Kaunas

Kaunas Castle, a red-brick Gothic fortress standing near the confluence of the two rivers, is the city's oldest monument. Its surroundings and the lawns around it can be walked freely on a leash, with a fine view over the Neris.

Town Hall Square, the cobbled heart of the Old Town, is dominated by the white building nicknamed the "White Swan" with its elegant tall tower. A wide open space lined with merchant houses and cafés, it is easily crossed with a leashed dog.

Liberty Avenue, a lime-lined pedestrian artery linking the Old Town to the modernist centre, is the locals' favourite place to stroll. Leashed dogs are welcome, and many terraces happily accept a calm animal at their feet.

The Ąžuolynas oak grove, the largest stand of mature oaks in any European city, offers vast shaded avenues and lawns perfect for walking a dog. A favourite breathing space for joggers and strollers, it is best explored on a leash along its paths.

Pažaislis Monastery, a 17th-century Italian Baroque gem on the shore of Kaunas Reservoir, charms with its dome and gardens. The grounds and wooded paths can be seen on a leash, but the church and the active cloister are not open to animals.

Santaka Park marks the very confluence of the Nemunas and Neris, a broad riverside meadow where the two rivers meet at a point. Its wide lawns and flat paths make it ideal walking ground, best explored on a leash along the water.