A brand new dog-friendly beach on the Costa del Sol includes 400 sq metres of sandy space for pets to roam freely, and is finally open to the public after a year of planning
This Easter will mark the opening of a new dog-friendly beach on the Costa del Sol. Manilva will open its first-ever doggy beach on the Playa de las Arenas, about 3.1-miles south of San Luis de Sabinillas.
Manvila, a sunny town in Malaga, first announced this revolutionary purpose-built dog beach over a year ago. The plans for the new beach include a complete car park and 400 sq metres of space for pets to frolic freely. Beachgoers intending to bring their pets are advised to park in the Parking Playa area, which can be found next to the local Seaside Grill and Bar, along the A-7 coastal road. Keep in mind, the car park can get very busy during summer months.
From the car park, dog owners have two options as to where they can bring their pets. Following the path markers on the lefthand side will direct you to the dog-friendly beach. Here, pet owners are still advised to keep their canines on a leash, so that they do not disturb other dogs or beachgoers.
READ MORE: Underrated EU seaside town with £1.31 beers just like Spain’s Costa del Sol
Alternatively, following the path markers to the right, you’ll end up at a leash-free area on the sand. Dog owners are also required to ensure their pets stay between the sectioned ropes. The dog zone is built in a section of Manilva’s 850 metre long Playa de las Arena beach. The initial plans for the beach were discussed in September 2023 and were approved in January 2024.
The project was under the supervision of beach councillor Gema Zotano and environmental councillor Noelia Muñoz, and received approval from the Costa del Sol public health director. The group assembled on the Playa de las Arenas last year to kick start the project.
There are numerous dog-friendly beaches throughout Malaga and the Costa del Sol, though Manilva’s is the first in the province with its own car park. Other dog-friendly beaches include Arroyo Hondo Beach in Benalmádena, the Piedra Paloma dog beach in Casares and the Ventura del Mar dog beach in Marbella.
That said, Malaga stands apart for having the most dog-friendly beaches. Manilva, which is located on the southwesternmost edge of the Malaga province, is also well-known for its lively summer festivals, making it an ideal place for your next beach getaway.
Before you venture to Manilva, be aware there are still a few strict rules and regulations in place. Dog owners are asked to bear in mind the following before and during their visit:
- Keep your pet under control.
- Collect your dog’s excrement and deposit it in the authorised bins.
- Do not disturb other users of the beach.
- Keep your dog’s vaccination card up to date.
- If the dog is a potentially dangerous breed or weighs more than 20kg, it must kept on the leash and muzzled.
According to city officials, the beach was meant to be open all year round – even during the winter. Though it is unclear if that is still the case after opening.
