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    Sydney

    Australia

    Sydney

    City

    Sydney is Australia's largest city, set on one of the world's most beautiful natural harbours. The Opera House and Harbour Bridge, ferries across the water, beaches like Bondi and Manly, and national parks right on the city limits.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Australia
    7. Sydney
    Sydney is Australia's largest city, set on one of the world's most beautiful natural harbours. The Opera House and Harbour Bridge, ferries across the water, beaches like Bondi and Manly, and national parks right on the city limits.

    Sights in Sydney

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Sydney Opera House

    1Sydney Opera House

    The Sydney Opera House by Jørn Utzon opened in 1973 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. On a tour, you'll see the halls inside; a performance is even better. Outside, you can walk around the building anytime, in the evening with views of the Harbour Bridge.
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    Sydney Harbour Bridge

    2Sydney Harbour Bridge

    The 1932 Harbour Bridge connects the city centre with the North Shore. You can walk across for free on the eastern footpath. From the Pylon Lookout, you gaze at the Opera House and Harbour; with the expensive BridgeClimb, you climb up to the arch.
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    Art Gallery of New South Wales

    3Art Gallery of New South Wales

    The Art Gallery of New South Wales features Australian, European, and Asian art and a large collection of Indigenous works. The 2022 Sydney Modern building is linked by a path through the park. Collection entry is free.
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    Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

    4Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

    The approximately six-kilometre-long coastal path runs from Bondi Beach, via cliffs and bays, to Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly, and Coogee. Along the way are ocean pools and cafés. Allow two to three hours, preferably early in the morning.
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    Taronga Zoo

    5Taronga Zoo

    The Taronga Zoo lies on the northern shore of the harbour, overlooking the skyline. By ferry from Circular Quay, you're there in twelve minutes; a cable car takes you from the jetty up to the entrance. Many Australian animals, including koalas and platypuses.
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    Manly

    6Manly

    The ferry to Manly takes about 30 minutes, passing the Opera House and the harbour cliffs. Over there are a long surf beach, the Corso with cafés, and the path to Shelly Beach, a sheltered bay for snorkeling.
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    City walks in Sydney

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Sydney's Highlights: A 2-Hour Discovery Tour

    Experience Sydney's iconic landmarks and green oases on this relaxed 2-hour walk. From the majestic Opera House to the architectural wonders of the city centre, immerse yourself in the soul of this vibrant metropolis. This tour takes you to the finest viewpoints and most interesting neighbourhoods.

    ~2 Std.
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    Stops (6)

    Restaurants & Cafés

    1

    Quay

    Peter Gilmore's Quay at the Overseas Passenger Terminal has been among Australia's best restaurants for years. Tasting menu with views of the Opera House and Bridge. Very expensive, book weeks ahead.
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    2

    Mr. Wong

    Large, loud Cantonese restaurant in a CBD alley. Dim Sum for lunch, Peking duck and sharing dishes for dinner.
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    3

    Icebergs Dining Room and Bar

    Italian-inspired restaurant above the ocean pool at the south end of Bondi Beach. The view over the bay is the experience; the food is good and expensive.
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    4

    Tetsuya's

    Tetsuya Wakuda's degustation restaurant, fusing Japanese and French cuisine. Hidden behind a gate on Kent Street, with a Japanese garden. Expensive, reserve.
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    5

    Rockpool Bar & Grill

    Steakhouse in the magnificent Art Deco hall of the old City Mutual Building. Grilled dry-aged beef, extensive wine list, rather expensive.
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    Food and Beverage

    Sydney eats internationally: Cantonese in Chinatown and Haymarket, Vietnamese in Cabramatta, Lebanese in Lakemba, plus top restaurants by the harbour. Coffee and brunch are a culture of their own here.

    Sydney Fish Market

    In Pyrmont, you buy oysters, shrimp and sashimi and eat them right by the water. The market is moving into a new building next door.

    Sydney Rock Oysters

    The small, robust oysters from the estuaries of New South Wales.

    Brunch

    Smashed Avocado, Ricotta-Hotcakes and a Flat White are weekend essentials. Many cafés don't take reservations.

    History and Culture

    The Gadigal and other Eora groups have lived by the harbour for tens of thousands of years. In 1788, the First Fleet, led by Arthur Phillip, landed in Sydney Cove and founded a penal colony. Sandstone houses and pubs from this period still stand in The Rocks, while the Hyde Park Barracks, a former convict site, are a UNESCO World Heritage site.Jørn Utzon's Opera House opened in 1973 and has been a World Heritage site since 2007. The Art Gallery of New South Wales showcases a large collection of Indigenous art, and the Australian Museum tells stories of natural and cultural history. Today, Sydney is one of the most diverse cities in the world, with over a third of its residents born overseas.

    Nightlife

    Sydney's nightlife offers you a diverse selection, from relaxed pubs to lively clubs. Discover upscale bars at Darling Harbour, such as Bungalow 8, or traditional pubs with live music in The Rocks. Districts like Surry Hills shape a distinctive bar culture with venues like The Beresford.
    1

    O Bar and Dining

    Revolving restaurant and bar on the 47th floor of the Australia Square Tower. Enjoy a cocktail with panoramic views of the city and harbour; prices reflect the experience.
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    2

    The Beresford

    Big pub in Surry Hills with a beer garden in the courtyard, busy and loud on weekends.
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    3

    Opera Bar

    Open-air waterfront bar below the Opera House, overlooking the Harbour Bridge. A classic spot for a sunset drink, often with live music in the evenings.
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    4

    The Baxter Inn

    Basement whisky bar, hidden in a backyard on Clarence Street. Hundreds of whiskies line the bar, often queues at the entrance.
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    Discovering Sydney

    With your Opal Card or contactless bank or credit card, travel on trains, metro, buses, light rail, and ferries. Daily and weekly fare caps apply, with Sundays being especially cheap.Airport Link travels from airport to city center in approx. 15 minutes. Ferries from Circular Quay to Manly, Watsons Bay, or Taronga Zoo offer the most beautiful way to see the harbour. The city center, Opera House, Botanic Garden, and The Rocks are easily walkable.

    Accommodations in Sydney

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    Plan your trip to Sydney

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      • 2Sydney Harbour Bridge4 days
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    Nearby

    Leura

    Leura

    Well-maintained mountain village right next to Katoomba, known for its gardens, cafes, and the plane tree-lined main street Leura Mall. Below the village, paths lead to waterfalls and viewpoints over the Jamison Valley.
    Blue Mountains

    Blue Mountains

    Sandstone plateau with deep, forested valleys, just under two hours west of Sydney. The eucalyptus forests make the distance shimmer bluish. Lookouts, waterfalls, and hiking trails are close to the railway line and the Great Western Highway.
    Katoomba

    Katoomba

    The largest town in the Blue Mountains and a gateway to Echo Point, the Three Sisters and Scenic World. Katoomba Street is lined with cafés, second-hand shops and Art Deco façades from its spa-town era.
    Blackheath

    Blackheath

    Quiet mountain village at around 1,000 metres, the highest major settlement in the Blue Mountains. From the village edge, paths lead to the cliffs above the Grose Valley, including Govetts Leap and the Grand Canyon Track. An excellent base for hikers.
    Cessnock

    Cessnock

    Cessnock is a small town on the southern edge of the wine region. Here you shop, refuel, and find cheaper accommodation than among the vineyards of Pokolbin.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash, Pexels. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI