Dog-friendly Benidorm

Updated 15/10/2026 by the onbenidorm team · Rules checked October 2026

Dogs are not allowed on any of Benidorm's beaches or coves, apart from assistance dogs, so the nearest dog beach is Cala del Xarco at the southern end of Villajoyosa. In town, Benidorm has around seven fenced Benicán dog parks, including ones in the Rincón de Loix and by the bullring. A 24-hour emergency vet operates in nearby L'Alfàs del Pi.

Dogs on Benidorm beaches: Banned (assistance dogs exempt)
Nearest dog beach: Cala del Xarco, Villajoyosa
Dog parks: About seven fenced Benicán areas
24-hour vet: AniCura Marina Baixa, L'Alfàs del Pi, 966 860 669
Entering Spain: Microchip, rabies jab, then a 21-day wait

Is Benidorm dog friendly?

Partly: Benidorm has fenced dog parks, plenty of dog-friendly accommodation and terraces, but dogs are banned from every beach. A 2020 HomeToGo study cited by Alicante Plaza found 16.51% of Benidorm's holiday accommodation accepted dogs, then the highest share in the Valencian Community.

Plan around the beach ban and the summer heat. For ideas, see our things to do in Benidorm hub and free things to do in Benidorm.

Can dogs go on Benidorm's beaches?

No. Article 45 of Benidorm's beach ordinance bans animals from beaches and coves all year, including Levante, Poniente and Mal Pas. Article 47 exempts assistance dogs and rescue dogs.

The ordinance treats an animal on the beach as a minor offence, which carries a fine of up to €750. The promenades above the sand are not covered by the ban. Our Benidorm beaches guide has the other beach rules.

Dog beaches near Benidorm

There is no dog beach in Benidorm itself; a beach only counts as dog friendly where a council has designated and signed it.

Cala del Xarco, Villajoyosa

The regional tourist board lists El Xarco as a dog beach (playa canina). It sits at the far southern end of Villajoyosa's coast, near Tossal del Mar, with two access points from the N-332. It is a rustic cove of coarse sand and cobbles, with no lifeguards, so bring water, shade and waste bags. Older guides say dogs are allowed all day, every day of the year; check the signs on arrival. See Villajoyosa from Benidorm.

Other options along the coast

Altea's Playa Mar y Montaña opened to dogs in 2016, and El Campello, north of Alicante, has had dog areas at Punta del Riu and Barranc d'Aigües. These rules change from year to year, so check with each town hall before you drive. See Benidorm to Altea for the town itself.

Dog parks in Benidorm

Benidorm's fenced dog parks are called Benicán; some have agility equipment. When the Rincón de Loix area opened in November 2021, the council said the city had seven.

Rincón de Loix: next to the Antonio López football pitches, at the junction with Avenida Bernat de Sarrià; double-gated entrance, benches and bins.
Bullring: in the leisure park beside the Plaza de Toros, renovated in early 2026 with a new double-gated fence, with an agility area planned nearby.
Parc de Foietes, behind Levante.
Marina Alta, on Avenida Adolfo Suárez.
Vicente Pérez Devesa, Parque de Ocio Virgen del Rocío and Calle Italia.

Rules for dogs in Benidorm

Keep your dog under control and pick up after it, and expect strict muzzle and lead rules for breeds Spain classes as potentially dangerous (PPP).

Under Spain's Law 50/1999, a PPP dog must wear a muzzle suited to its breed and be on a lead or chain shorter than two metres in public; leaving it unmuzzled or off the lead is a serious offence, fined at €300.52 to €2,404.05. Owners in Spain also need a municipal licence and liability insurance.

The breeds on the regional list include the Akita Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Dobermann, Bull Terrier, Bullmastiff, Dogo Argentino and their close crosses.

Dogs on taxis, buses and the TRAM

Benidorm's TaxiCoin app shows which nearby taxis accept pets before you book, which is the simplest way to move a dog around town. Our Benidorm taxis guide has ranks and fares.

We could not find published pet rules for Benidorm's urban buses or the Alicante TRAM, so ask the operator before you travel; assistance dogs are accepted under Spanish law. For routes and fares, see getting around Benidorm, and if you drive, check parking in Benidorm first.

Pet-friendly hotels and restaurants

Policies vary, so ask before booking whether there is a weight limit, an extra fee per night, whether dogs may be left alone in the room, and which areas, such as the pool or restaurant, are off limits.

Compare areas in where to stay in Benidorm and start your search on hotels in Benidorm.

Vets and summer heat

The nearest 24-hour emergency vet we found is AniCura Marina Baixa Hospital Veterinario at Passeig Mitja Llegua 17, L'Alfàs del Pi, just north of Benidorm (966 860 669). Its clinic hours are 09:00 to 21:00, with vets on site for emergencies around the clock.

Heat is the bigger risk: walk early and late from June to September, carry water and never leave a dog in a parked car. Our Benidorm weather in July and August pages show how hot it gets.

Bringing a dog to Spain

Every dog entering Spain needs a microchip, then a rabies vaccination given at 12 weeks or older, followed by a 21-day wait before travel.

From another EU country: an EU pet passport, available only to EU residents.
From Great Britain: an animal health certificate from your vet, issued no more than 10 days before entry; GB residents cannot use an EU pet passport. See GOV.UK – Taking your pet abroad.
From other non-EU countries: an EU animal health certificate from an official vet, and for most countries a rabies blood test taken at least three months before travel. Check the EU's pet travel rules.
No tapeworm treatment is needed for Spain; up to five pets can travel with you on a private trip.

Useful pages for a trip with a dog

Name	Area	Known for
Villajoyosa from Benidorm	Villajoyosa	Town near the Cala del Xarco dog beach
Benidorm beaches	Benidorm	Beach rules and the animal ban
Benidorm taxis	Resort-wide	Ranks and fares
Benidorm to Altea	Altea	Day trip up the coast

Dog-friendly Benidorm — FAQs

Are dogs allowed on Benidorm beaches?

No. Benidorm's beach ordinance bans animals from all its beaches and coves all year, with an exception for assistance and rescue dogs. An animal on the beach is a minor offence carrying a fine of up to €750. Dogs on a lead can use the seafront promenades.

Where is the nearest dog beach to Benidorm?

Cala del Xarco, at the far southern end of Villajoyosa near Tossal del Mar, is listed as a dog beach by the regional tourist board. It is a rustic cove of coarse sand and cobbles with no lifeguards.

Are there dog parks in Benidorm?

Yes. The council's fenced Benicán dog parks include ones in the Rincón de Loix by the Antonio López football pitches, beside the bullring, in Parc de Foietes and on Avenida Adolfo Suárez. Some have agility equipment, and the bullring park was renovated in early 2026.

Do dogs need to wear a muzzle in Spain?

Only breeds classed as potentially dangerous, such as Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, Pit Bulls and Dobermanns, must wear a muzzle and a lead under two metres in public. Breaking this rule is a serious offence, fined at €300.52 to €2,404.05 under Spain's Law 50/1999.

Is there a 24-hour vet near Benidorm?

AniCura Marina Baixa Hospital Veterinario in L'Alfàs del Pi, just north of Benidorm, offers 24-hour emergency care with vets on site. It is at Passeig Mitja Llegua 17 and the phone number is 966 860 669. Normal clinic hours are 09:00 to 21:00.

Can I take my dog in a taxi in Benidorm?

Some drivers accept pets. Benidorm's TaxiCoin app lists the extras each nearby taxi offers, including carrying pets, so you can choose a suitable car before booking. Assistance dogs are accepted under Spanish law.

What does my dog need to travel to Spain from the UK?

A microchip, a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel and an animal health certificate from your vet, issued no more than 10 days before you enter the EU. Residents of Great Britain cannot use an EU pet passport. Spain does not require a tapeworm treatment.

Related guides

Sources and how we checked

Last updated 15 October 2026 by the onbenidorm team.