How to delight your pet during your holiday in Lanzarote
If you can’t bring yourself to leave your pet behind (even in good hands) to take a few days off, we have good news: in Lanzarote, thanks to our climate and lifestyle, animals are welcome in almost all activities.
Treat your furry friend to a trip together and, in the process, ease your conscience of any guilt. In Lanzarote, they will find pet-friendly beaches, seaside promenades, outdoor trails, and even a pet-friendly tourist centre waiting for them These are our tips. Enjoy!
A perfect day in the south
An everlasting smile will be on your face when you see your pet enjoying absolute freedom on a 150-meter stretch of beach that has been designated for bathing pets.
We are talking about the Playa de las Coloradas, or El Afre, in Playa Blanca, in the south of the island, calm and clear waters, perfect for a shared swim, with authorised opening hours from 7-10 am and 7-9 pm. You can also visit the dog park, opposite the Parque del Mediterráneo, open 24 hours a day, an enclosed area of 2,300 square metres, perfectly equipped with pavements, lights, benches and litter bins, where your pet can run around unhindered, under your supervision at all times.
And, of course, there are also rewards in the form of gastronomy and scenery for you and others who join you on your trip. Take advantage of your stay in the south to try the local fish and seafood in one of the restaurants on Avenida de Playa Blanca or El Golfo, and visit mythical scenic spots such as Los Hervideros or El Charco de los Clicos. Your dog is included in these trips to otherworldly landscapes.
Pet-friendly capital
Although it may seem that traveling with animals has more drawbacks than benefits, in Lanzarote it is possible to access a full tourist experience. Arrecife, for example, has opened its arms to the human-pet partnership and already has a pet-friendly public leisure centre, the Islote de la Fermina, a privileged place in the marina inspired by a project created by César Manrique, which allows healthy and vaccinated pets to be allowed to enter without disturbing other customers.
The entire city offers unexpected surprises and corners at every turn. We suggest you immerse yourself in the seaside quarter of this city that was built on fishing and maritime trade. Find El Pasaje de El Aguaresío, visit the old Parador de Turismo, the Casa de la Cultura, the Puente de las Bolas… Arrecife is a historical treasure waiting to be discovered. Why not? Spend a morning doing some tax-free shopping in the busy Calle Real and soak up the daily rhythm of the locals, who love to chat in the street over a “leche y leche” (espresso with condensed milk) coffee or a “quinto” (bottle of beer).
And, of course, when it’s time to recharge your batteries, there’s no better option than the Charco de San Ginés, the iconic inlet where boats are still moored and which has become the epicentre of the capital’s restaurant scene. Get your four-legged companion on a leash and enjoy dinner on one of the terraces or in the Marina Lanzarote, on the other side of the Charco.
It’s the holidays!
Furthermore, if you come in August, you will find Arrecife at its seafaring best, with the San Ginés festivities, celebrations that are steeped in tradition. It’s a unique opportunity to witness cultural heritage demonstrations, such as the jolateros, regattas, parrandas, and countless other cultural displays that are hard to find at other times of the year. Summer is, undoubtedly, the time to get to know the fiestas of the Isla Diferente also in its celebrations.
Guacimeta Beach
Another wonderful day with your pet can be found on Guacimeta Beach, a serene 165-meter stretch of toasted sand specifically designated for pets to enjoy — always under our supervision, of course. While your dog joyfully frolics in the open space like they rarely get to do, you too can enjoy the day we have planned for you. If you enjoy windsurfing, Guacimeta offers ideal conditions for this sport.
Don’t miss the bike path that runs along the airport runway — one of the world’s favourite spots for aviation photographers (spotters) due to its close proximity to the planes.
And, as a finale to the day, we can only tell you that in summer the avenue of Playa Honda, a town near Guacimeta, is a hive of neighbours and holidaymakers who take advantage of the proximity of the restaurants to the beach to make the most of the casual lifestyle of these months. Few experiences are as de-stressing as alternating tapas and baths in a relaxed beach atmosphere, where your pet and you will feel at home.
On the road with your best friend
Don’t let traveling with your furry friend hold you back! You can absolutely enjoy some of Lanzarote’s most stunning attractions in their company. Why not visit La Geria and stop off at one of its wineries, which offer spectacular views from their outdoor facilities? Our advice is to rent a vehicle so you can freely explore the island with your pet safely in their carrier.
If your best friend weighs less than 10 kilos, you can also bring them along with you on public transportation. The options are endless: from the marvellous historic and artistic ensemble of Teguise, with its cobbled streets and colonial palaces, to the village of Haría, in the Valle de las Mil Palmeras, the place chosen by the Lanzarote artist César Manrique to spend his final years and where his remains are laid to rest. Once again, these outdoor attractions make it possible to visit with your dog by your side.
Exploring the Markets
Another fun way to discover the island with your pet is by visiting the regular markets held in almost every municipality. Trust us, this is the perfect opportunity to explore handmade products, from handmade crafts to culinary delights.
Stroll through the stalls selling aloe vera, fig jam, cactus liqueur, sea salt, and more, as well as beautifully crafted items like embroidery, ceramics, and roseta lace. On Saturdays, the artisan market in Arrecife is a must-visit; Costa Teguise hosts two weekly markets in the Pueblo Marinero, and the village of Uga (Yaiza) opens up its agricultural and livestock universe to visitors on weekends. If you want to visit the ermita de Los Dolores, Our Lady of the Volcanoes, where a miracle stopped the lava from years of eruptions right where the church stands, you can do so every Sunday at the Mancha Blanca (Tinajo). You can also go to the Biosfera Plaza shopping centre, where you can have fun with your pet.
As you can see, there’s no excuse not to enjoy your well-deserved holiday in our paradise, Lanzarote, where you and your four-legged friend are more than welcome.
Pet-Friendly Guide
Here’s a quick summary of tips you shouldn’t forget:
- Only visit the designated pet-friendly beaches during the allowed hours, and always keep a close eye on your pet. It’s your responsibility to pick up after your pet using bags and dispose of them in the appropriate containers. Fines for not complying with these rules range from 90 to 150 euros.
- Your pet must be on a leash when not in the water, although a muzzle is not required on designated pet-friendly beaches. If your dog is classified as potentially dangerous, they must always wear a muzzle and be on a leash for safety reasons.
- Most car rental companies allow pets to be transported as long as they are in a carrier, as required by road safety regulations. Public transportation permits animals weighing less than 10 kilos.
- More and more hotels are adapting to meet the needs of their furry guests. In Arrecife, the Miramar hotel admits dogs at no extra cost and you can also stay with your furry friend at Los Zocos Impressive Lanzarote. If you prefer an apartment, almost all of the accommodation in this segment is pet-friendly.