Cologne

The 157-metre twin-spired cathedral took 632 years to complete and holds the relics of the Three Magi. Dogs are not permitted inside, but the vast Domplatte plaza around it is a classic leashed stroll with cafés that welcome pets.

The cobbled Rheinuferpromenade links the Hohenzollern bridge to the colourful Altstadt gable houses. Dogs must stay on a leash within the old town, and the riverside Poller Wiesen just south offers unofficial off-leash space during quiet hours.

Cologne's 'city forest' covers 205 hectares in the leafy Lindenthal district, with a dedicated fenced Hundeauslaufplatz where dogs can run off-leash. Elsewhere in the park leashes are mandatory from 1 March to 15 July to protect ground-nesting birds.

A calm landscape park southwest of the centre wrapped around a 1.5-kilometre rowing pond. Leashes are required near the water and children's areas, but the adjoining meadows are a favourite of local Dackel and Schäferhund owners.

The Belgian Quarter's tree-lined streets named after Flemish cities form Cologne's hippest café grid. Most bistros on Brüsseler Platz keep water bowls outside, and many interiors welcome well-behaved dogs under the table — just ask 'Hund erlaubt?' first.

On the right bank opposite the Altstadt, the Rheinpark stretches 40 hectares with sculpted lawns. Dogs ride free on the Kölner Seilbahn cable car (subject to driver discretion) if leashed and muzzled, giving a stroller-friendly aerial view of the Rhine.