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Alicante province boasts more than 100km of beautiful coastline, but as is the case throughout Spain, animals, in particular dogs, are not welcome on all of it.

 

Several owners have already paid the price for letting their dogs loose on 'non-pet-friendly' playas and been hit with fines. So it's a good idea to be aware of exactly where you can enjoy a day at the sea with your pooch before setting off.

 

Thankfully, there's a good selection of designated beaches for the furry additions to the family, with nine across the province. Pet owners must comply with rules and regulations which are clearly signposted, including picking up any mess, carrying an up-to-date pet vaccination card and keeping dog breeds considered 'potentially dangerous' on a leash with a muzzle.

 

 

 

Agua Amarga is located just before the coastal area of Urbanova and is accessed from the N332 in the direction of Santa Pola. The beach has been adapted for dogs with a 'pipi-can' toilet area and a fenced enclosure where they can run freely and play with other pets.

 

 

El Campello, 20 minutes from Alicante city, pioneered dog beaches in the province with the opening Punta del Riu, a small beach of sand and pebbles about 500 metres from the town's huge dog park with an agility area.

 

 

A little further away from the centre of El Campello is El Barranc d'Aigües, situated near the nudist beach of Llomes de Reixes. The ground is also made up of pebbles and some users have criticised it for being difficult to access.

 

 

This small area is hugely popular with tourists visiting the coastal resort and the neighbouring town of Elche. It's part of the Calas Cuartel set of rock and sand coves and is located next to the Cabo de Santa Pola Natural Park. The rules are the same as on any other beach, but visitors are reminded that it is forbidden to bring puppies that are not yet vaccinated. In the five years that it has been open, it has already been recognised as one of the most pet-friendly beaches in the province.

 

 

 

This beach located to the south of the town has a specific bathing area adapted for dogs and stands out for being one of the most natural beaches in Villajoyosa. Because it's a little more difficult to access, it doesn't get too busy. Xarco cove is open all year round, and the ground is made up of stones and pebbles.

 

 

One of the province's most beautiful towns, Altea, is home to Mar y Montaña beach located close to the Villa Gadea urbanisation. It's not a large beach, but it is big enough for dogs to have fun and cool off in the water.

 

Located in Punta del Reset and near the port is Escollera Norte, a small beach about 100 metres in length. The area has been pet-friendly since 2016, but some visitors complain about the abundance of seaweed there.

 

 

This rocky section of pet-friendly coastline is located between the Ferris cove and the Rocío del Mar housing development. In the past there were two other areas nearby that were previously designated for pet bathing, Punta Margallo and Cala del Moro, but the town council has since reversed the decision and prohibited pets.

 

 

This beach is only a few metres from El Rocío but belongs to Orihuela municipality, so you can walk from one beach to the other. Both pet-friendly zones are connected by the promenade and pedestrian areas, which makes visiting both on the same day a walk in the park!

 

Images 1 and 2: Archive

Image 3: Freepik