I always found it difficult to choose what to do in Sydney, as there are so many options.
I know that's the case with a lot of other cities, but this part of Australia always leaves me wanting more. There are so many restaurants, hidden places, wonderful desserts, views, walks, beaches, I feel like even living there I wouldn't be able to see everything.
The good part is that most popular tours can be done in a single trip, in just over a week.
I've selected the 14 that I liked the most (and one that I hear really good things about) to help those who aren't sure what to do in Sydney.
In the end there is still a suggested itinerary to make the most of your days!
Where to stay in Sydney
As it is an expensive city, the best option is to stay in the neighborhood with the most attractions, this way you save on transport.. I recommend staying in the CBD (Central Business District), which is a more central region. From there you can get a ferry to visit Manly Beach, and walk to places like Darling Harbor, Sydney Tower, The Rocks, Harbor Bridge and even the Opera House.
Some of the best hotel options in the area are:
- There's a post here on the blog talking about the main neighborhoods to stay in Sydney, with tips on the best hotels and hostels.
What to do in Sydney – 15 free or cheap tours
1. Manly Beach
https://www.instagram.com/p/BR8UbTCh03v/?taken-by=alyssapradoblog
I'm biased when talking, since I love Manly and that's where I studied in 2013, and where I stayed last time.
The beach is good for both surfers and bathers, who should pay attention to swim only in marked areas. In the summer it is full of younger people, especially because it is a neighborhood with several English schools for foreigners.
Apart from the beach, there are also several restaurants and shops, all gathered in a few streets. The most popular, The Corso, also have um playground for children, small water fountains (perfect for washing your feet after time in the sand), and it also brings together performances by various little artists or wannabes.
To eat, I recommend: burrito stuffed with french fries, avocado, cheese and meat in Pretty Girl; masses in Criniti's and delicious and cheap Thai food in Manly Thai Gourmet.
How to get there: From the city, just take a ferry to Manly, on platform 3 at Circular Quay. In the early morning and late afternoon it is also possible to go by bus, although it takes longer.
2. Shelly Beach
At the end of Manly Beach, there is a path that leads to Shelly Beach. Walking a little more than 10 minutes, you can reach a nature reserve, with calm and crystal clear water.
It is one of the popular spots to do snorkeling and diving, and during the week several groups meet to learn how to scuba dive. I took my mask and respirator a few times, but as I went in a colder season I didn't venture much into the water.
A great option to escape the wind in Manly, as the beach faces the other direction. The only downside is that there is only one place to eat, and the price is high.. I suggest bringing snacks or leaving them to eat on the way back to Manly.
How to get there: Take the path indicated at the end of Manly beach.
3. Bondi Beach
On the other side of town, Bondi Beach It is one of the most famous beaches in Sydney, and attracts tourists all year round.
It is one of the places with the most Brazilians, who tend to choose the region to study English. Understandable, since it's close to the ocean, there are cheaper neighborhoods (Bondi Junction) and is just a bus ride away from the city center.
The beach is beautiful, but What draws the most attention is the swimming pool, the backdrop for thousands of Pinterest and Instagram photos.
The main street, facing the beach, has a beach style well known here in Brazil: seafood restaurants, souvenir and swimwear stores. I can't really recommend any place because I didn't eat there, but I heard good things about it. Speedo's Cafe.
How to get there: From Circular Quay, just take bus 333 straight to North Bondi. You must have a prepaid card to use this line.
4. Coogee to Bondi Walk
In Coogee, before starting the walk. I was so focused on walking that I forgot to take other photos (good blogger #sqn). For adventurers who don't want only take a bus to the beach, the suggestion is to walk Coogee to Bondi.
The route lasts around two hours and a half, and passes through places like Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly. Each one of them is more beautiful than the other, I don't even dare to choose a favorite.
Due to heavy rain, part of the path was closed, and a detour was made inside the Waverley Cemetery. It's a little strange to walk past so many tombstones, but as it's an old cemetery, most of them are practically works of art.
I recommend going from sneakers, comfortable clothes and a bikini underneath, to enter the sea at the end of the route.
How to get there: From Circular Quay, bus 373 takes you to Coogee, and the start of the trail is at the end of the beach. It is also possible to start in Bondi and arrive in Coogee!
5. Royal Botanic Garden
Or, in Portuguese, the royal botanical garden.
Next to the Opera House, its 30 hectares : and more than 8000 species of plants attract tourists every day. With a beautiful view of the city's main bay, it is a great trip for those who like to admire nature and take creative photos.
Are offered free walking tours to 10:30 all year round, except in the hottest seasons. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes, as the walk lasts around an hour and a half.
For those who do not wish to take the tour, the official website offers a list of gardens considered unmissable.
6. Opera House
You could write a list of things to do in Sydney without including Opera House? I don't think so.
It's a lie, of course, but you get my point across.
Maybe the Australia's most famous tourist attraction, this work of architecture was one of the finalists for the list of wonders of the modern world. To create the project, the local government created a competition for natural, and the hitherto unknown Jorn Utzon was the big winner.
Although construction began in 1959, the Opera House only opened in 1973, after several problems with the project. The chief architect, who was forced to leave his position in the middle of the work, never got to visit his completed work.
Today the house houses shows, plays and restaurants, but there is very little that can be seen from the inside without paying. For those who insist on getting to know its interior and do not have the time or budget to attend a show, there are tours from A$37.
How to get there: Take any bus or ferry that stops at Circular Quay and walk, approximately 5 minutes.
7. Darling Harbor
One of Sydney's busiest and most touristy marinas, home to the aquarium and the famous Madame Tussaud's wax museum.
Although it is a pleasant thing to do during the day, it is after the sun sets that the true magic of the place appears. Lights, full restaurants, clubs and other entertainment options make Darling Harbor a great place to enjoy the night on the town.
For film buffs, there is also the largest IMAX screen in the world. Unfortunately, the cinema is under renovation and is only expected to reopen in 2019.
How to get there: You can take a ferry or bus from Circular Quay.
8. Pitt St. Mall
Open-air shopping mall, which is actually a street that brings together the entrance to several other shopping malls. I think that would be the best description for the Pitt St. Mall.
With giants like Sephora, Zara and Microsoft, this street brings together shopping fanatics and those who like to enjoy a good show. This is because, during the day, several people are playing, dancing or giving presentations.
In 2013, my favorite was from Joe Moore, runner-up on The Voice Australia a few years later.
It's a great starting point for those who don't know what to do in Sydney and decide to go shopping, as from there you can access the Westfield Sydney, MidCity Shopping Center and The Galeries.
How to get there: Pitt St. starts at Circular Quay, so just walk until you reach the part where the shops are concentrated.
9.The Rocks
I know I should post a photo of the neighborhood… But look at this pancake!!!!! Oldest neighborhood in the city, the The Rocks is now one of the most popular parts of the region, with its period buildings and street markets traditional.
In 1900, with the emergence of the bubonic plague in the region, some residents began to consider the neighborhood a “dirty” part and not worth maintaining. The government, agreeing with these statements, purchased several buildings to demolish them, to make way for a “new The Rocks".
With this idea, and with the construction of the Harbor Bridge, several residents had to be relocated, and the population began to question the direction in which the neighborhood's development was taking. After several protests, the plan for reconstruction was abandoned, and a new era of revitalization began.
Today the place has restaurants, shops, shopping malls and even haunted walking tours. There are many stories of murders and ghosts in the region. The street market at the weekend is also a great local attraction.
I recommend the restaurant Pancake On The Rocks, open 24 hours a day and, despite the name, serves much more than just pancakes (but I recommend trying them because they are delicious!).
How to get there: 5 minutes walking, from Circular Quay, in the opposite direction from the Opera House.
10. Queen Victoria Building
Ou QVB, as it is also known, is one of the most famous buildings in the city. Originally a concert hall, it was once a town hall and even a library. Today it houses a mix of luxury and popular shops, cafes, restaurants and period architecture that will impress anyone.
Being right in the city center, the building is always full, and it's easy to get lost inside, as its underground floors pass beneath the streets of Sydney! I confess that it took me a long time to learn how to locate myself inside.
How to get there: You can follow George St. on foot from Circular Quay until you reach it, or take a bus or train that stops near Town Hall.
11. Harbor Bridge
One of the tours I most regretted not taking on my first visit. From a street in The Rocks, you can reach a pedestrian path that crosses the entire bridge.
The view of the Opera House is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen, with a great view of all the ferries and boats arriving at Circular Quay. You can only walk on one side of the bridge, so there is no need to cross and come back with the aim of seeing different landscapes.
For the more adventurous, it is possible climb one of the main arches. This type of tour is carried out by Bridge Climb, and costs from A$250, lasting approximately 3 hours. You can choose to climb in the middle of the day, at night, or even at dusk or sunrise.
It's possible book through TripAdvisor, choosing the “Sydney Bridge Climb” option.
How to get there: The stairs that give access to the bridge are on Cumberland Street.
12. Palm Beach
A little further away than Manly or Bondi, Palm Beach is one of those places that conveys a vibe summer: barbecue areas, two beaches, seaside restaurants, trails, a lighthouse and lots of tranquility.
Because it was a little colder, it was pretty empty and with almost nothing to do when I went there. We hiked to the top of the Lighthouse, we took some photos, walked around a bit and then headed back to Manly to eat.
Because it is further away and takes longer to get there, it is a trip that I consider It's only worth it for those who have time to spare, despite being beautiful.
How to get there: Take the L90 bus from Wynyard Station.
13. Free walking tour
Don't know what to do in Sydney or where to start getting to know the city? How about one walking tour?
offered by I'm Free Tours, is an approximately two and a half hour walk with a local guide, who tells a little about the history and curiosities that only a resident knows. It passes by Hyde Park, QVB, city hall, first hospital and prison, The Forgotten Songs and several other tourist attractions.
They even provide a map with suggestions for free or cheap tours, restaurants and programs.
I wrote everything about my experience in the post Free Walking Tour in Sydney. Here's a reading tip for those who liked the suggestion!
14. Sydney Tower
This is for those who like observation towers to see the city from above. The Sydney Tower offers a privileged view with its 309 meters high, being one of the best places in the city to watch the sunset.
For A$50, you can also take a 45-minute guided tour of the outside of the tower, without any glass to obstruct your view.
Entrance to the observation deck costs A$28, a price that can be reduced if tickets are purchased online and with a scheduled date.
For those with a more flexible budget, there is a rotating buffet restaurant in the tower, which offers more than 55 international cuisine dishes.
15. Blue Mountains
Two hours by train away from the city center, The Blue Mountains get their name from the mist formed by the region's diverse eucalyptus forests.
From this list, it's the only tour I didn't take, despite it being recommended by everyone I met. I wasn't very interested when I was at school and I thought it was too far to spend a day or two on this last trip.
But, for those who like nature, it’s a great treat! Hiking, climbing and exploring caves are some of the adventure activities offered on site.
Itinerary suggestion:
Day 1: Walk tour free; Walk across the Harbor Bridge; The Rocks
Day 2: Opera House; Royal Botanic Garden; Darling Harbor
Day 3: Manly Beach; Shelly Beach
Day 4: Coogee to Bondi Walk; Bondi Beach
Day 5: Queen Victoria Building; Pitt. St. Mall; Sydney Tower
Day 6: Blue Mountains
Day 7: Palm Beach
And that's it! 15 suggestions on what to do in Sydney! Which one do you most want to visit?
Did you like this post with a suggested itinerary at the end? Should I always do it? I would appreciate opinions in the comments 🙂
