Sydney

Travel Guide
Sydney
Cronulla Beach showing waves
Sydney
Sydney
Sydney which includes skyline, general coastal views and a city

Sydney Travel Guide Video

Few cities can match the good life of the 'HarbourCity', a city with more than a hundred beaches, brimming with youthfulvitality. Sydney, the capital of NewSouth Wales, has more than four million inhabitants and is one of themost cosmopolitan cities in the world. As a relatively young city it has acontagious optimism and its tanned residents feel equally at home on theirsurfboard as in ballet.

From the golden sands and sparkling waters of BondiBeach to the unmistakable curves of the Sydney Opera House, the cityis a dream location for photographers. Start your exploration of the city witha Skywalk at Sydney Tower with its incredible views then explore the nearbyRoyal Botanic Gardens and the majestic sails of the SydneyOpera House. A short walk away you will find the Circular Quay, theequivalent of Grand Central Station in New York, but only outside (it isSydney, after all). Go to this bustling transport hub and board one of thefamous ferries from the city to one of the many surfy suburbs. In nearbyDarling Harbour you'll find the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and the AustralianNational Maritime Museum.

Walk the quayside are filled with restaurants andparks to The Rocks, where you can almost feel the ghosts of the criminal andmaritime history of the city. For thrill seekers there is the Wild Mouse rollercoaster at Luna Park. Say "G'day" to the kangaroos, koalas andplatypuses in the Taronga Zoo and make sure you visit the bird show, with theport as a spectacular backdrop.

A short walk from the centre and you’ll find neighbourhoodslike Paddington, Surry Hills and Newtown. These charming neighbourhoods aredotted with quaint cafes, boutiques and galleries. Foodies will appreciate Darlinghurstand Potts Point. Those looking for a little retail festival will Bondi Junctionand the large Westfield shopping centre in the heart of downtown.

Sydney is a paradisefor nature lovers, who are never far from the bush and beaches. Admire therugged shoreline of the harbour during the half-hour ferry ride to ManlyBeach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the city.

Thanks to an excellent network of trains, buses andferries, you can easily get around Sydney. Sydneydelights visitor with warm summers and cool, pleasant winters. The ‘HarbourCity’ is an ideal year-round Australian destination.

Where to stay in Sydney

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Sydney Central Business District

4.5/5(343 area reviews)

Known for its captivating waterfront views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Sydney Central Business District. Check out top attractions like Circular Quay and Sydney Opera House, and jump on the metro at Martin Place Station or St. James Station to see more of the city.

Sydney Central Business District
Darling Harbour showing city views, a city and night scenes

Darling Harbour

4.5/5(93 area reviews)

Known for its captivating waterfront views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Darling Harbour. Check out top attractions like Australian National Maritime Museum and Sydney Lyric Theatre, and jump on the metro at Pyrmont Bay Light Rail Station or The Star Station to see more of the city.

Darling Harbour
Manly Beach featuring a coastal town, tropical scenes and a beach

Manly

A noteworthy feature of Manly is its stunning beaches. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Manly Wharf and Shelly Beach.

Manly
Bondi Beach featuring general coastal views, a beach and a coastal town

Bondi Beach

Travellers to Bondi Beach praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Bondi Beach and Bondi Icebergs.

Bondi Beach
Parramatta showing a city and general coastal views

Parramatta

Travellers come to Parramatta for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Westfield Parramatta Shopping Centre and Parramatta Park while you're in town.

Parramatta
Circular Quay - The Rocks which includes street scenes, heritage architecture and a city

The Rocks

A noteworthy feature of The Rocks is its captivating waterfront views. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Circular Quay and Museum of Contemporary Art.

The Rocks
Shangri-La Sydney
Shangri-La Sydney
5 out of 5
176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, NSW
The price is €177 per night from 19 Jan to 20 Jan
€177
includes taxes & fees
19 Jan - 20 Jan
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Sydney. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,144 reviews)
"Great location, spacious room with harbour view, comfy beds, good facilities, bountiful buffet breakfast, helpful staff, value for money Decor a bit tired and dated, understaffed. Could be better soundproofing between interconnecting rooms. A bustling hive of activity, one of the busiest hotels ever ..."

Reviewed on 7 Jan 2025

Shangri-La Sydney
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
5 out of 5
199 George St., Sydney, NSW
The price is €225 per night from 12 Jan to 13 Jan
€225
includes taxes & fees
12 Jan - 13 Jan
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Sydney. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,531 reviews)
"the best!"

Reviewed on 8 Jan 2025

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney
5 out of 5
1 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW
The price is €175 per night from 19 Jan to 20 Jan
€175
includes taxes & fees
19 Jan - 20 Jan
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Sydney. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,042 reviews)
"Centrally located. Room was nice and roomy"

Reviewed on 10 Jan 2025

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
YEHS Hotel Sydney Harbour Suites
YEHS Hotel Sydney Harbour Suites
4 out of 5
252 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Sydney. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,774 reviews)
Great location, upgrades needed.
"Great location, & staff friendly & helpful. Housekeeping service during stay was good. BUT !! Showers need to be cleaned with a bleach solution & grout brush & they need to vacuum under the beds - between guests, not everyday. Need tea towels in kitchen."

Reviewed on 8 Jan 2025

YEHS Hotel Sydney Harbour Suites
APX World Square
APX World Square
4.5 out of 5
2 Cunningham Street, Haymarket, NSW
Stay at this 4.5-star aparthotel in Sydney. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,450 reviews)
"I enjoy my stay in APX . The location is very accessible , near to shops and everything is in walking distance. There are plenty of food options. The room we had is spacious and clean , the bed is little bit tough but apart from that everything is ok.The aircoon is good. The receptionist is nice ..."

Reviewed on 7 Jan 2025

APX World Square
Oaks Sydney Goldsbrough Suites
Oaks Sydney Goldsbrough Suites
4 out of 5
243 Pyrmont Street, Darling Harbour, Pyrmont, NSW
Stay at this aparthotel in Sydney. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (7,212 reviews)
"Spacious rooms"

Reviewed on 5 Jan 2025

Oaks Sydney Goldsbrough Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Sydney

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
168
" "5 - Excellent 71%
4 - Good
63
" "4 - Good 26%
3 - Okay
6
" "3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

An amazing city , it certainly has plenty of iconic sights to see, and lots to do, with amazing shops too.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Fantastic

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

very central for visiting other areas, trains to Blue mountains and Southern Highlands

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Sydney is a city like so many others however the Harbour Bridge, the opera house and Circular Quay make it unique

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Really enjoyed our time in Sydney. The hotel was perfect location for The Opera House, Sydney Bridge, Restaurants, bard, shopping and all transport.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Loved our visit. Definitely worth hopping on the ferries to get to other city areas, cheap and frequent. Good museums, Plenty of reasonably priced places to eat.