You never travel alone. It’s not that you don’t enjoy it; you simply never leave your pet at home. Having them with you is non-negotiable. So you’ll be pleased to hear that Valencia, the next destination on your list, has plenty of things you can enjoy together.

The sun shining down, fine white sand and the Mediterranean almost always calm make for the perfect day at the beach. And with around 20 kilometres of coastline, Valencia has plenty of options. To enjoy a few hours swimming and stretching out on your towel together, head to Pinedo beach, south of the city. In summer, you’ll find a designated area for dogs there called ‘PlatjaCan’

Valencia is a city of parks, with plenty to choose from and lots of space to enjoy. If we had to pick one, it would be the Turia Gardens. Stretching for more than 9 kilometres, they run through the city along the former riverbed. Where water once flowed, you’ll now find woodland, ponds, paths, parks, sports areas, chess tables, cafés, picnic tables… and plenty more. Your dog will be especially happy beneath Les Arts Bridge, where there’s an agility area, and in sections V, VI, X and XI, which have designated areas where dogs can socialise.

Don’t assume that travelling to Valencia with your dog means you have to miss out on a boat trip across La Albufera. Not at all. Plenty of boats allow dogs on board. Just let them know when you call to book or ask about availability at one of the jetties. Afterwards, you can spend a few hours wandering along the paths, among rice fields and little houses that seem to belong to another time. 

Iluziona is one of those museums that have become popular lately, thanks to their interactive exhibitions, photo-friendly displays and fun, engaging, immersive visits. Its exhibits introduce visitors to Valencia’s history, legends, culture and food. Among other highlights, you can stroll through the Silk Exchange or step into the studio of painter Joaquín Sorolla. And yes, it’s pet-friendly. In fact, for now, it’s one of the few cultural venues in the city that welcomes pets.

It’s true what they say: life on the road can be tiring. Enjoyable? Absolutely. But tiring too. So, when the day is over, all you want is to return to somewhere that feels like home. Or, if we’re being honest, even better than home. Your ideal accommodation has everything ready to welcome you and your favourite adventure companion. You want a spacious room, an irresistibly comfortable bed that you can’t wait to climb into and find it even harder to leave, and all the little things your pet needs to feel at home too. With that wish list in mind, there’s no doubt your perfect match in Valencia is Sercotel Valencia Ruzafa or Sercotel Sorolla Palace. And we haven’t even mentioned their swimming pools or buffet breakfast.