In Spain, there are more households with pets than with children under four years old. Almost 10 times more, to be precise. These are the figures provided by the Spanish Pet Identification Network (REIAC), which recorded the registered animals in our country last year: 10,165,498 dogs and 967,834 cats, equivalent to 60% of households in the national territory. However, there are 1,786,406 children aged zero to four years, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE). With these figures on the table, it's not surprising that we are a pet-friendly country when it comes to offering leisure proposals. Here are some where animals are the masters.
The latest arrival: Dogs in Town
There are increasingly more spaces like hotels, restaurants, museums, and rural houses where dogs and cats are not only welcome but also have their own tailored menus and accommodations exclusively designed for them, including grooming and even a spa. The latest arrival in Madrid is Dogs in Town, a boutique hotel designed solely for dogs following the successful chain created in Sydney in 2020 by Gustavo Montagut, a Colombian-Australian entrepreneur who saw the need to create spaces with an innovative, emotional, and holistic approach to canine well-being. The one in Madrid is the first to land in Europe, offering daycare, grooming, a shop, and personalized experiences combined with the hotel concept, catering to travellers, professionals, and families who do not want to compromise on their companion's well-being while away from home. Located on the exclusive Paseo de la Habana, this hotel (open 365 days a year) has no cages, only cosy rest areas. There is no impersonal routine, but tailored programs based on the energy, character, and needs of each animal. Training sessions are also available if requested by the client to work on specific aspects of behaviour, obedience, or socialization.
The best Spanish cities for pets
There are rankings for everything, yes, including knowing the best Spanish city to travel with your pet. Gijón and Fuengirola in Malaga have been leading the ranking in recent years, but in the latest study conducted in 2025, Barcelona claimed the top spot. This was due to having, among other things, 225 areas in different neighbourhoods where four-legged visitors can be off-leash. From Guineueta Park to Ciutadella Park. Dogs are also welcome on beaches like Llevant or in the Collserola Natural Park. The list of the best pet-friendly cities in Spain continues with Gijón, Santiago de Compostela (with over 120 accommodation and dining establishments where dogs are welcome), Madrid, San Sebastián, Palma de Mallorca, and Cáceres.
Sightseeing with pets.
The first airline for dogs
Yes, dogs, cats, birds, and hamsters are welcome on most trains, buses, and planes as long as essential travel requirements are met. But not only that, there are also airlines exclusively for dogs. Like Bark Air, a company aiming to "revolutionize the aviation world" by offering a first-class service for dogs and their companions. The price is around 5,000 euros per journey for the London to New York route and 7,500 for the route between the Big Apple and Los Angeles, the two available routes for now. To start with, dogs fly in the cabin, not in the cargo hold, unlike other airlines. They don't have to wait in long queues to check-in at the airport; the animal boards as soon as they arrive. Once on board, there is an anti-anxiety jacket to keep them calm, ear protectors, toys, and a variety of snacks.
Those who want to enjoy a movie on the big screen can do so in a proper cinema. In the capital of Spain, for example, there are 100% pet-friendly drive-in cinemas like those in Madrid RACE, Drive-in Cinema Madrid, the Star, or Autocine Madrid. The latter not only welcomes pets at no extra cost but also hosts the so-called Dog Afternoon every Thursday, where owners participate in raffles and get discounts like a 2x1 offer on popcorn bowls for bringing their pets. The Drive-in Autocine in Barcelona and Denia continue the list of outdoor venues suitable for four-legged companions across the country, along with Race in Córdoba, 7Palmas in Gran Canaria, Gijón, and Málaga Metrovacesa.