Barcelona

Best Dog Watching in Barcelona

In loving memory of Gracie and Mitzie, who never made it to Barcelona, but were carried here in my heart.

Are you wondering where to find the most pups around town? Maybe you're like me and you LOVE dogs, but your life isn't ready to have one yourself - then this is the post for you. Whether you are hanging out with friends, or want to make a picnic and take a date, or take your abuela on a walk, here is a list of where you can go to scout the cutest, friendliest and zoomiest dogs.

Playa Llevant

there are usually more dogs.. I took this picture after a storm in the middle of the day - not the best time for dog watching :)

The government has put an official dog beach at the end of the coastline near Forum. In this fenced-off area, dogs can run freely after being checked in via a microchip scan. Go in and hang out amongst the pups on the beach or take a seat on the edge of the corniche in front of the area and watch them play from above. This fenced in section exists during the summer months when the beach is more crowded, but gets disassembled in winter. Though fear not! Puppers still frequent this area - fence or no fence.

booth at the gate to the dog beach, a man and two dogs are walking out — Entry to the Playa Llevant dog beach

Parc de l'Estació del Nord

The park behind the l'Estacio del Nord bus station is regularly full of pups. A bit more calm and less touristy than the near-by Ciutadella park, you will see groups of regulars taking out their dogs for play dates. You're bound to end up between a game of fetch. This park is also full of non-dog activities to watch, from acro-yoga, to LARPing, to hula hoopers - a people-watching utopia.

a small thick muscular dog standing on dirt — chunky monkey at the dog park

Area de Perros between Marina and Meridiana

Just up the block from the l'Estacio del Nord park, you will find an area specifically for dogs. There is not a name for it other than "area de perros entre Marina y Meridiana." This piece of park runs below the bridge on Carrer de la Marina. It is fenced in allowing for pups to safely zoomy to their hearts' desire. It is quite shaded in case you're looking for a cool spot on a sunny day.

Bogatell Beach

Bogatell beach has two good dog watching spots! First, there is the boat ramp at the end of the Mar Bella pier. Here is where you can spot the sportiest of aquatic pups playing fetch in the water (though some prefer to keep their paws dry). You can sit on the edge of the pier and simultaneously dog watch and search for octopus in the rocks below you.

Your second Bogatell watching spot is a grassy hill in front of the Base Nautica. Walk up the sandy path that extends diagonally in front of the nautical center - when you see an old rusty ship-front in the grass, you know you are in the right spot. Nightly you can see on average 5-10 dogs running around playing while their owners chat. This is a perfect place to have a sunset picnic and dog watch. In fact, I almost always see at least one picnic here when I walk by.

four dogs stand on a boat ramp near the water with their caretaker on Bogatell beach — the boat ramp at Mar Bella Pier is a great dog watching location

General Dog Watching Tips

Think of when most people would walk their dogs. Mornings for sure, but people tend to have wider variance in their morning schedules and are often in a rush on the morning walk. Evenings after work tend to be when the most dogs coincide outside and owners are willing to stay around and play. In my experience, 7:30 PM is the peak dog watching time.
Always ask if you can pet someone's dog before approaching.
If you do approach a dog, let them sniff you and finish the approach if they decide they want to come closer.