Outside of the swimming season, many Spanish beaches reopen to horses. The ordinances of Gandía, Barbate, Almonte and O Grove reserve restrictions for the swimming months and allow passage for the rest of the year. However, each beach has its own calendar and it is advisable to check it before booking.
Gandía beach: horseback ride along the beach and the marjal
Gandía beach is an east-facing strip of sand, about seven kilometres long. Its sandy area belongs to the municipality of Gandía, in Valencia. At its Playa Norte, you will find the Neptuno promenade, the most well-known in the locality.
To the north, Playa de la Auhir preserves a dense dune ridge and a pristine sandy area of high natural value. The Gandía beach ordinance (BOP Valencia nº 259, 2008, art. 45) prohibits the presence of animals on the beach during the swimming season. Picuco organises the Horseback Ride along the Beach and Marjal of Gandía here, which combines the shore with the marjal environment.
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Zahara de los Atunes beach: horseback rides with a blue flag
Zahara de los Atunes belongs to Barbate, in the region of La Janda, province of Cádiz. It is a beach of crystal-clear waters and fine sand, distinguished with a blue flag. It is easily reached on foot as well as by car, and there is intercity public transport to the area.
The Barbate beach ordinance (BOP Cádiz nº 78, 2021) prohibits travelling through the beaches with horses during the swimming season, except with authorisation from the local or higher Administration. Picuco organises the Horseback rides along the beach of Zahara de los Atunes, a way to traverse the shore when the regulation allows it.
Matalascañas beach: horseback route along the beach and the dunes of Doñana
Matalascañas beach is a natural beach in Almonte, in the province of Huelva.
The Almonte ordinance (BOP Huelva nº 38, 2023, art. 26) prohibits the presence of animals on the beach during the swimming season, which runs from Holy Week to the end of October, and allows it for the rest of the year. To get there, there is no direct train: the nearest station is Huelva (Renfe). In high season, DAMAS operates bus lines from Huelva and Sevilla. Picuco organises the Horseback route along the beach and dunes of Matalascañas in Doñana.
Regatón beach: horseback route along the beach and the forests of Laredo
The Regatón beach route advances through more than two kilometres of fine sand and through the forest surrounding the sandy area. You are in Laredo, in Cantabria, with the beach and its forest as the setting. The Laredo beach ordinance (BOC nº 95, 2021, art. 23) prohibits the presence of animals on the beaches during the swimming season and hours, except in the area assigned for their stay.
The municipality has parking next to the beach or at the main access points. By bus, Autobuses Cantabria (TRC) covers the coastal municipalities, Palomera handles the inland routes and ALSA connects Santander with Madrid in 4 hours and with Bilbao. The Horseback route along Playa del Regatón and forests of Laredo requires a reservation.
O Grove: horseback ride along the beach and the estuary
The O Grove beach ordinance (BOP Pontevedra nº 74, 2013, art. 25) prohibits access to the beaches with animals from 1 June to the end of September during swimming hours.
Picuco organises the Horseback ride along the beach and estuary in O Grove here, designed to traverse the shore and the estuary environment.
Playa del Playazo: horseback riding in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park
There is no direct bus, so having your own vehicle is essential to get there. In summer, a shuttle service is set up from the external car park.
Inside the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, the rules of Decree 37/2008 prohibit riding horses across open fields or off the permitted paths. Picuco organises the Horseback riding through Playa del Playazo in Cabo de Gata, always following the authorised itineraries.
Punta Entinas-Sabinar: guided horseback riding among dunes and salt pans
The Punta Entinas-Sabinar Natural Area is a landscape of sandy beaches, dunes, natural salt pans and small ponds. It stretches between El Ejido and Roquetas de Mar, in the province of Almería. More than 200 species of flora and fauna live there, mostly birds, and the presence of the pink flamingo stands out.
The rules of the area (Decree 2/2017) prohibit equestrian routes outside of the paths and trails signposted for this purpose. The departure takes place at the agreed time from the Punta Entinas-Sabinar Natural Area itself. Picuco organises the Guided horseback riding in the Punta Entinas-Sabinar Natural Park here.
If you are looking for more options, in horseback riding routes you have the rest of Picuco's proposals.