Ericeira

The heart of the village, its cobbled lanes and flower-filled balconies opening onto miradouros overlooking the Atlantic. It is all walked on leash, and the terraces on the squares happily welcome a dog facing the sunset over the ocean.

The small, still-working fishing harbour tucked below the cliffs, where colourful boats are hauled up the slipway and the day's catch is sold. The quays and the adjoining beach are walked on leash, among the pots and nets.

The most famous beach of the World Surfing Reserve, a long right-hand wave that hosts international contests. Wilder and windier, it often tolerates leashed dogs outside the summer bathing hours, but beware of the shore break and powerful currents.

One of the busiest town beaches, golden sand sheltered by rocks and popular with families. From June to September dogs are banned, as on most supervised beaches in Portugal, so switch to the wilder northern beaches or walk the clifftop miradouros instead.

The facades and lanes covered with azulejos, the blue-and-white painted tiles typical of Portugal that give the village its charm. The stroll is done on leash, in the relative shade of the low houses, away from the beach sun.

About ten kilometres inland, the huge baroque palace-convent of Mafra, a World Heritage site, with its basilica and monumental library. Dogs are not allowed inside, but they can be walked on leash in the vast wooded park of the nearby Tapada.