Travel tips for a Mallorca holiday with your dog

Travelling to Mallorca with your dog

Holidays with a dog on Mallorca are possible and can be wonderful - but require good preparation and a little research to find out about formal matters such as entry requirements and to find a suitable travel option and dog-friendly accommodation. Mallorca generally offers good conditions for a holiday with your dog. Two- and four-legged friends can relax and enjoy time together in equal measure. From beach holidays to hiking holidays with dogs, there are many options on Mallorca. There is a good network of German-speaking vets and all kinds of services from dog care to dog grooming.

Preparing a holiday with a dog is a little more time-consuming, but it's worth it. Perhaps the biggest hurdle for a holiday with a dog in Mallorca is getting there. After Air Berlin and Condor, there are no longer too many airlines that allow pets on board. The low-cost airlines generally do not. Fortunately, Eurowings (only cabin up to 8kg) and Lufthansa, Swiss, Norwegian, Vueling and Tuifly allow dogs on board. More on this under "Travelling". Around 170,000 animals fly to or from Mallorca every year. This includes a large number of dogs that have found a new home in Germany or another country. But residents who leave the island for the holidays also take their four-legged friends with them in the Fliger.

Others stay on the island and find accommodation in a boarding kennel on Mallorca, for example. You will find a selection of addresses at the end of the text. We have also compiled the contact details of some veterinary clinics on Mallorca that have a 24-hour emergency hotline.

Four paws when travelling - 4 tips

Tip 1: Transport box

Dogs weighing more than 8 kilos must fly to Mallorca in the cargo hold and be placed in a transport box. The airlines base their requirements on international regulations. At Lufthansa, the box may have the following dimensions: 125 × 75 × 85 cm. The dog must be able to stand, lie and turn around comfortably. No part of the dog's body may fit through the openings. The box must be waterproof (floor) and must not have wheels.

Tip 2: Precaution

Before travelling, ask your vet about any outstanding vaccinations (rabies is compulsory when entering the country) and parasite protection in Mediterranean countries (ticks, mosquitoes). Many dog owners shy away from the Mediterranean region out of concern about the infectious disease leishmaniasis - because the beach mosquito, which is the main vector, is found here. The beach mosquito is found less on the beach than in humid parts of the island. Good protection is advisable.

Tip 3: Travelling time

Midsummer from June to the beginning of September is practically unsuitable for dog owners. Dogs are allowed on very few beaches and the climate is hard on the animals. Excursions are not recommended at temperatures above 30 degrees. The ideal time to travel to Mallorca with a dog is in the early and late season. From October until April, you can go on long walks and excursions with your dog.

Tip 4: Dogs must be kept on a lead

Even if you may notice that other dog owners don't adhere to the island-wide dog-leash requirement on Mallorca - don't play poker! If you get caught, you can expect to pay a hefty fine. Only dog parks and dog beaches are exempt from the dog lead requirement. The local police will also take strict action if your dog's droppings are left behind (there are poo bag dispensers in many municipalities).

Where can I find dog beaches on Mallorca?

Dog beaches: If you want to go to the beach and into the water with your dog, you need to be flexible on Mallorca and be able to organise your time and space. Dogs are strictly prohibited on many public beaches during the bathing season from April to October, but that doesn't mean that there aren't nice alternatives for two and four-legged friends. This is generally called "Platja Canina" and means dog beach. Dogs are allowed on the following beaches:

• 1. Es Carnatge (Palma): This stretch of beach is located in the flight path of the airport between Palma and Can Pastilla. The stretch of coast is popular with locals and visitors alike and is well frequented all year round. Dogs and people are spread over several small sandy bays and rocks. Es Carnatge is just as easy to reach by car as it is by bike from Palma. However, visitors should remain vigilant, as the equally popular walking, jogging and cycling path to Palma runs above the coastal section.
• 2 Cala Blanca (Andratx): The somewhat stony dog beach near Andratx is quite small and can only be reached via a short descent - but there is a fantastic view of the sea between the rocks. It can be reached via the narrow and winding Cami de Cala Blanca turn-off from the Ma-1020.
• 3rd Punta Marroig (Calvià): This small rocky beach on Passeig del Mar is located between the two main beaches of Palmanova and Es Carregador.
• 4th Cala de Gats(Calvià): Also part of Calvià is this small cove near Paguera, where dogs can romp around without the need for a lead. You can reach Cala de Gats via a staircase in Carrer Bellavista in Costa de la Calma.
• 5th Llenaire (Pollença): Right on the coastal road (Via Alemanya) near the harbour of Pollença, you will find Playa Llenaire - part of which has been cleared for dogs. However, this section is also rather rocky.
• 6th Na Patana (Santa Margalida): Our favourite. The most beautiful and spacious dog beach is located in the north-east of Mallorca, near Can Picafort (Santa Margalida). From Playa Son Bauló, head eastwards and follow the signs.

Mallorca with a dog - tips for accommodation and travelling

Accommodation: If you want to go on holiday to Mallorca with your dog, you will face a small challenge when choosing accommodation. On the one hand, dog rooms tend to be the exception in most hotels in the major seaside resorts and communal areas are often excluded from use. On the other hand, more than 1000 providers on booking platforms such as booking.com have now introduced the dog paw - meaning that pups are allowed.

As an alternative, it is advisable to use holiday homes or flats in the rural areas of the island and perhaps go on a finca holiday with your dog. The country houses are often set in incredibly beautiful surroundings and offer plenty of space for people and dogs as well as the relaxation factor. In this context, you should also think carefully about where and when you want to be on the island. Going on holiday with your dog during the high season in the busy holiday resorts on the south or east coast can be very stressful. If you want a quieter holiday, it's better to head north or to the centre of the island.

Getting there: You have two options for travelling to Mallorca with your dog: either by car and ferry or by plane. Both have advantages and disadvantages. The combination of ferry + car is certainly well suited if you have enough time to make the journey with a few breaks and your dog likes travelling by car. Unfortunately, even with this option, your dog will not be able to avoid the transport box - this is compulsory during the ferry crossing, which lasts several hours. The dog may also only be visited on board at certain times.

Travelling by plane is quicker. Depending on the airline and the size of the dog, the four-legged friend either travels in an appropriate transport box (follow the airline's instructions) in the cargo hold or in a bag in the footwell of the cabin (for dogs weighing up to 8 kg). Special regulations apply to assistance dogs. Airlines such as RyanAir / Laudamotion and EasyJet, which do not transport dogs, are generally excluded from this. If you want to take your dog with you on the plane, you should try to make a reservation in good time and plan some crate or flight bag training out of love for your dog.For both travel options, you will need a European pet passport with up-to-date vaccination status (rabies). Dogs travelling with you must not be younger than twelve weeks and must be chipped.

You can find further information on taking animals with you on the websites of the respective airlines, for example Lufthansa or Eurowings.

At the airport: If you have landed safely with your dog, you will find the issuing point between baggage carousels 10 and 11 at Palma Airport. If you are flying from Mallorca and have to bridge waiting times, you will find a lounge area for dogs and people in Terminal C.

Public transport: Until now, dogs were only allowed on some city lines (20, 30, 2, 1, 3, 15 and 21). The transport company wants to expand the network. New lines are to be added continuously from 2020. Dogs must be kept on a lead on the bus and should either wear a muzzle or travel in a transport box. The dog ticket currently costs 30 cents (guide dogs and trained assistance dogs can travel free of charge). You must always board at the front of the bus with your dog and then stay at the back of the bus. Dogs are not permitted in most shops, hotels and restaurants. They are also not allowed on trains (with the exception of assistance or guide dogs).

Mallorca veterinary clinics:

• Eurotierklinik El Arenal - C./ Dragonera 3, 07600 El Arenal - Llucmajor, Tel. +34 971 441 213, Internet: www.eurotierklink.es
• Hospital Canis Palma - C/ Agnès de Pacs, 12 Palma de Mallorca, 24-hour emergency admission, Tel. +34 971 732 100, Internet: www.canismallorca.es/contacto/
• Hospital Veterinaria Palma - C/ Son Morro, 4 - Polígon Son Morro (07007) Palma de Mallorca, Tel. +34 971 479354, Internet: www.aragohv.com
• Hospital Veterinario Llucmajor - Carrer del Cardenal Rossell, 103, 07620 Llucmajor, Tel. 034 971 66 13 78, Internet: www.mallorcaveterinaris.com
• Hospital Veterinaris Inca - Avinguda General Luque, 372 - local, 07300 Inca, Tel. +34 971 505 483, Internet: www.veterinarioinca.com

Dog boarding kennels in Mallorca:

• Birgit Wahle - Apartado 169 - E-07630 Campos / Mallorca Tel. +34 674275362 / Email: anfrage@filmtierschule.eu
• Dog boarding Mallorca - Henk Rijkers Calle de Lluis Vives 07260 Porreres Tel. +34 971 168683 & +34 636 468081 / German, English, Spanish, Dutch
• Doggy Deluxe Mallorca - Lugar Poligono 13, 368 07120 Lluchmayor Tel. +34 644 74 71 33 / E-mail: info@doggydeluxemallorca.com
• Sweet Home Dog Boarding - Camí Vell de Santa Magdalena, S/N, 07300 Inca, Illes Balears Tel: +34 971 88 20 32