Alexandria

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.

Art deco charm, leafy quiet and Beare Park's off-leash harbour lawn down the hill. The east's hushed corner, glamorous and genuinely dog-easy.

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.

Wrapped around Sydney's grandest parkland — off-leash lawns, shady avenues and open green for days. The city's best backyard for a dog.

Art deco blocks, tree-lined streets and a cafe on every corner. Embarkation Park hands you off-leash time with a harbour backdrop. Dense, glamorous and surprisingly dog-easy.

Darling Harbour-close and city-dense, with Wentworth Park's green just over the road. Urban, studenty and handy for a quick lap between the high-rises.

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

Harbourside paths, pocket parks and big-city buzz. The CBD hides a few four-legged-friendly corners — just mind the no-go zones like the Botanic Garden.

Chinatown's neon and night-market buzz at the city's edge, with Belmore Park close. Dense, lively and walkable for a quick lap.

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.