What to do in Sydney: A guide on culuture, family activities, best areas and delicious eats

Sydney is the best of many different worlds. It’s one of those rare places that can confidently channel the energy of a big city, while still filtering that sense of urgency and chaos through its peaceful pockets of restorative nature. Locals take great pride in calling such an impossibly beautiful part of the world their home. Similarly, it’s often a rewarding, life-affirming trip for visitors.

There’s nothing like seeing the beauty of Circular Quay for the first time on a sunny day, walking up to landmark institutions like Sydney Opera House and taking peaceful strolls along the coastline. Maybe you’ll spot a whale breaching after you stop for a breather along the Bondi to Coogee Walk, rethink your current “favourite cuisine” after eating around Western Sydney, or find your new “forever home” wrapped in the serenity of the iconic Blue Mountains.

However you choose to experience Sydney, you’ll soon come to realise that diversity is our strength and we punch far, far beyond our weight class when it comes to art, culture, food, music, and—thanks to a renewed Nighttime Economy strategy—nightlife.

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Visit Sydney’s iconic sights and attractions

Sydney’s most recognisable sights are clustered around its harbour, making them easy to explore in a single day without feeling rushed. Water, greenery and architecture sit side by side here. The result is a cityscape that feels open, distinct and liberating. These attractions are not just photo opportunities, but places that shape how Sydney is experienced.

The Sydney Opera House remains the city’s defining landmark, whether viewed from the harbour, the Royal Botanic Garden or up close on the forecourt. Nearby, the Sydney Harbour Bridge anchors the skyline and connects the CBD to the North Shore, with pedestrian access offering some of the best free views in the city. Just behind both, the Royal Botanic Garden provides a welcome pause, with shaded paths, harbourfront lawns and views that stretch across to Circular Quay.

Beyond the harbour, the golden sands of Bondi Beach represent another side of Sydney’s identity. Lively and instantly recognisable, Bondi blends swimming, surf culture and coastal walking in one iconic setting. It offers a contrast to the calm of the harbour while remaining an essential part of the city’s story.

Across the water, Taronga Zoo pairs wildlife encounters with sweeping harbour panoramas, turning the journey there into part of the experience. Ferry access visits feel effortless, while the setting adds a sense of scale that few urban zoos can match. Together, these sights form a clear, unforgettable introduction to Sydney.

As you’ll discover, our tourist attractions are far from overrated. And you’ll often find that they are just as beloved by locals as they are by tourists.

Sydney’s biggest annual events

Sydney’s calendar is shaped by large-scale events that reflect the city’s outdoor lifestyle, cultural diversity and love of spectacle. From harbour-focused celebrations to major sporting and arts festivals, these annual moments give visitors a clear sense of how the city flows through a calendar year, with well-established traditions coupled with dynamic new events.

Sydney Festival always kicks the year off with a burst of creativity, filling indoor and outdoor venues with life, while the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras remains one of the city’s most important cultural celebrations, culminating in a world-famous parade and month-long program as February switches to March.

May and June’s Vivid Sydney is the most visually striking of them all, transforming the harbour, CBD and inner-city neighbourhoods with large-scale light installations, projections and public performances each winter. Sydney Festival opens the year with a mix of music, theatre and large outdoor events,

Sport plays an equally central role. The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race begins each Boxing Day in the harbour, drawing crowds to the foreshore and setting a festive tone for summer. The NRL State of Origin match, major tennis events like the United Cup and the annual City2Surf fun run all bring the city together, reinforcing Sydney’s reputation as a place where major events spill out into the streets and onto the water.

These are some of our key events that you should be planning your trip around, based on your personal interests.

The best things to do for families in Sydney

Sydney is an easy city to explore with kids, largely because so many of its best experiences are outdoors and woven into everyday life. Beaches, parks and waterfront walks sit alongside world-class cultural institutions, meaning families can mix high-energy activities with quieter moments without much planning. It is a city that rewards curiosity, and one that rarely asks parents to choose between fun and learning.

Taronga Zoo remains a standout for families visiting Sydney, not just for its wildlife but for its setting on the harbour, with views that stretch back to the Opera House. The Australian Museum and Powerhouse Museum offer hands-on exhibits that appeal to children of different ages, while the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo bring native animals and marine life right into the heart of the city. For all ages, Wendy White’s Secret Garden near the north side of Sydney Harbour Bridge is a favourite for a family picnic.

Outdoor adventures are where Sydney really shines for families. Ferry rides across the harbour double as sightseeing trips and feel like an activity in their own right. Coastal walks such as Bondi to Coogee can be tackled in short sections, with playgrounds and ocean pools along the way. In warmer months, calm beaches like Balmoral and Shelly Beach are ideal for swimming with children, thanks to their sheltered waters.

Out west, close and unique encounters with Australia’s treasured native animals await at Featherdale Wildlife Park, while it’s also a good idea to dial in some retro nostalgia with a movie at Blacktown’s Skyline Drive-In (one of Australia’s few remaining authentic drive-in cinemas). While you’re out west, head to the Blue Mountains and take in everything Scenic World has to offer, for both big and little kids. And while you’re making your way back into the city, stop off at Sydney Olympic Park to experience all the VR magic and immersive art exhibitions at Fever Pavilion.

How to make the most of Sydney’s famous beaches

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Beaches are to Sydney what big, beautiful parks are to New York City and London. They are places of renewal, reinvigoration and contemplation; free social spaces that have come to define this city much more sharply than its bold colonial architecture, world-class museums and wide-reaching food scene.

Sydney is Sydney because of its beaches. So a visit to this part of the world without stepping onto the sand just makes no sense. That confluence of blue and gold is where Sydneysiders find their soul.

To make the most of Sydney’s beaches, timing and choice matter. Bondi Beach delivers classic Sydney energy, best enjoyed early in the morning when the sand is quieter, and the coastal walk to Bronte is at its most scenic. Manly Beach offers a different experience altogether, with a ferry ride that doubles as a harbour tour and a long stretch of sand that suits both swimming and surfing.

For those willing to look beyond the obvious, Milk Beach is a small, sheltered spot with uninterrupted views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, ideal for calm swims and picnics rather than crowds. Balmoral Beach offers gentle waters and a relaxed village feel, while Bronte and Coogee blend a boutique-minded lifestyle with big, postcard-worthy coastlines, especially along the Bondi to Coogee walk.

Above all, Sydney’s beaches are meant to be used, not just admired. Pack swimmers year-round, follow local safety advice and take advantage of the cafés, ocean pools and walking tracks that connect the shoreline. Whether you’re stretching out on Bondi’s sand or discovering a quieter cove, the beach is where Sydney feels most like itself.

And many of these Sydney beaches, like Bondi, are rare examples of public spaces that are used by international visitors and locals in equal measure. 

These are the iconic, touristy things to do in Sydney

Some experiences in Sydney are famous for a reason. They shape first impressions and often end up being the moments people talk about long after they leave. Even for locals, these classic Sydney attractions hold their appeal, especially when approached without rushing and with a little curiosity rather than a checklist mentality.

Luckily, Sydney’s easy, breezy lifestyle lends itself perfectly to a relaxed pace.

Catching a ferry to Manly is one of the simplest and most memorable ways to understand Sydney Harbour. The journey itself is the experience, gliding past the Opera House and under the Harbour Bridge before opening out onto the heads. Again, a visit to Bondi Beach belongs in the same category. It is instantly recognisable, lively without feeling overwhelming, and a place where swimming, people-watching and coastal walking all come together in one stretch of sand.

Across the water, Taronga Zoo combines one of the world’s most scenic wildlife settings with genuinely engaging animal encounters. Nearby, the Sydney Opera House invites a closer look through guided tours that reveal how this global icon works from the inside, from its performance spaces to its intricate design. For those keen on a physical challenge, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge offers a very different perspective, with uninterrupted views that stretch from the city skyline to the Pacific Ocean.

For a final, elevated view of the city, Sydney Tower Eye delivers a bird’s-eye perspective over the CBD and beyond. From this height, the scale of Sydney becomes clear, with its waterways, neighbourhoods and coastline unfolding in every direction. These are the experiences that define the city, and seeing them up close is part of understanding Sydney itself.

Where to catch good live music in Sydney

Inner-city neighbourhoods like Newtown, Marrickville and Surry Hills are at the heart of Sydney’s grassroots music culture. Small venues and pubs host regular gigs spanning indie, rock, jazz and electronic music, often showcasing emerging local artists alongside touring acts. 

For larger shows, venues such as the Enmore Theatre and Metro Theatre draw international performers and established Australian acts, offering a more traditional concert experience without losing a sense of intimacy. The Sydney Opera House also plays an important role here, hosting everything from contemporary music to experimental and classical performances in spaces designed for exceptional acoustics.

Live music in Sydney often extends beyond enclosed venues. Outdoor stages, seasonal festivals and waterfront events bring performances into public spaces, especially during the warmer months. 

For big-ticket tours, pay attention to the schedules for Qudos Bank Arena and Hordern Pavilion, while smaller, more intimate venues like City Recital Hall and State Theatre constantly bring in big names for smaller concerts. 

Then you have smaller, dynamic venues popping up, like the New York-style Curtains Jazz Club near Circular Quay (next to the InterContinental Sydney) and Merivale’s lavish The Press Club. Jazz is nascent in Sydney, but these two venues are trying to change that.

Where to shop local in Sydney

Sydney is a city that balances global brands with vibrant local shopping experiences, making it easy to find something unique no matter what you’re after. From weekly markets to boutique-lined streets, the city rewards exploration and offers a distinctly Australian take on fashion, food and design.

Weekly markets are at the heart of Sydney’s local shopping culture. Carriageworks Farmers Market in Eveleigh is a highlight, with fresh produce, artisanal goods and street food that draw both locals and visitors. Glebe Market combines vintage fashion, handmade jewellery and curiosities, creating a treasure hunt for all ages. Over on the North Shore, the Kirribilli Markets provide a relaxed, community-focused atmosphere, perfect for discovering local crafts while taking in harbour views.

For those after high-end retail, Paddington’s Oxford Street offers a curated strip of designer boutiques, independent labels and Australian fashion houses. In the CBD, global brands sit alongside local designers in Art Deco shopping arcades like The Strand, offering everything from international fashion to homewares.

Our favourite neighbourhoods to explore in Sydney

Sydney’s most popular neighbourhoods each offer a different way to experience the city, from historic precincts to beachside hubs and growing urban centres. 

If you always find yourself charmed by any European city’s Old Town, you should start at The Rocks. This historic area, framed by giant sandstone buildings and cobblestone laneways, is compact and atmospheric, with many hidden secrets and museums. Nearby, Circular Quay acts as the city’s seafaring and cultural heart, anchored by the glorious Sydney Opera House, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the constant churn of Sydney Harbour as ferries and boats zip around Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

Across the water, Manly combines an easygoing surf culture with a busy main strip of shops, cafés and restaurants. Beautiful Bondi is Sydney’s most famous beach suburb, defined by its coastal walk, fitness culture and busy dining scene. Coogee is calmer and more residential, popular for its family-friendly beach and scenic oceanfront paths. Potts Point is densely packed and walkable, with a strong dining and bar scene set among Art Deco buildings. Darlinghurst sits next door and leans more energetic, known for nightlife, creative venues and LGBTQIA+ culture.

Surry Hills mixes fashion, food and design, with leafy streets and some of the city’s best casual dining. Newtown is lively and alternative, with live music, vintage stores and a strong student presence. Marrickville stands out for its multicultural food scene and growing number of breweries and creative spaces. Parramatta functions as Western Sydney’s centre, offering riverside parks, major shopping and a dynamic skyline, while Blacktown reflects the scale and diversity of the city’s west, with large cultural precincts, sporting venues and access to national parks.

How to explore Sydney’s art scene

Sydney’s art scene is spread out rather than concentrated in a single district, and that is part of its appeal. Galleries, studios and public artworks are woven into the city’s neighbourhoods, encouraging exploration rather than box-ticking. It is a scene shaped as much by place and light as it is by institutions.

The Art Gallery of New South Wales is the natural starting point, with a collection that moves confidently between Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and international works. Nearby, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia brings a sharper, more experimental edge, with rotating exhibitions and a strong focus on living artists. Both sit in locations that reward lingering, with harbour views and easy access to surrounding precincts.

Beyond the major galleries, Sydney’s art life thrives in smaller spaces. Suburbs like Paddington, Chippendale and Redfern are known for popular galleries like White Rabbit, artist-run initiatives and pop-up exhibitions that change regularly. A slow walk through these areas is richly rewarding, from converted terraces showing emerging artists to large-scale murals that double as public landmarks.

Where to see a show in Sydney

Sydney’s performing arts scene blends big stages with intimate independent venues, offering something for every taste and schedule. For flagship experiences, the Sydney Opera House stages international and Australian productions against its iconic harbour backdrop. In the CBD, the Capitol Theatre and State Theatre host major musicals and touring productions, while the Lyric and Princess Theatres present drama and contemporary work in classic theatre settings.

The city’s independent and boutique stages are where emerging voices and local creativity shine. Teatro at the Italian Forum in Leichhardt brings professional and community theatre to the Inner West with a regular program of musicals, cabaret and workshops. Belvoir St Theatre in Surry Hills champions new Australian plays in a flexible black-box space, and Hayes Theatre Co in Potts Point specialises in musical theatre and cabaret in a cosy, artist-driven environment.

Other notable venues include the Enmore Theatre in Newtown, which blends live music with theatrical events, the Seymour Centre in Chippendale for contemporary dance and experimental work, and Riverside Theatres in Parramatta for regional touring shows.

The best food you need to try in Sydney

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Sydney’s food scene is as diverse as its landscape, offering everything from fine dining to casual eats, heightened by Australia’s gorgeous growing seasons. Whether you’re drawn to established favourites or new hotspots, the city is full of experiences that reward curiosity and a healthy appetite.

Italian food has a particularly strong presence in Sydney, with restaurants like Ragazzi and Palazzo Salato earning devoted followings. Fresh pasta, wood-fired pizzas and classic antipasti make these spots perfect for sharing with friends or family. The city’s inner-city wine bars also deserve attention, with places like Bar Copains and Dear Saint Eloise combining a refined beverage selection with small plates designed to linger over, making for evenings that are as much about the atmosphere as the food.

Western Sydney represents a different side of the city’s culinary identity. Its dining scene is dynamic and multicultural, offering regional cuisines from across Asia, the Middle East and beyond. The large region’s vibrant food culture rivals neighbourhoods like Queens in New York, with casual eateries, family-run restaurants and innovative fusion concepts all delivering bold flavours that reflect the city’s diversity.

Some of our favourite places to eat in Sydney include:

• The Apollo (Greek)
• Felons Manly (Modern Australian)
• The Collective (All-Day European)
• Ragazzi (Italian)
• Rockpool Bar & Grill (Modern Australian)
• The Charles (French)
• AALIA (Middle Eastern)
• Joji (Japanese-Australian)
• Palazzo Salato (Italian)
• Saint Peter (Australian Seafood)
• Alzado (Spanish)
• Toki (Japanese)
• Bar Copains (European)
• Dear Saint Eloise (European)
• Pina (Australian)
• Algorithm (South East Asian)
• VN Street Foods (Vietnamese)
• Bar Julius (European)
• Belly Bao (South East Asian)
• Bennelong (Modern Australian)

Where to take a walk in Sydney

Sydney is a city made for walking, with trails that combine stunning views, coastal breezes and a chance to see both the natural and urban sides of the harbour. Whether you’re after a short stroll or a full-day adventure, these walks showcase some of the city’s best scenery.

The Bondi to Coogee walk is perhaps the most famous, and for good reason. Cliffs, beaches, ocean pools and cafés line this route, making it a perfect mix of exercise and sightseeing. Each stop along the way offers a chance to pause, swim or simply take in the view.

The Manly walk is another classic, stretching along the coast and providing epic harbour views. It can be started from the ferry wharf and winds through beaches, headlands and bushland, giving a sense of the city’s diverse landscapes. For something a little quieter, the walk around South Head Lighthouse at Watsons Bay combines history with breathtaking vistas, overlooking the harbour entrance and the open ocean beyond.

Other standout walks include the Barangaroo Reserve loop, where modern architecture meets landscaped gardens, and the Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay trail, which blends bushland with glimpses of naval history and panoramic harbour views. Each offers a different, more intimate way to experience Sydney on foot and discover perspectives that cars and ferries can’t provide.

Want more ideas on what to do in Sydney? Make sure you’re checking our front page as we keep it updated regularly with news, events and features on what makes our city the world’s greatest. And while you’re here, sign up for our newsletter for all the top stories sent directly to you each week (you can do so from the front page).