Sydney is one of the most naturally beautiful cities in the world — the harbour, the Heads, the beaches and the Blue Mountains form a setting that would make any city feel extraordinary. But Sydney has made the most of it: the Opera House is one of the great works of 20th-century architecture; the markets, wine bars and restaurants of Surry Hills and Newtown are genuinely excellent; and the surfing at Manly and Bondi beaches is world-class. Three days here is a complete experience.
Jørn Utzon's 1973 masterpiece is most beautiful at sunrise — the shell vaults lit against the dark harbour, the city behind. Walk around the outside of the building: the ceramic tile work (1,056,000 Swedish Höganäs tiles) is best appreciated from the Bennelong Point promenade.
The 1932 Sydney Harbour Bridge (the widest long-span steel arch bridge in the world) can be walked across for free (pedestrian path, eastern side) or climbed with BridgeClimb (138m to the summit arch, 3.5 hrs, $198–$403 AUD depending on time of day). The view from the top of the arch is unmatched.
🎫 Book tickets via GetYourGuideThe Rocks is Sydney's original settlement area (1788) — the narrow sandstone laneways and colonial warehouses now have the city's best harbour restaurants. Quay (Peter Gilmore, the finest dining in Sydney) for lunch is considerably more affordable than dinner. Or try Café Sydney (Level 5, Customs House) for harbour views at mid-range prices.
The 1991 Brutalist building at Circular Quay houses the finest collection of Australian contemporary art — the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art collection is particularly strong. The rooftop bar has the best Opera House view in Sydney.
🎫 Book tickets via GetYourGuideThe Manly Ferry ($7.80 AUD, 30 minutes from Circular Quay) crosses the harbour at sunset — the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, the Heads. The most beautiful 30-minute journey in any city in the world.
Surry Hills is Sydney's best restaurant neighbourhood — Nomad (Middle Eastern-Australian fusion), Porteño (Argentine wood-fire), or the plainer Bourke Street Bakery for exceptional pies and pastries. Crown Street has the highest density of good restaurants in the city.
Australia's most famous beach (and one of the world's) is at its best at 06:00 — before the tourists arrive, just the surfers and the early swimmers. The annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition (October–November) adds a further dimension.
The 6 km cliff-top walk from Bondi Beach south to Coogee (via Bronte, Clovelly and Gordons Bay) is the finest urban coastal walk in Australia. The Aboriginal rock engravings at Marks Park, the sea pools at Bronte and Wylie's Baths at Coogee, and the views of the Pacific Ocean throughout.
🎫 Book tickets via GetYourGuideBoth Bronte and Coogee have excellent beach cafés for post-walk brunch. The Bogey Hole Café (Bronte) and the Coogee Pavilion (rooftop with ocean view) are the best options.
The Victorian terrace house suburb east of the CBD — Oxford Street has Sydney's highest concentration of fashion boutiques, art galleries (Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation, Olsen Gallery) and the Paddington Markets (Saturdays 10:00–16:00).
The 220-hectare Centennial Park is Sydney's largest green space — cycling, horse riding (Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre), and the Federation Pavilion where the Commonwealth of Australia was proclaimed on January 1, 1901.
Newtown (King Street) is Sydney's most diverse dining neighbourhood — Ethiopian, Japanese, Lebanese, Thai and excellent Australian modern. Mary's (burger institution), Hartsyard (Southern American) or Bloodwood (neighbourhood restaurant) are the best.
The Blue Mountains are 90 minutes by train from Sydney Central Station (Blue Mountains Line to Katoomba, $8.58 AUD with Opal card) — the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park, named for the blue haze from eucalyptus oil vapour in the canyon air.
Echo Point is the most famous lookout in the Blue Mountains — the Three Sisters (three sandstone pillars, 922m, 918m and 906m high) above the Jamison Valley. The Aboriginal Dreaming story of the Three Sisters is performed at the cultural centre below.
🎫 Book tickets via GetYourGuideScenic World has four attractions: the Scenic Railway (the steepest passenger railway in the world at 52° incline), the Scenic Walkway (2.4 km of rainforest boardwalk through the Jamison Valley), the Scenic Cableway (545m descent) and the Skyway. All-day pass is best value.
🎫 Book tickets via GetYourGuideLeura (10 min drive or 5 min train from Katoomba) is the most charming village in the Blue Mountains — Maple Street has excellent cafés, Leura Garage for lunch, and the Candy Store. The Leura Cascades walk (30 min) is excellent in spring.
Train from Leura or Katoomba back to Sydney Central — 90 minutes. The Blue Mountains recede in the late afternoon light.
Barangaroo Reserve (the new waterfront development) has excellent high-end restaurants. The Gantry (Australian contemporary) and Bel & Brio (Italian) are both excellent. Or return to the Rocks for a last harbour view dinner.