Trieste

Europe's largest seafront square, opening directly onto the Adriatic and framed by 19th-century Habsburg palaces. Fully pedestrian and dog-friendly, with café terraces welcoming leashed dogs.

Habsburg neo-Gothic castle of Archduke Maximilian, perched on a promontory 7 km north-west of the centre. The 22-hectare seafront park is entirely dog-friendly on leash; the castle interior remains off-limits to dogs.

Navigable canal dug in 1754-56 at the heart of the Borgo Teresiano, reaching all the way to the Chiesa di Sant'Antonio Nuovo. Pedestrian quays on both banks, café terraces along the entire length, ideal for a long leashed walk with views of moored sailing boats.

14th-century cathedral atop its eponymous hill, next to the Venetian-Habsburg Castello San Giusto. Leashed dogs welcome on the terraces, bastions and lapidary garden; the cathedral interior is closed to dogs.

4 km seafront promenade between Cedas and Miramare, Trieste's favourite urban beach, with its dedicated Bau Beach between Cedas and Il Pane Quotidiano. Deep water off concrete platforms, ideal for swimming dogs from June to September.

Limestone plateau at 200-400 m altitude above the city, reachable in 15 min by bus 4 or tram (when running). Network of dog-friendly CAI trails, the Val Rosandra karst valley, and osmize, country farmhouse wine bars open a few weeks each year and generally pet-tolerant.