Portimão

Portimão's emblematic beach unrolls golden sand beneath sculpted cliffs and rocky spurs. As on all supervised Portuguese beaches, dogs are banned during the bathing season, but the panoramic esplanade above the beach can be walked on lead all year.

These wooden boardwalks wind between dunes, salt marshes and sandbanks of the Alvor estuary, a refuge for migratory birds. A flat, superb walk with a leashed dog, best in the cool hours to spot flamingos and waders.

The protected lagoon between Portimão and Lagos mixes channels, mudflats and white villages. The paths along it offer kilometres of on-lead nature walking, with Alvor village and its grilled-fish terraces as a reward.

Between Praia da Rocha and the mouth of the Arade, the marina lines up yachts, palms and colourful terraces. The quays make a pleasant on-lead stroll, and the breakwater gives a fine view of Ferragudo's fort across the river.

Set in the former La Rose cannery, this award-winning museum brings the great sardine era back to life, production line included. Dogs stay outside, but the riverside quay in front of the museum nicely extends the walk along the Arade.

Portimão's rollercoaster circuit, one of Europe's most spectacular, has hosted Formula 1 and welcomes MotoGP and endurance racing. Animals are not admitted to the grandstands on race days: plan pet care for the big race weekends.