The dog-friendly island

Anyone who has a dog knows that their priorities are different when it comes to travel. Fortunately, Mallorca is ideal. Firstly, because of its wonderful natural surroundings and the hundreds of walks one can take with dogs all round the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. And also because there are several beaches that allow pets to enter 365 days a year: Es Carnatge in Palma, Cala Blanca in Andratx, Llenaire in Port de Pollença, Punta Marroig and Cala des Gats in Calvià, Na Patana beside Can Picafort and Punta des Far d’Aucanada in Alcúdia. And in low season there are more, like the beaches of the municipalities of Andratx, Pollença, Capdepera, Muro and Artà, although it is advisable to consult the dates with each municipal council.

In Palma there are also plenty of parks where you can unleash your best friends, and let them enjoy socialising with others of their kind. El Parc de Sa Falca Verda, Son Dameto d’alt or La Ribera are just some of them.

And where to sleep? According to the reservations website booking.com, there are 88 four and five-star establishments that accept pets all over the island. In the Puerto Portals area, Hotel Son Caliu and OD Port Portals take animals; in the Calvià area, Me Mallorca Magaluf or Hotel Petit Cala Fornells; in Palma, Purohotel, Palma Suites and Nakar Hotel; and in Puerto de Sóller, the luxurious Jumeirah.

Furthermore, there are many dog-friendly establishments. For lunch or dinner, the international restaurant Claxon, the vegan Bon Lloc, the Mallorcan café Es Rebost and the bagel specialist, Bagel, among others. Shopping centres like FAN Mallorca or Mallorca Fashion Outlet let animals in too.

Mallorca may be doggy heaven, but it is also true that there are many cases of abandoned pets. One of the outstanding events held on the island to encourage adoption and raise funds for animal protection societies is SOS Animal Party, which takes place on the 23^rd September in Puerto Portals.