- We’ve mapped out the perfect five-day Sydney itinerary, packed with the city’s best sights, beaches, food and local experiences.
- From iconic landmarks and golden beaches to shopping, breweries and buzzing neighbourhoods, we’ve got you covered.
- Read on for our day-by-day guide to spending five unforgettable days in Sydney.
So, you have five days to spend in the best city in the world? Lucky you! With so much to see, do and eat, though, planning your time in Sydney can feel a little overwhelming.
We’ve used our local knowledge to create the perfect five-day itinerary to help you plan your holiday. Spanning hikes in the Blue Mountains, iconic beaches, must-see tourist landmarks, and some of the city’s coolest suburbs, this Sydney schedule will help you tick every box.
Read on to start planning your five-day Sydney getaway.
The perfect five-day Sydney itinerary
Day 1: The obligatory tourist sights
While we can confirm that our guide is curated by locals who know the very best places to visit in the city, we also know that sometimes you have to tick off the obligatory tourist sights. I mean, did you really go to Sydney if you didn’t get a selfie in front of the Opera House?
Day one is all about exploring Sydney Harbour at Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House and the Botanic Gardens.
The great thing about these tourist sights is that they’re all in proximity to each other, meaning you can kill lots of birds with one stone.
BridgeMuseum or BridgeClimb
If you love a good view, head to BridgeMuseum and learn all about the building of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, all while climbing up its South-East Pylon. You’ll be rewarded with a terrific photo opportunity of the harbour at the top.
Entry to BridgeMuseum starts at $39.95 online for adults and $22.95 for children. Book your tickets here.
If you want to elevate this experience, you’re not afraid of heights, and you’re happy to spend a bit more money, try the BridgeClimb. This once-in-a-lifetime experience lets you walk along the upper outer arch of the famous bridge and is probably one of the coolest, most iconic ways to start your Sydney holiday.
Rates for BridgeClimb use dynamic pricing and fluctuate based on the specific climb type, demand and time of day, though you can expect to pay roughly $325 to 425 for adults and $155 to $265 for children. Book your tickets here.
Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA)
Start in Circular Quay, Sydney’s central transport hub, which connects the city through ferries, light rail, trains and buses. If you’re an art fan, drop into the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), which sits on the western side of Circular Quay, and check out one of their many exciting exhibitions. Entry to the MCA costs $20 for adults and $35 for combined major exhibitions and museum entry. Book your tickets here.
Snap a selfie outside the Sydney Opera House
Time to walk around to the Sydney Opera House and snap that obligatory selfie. Our top tip? Avoid the restaurants that can be seen dotted around the harbourfront – they’re not that great and normally are way too expensive for what you’re getting (typical tourist traps).
The Opera Bar is an iconic venue in Sydney and, despite its prime location, doesn’t have ridiculous, unaffordable prices. Drop by for a schooner and some classic Aussie fare before continuing your day. There’s also a new cafe you can check out on the Lower Concourse, Winnie’s Sydney, which serves up brekkie, coffees and casual cafe food.
Continue to the Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens are Sydney’s lush waterfront oasis, featuring a wide variety of native Aussie flora across 15 beautifully curated themed areas.
The Gardens also offer ticketed tours, including the Aboriginal Harbour Heritage Tour ($36 per adult), led by a First Nations guide who shares the deep connection to Country and community as you explore the Gardens’ significant sites.
If you just want to wander the gardens at your own pace, make sure to check out The Fernery, which houses over 350 species of ferns and other tropical perennials, including orchids and begonias.
There’s also the romantic Palace Rose Garden, brimming with bright colours and buzzing bees, as well as the Oriental Garden, which is guarded by a pair of majestic bronze Thai lions, known as “Temple Dogs”.
If it’s a hot day and you fancy a dip, head to the Andrew Boy Charlton Pool, which overlooks Woolloomooloo Bay. See huge, grey Royal Australian Navy vessels sitting on the water as you swim laps, or just relax on the surrounding deck if you don’t want a workout.
Day 2: Discover Sydney’s famous beaches
Complete the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
The best way to see a multitude of Sydney’s famous beaches in just one day is to slip on your sneakers and embark on the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk.
Threading together the Eastern Suburbs’ iconic beaches, including Coogee, Gordons Bay, Clovelly, Bronte, Tamarama, Mackenzies Bay and Bondi, this walk is a must-do activity for visitors to experience the coastal beauty and enviable lifestyle that Sydney has to offer.
Stretching roughly six kilometres, the walk takes approximately two to three hours to complete, depending on how many breaks you take.
You’ll walk past the heritage-listed, cliffside Waverley Cemetery, the green-blue waters of Gordons Bay, dotted with eager snorkellers, the iconic concrete promenade of Clovelly, as well as the huge ocean pool, Bronte Baths. There are so many places to stop off for a dip; sometimes it’s hard to choose from!
My top tip would actually be to start in Coogee and finish up in Bondi, as you can easily hop on the 333 back to the city or Circular Quay when you’re finished.
Also, the most iconic way to wrap up your day of walking is to book lunch or dinner at Bondi Icebergs, then settle in with a schooner or Aperol Spritz at the famous seaside club before cooling off with a dip in its picturesque pool.
Maybe even reward yourself with a Yochi at their Bondi outpost – you’ve earned it.
Day 3: Hop on the ferry to Manly
It’s ferry time! Hop on the fast ferry to Manly, a suburb on Sydney’s idyllic Northern Beaches.
Shopping and swimming in Manly
If you’ve still got some shopping energy left, wander down the Concourse and browse the stores. You’ll find plenty of great spots for swimwear, along with relaxed, beach-ready pieces and classic surf-inspired styles.
For those looking to go for a dip, wander round to Shelly Beach, which is approximately 20 minutes from Manly Wharf. It’s known for being great for snorkelling thanks to its crystal-clear water and calm, protected marine reserve.
Grab a bite
If you’re peckish, Manly has plenty of quality eateries where you can grab a bite. Pocket Pizza is often cited as one of the best pizza restaurants in Sydney (certainly in the Northern Beaches), while Manly Wharf has accumulated a bunch of quality, waterfront restaurants in the past few years.
Top of our list is Stanley Restaurant, which has its very own dedicated duck ovens and live seafood tank to achieve dreamy, delicious Cantonese food.
There’s also Felons Brewing Co., which is known for its ice-cold lagers and unfussy menu featuring burgers, pizzas, grilled meats, salads and share plates. Next door, Felons Seafood prepares fresh Australian seafood with a Mediterranean touch.
Love a hike? Walk from Spit Bridge to Manly
If you’re after another hike, you can get several buses (the 168X, 171X, 172X and 173X) from near Wynyard Station to Spit Bridge, and do the 10km walk to Manly from there.
The trail winds through beautiful bushland and past some of Sydney Harbour’s most secluded white-sand beaches. It’s a fairly challenging walk, with some steep sections and plenty of distance to cover, but the stunning scenery makes every step worthwhile.
Day 4: Explore Sydney’s coolest suburbs
You’ve done the beaches, you’ve ticked off the tourist sights; now’s time to think like a local and head to the Inner West, where Sydney’s coolest suburbs offer everything from vintage shopping to authentic restaurants and funky craft breweries.
Start in Newtown
Start in the bohemian bubble of Newtown, famed for its vintage shops, incredible collection of bars and funky cafes and restaurants. King Street, the main artery, is teeming with life, eventually branching off to its equally vibey sister, Enmore Road.
Grab a coffee at Campos Coffee’s flagship before making your way down Newtown. Take in the colourful street heart that gives the suburb plenty of character, and drop into one of its many vintage shops (our favourites are So Familia and Irreplacable Store).
There’s also Maplestore, a go-to for high-quality streetwear from some of Sydney’s favourite brands. While it’s on the pricier side, the premium, fashion-forward clothing, accessories and footwear make it well worth the splurge.
Complete the Inner West Ale Trail
The Inner West Ale Trail is made up of 15 unique, award-winning, independent breweries, linking some of the best places to sip a schooner into one area.
The complete trail is 7.1 kilometres, though we wouldn’t recommend even the most dedicated beer drinkers to try and stop off at every brewery! Instead, pick a cluster of four or five breweries and settle in for a leisurely afternoon of tastings.
I’d recommend staying in Marrickville and checking out Grifter, Pickled Monkey, Mixtape and Sauce. For the latest events, brewery specials and happy hours, follow the Inner West Ale Trail on Instagram so you that you don’t miss what’s pouring.
Once you’ve finished checking out the breweries, or if you’d like a sweet treat in between, you’ll also be in close proximity to the huge Messinaville, where you can grab a gelato from a Sydney institution.
Stay in the Inner West for dinner
The Inner West isn’t just known for its great breweries and funky, independent shops. It also has a variety of impeccable restaurants, from more casual eateries to more fancy establishments.
Some of our favourites include Enmore’s Emma’s Snack Bar, which serves up generous portions of fresh Lebanese food (think silky baba ganouge, sweet fried brussel sprouts and home lamb and beef spiced sausages. There’s also Cairo Takeaway, offering authentic Egyptian cuisine and warm hospitality.
If you’re looking for something a bit fancier, head to Cafe Paci, one of Nigella Lawson’s favourite restaurants in Sydney, known for its inventive, European-influenced menu. Just opposite is ANTE, a stylish sake bar serving an excellent seasonal Japanese menu as well as a stacked sake rotation.
If you want to stick to Marrickville, drop by Pepito’s, known for exceptional Peruvian dishes, or Corinthian Rotisserie for a casual eating experience of all the Greek staples: souvlakia, tiropita and yemista.
Marrickville is also known for its incredible Vietnamese food (Illawarra Road is officially dubbed “Little Vietnam”), so you know you’ll get a good feed at restaurants like VN Street Foods and Bay Tinh. If you want a quick bite, stop by Marrickville Pork Roll and order one of their iconic bánh mìs.
Day 5: Visit the Blue Mountains
Just 60 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD, the Blue Mountains are a striking, rugged region characterised by thick eucalyptus forests, hidden waterfalls and some of our favourite bushwalking trails.
First of all, you’re probably wondering why they’re called “the Blue Mountains”. The name comes from the distinctive blue haze created when eucalyptus oils mix with moisture and dust in the air, scattering sunlight across the landscape.
To get to the Blue Mountains, hop on a Blue Mountains Line train (BMT) from Central Station to Leura or Katoomba (which will take roughly two hours), or embark on a 90-minute drive.
Walk from Echo Point to Scenic World
My personal favourite hike, Echo Point to Scenic World, in the Blue Mountains always manages to terrify me and amaze me at the same time. Start at Echo Point, where you can take in stunning views of the Three Sisters, before hiking down the 800 steel and stone steps into the valley.
The descent is steep enough to have you gripping the handrail as you make your way down, with a healthy dose of adrenaline thrown in for good measure.
Once you reach the bottom of the steps, you can continue around to reach Scenic World, where you can ride the Scenic Railway back to the top. In total, this is about 4.5 kilometres one way.
A few warnings to anyone doing the hike: the last train goes at 4:50pm, and it costs $64 per adult to ride (though this gets you access to Scenic World’s Cableway and Skyway too.
If you’d rather skip the Scenic Railway, be prepared for a challenging climb back up the Furber Steps. The ascent is steep, but the reward is a series of spectacular rainforest and valley views along the way.
Shorter walks and scenic rides…
If you’re travelling with youngsters or don’t want to walk as far, opt for the Three Sisters Walk, which is just one kilometre, but offers some of the best views of the Blue Mountains, while also being well signposted and easy to follow.
You should also check out the other rides at Scenic World, which are a highlight of any Blue Mountains visit, particularly for families or those who’d rather soak up the scenery without tackling a full day of hiking.
Experience the world’s steepest passenger railway as it plunges into the rainforest, glide above the Jamison Valley on the Scenic Cableway, and take in sweeping views from the Scenic Skyway as it travels between clifftops overlooking the iconic Three Sisters and Prince Henry Cliff Walk.
Once you’ve finished exploring the Blue Mountains, make your way back to Leura or Katoomba train station, or hop in the car and head back to the city.
Five days will only scratch the surface of everything Sydney has to offer, but this itinerary will give you a taste of the city’s iconic sights, spectacular beaches, buzzing neighbourhoods and stunning natural beauty. Now all that’s left to do is pack your bags and enjoy your Sydney getaway!
