6 dog-friendly beaches to swim with your best friend

The beaches «pets allowed» These are specific areas that municipalities have adapted to accommodate four-legged friends. These areas are appropriately signposted at the entrance and have specific equipment for animals, such as bag dispensers and waste baskets, as well as drinking fountains.

The rules are posted at the beach entrance, so before you put your feet – and your pet’s paws – in the sand, check them!

6 dog beaches in Portugal

1. Fisherman’s Beach, Oeiras

Located next to the Nautical Center of Paço de Arcos, Praia dos Pescadores has been, since June 2020, one of the beaches «pets allowed»of the country. In order to take your four-legged friend for a bath, it is necessary to guarantee the hygiene and coexistence conditions established by the Municipality of Oeiras.

The animal must wear a collar or harness and a muzzle or leash. It is mandatory to collect waste and protect animals from adverse weather conditions. You must also be accompanied by your Pet Identification Document (DIAC), Pet Passport (PAC) or Dog and Cat Health Bulletin.

The beach is equipped with a fountain, an area reserved for people accompanied by pets, a bag dispenser for dog waste and is subject to regular cleaning.

2. Portinho Beach from Areia Norte, Peniche

On the seafront that leads to Cabo Carvoeiro, in Peniche, there is the Portinho da Areia Norte beach, the first in the country to allow dogs to stay and circulate. Please remember that the use of a leash is mandatory and, if the dog is potentially dangerous, it will also have to wear a muzzle.

At this dog beach you can find pet waste bags and garbage cans.

3. Coral Beach, Viana do Castelo

Further north, in Viana do Castelo, there is also a beach where you can take your pet for a walk without fear of fines. To bring your dog to Praia do Coral you will have to respect the rules established by the municipality.

Animals must wear a collar or harness, always be accompanied by their owners and, preferably, on a leash. Dogs of breeds considered dangerous must wear a muzzle in space. Rubbish bins and bags for animal waste will be scattered along the beach, which must be collected by the owners.

4. Praia Suave Mar, Esposende

It is one of two beaches «pets allowed» from the municipality of Esposende. The space where you can take your pet for a bath is located between Praia Suave Mar Norte and Praia de Cepães and is adequately equipped with waste collection depots and water points.

To access this beach, dogs must be identified and authorized by the Parish Council of their area of ​​residence, wear a collar, harness or muzzle and leash.

5. Ramalha Sul Beach, Esposende

The second dog beach in the municipality of Esposende is located in the municipality of Apúlia, more precisely in the southern part of Praia da Ramalha. This beach is equipped with signs with the rules of use and circulation, devices for dog waste and drinking fountains.

To enjoy a day at the beach with your dog, just follow the rules, which are identical to those of Praia Suave Mar.

6. Amoreiras Beach, Torres Vedras

To make your four-legged friend feel welcome on this beach, located in Santa Cruz, the municipality of Torres Vedras provides drinking fountains, bag dispensers and even animal shelters, decorated like the typical beach huts of this area.

Animals must be equipped with a collar or harness and muzzle or leash, as well as restraints, in the case of dogs of dangerous breeds. They must be registered and authorized. They must also be accompanied by the health report and proof of electronic identification (annual renewal).

Dogs of dangerous or potentially dangerous breeds can visit these beaches, or any other public space, only if they comply with legal obligations, i.e. have civil liability insurance.

How do you know if you can take your dog to the beach?

As a rule, the affiliated beaches (equipped with flag, lifeguards and restaurant/terrace area) dogs are not allowed during the bathing season. However, since there is no regulation that prohibits it, for this impediment to be effective two requirements must be respected at the entrance to the beach:

AS beaches not permittedas a rule, it can be visited by dogs all year round, unless there are signs prohibiting their presence. Therefore, before going with your dog to an unauthorized beach, check whether there is a prohibition sign.

Remember that you will always have to respect the rules applied to the movement of animals on public roads, such as the use of a collar or harness and muzzle or leash, indicating the name and contact details of the animal’s keeper.

What are the exceptions?

Assistance dogs who are properly trained or in the process of training can accompany their owners on trips to the beach. According to the legislation, assistance dogs fall into three categories:

In which situations is it advisable to take out civil liability insurance for dogs?

Civil liability insurance is mandatory for those who own dogs considered dangerous or potentially dangerous, such as, for example, Rottweillers or Pitt Bull Terriers.

These dogs, due to their nature, size and powerful jaws, are potentially dangerous as they can cause injury or death to people and other animals. Dangerous dogs are those that, regardless of breed, have a history of attacking people or other animals or have been considered to have aggressive behavior.

However, even if your dog does not fall into the list of dangerous dogs, nor has it attacked another person or animal, civil liability insurance will be useful in those moments when your big dog decides to commit some misdeed and destroy your neighbor’s garden. They’re adorable, but they can hurt your wallet.

Generali Tranquilidade’s Dog Liability Insurance protects you in all these scenarios. In addition to the mandatory coverage for dangerous dogs, it also guarantees compensation for damage caused by the naughtiest dogs. The price is competitive and appropriate to the classification of the animal’s breed. This insurance also covers other animals considered dangerous or potentially dangerous.