The two times I visited Sydney, I didn't think much about where host me.
The first time I went on an exchange to study English, and the school chose my homestay (family home). I ended up living in Dee Why, a beach in the north, and every day I took a bus and took the 10-minute journey to the neighboring neighborhood.
In 2017 I stayed at a friend's house who lived in Manly Beach. By coincidence, it was on the same street as the school I studied at, literally in the building next door. It was a matter of opportunity, and I didn't even look for hotels or better neighborhoods.
Now that I know the city more in-depth, I consider that there are three ideal regions for those visiting Sydney for the first time: Central Business District (CBD), Manly Beach and Bondi Beach.
The first is a central neighborhood, while the other two are famous beaches, with the paradisiacal blue waters that are so characteristic of Australia. All are well located depending on the purpose of your trip.
In this post I show where to stay in Sydney if you want to see the main tourist attractions and enjoy the beach, and also suggest accommodation options for all budgets.
Where to stay in Sydney, Australia
Central Business District
If you want to see the most famous attractions, this is the place to stay.
Despite not being home to the Circular Quay area, the Central Business District is within walking distance of the Opera House, The Rocks, Darling Harbor and Harbor Bridge. There are also other interesting points, such as the Queen Victoria Building, Hyde Park, Town House (where the free walking tour), And Chinatown.
It would be the region I would choose if I were going to do tourism, as it is possible to visit all the places I mentioned without having to use public transport. A two or three day itinerary is enough to get to know the surroundings if you have the energy to walk a lot.
Another advantage is that, as it is a more central point, it is easy to catch a bus, train or even a train. ferry to more distant places. A day at Manly Beach, for example, costs around AU$15 return on a ferry common. For Bondi the price is even friendlier: just over AU$8 for one round trip by bus.
Hotel suggestions:
Sheraton on the Park (Category: Luxury)
With a privileged view of Hyde Park, the Sheraton has an indoor pool, gym, terrace bar and restaurant with a seafood buffet. The rooms have a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi, and the vast majority also have a hot tub. The more expensive ones even have a private balcony where you can have breakfast! It's about a 20-minute walk to the Opera House, and daily rates start at approximately R$1100.
Castlereagh Boutique Hotel (Category: Moderate)
Also close to the park, this hotel uses its old architecture to delight guests, and the dining room has been restored to its original 1920s decor. Rooms come with cable TV, air conditioning and a minibar, as well as utensils. to make tea or coffee. The wifi is free, and it's just a few minutes walk to the Sydney Tower, several shopping malls and the city's main tourist attractions. A night in the simplest room costs around R$500.
Base Sydney (Category: Hostel)
Close to Darling Harbour, this hostel is super well located, and is next to the train station Town Hall. It's easy to reach the tourist attractions on foot, and buses to Bondi and other famous places pass right in front of the property. It has a 24-hour reception and a restaurant/bar, where events with DJs take place on some nights, perfect for social gatherings. A bed in a dorm shared with 10 people costs R$115/night (Australia is a country EXPENSIVE!), but there are also rooms to share between eight, six, four or two people.
Manly Beach
My favorite beach and, for me, one of the best places to stay in Sydney! But of course my opinion is biased, since that's where I studied and stayed on my last visit. rs.
The region is small, and apart from a few restaurants, bars and shops, there isn't much to do other than enjoy the beach. It is ideal for those who want to relax and escape the big city atmosphere., as the atmosphere is very different from the center. I commented more on the subject in the post: Is it worth staying on Sydney's beaches?
The main street is flame The Corso, and it is where the best options in the neighborhood are concentrated. Shops close around five in the afternoon, so if your goal is to shop at supermarkets, surf, I recommend not leaving it until the last minute.
The beach is great for catching waves, but due to the ferocity of the sea, swimming is prohibited in most places. If you want to get in the water, I recommend walking to Shelly Beach, where it is so calm that locals take the opportunity to go diving. Another option is to walk in the opposite direction, towards Queenscliff, and enjoy the public saltwater pool.
To get to the center there are buses that run early in the morning and return in the late afternoon, or take a ferry to Circular Quay.
Hotel suggestions:
Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific (Category: Luxury)
Facing the beach, this 4-star hotel is close to the region's main restaurants and entertainment spots. The property has spa, gym and rooftop pool, as well as a covered terrace and business center. All rooms are spacious and have air conditioning and a desk, and the more expensive ones even have a bathtub and sea views. Wi-Fi is paid separately, and breakfast is included in most room rates, which start at R$900.
Manly Paradise Motel & Apartments (Category: Moderate)
Also with a privileged location, Paradise Motel & Apartments has an open-air pool and faces the sea. Next to The Corso, it's just a few minutes' walk to the best shops and the wharf, where does the ferry to the central region of the city. All rooms have a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and refrigerator, and the more expensive ones also have a microwave and other amenities. Wi-Fi is free throughout the stay, and a night in the simplest apartment costs around R$550.
Manly Backpackers (Category: Hostel)
Less than three minutes' walk separates Manly Backpackers and the beach, and the hostel even offers equipment to do snorkeling for free! It has a shared kitchen, lounge with television and a terrace perfect for barbecuing and socializing with other guests. There are food and drink machines on the property, and staff organize weekly events for everyone to have fun. There are dorms with six, four and two beds, and the price for a shared room starts at R$93.
Bondi Beach
Perhaps the most famous beach in the city, Bondi is known for its perfect surfing waves and famous oceanfront pool. It is a more unglued, full of different cafes, restaurants trendy and local brand stores.
I recommend it if you want to enjoy the beach during the day and enjoy the nightlife at night. If you like outdoor activities, I suggest doing the path linking Bondi to Coogee. It takes about two to three hours and passes by several beautiful beaches.
Another cool program in the area is Bondi Market, a kind of street fair that takes place every Sunday. You can find clothes, accessories, decorative objects and even vintage items.
Getting to the center by bus is easy, and the lines that connect the two places run throughout the day. A nearby neighborhood that is also interesting, despite not having famous tourist attractions, is Bondi junction. Full of Brazilians studying English, there is a vibe more similar to the big city, with shops, shopping malls and well-known restaurants.
Hotel suggestions:
QT Bondi (Category: Luxury/Moderate)
Described as a “glamorous seaside retreat”, QT Bondi is a cross between an apartment and a hotel. Guests can enjoy rooms with a kitchenette, air conditioning, bathtub, balcony, TV, free Wi-Fi and even cleaning service. Pacific Bondi's gym can be used by guests, and bicycles are also available for use at no additional cost. A night in the most basic accommodation costs around R$1000.
Hotel Ravesis (Category: Moderate)
An icon of the region, this hotel maintains its classic appearance on the outside but has been completely renovated on the inside. It faces the beach, and the rooms have air conditioning, refrigerator, minibar and free wifi. The famous property also has a restaurant, three bars and a 24-hour reception, as well as offering room service, an ATM and a work area. Prices start from R$650.
Surfside Bondi Beach (Category: Hostel)
Two minutes from the beach and with a staff described as friendly and helpful, the big difference of this hostel is offering surfboards. surfing, skateboards and equipment for snorkeling free. A shared kitchen is available for guests to use, as well as a TV room, ping-pong table, terrace and barbecue area. The basic breakfast is included in the rate, with cereal, coffee and teas. There are dormitories with eight, ten and twelve beds, and the cheapest bed costs R$90 per night.
In short:
- Stay in the Central Business District (CBD) region if your goal is to visit the main tourist attractions and enjoy just a day or two on the beaches.
- Choose Manly if you want to enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere and don't make a point of visiting the city center frequently. Each section of the ferry it costs on average AU$7.50!
- Bondi is a mix of a beach neighborhood hipster with nightlife. It's the best choice for those who want a bit of the city and the beach at the same time!
From the prices it is clear that hotels in Australia are not very cheap, not even hostels. To save money, I also suggest looking for rooms or apartments on Airbnb. Use this link to register on the platform and receive a discount on your first reservation.
And there they are, the best places to stay in Sydney! Have you stayed in another region or hotel and liked it? Take the opportunity to tell me in the comments 🙂