Antwerp

The triangular medieval square is dominated by guild houses and the 123-metre Gothic cathedral housing four Rubens altarpieces. Dogs can enjoy the square and surrounding cobbled streets, though they aren't allowed inside the cathedral itself.

A reclaimed 24-hectare railway yard turned urban park in the trendy 2060 district, with a large fenced off-leash zone (hondenweide). Popular with locals for weekend runs and paddling-pool days in summer.

The 13th-century castle on the Scheldt marks the start of a long riverside promenade popular with joggers and dog walkers. The new Steenplein terrace offers sweeping views across to Linkeroever.

A 30-hectare park displaying 400 modern and contemporary sculptures — including Rodin and Henry Moore — where leashed dogs are free to roam. Entry is free year-round.

You can't take dogs into the museum galleries, but the free open-air rooftop escalator climb to 60 metres is dog-friendly and delivers the best panorama of the port and old town.

This fin-de-siècle neighbourhood is a living museum of Art Nouveau and eclectic architecture — best explored slowly on foot. Dakota Café and several terraces on Dageraadplaats welcome dogs.