The Rocks

Old warehouses turned cafes and roasters, with foodie weekends and room to spread out. South Sydney's quiet upgrade, easy-going and dog-friendly.

Grand terraces, the famous Witches' Houses and quiet streets between Glebe and Leichhardt. A calmer slice of the inner west, made for an unhurried lap.

Spice Alley, hidden bars and Central Park's green roof, all a stumble from Central. Small, arty and dense, with pockets of lawn for a quick stretch.

Wide parklands beside Centennial Park, with open green and off-leash space close by. Room to run, right on the city's edge.

Historic harbour-edge terraces beside Barangaroo's foreshore green. Sandstone-old, walkable and made for a scenic city stroll.

Green Square's shiny new heart: rooftop apartments, Gunyama Park and wide modern footpaths built for a lap. Brand-new Sydney, dog included from day one.

Harbour foreshore beneath the Bridge, beside The Rocks' history. Scenic, walkable and made for a waterside city stroll.

Tight, hilly and caffeinated. Darlo crams cafes, courtyards and dog-welcoming corners into every block. A short lead-walk from the city, big on character.

Harbour finger-wharf glamour with city grit, a stroll from the CBD. Walkable, characterful and handy for a waterside lap.

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.