Gijón

The old fishermen's quarter perched on the headland, a maze of cobbled lanes, cider squares and colourful houses. Leashed dogs are welcome in the streets and on the open-air terraces climbing towards the Cerro de Santa Catalina.

A large clifftop park on the headland, dominated by Chillida's Eulogy of the Horizon and offering panoramic views over the sea and the city. Its wide lawns and paths welcome leashed dogs, ideal for a breezy walk above the Atlantic.

The great curving city beach at the heart of town, flanked by a busy seafront. Dogs are banned during the bathing season (roughly May to September); fall back on the promenade or a designated dog beach outside the centre.

A vast 20th-century monumental complex, the largest building in Spain, now a cultural centre with a panoramic tower and theatre. Pets are not allowed inside the buildings, but the wide outdoor esplanades suit a leashed walk.

Remains of 1st-century Roman baths, preserved beneath a square at the foot of the Cimadevilla church and shown in a small museum. Pets are not allowed in the museum space, but the neighbouring square and harbour are easily walked on a leash.

A large botanical garden in the east of the city, devoted to Atlantic-facing flora, with wooded paths and ponds. Pets are generally not allowed in order to protect the collections; check the current policy before visiting.