Marbella with your dog: dog-friendly beaches, restaurants and the 3 walks your dog will absolutely love

Planning a trip to Marbella with your dog? Great news: the Costa del Sol is one of the most pet-friendly destinations in Andalusia. Over 50,000 registered pets in the municipality, two official dog beaches, dedicated parks throughout the city, and a dining scene that now has a menu for four-legged guests. This guide covers exactly where you can go, what rules you need to know, and how to plan a perfect few days alongside your best friend.

Where dogs are allowed in Marbella

Marbella’s municipal bylaws allow dogs in most public spaces as long as they are on a lead and owners carry bags to clean up after them. In practice, this means you can walk your dog along the Seafront Promenade (Paseo Marítimo), the Golden Mile, the Old Town and the urban parks without any issues.

Restrictions apply on conventional beaches during the summer season (June to September). Outside the designated dog zones, dogs are not permitted on the shoreline during bathing hours. This is not unique to Marbella — it is the standard rule across the entire Costa del Sol.

Golden rule: dogs must be on a lead everywhere in the municipality except inside fenced dog parks. Dogs classified as potentially dangerous (PPP) must also wear an approved muzzle in any public space.

Official dog beaches in Marbella

Marbella Town Hall opened its first two official dog beaches in June 2017. Each has a clearly marked 250-metre stretch set aside specifically for dogs and their owners. These are the only beaches in the municipality where your dog can legally swim during the summer season.

Playa El Pinillo — Eastern Marbella

Located on the eastern side of the city, near the mouth of Arroyo Paloma. Sandy with some pebbles, and rarely busy with bathers. Access is via a wooden boardwalk of around 900 metres from the nearest car park. Open from March to September.

Practical tip: the access boardwalk is almost 1 km long with no shade. In July and August, visit before 10am or after 7pm to protect your dog from heatstroke.

Playa Ventura del Mar — Between San Pedro and Puerto Banús

A semi-urban stretch on the western edge of Marbella, in front of the El Rodeo urbanisation. Slightly rockier than El Pinillo, but perfect for dogs who love to paddle. Quiet and family-friendly atmosphere, and a favourite among dog owners from Nueva Andalucía.

Playa Piedra Paloma — Casares (15 min away)

Technically in the municipality of Casares, about 15 minutes towards Estepona, this dog beach with fine sand and wide access paths is an excellent alternative if you want more space and fewer people.

Rules on Marbella’s dog beaches

• Lead required on all access paths and the promenade. Inside the designated zone you can let your dog off the lead.
• Bags to clean up after your dog — dispensers are available, but always bring your own.
• Water and a portable bowl in summer: temperatures exceed 35°C at midday, so avoid the hottest hours of the day.
• PPP (potentially dangerous) dogs must wear a muzzle even inside the dog zone.
• Up-to-date vaccinations and a microchip are required for hassle-free access.

Dog-friendly restaurants and terraces in Marbella

Marbella’s restaurant scene has embraced pet-friendly dining with more enthusiasm than almost any other destination in Spain. From beachside chiringuitos to upscale bistros in Puerto Banús, there is something for every budget. The key thing to know: most dog-friendly venues welcome dogs on their outdoor terrace, not inside. Always call ahead if you’re unsure, or if your dog is on the larger side.

Rosas Café — Puerto Banús

Address: Av. Playas del Duque, Gaviotas IV, local 3, Puerto Banús

The dog-friendly landmark of Puerto Banús. This pastel-toned bistro with its iconic rose-covered walls offers something no other restaurant in the area can match: a dedicated gourmet dog menu featuring organic lamb tubs, vegetarian muffins, cheese and apple bites, and liver and carrot snacks. Five per cent of every dog menu order goes to an animal shelter. Water bowls are brought to the table as soon as you arrive. Spacious terrace with good shade.

BREATHE — Puerto Banús

An eco-friendly restaurant with a terrace surrounded by vertical gardens. Dogs are welcome on the outdoor terrace. The menu focuses on contemporary cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. Relaxed and sophisticated — perfect for a dinner with your dog after a day at the beach.

La Sala by the Sea — Puerto Banús area

A venue with direct Mediterranean views and a wide terrace. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor area. If your dog is not used to busy environments, aim for opening time (before 1pm or after 4pm) when things are quieter.

Pet-friendly policies can change by season or ownership. Before heading out, confirm by phone or Instagram that they still welcome dogs, and specifically ask whether your dog can be on the terrace.

The 3 walks your dog will absolutely love in Marbella

Walk 1: Puerto Banús marina at sunset

Few visitors realise that the Puerto Banús marina is open to pedestrians and makes for a spectacular walk with a dog. The best time is late afternoon, when the heat eases and the golden light silhouettes the superyachts against the profile of La Concha mountain. Start from Parque de la Constitución, stroll through the port, walk out along the outer piers and finish at one of the dog-friendly terraces along the seafront promenade.

• Distance: 3 km return
• Terrain: smooth paving, no steps
• Difficulty: very easy — suitable for older dogs or those with limited mobility

Walk 2: Nagüeles trail — Sierra Blanca

For dogs that need more than a city stroll, the Nagüeles trail climbs the slopes of Sierra Blanca offering panoramic views over Marbella and the sea. The area is well wooded with natural shade, and the earthy terrain is ideal for dogs used to hiking. At the lower end of the trail there is also a fenced dog park where your dog can run off-lead before or after the walk.

• Distance: between 3 and 8 km depending on the route
• Terrain: earth and rock, with natural shade
• Difficulty: moderate

Walk 3: Tortoise Lake and the Golf Valley

This circular walk around the lake in the heart of Nueva Andalucía’s Golf Valley is one of the local dog owners’ firm favourites. The natural setting — local birdlife, Mediterranean vegetation and the water always close by — makes it a walk that dogs genuinely enjoy from start to finish. The full circuit is about 4 km on dirt tracks and can be done year-round. In summer, early morning is the best window.

• Distance: 4 km (circular)
• Terrain: dirt paths alongside water
• Difficulty: easy

Dog parks in Marbella

The municipality has several fenced off-lead areas where dogs can run free safely.

Parque Nagüeles — The Golden Mile

The most complete dog park in Marbella. It has separate areas for large and small dogs, a training area, and generous open space. Very popular with the dog-owning community along the Golden Mile and Nueva Andalucía.

Parque Los Tres Jardines — San Pedro de Alcantára

Located in San Pedro de Alcantára, this is the go-to dog park for the western end of the municipality. Well equipped and with good shade. Ideal if you are staying between Puerto Banús and Estepona.

Parque Arroyo de la Represa — Urban area

An urban park with a dedicated dog zone in the heart of the municipality. Busy with local residents and a great spot for socialisation in a calm environment.

Where to stay with your dog in Marbella

Accommodation is the biggest headache for pet owners travelling with their dogs. Hotels that market themselves as “pet-friendly” but then restrict access to common areas, unexpected pet surcharges, or rooms where you cannot leave your dog alone — these are all situations worth avoiding from the start.

The best option for travelling with a dog in Marbella is usually a private apartment or villa: your dog has a garden or terrace, you have your independence, and there are no hotel rules to complicate your stay.

Travel to Marbella with your dog — we’ll find the perfect place for you

At Banus Rentals we have a carefully selected portfolio of apartments and villas in Puerto Banús and Marbella that welcome pets. Spaces with private terraces, gardens or direct sea access — designed so that both you and your dog feel completely at home.

Tell us what you need — your dog’s size, your dates, the number of guests — and we’ll find the best option for your trip to the Costa del Sol.

Tell us what you need (your dog size, dates, number of people), and we’ll find the best option for your getaway to the Costa del Sol. Contact us by phone or WhatsApp at +34 636 916 917 or by email at
gestion@banusrentals.com, and we’ll help you travel with your best friend.