Camino de Santiago with Pets: Everything You Need to Know

The Camino de Santiago with your dog (or other pet)

More and more pilgrims are walking the Camino de Santiago with their pets, especially dogs. It's an incredible experience for both of you, but it requires planning. Not all accommodation accepts animals, stages need to be adapted to your four-legged companion and there are regulations to follow.

In this guide we cover everything you need to know to walk the Camino with your pet safely and without setbacks.

Regulations for travelling with pets on the Camino

Mandatory documentation

• Health card: or up-to-date European pet passport
• Microchip: identification (mandatory in Spain)
• Rabies vaccination: up to date (mandatory for entering Galicia with animals)
• Deworming: — both internal and external, recently done (recommended before starting)

If you're coming from outside Spain

Animals entering from another EU country need the European pet passport with a valid rabies vaccination. From outside the EU, an official health certificate is also required and, in some cases, a rabies antibody blood test.

On the Camino

• Your dog must always be on a lead in urban areas and near other pilgrims
• In rural areas, you can let them off the lead if they respond to recall and there's no livestock nearby
• Always pick up after your dog (carry plenty of bags)
• In Galicia there is free-roaming livestock on many stretches. An uncontrolled dog near cattle can cause serious problems

Pet-friendly accommodation on the Camino

This is the trickiest point. Most public albergues (run by the Xunta de Galicia) do not accept pets. However, an increasing number of private accommodations do.

Pet-friendly accommodation options

• Private albergues: Some accept dogs, usually with a surcharge of €5-10. Always ask before booking
• Guesthouses and hostals: More flexible than albergues. Many accept pets in rooms, though not in communal areas
• Casas rurales (rural houses): Often the best option. More space, a garden and a calm environment for the animal
• Campsites: An excellent option in summer. There are campsites along the Camino that accept pets without restrictions

Key advice

Always book in advance and confirm they accept pets. Don't assume that because an accommodation accepts dogs, they'll do so without prior notice. During high season (May-September), pet-friendly places fill up fast.

Last 100 km route: pet-friendly accommodation

Without claiming to be an exhaustive list (always check first), these are towns that historically have more options:

• Sarria: Several guesthouses and casas rurales accept dogs
• Portomarín: Some private albergues and guesthouses
• Palas de Rei: Guesthouses and some casas rurales. Ask at accommodation near the Castle of Pambre
• Melide: Private options available
• Arzúa: Several pet-friendly guesthouses
• O Pedrouzo: Limited options — book well in advance
• Santiago: Chain hotels tend to accept pets (NH, Meliá). Check on booking.com with the "pet-friendly" filter

Preparing your dog for the Camino

Prior training

Don't set out walking 25 km a day without your dog being accustomed to it. In the weeks before the Camino:

• Gradually increase the distance and duration of walks
• Walk on varied terrain: tarmac, dirt, stone, forest
• Get them used to walking with a lightweight pack (dog panniers are very practical)
• Practise in environments with other dogs and people to assess their behaviour

Breeds and physical condition

• Large and medium dogs: of active breeds (shepherds, Labradors, border collies) usually adapt well
• Small dogs: can do the Camino, but stages should be shorter (15-18 km maximum)
• Brachycephalic breeds: (bulldogs, pugs) struggle more with heat and prolonged exertion. Seriously consider whether the Camino is suitable for them
• Senior dogs: (over 8-9 years in large breeds): consult your vet first

Equipment for your dog

• Comfortable chest harness: (better than a collar for long walks)
• 2-3 metre lead: for urban areas
• Collapsible water bottle: and portable bowl
• Canine first-aid kit: antiseptic, bandages, paw-pad protector, tick-removal tweezers
• Paw-pad protector: or dog boots for long stretches of tarmac
• Poo bags: (lots — more than you think)
• Blanket or mat: for them to sleep on at the accommodation

Vets along the route

Along the last 100 km of the Camino Francés there are veterinary clinics in:

• Sarria: Several vet clinics in town
• Portomarín: Check availability — you may need to travel to Lugo or Sarria
• Palas de Rei: Vet clinic available
• Melide: Vet clinic in town
• Arzúa: Vet clinic available
• Santiago de Compostela: Multiple clinics and the USC veterinary hospital

Always carry a local vet's phone number in case of emergencies: pad cuts, heatstroke, processionary caterpillar contact (dangerous, especially in spring)...

Transport with pets during the Camino

There are days when your dog (or you) needs a rest. A particularly long stage, a minor paw injury, a very hot day... In those cases, a taxi is the solution.

At Taxi Castro we do transfers with pets — no problem. Your dog rides in the car with you, completely safe. We offer taxi service across the entire Camino and we're used to carrying pilgrims with their pets.

Transport options

• Taxi between stages: if you need to shorten a day: we pick you up wherever you are and take you to your next accommodation
• Transport to the Camino start: From Santiago Airport to Sarria with your pet
• Return transport: From Santiago to the airport or any destination when you've finished the Camino

Day-to-day practical tips

Managing the heat

• Start early: At 7:00 temperatures are mild. Avoid walking between 12:00 and 16:00 in summer
• Plenty of water: Your dog needs to drink every 30-45 minutes on hot days. Carry at least 1 extra litre for them
• Seek shade: for rest breaks. The eucalyptus and oak forests of the Camino Francés in Galicia provide good cover
• Watch out for hot tarmac: Touch the ground with the back of your hand. If it burns you, it burns your dog's pads. Look for dirt paths

Feeding

• Bring their usual food in sufficient quantities. It's not easy to find the exact brand in small Camino villages
• Supplement with canine energy snacks on longer days
• Don't give them human food scraps (pulpo a feira with pimentón is not for dogs)

Socialisation

• Not all pilgrims want to interact with your dog. Respect others' space
• Keep the lead short when passing other pilgrims, especially on narrow paths
• If your dog is reactive with other dogs, manage situations calmly and with distance

Summary

Walking the Camino de Santiago with your pet is perfectly possible with planning. The key points are: documentation up to date, accommodation booked in advance, stages adapted to the animal and a veterinary first-aid kit. And for days when you need logistical support, remember that at Taxi Castro we're on the Camino every day and we accept pets in all our vehicles. Call us on +34 659 99 31 39.