Marbella council announces two new dog-friendly beaches

Golden retrievers on golden sands are becoming a familiar sight at dog-friendly beaches on the Costa del Sol.

The unwritten, and sometimes written, rules of the beach are universal throughout Spain: don’t place your towel too close to others, don’t be loud and obnoxious, don’t stare, and don’t let your dogs run loose, or even bring them at all…

While appearing unnecessarily harsh on our canine friends – who would no doubt absolutely love to bound through the surf and invade as many picnics as possible – this ruling ensures that beaches are free from dog mess and children can play safely without the potential threat of an animal turning aggressive.

But dogs do love beaches, and humans, for the most part, love dogs. Which is why Miguel Díaz, the Councillor for Sustainability of Marbella, has bow-wow-ed down to demands to make even more sections of the Costa del Sol’s stunning shoreline more amenable to dog owners.

The councillor has announced that the Junta de Andalucía has green-lighted the opening up of two new dog beaches this summer, located in the El Pinillo area of Marbella, and the Ventura del Mar in Nueva Andalucía.

According to Díaz, the council has faced increasing demand for more dog zones over the last couple of years. The two locations were chosen because they have been found to be less favoured by beach-goers, Díaz said, and thus “the dog zones do not interfere with bathers seeking to relax in the sun”.

The council has published a brief list of regulations for dog owners planning on heading to the two beaches, namely that pet owners keep their dogs under control at all times, clean up all waste, and ensure that their dogs’ vaccinations are up to date.

Being a beach-goer and a dog-lover in southern Spain is becoming increasingly easier thanks to this new ruling, which augments the roll-call of beaches that are pooch-friendly. Dogs can also enjoy the surf at specifically designated and signposted beach areas within the municipalities of San Pedro, Torre del Mar, Fuengirola, Casares, Málaga City, Rincón de la Victoria, Benalmádena and Mijas Costa.

Some of these designated beach areas allow dogs all year round, while others have restrictions in place during the summer season. So as bylaws vary widely from one town to another, rather than risk facing a possible fine, it’s always best to check with your local Town Hall or Tourist Information Office first.