StayAreasThe best things to do in Sydney
Sydney wraps around its harbour. Circular Quay is the hub: the Opera House sits on one side, the Harbour Bridge and the old sandstone streets of The Rocks on the other, and the ferries leave from the wharves in between. The CBD's towers run south from the quay, Darling Harbour lies on the western side of the centre, and Surry Hills' cafés are just south-east. The ocean beaches are further out: Bondi to the east, and Manly across the harbour by ferry.
Here are the 20 things we'd put on a first trip, grouped by part of the city, with the area to stay in if that part of Sydney matters most to you. The seasons are the reverse of Europe's: December to February is summer and beach season, and spring and autumn are the most pleasant time for walking.
Circular Quay and The Rocks
1.Sydney Opera House
Jørn Utzon's sail-roofed concert hall on Bennelong Point, a World Heritage Site and the symbol of the city.
Tip: Take the one-hour guided tour to see inside the halls, or better still book a show. The steps and the forecourt are free to wander any time.
Stay nearby: The Rocks & Circular Quay · ~$250/night2.Sydney Harbour BridgeFree
The steel 'Coathanger' across the harbour. You can climb over its arch with BridgeClimb or walk across the footpath on the east side for free.
Tip: The Pylon Lookout in the south-east pylon gives a climb-level view for a fraction of the BridgeClimb price.
Stay nearby: The Rocks & Circular Quay · ~$250/night3.The RocksFree
Sydney's oldest streets, where the first convict settlement stood, with sandstone pubs, laneways and a weekend market.
Tip: The Rocks Markets run on Saturdays and Sundays; the pubs on Argyle and Gloucester Streets claim to be the oldest in the city.
Stay nearby: The Rocks & Circular Quay · ~$250/night4.Museum of Contemporary ArtFree
Australian and international contemporary art, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, in an Art Deco building on Circular Quay.
Tip: General entry is free, and the rooftop café has a close-up view of the Opera House across the water.
Stay nearby: The Rocks & Circular Quay · ~$250/night5.Royal Botanic Garden and Mrs Macquarie's ChairFree
The harbourside gardens next to the Opera House, ending at a sandstone bench carved by convicts with the classic view of the Opera House and the bridge together.
Tip: Walk around Farm Cove from the Opera House to Mrs Macquarie's Chair at sunrise for the famous photo.
Stay nearby: The Rocks & Circular Quay · ~$250/night6.Taronga Zoo
A zoo on a hillside across the harbour, with koalas, kangaroos and platypuses, and a skyline view from the giraffe enclosure.
Tip: Take the 12-minute ferry from Circular Quay and ride the Sky Safari cable car up to the top entrance, then walk downhill through the zoo.
Stay nearby: The Rocks & Circular Quay · ~$250/night7.The ferry to Watsons Bay
A ferry ride along the harbour to an old fishing village near the harbour mouth, with clifftop views at the Gap and South Head.
Tip: Walk the short South Head Heritage Trail to the red-and-white Hornby Lighthouse, then have fish and chips on the beach.
The CBD and Darling Harbour
8.Art Gallery of New South WalesFree
The state's main art museum on the edge of the Domain, with a new building, Sydney Modern, linked by a garden walk.
Tip: General entry is free. The gallery stays open late on Wednesday evenings.
Stay nearby: Sydney CBD · ~$185/night9.Queen Victoria BuildingFree
A Victorian shopping arcade filling a whole block, with stained glass, a central dome and two giant hanging clocks.
Tip: Look up at the Royal Clock on the top floor, which shows scenes from British history on the hour.
Stay nearby: Sydney CBD · ~$185/night10.SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
A big aquarium on the Darling Harbour waterfront, with underwater tunnels, dugongs and a Great Barrier Reef tank.
Tip: Combo tickets with Wild Life Sydney Zoo next door are cheaper than buying both separately; book online for a lower price.
Stay nearby: Darling Harbour · ~$200/night11.Australian National Maritime MuseumFree
Boats and stories of Australia's sea history, with a destroyer, a submarine and a replica of Captain Cook's Endeavour moored outside.
Tip: The main galleries are free; the ships outside need a ticket.
Stay nearby: Darling Harbour · ~$200/night12.Barangaroo ReserveFree
A headland park rebuilt with sandstone blocks and native plants, on the harbour between Darling Harbour and The Rocks.
Tip: Walk the harbourside path from Darling Harbour to The Rocks through Barangaroo; it takes about half an hour.
Stay nearby: Darling Harbour · ~$200/night13.Chinese Garden of Friendship
A walled garden in the southern Chinese style, with lakes, waterfalls and pavilions, a quiet spot just off Darling Harbour.
Tip: Have tea in the teahouse overlooking the lake.
Stay nearby: Darling Harbour · ~$200/night
Surry Hills, Bondi and Manly
14.Surry Hills cafés and Crown StreetFree
Sydney's café neighbourhood, with Victorian terraces, small bars, good brunch and restaurants along Crown Street.
Tip: Do as locals do and go for a weekend brunch; queues start around 9am at the popular places.
Stay nearby: Surry Hills · ~$170/night15.Bondi BeachFree
Sydney's most famous beach, a kilometre of sand and surf, with the Bondi Icebergs ocean pool at its southern end.
Tip: Always swim between the red and yellow flags, where lifeguards patrol. Icebergs pool is open to the public for a small fee.
Hotels in Bondi Beach · ~$200/night16.The Bondi to Coogee coastal walkFree
A 6 km clifftop path south from Bondi past Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly beaches and the cliffside Waverley Cemetery.
Tip: Allow two to three hours with swims. In October and November the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition is often set up along the Bondi end.
Stay nearby: Bondi Beach · ~$200/night17.The Manly ferry
A 30-minute ferry from Circular Quay across the harbour, past the Opera House and out by the harbour heads to the beach suburb of Manly.
Tip: Take the regular ferry rather than the fast ferry: it's slower, but you can sit outside on deck.
Stay nearby: Manly · ~$185/night18.Manly Beach and Shelly BeachFree
A long surf beach lined with Norfolk pines, and a sheltered cove a short walk away where you can snorkel among fish.
Tip: Walk on from Shelly Beach up to North Head for views back across the harbour to the city.
Stay nearby: Manly · ~$185/night
Further out
19.Cockatoo IslandFree
The largest island in the harbour, a World Heritage-listed former convict prison and shipyard with tunnels, workshops and a harbourside campsite.
Tip: Entry is free and ferries from Circular Quay stop there; you can even stay overnight in a tent or a heritage cottage.
20.A day trip to the Blue Mountains
Sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and eucalyptus forest with a blue haze, about two hours by train from Central Station to Katoomba.
Tip: The Three Sisters lookout at Echo Point is a walk from Katoomba station. Start early in the day; the train is much cheaper than a tour.
Written by the StayAreas editorial team · Updated Oct 2026 · How we research our guides