sand may be covered.
The Ares dog beach is a closer option to A Coruña — a delimited area within the large Ares beach, by the harbour. Council rules require dogs on leads.
Dog beaches in Lugo
On the Lugo coast only one beach allows dogs in summer: Punta Corveira in Barreiros. The bylaw allowing access was passed only a couple of years ago.
Located between Longara and Pasadas, with large rocks but very fine sand. There's also Areagrande in O Vicedo, where dogs are allowed in restricted hours from May to September — before 10:00 and after 21:00.
Dog beaches in Pontevedra
The province with the most dog-friendly beaches in Galicia — up to six.
In San Vicente do Mar: O Espiño and O Portiño beaches, in the south of the O Grove peninsula. Separated by rocks, near the Pedras Negras marina. Calm beaches, fine white sand, good views of the Ons Islands.
Since 2016: Cunchiña Beach in the O Morrazo peninsula. 110 m long, swimming only at one end.
In Vilagarcía de Arousa: O Castelete since 2016.
In Redondela: Cesantes and Chapela beaches. Cesantes (2016) has full services and Blue Flag often, plus it's smoke-free. Chapela is a small cove with basic infrastructure.
In the council of Vigo: A Foz and A Calzoa, recently added in Navia-Coruxo parish. A Foz is 300+ m by the Lagares river. A Calzoa is 120 m, fine sand with some rocks.
Galicia has hidden coves where dog owners often go. Be careful — even unsupervised beaches can result in fines if the local bylaw bans access.
Some unofficial dog beaches: Portocelo, Aldán, Barra and Viñó or Barreiras (Pontevedra); Salinas and Petons (Arousa Island); Las Dunas, Carnota, Lago or Traba (A Coruña).
