Sydney is ranked one of the top 10 cities in the entire world, and it’s easy to see why! The city is so diverse with all its different neighborhoods.
This Sydney Travel Guide will help you plan your trip to Sydney, with recommendations for the best things to do, where to stay, where to eat, and how to get around.
From the beaches to the mountains, there are endless options for things to do during your time in Sydney. I spent 4 days in Sydney, and there was so much on my list I didn’t get to do. I definitely need to come back!
If this is your first time in Australia, make sure you’re aware of what to expect. These tips will help you appear less like a tourist, and more like a seasoned visitor, or even a local!
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1. Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
This is a must! The walk is about 4 miles (7km) one way if you do the full walk so be prepared to walk a lot! There are a few hills and big sets of stairs, so by the end I had definitely worked up a sweat (and an appetite haha).
It took me about 2 hours to get from Bondi to Coogee! You can do it faster if you don’t stop to take photos, or you can make a full day out of it at stop at the beaches along the way!
There are 5 beaches along the way – Bondi Beach, Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach, Clovelly Beach, and Coogee Beach. Bondi, Bronte and Coogee also have Baths (tidal swimming pools) you can lounge at or swim in!
2. Sydney Opera House
I would be surprised if you had never seen a photo of the Sydney Opera House. I feel like it is the most iconic monument in the city, and it does not disappoint.
To get the Instagram-worthy angles of the Opera House, go to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. You can look this spot up on Google Maps; it’s at the very end of the Royal Botanic Garden.
I would also suggest seeing a show while you’re in Sydney! I didn’t get a chance to do this, so it’s on my list for next time.
3. Queen Victoria Building
The Queen Victoria Building is now a shopping mall, located in the historic Romanesque building. There are tons of boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants, jewelry stores and more you can explore.
Make sure you check out the beautiful stained glass windows as well!
4. Day trip to Manly Beach
This was one of my favorite days in Sydney! We took the Manly Ferry from the Central Business District (CBD) to Manly Beach, which was about $10.50 AUD and took 20 minutes.
We got a stunning view of the Harbor and Sydney Opera House; I would say the view alone was worth the price of the ferry! Once we got to Manly Beach, there were lots of shops and restaurants to explore, plus of course the stunning beach itself.
One the weekends, there is also the Manly Markets 2095, an outdoor arts and crafts market with tons of stalls selling local art, handmade jewelry and street food.
5. Chinese Garden of Friendship
I definitely recommend spending at least a morning or afternoon down in Darling Harbour! There are lots of unique places and museums to visit, including the Chinese Garden of Friendship!
This is a little oasis in the middle of the city; I especially liked the juxtaposition of the gardens with the apartment buildings in the back. It’s open daily from 10 AM – 5 PM, and admission tickets are only $12 AUD.
While you’re in Darling Harbour, I also recommend checking out the Australian National Maritime Museum. Here you can experience Australia’s maritime history, and explore historic ships! Open daily from 9:30 AM – 5 PM.
6. The Rocks
I debated putting this in the “Where to eat” section BUT I think regardless of whether you’re in the mood for a meal or not, you should walk around The Rocks. You can get a great view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and harbour!
On the weekends, you can visit The Rocks Market, an outdoor local arts & crafts market with stalls for local fashion, art, handcrafted jewelry, and street food. It’s open from 10 AM – 5 PM.
7. BridgeClimb Sydney
From the Rocks, you can actually walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to spots like Luna Park and Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden. Both are local, hidden gems!
If you’re feeling adventurous and like you want once in a lifetime experience, I highly recommend doing the BridgeClimb Sydney. You’ll be able to climb to the top of the world’s largest steel arch and take in the stunning views of the city.
8. Royal Botanic Garden
Get in your steps by walking around the Royal Botanic Garden in downtown Sydney! Make sure to walk over to the Fleet Steps to get stunning views of the harbour and the Sydney Opera House.
If it’s raining, you can also check out The Calyx, and indoor horticultural exhibition. It’s open daily from 10 AM – 4 PM, with free entry or a suggested donation.
Where to stay
Sydney has so many cool, unique neighborhoods that you can explore and visit! I spent 4 nights in Circular Quay (pronounced “key”) and 2 nights in Bondi Beach, so I’ll speak to both of those and give my favorite hotel suggestions!
Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is a MUST. Especially if you’re in your 20s and looking for a spot to meet other young, fun people, Bondi is THE place.
I felt like everywhere I went, everyone was a model. People were active, going for runs along the beach and downtown, meeting up with their friends for brunch at cute cafes, and going out at night.
The Baxley Bondi
The Baxley Bondi is where I stayed for 2 nights in Bondi, and I really loved it. It felt like the perfect in between of a hotel and hostel.
The rooms were clean, aesthetic and also had a workspace with a desk so you could easily work remotely here. Everyone had their own private room, and bathrooms and showers were shared.
There were so many bathrooms on each floor though, I never had to wait or experienced any issues with this. They were also incredibly clean.
Bondi Beach Backpackers
Bondi Beach Backpackers is a super popular hostel right in the heart of Bondi, and only a block away from the beach.
It’s a great place to stay at if you’re looking to make friends and immerse yourself in everything Bondi has to offer. You’re also able to rent surfboards for free – a quintessential Australian activity!
The Blue Hotel Bondi
If you’re looking for a more upscale hotel close to the beach, but in a quiet area, the Blue Hotel Bondi is your spot!
They offer complimentary breakfast and spacious rooms! Keep in mind that they’re also a fully digital hotel, so you’ll get an electronic key.
Circular Quay
Circular Quay is centrally located to the ferries and the downtown business district (CBD). This is an amazing place to stay if you’re looking to see as much of Sydney as you can, especially the iconic spots like the Opera House!
The area is super clean and safe, and there are so many restaurants, cafes, shops and sights to see within walking distance.
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
I don’t normally stay in such luxurious hotels for so long but, with the exchange rate, we ended up paying something like $250/night in US Dollars to stay at the Four Seasons for 4 nights!
It was honestly incredible. The staff were beyond welcoming, and service we received was top notch. We were able to use amenities like their umbrellas when it was raining, and their towels to go to the beach.
They have an outdoor deck with a pool and a jacuzzi, a massive hotel gym, and a restaurant in the lobby.
YHA Sydney Harbour – The Rocks
If you’re looking to save money and meet other travelers by staying in a hostel, the YHA Sydney Harbour has got to be your pick.
It’s in such a prime location in The Rocks, and has an unreal rooftop view of the Opera House. Other amenities include en suite facilities, free Wi-Fi, a guest kitchen, and a lounge with a TV and dining area.
Park Hyatt Sydney
If you’re looking to splurge and get a room with THE Opera House view – the Park Hyatt Sydney is where you’re going to want to stay.
It has amazing amenities including an on-site restaurant, fitness center, spa and a rooftop plunge pool with outdoor cabanas. You really cannot beat the views of the harbour from this hotel.
Where to eat and drink
Coffee Shops
1. Toby’s Estate Coffee 388
I’m not a huge coffee drinker, but I got a cold brew from here and it was the best cold brew I’ve ever had. It was like dark chocolate, and tasted so rich and yummy.
Cold brews are hard to find in Australia, so if that is your drink of choice I highly recommend coming here!
2. Blackwood Bondi
Blackwood is a super cute brunch and coffee spot in Bondi Beach! This is the perfect spot to dine at after your morning workout to feel like a true Bondi local.
3. Georgie Boy’s Coffee Co
This shop was right next to our hotel, and also serves breakfast and lunch items! It’s very reasonably priced and I’d definitely recommend coming here for coffee and breakfast.
Restaurants
1. Mamasaan
If you go to one place in Bondi Beach for dinner, let it be Mamasaan. This was the best meal I had in Australia!
It’s a trendy Japanese fusion restaurant with a bar and a delicious menu for dinner. I highly recommend the Tuna Crispy Rice, Crispy Pork Bao Buns, Cauliflower, and Veggie Gyoza!
2. Chat Thai
There are lots of locations for Chat Thai throughout Sydney. This was delicious Thai food – I definitely recommend coming here for a more casual lunch or dinner.
3. Lox Stock & Barrel
This is a fantastic NYC-style deli with sandwiches, salads and brunch options. We came here after going to Bondi Beach and it was the perfect post-beach lunch.
4. Sushi & Grill
This was a phenomenal, hole in the wall sushi spot in downtown CBD! There are a lot of different locations throughout the city; I highly recommend coming here for fresh, delicious fish.
5. The Fine Food Store
This is a very popular, trendy Australian brunch spot in The Rocks! I thought it was good; a lot of the food options were unique and different than your “classic” breakfast items.
6. Betty’s Burgers
This felt like the Australian In N Out to me! The burgers were delicious. If you’re hungry, I recommend getting a double burger, or even two burgers!
7. Raw Bar
Located right by Bondi Beach, this was a great dinner spot with a view of the sunset! They serve sushi, salad and sake with really fresh fish.
This was a really popular spot, so make sure you get here early or you may have to wait a bit!
8. Norma’s Deli
When you’re in Manly Beach, I recommend getting a deli sandwich from Norma’s! This was a really cute Greek deli with freshly baked bread.
9. Opera Bar
This is a bar right outside of the Opera House with great views! I recommend getting a drink here and even staying for dinner.
It seemed like a really popular happy hour or post-work spot for locals as well; it was really busy and lively!
10. Bar 83 at Sydney Tower
I’m going to be honest…the food here was not great. However, the VIEW was amazing!! So, I would recommend coming here for a drink or two before dinner to watch the sunset and get 360 views of the city.
Dessert
1. Butterboy
If you do ONE thing in Sydney…go to Manly Beach and get a cookie from Butterboy. My fiancé and I both agreed that they were hands down the best cookies we’ve ever had.
At the very end of my trip, I legitimately went allll the way back to Manly Beach to get a 6 pack to take home with me hehe.
I will warn you, they are very large! So if you’re sensitive to sugar, only eat half the cookie at once!
2. C9 Chocolate & Gelato
One of my favorite parts about Australia was not only how many dessert options they have, but how many VEGAN and nut-free dessert options they have!
C9 Chocolate & Gelato had a vegan chocolate sorbet which was amazing. It was a rich, dark chocolate and my favorite gelato I had when I was in Australia.
3. Gelato Messina
Another great gelato spot with vegan options as well! There are a bunch of locations, and you can’t go wrong with any of their fun flavors.
How to get around Sydney
By Walking / Running
This is my personal favorite way to get around and explore Sydney! It’s such a walkable city and I found it to be pretty pedestrian friendly.
You’ll notice that every pedestrian crossing not only has the walk sign, but will also have an audio component to signal when it’s time to walk.
To stay active, I would definitely suggest going for a run in the morning to explore and see more of the city! There were so many people out and about going for runs along the beach or around the harbour, it was a really fun environment.
By Bike
If you want to speed things up a bit, I recommend renting bikes to get around the city! Sydney has a lot of great Bike sharing apps available throughout the city. Check out their official website for more information.
By Ferry
This is a really unique way to get around Sydney! There are 36 wharves in Sydney, connected by the Ferry system.
Definitely take at least one Ferry ride while you’re in Sydney. The most popular route is to take the Manly Ferry to Manly Beach.
By Metro / Bus
Sydney’s public transit is incredible. I took both their metro trains and buses, and found them to be very easy to navigate.
The rides are a bit more expensive than I expected. When I went, each ride was $3.00 – $4.20 AUD. You can take a look at the most recent fare information on Sydney’s official transportation website.
Luckily, there is a daily and weekly cap on how much you can be charged. To take advantage of this cap, make sure you either have an Opal card, the Sydney transit card, or are using the same credit card via Apple Pay on all of your rides.
By Car
Both Ubers and Taxis are readily available in Sydney. I found both options to be reasonably priced, and always nearby whenever I needed one.
Pro-tip: Ubers are actually often cheaper than public transportation when you’re heading back to the airport, if you’re traveling with at least one other person.
If you want to rent a car in Australia, remember that they drive on the left side! Parking didn’t seem super easy around the city, so honestly I wouldn’t recommend renting a car in Sydney unless you’re looking to do a lot of day trips that require driving.
If you’re planning a trip to Sydney, be sure to read up on general Australia travel guidance, including when to go, whether or not you need a visa, and where else should you go.
And feel free to send me an email or DM on Instagram with any questions or for personalized travel tips!
mariss
