Visit Andalusia with your dog
How to organize a trip abroad in a van with your dog? What to do with your dog in Andalusia? What are some good tips for a successful holiday with your dog in Andalusia? Find out everything in this article!
Table of contents
Andalusia tempts you? Ready for a holiday in Spain with your dog? Do you and your dog feel like real Andalusians? Do you have the impression of already knowing the Sierra Nevada as the documentaries on television make you dream? Musher and me in any case, we are tempted. It seems that Andalusia is full of treasures!!! So off to Spain. I take you on board to discover Spain with your dog and more precisely explore Andalusia with your dog!
So I interviewed Mathilde and her dog Happy, two seasoned road-trip enthusiasts. Today, Mathilde tells us about her road trip with her dog in Andalusia. Over to you Matilda.
Going abroad in a van with your dog
Hello Wouafer's! Traveling in a van with your dog, it's perfect. I can bring Happy everywhere, no need to ask the famous question: “Are dogs allowed or not? ”.
In my van, she will always have her place. It's our home. There is even storage space in the van dedicated to Happy's belongings: crate of croquettes, leave alone et harness, health record and passport, poop bag, Its bowls, his blankets… And when we are not near the van, but on long hikes, Happy even has his own backpack. She's the one carrying her croquettes!
Musher and Sophie: Haaa the dog pack bag, it's so good ! Musher also has his own and honestly I can't live without it. Besides, I see on the photo of Happy that we decided for the same!!! It's a good solution to save your back and empower your doggie. It is an ideal accessory for going on a hike with your dog. What bag? What is the maximum weight for my dog? How to properly adjust the bag? Read or re-read the special article Dog hiking bag of the Mag' of EmmèneTonChien.com.
During each of our trips, we sleep in the van, most often in wild spots, and sometimes in campsites.
In 3 years we have therefore visited together the Portugal,Spain,Italy, and many corners of France! By van, by train, in paddle, on foot and running!
Here, it is about our discovery of southern Spain that I will tell you about: Andalusia.
Andalusia with a dog
We left mid-October 2019 for 3 weeks, from Bordeaux . In van! (very) little house on wheels that takes us from stage to stage. 100% autonomous to go where you want, when you want!
No big organization, just wanted to see some sun, so I drove south and stopped at places I liked. I always find out a little in advance to see if the sites, especially the natural sites, accept dogs or not, and under what conditions. There are, for example, specific regulations in national parks to protect flora and fauna.
Also, I always take Happy's health book and European pet passport with me. To go to Spain, the dog must be chipped or tattooed and with up-to-date vaccinations.
I loved Andalusia and some cities are really worth visiting. In general, I avoid big cities with Happy, but hard to resist Andalusian cities. We spent a day wandering around Grenade with Happy, without visiting the famous Alhambra Palace, as doggies are not allowed. However, the walk up there is super nice and dogs are allowed. The high quarters of thealbaicin et Sacromonte offer a magnificent view of the palace and the Sierra Nevada in the background.
À Seville we left Happy a few hours in the van, with water and in the shade to be able to visit museums and other sites forbidden to dogs.
Seville and Granada are home to historical and architectural gems to see, but dogs aren't often allowed. In addition, parks are often forbidden to dogs in Andalusia, even on a leash. But I remember the Maria Luisa Park right next to the Major Square in Seville which is authorized to him.
But the main activity of this road trip was hiking, through the famous Sierra Navada, and the other Andalusian mountains. Magnificent hikes like the one in the bed of a river, but also walks on the beaches. A real pleasure for Happy who loves water!
The Andalusian mountains and its small white villages are to be seen. My favorite place is Bolonia archaeological site. These are Roman ruins located on the edge of a superb beach. Out of season dogs are tolerated on the beaches, but be careful in high season, it should not be the same...
Please note that the Donana National Park is prohibited for dogs even on a leash.
Andalusia? Dog-friendly?
I have known more dog-friendly than Andalusia, Italy for example, but my stay and that of Happy went very well. The van allows great autonomy and a certain freedom. Also, we escape certain constraints, in particular housing and public transport, which surely facilitated our stay.
For me cities are not the best holiday destinations for dogs. Happy is a little bored following us on a leash. We prefer the countryside and the hinterland!
The only type of accommodation we have tried in Spain with my dog is camping. In all campsites, even for one night, Happy had to pay his share in Spain. He was offered bowls of water a few times.
I didn't notice a particularly warm welcome from the dogs in Spain, unlike in Italy where Happy had been extremely well received.
That said, just like for the restaurants, even if the reception was not the most incredible, we never had a refusal. In the restaurant, we often ate on the terrace. And sometimes there were bowls available for the dogs.
Find QUALIDOG-certified accommodation in Spain
Do you also want to go on vacation to Spain with your dog? Are you looking for QUALIDOG-certified accommodation in Spain? Find our selection of Spanish accommodation with the QUALIDOG label!
Mathilde's advice for a successful holiday!
It is good to know that a large part of public transport is not allowed to our companions in Andalusia. Moreover, if you are not traveling by van, and you are dependent on accommodation, I really advise you to check the box “Accepts animals”. Better yet, select your accommodation on EmmèneTonChien.com to be sure to find a warm host with your four-legged friend.
To be aware of all my adventures with Happy and my van Totoro, do not hesitate to follow me on Instagram: @lababaroueuse.
Mathilde and Happy the Girondine adventurers
You will have understood me, it's Mathilde, I'm 30 years old, and I'm from Gironde. I am currently working as a nature animator in a Nature Reserve. Apart from my work, which is already very exciting, I like to discover new places and go on adventures, to go on adventures! After a big year on the other side of the globe alone with my backpack, I decided to travel differently.
In 2018, I buy Totoro, my little van! It is he who will lead me on the roads. In 2019, the little white head of Happy completes my crew! My co-pilot, border collie 9 years old, embark with me for a first road trip to Portugal !
I knew Happy from a very young age, but it was in 2019 that the vagaries of life led her former owner to entrust her to me. Happy was then 7 years old.
I discovered an adorable and very well educated dog! We adapted very well to each other. I never thought I would one day have such a close relationship with a dog.
Thank you very much for this beautiful testimony Mathilde. Musher and I only dream of hiking now...