Balmain

Wedged between Newtown and Glebe, with Sydney Uni's leafy grounds and quiet terrace streets to wander. The inner west's calm achiever — the buzz close by, the pace nicely unhurried.

Cooks River-close and leafy, with foreshore paths and a quiet village pace. Walkable and made for a riverside lap.

Sydney's Little Italy of the inner west — bakeries, delis and Federation homes on quiet, leafy streets. Heritage-calm and made for an unhurried, pastry-fuelled lap.

Live music, late eats and Enmore Road's dog-welcoming pubs, all a short stroll from Newtown. Hip, walkable and happy to pour you a schooner with the dog at your feet.

The quiet bit of the inner west between Rozelle and Leichhardt, with the Bay Run and Easton Park close by. Leafy, low-key and made for an easy lap.

Inner-west industrial-edged near Marrickville, with parks and grit close by. Practical, walkable and good for a quick lap.

Sydney's Little Italy: Norton Street espresso, gelato and Pioneers Memorial Park for the walk-off. Loud, warm and family-run, dog absolutely welcome.

A leafy harbour peninsula of sandstone heritage and waterfront reserves. Quiet, scenic and made for a slow foreshore stroll.

Inner-west diversity at full tilt — dumplings, grocers and Ashfield Park's green at the centre. Busy, well-fed and easy for an after-dinner lap.

King Street is tattooed, big-hearted and endlessly dog-friendly. Beer gardens, bookshops and pubs where the water bowl lands before the menu.